Are you looking for fun things to do in Hayward, WI? This charming city offers a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy!
Hayward is located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, and is a popular tourist destination because of its large number of lakes and stocks.
The city was named after Anthony Judson Hayward, who built a sawmill in the region. Visitors can enjoy many activities in Hayward, such as fishing, hiking, and biking.
The city also has a rich history that can be explored at various museums and historical sites.
Here are 18 things to do in Hayward, WI:
Things to Do in Hayward
1. Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau
When you first arrive in Hayward, you should stop by the Visitors Bureau. Here you will find information and suggestions about what to do while you are there. The grounds of this building are also the site for four annual celebrations in Hayward:
Honor the Earth Powwow
Hayward was once the settlement of the Ojibwe tribe, and each year Ojibwe tribe members gather here and celebrate the culture of their tribe with music, dance, and celebrations. Visitors will enjoy the entertaining aspect of the gathering; while learning more about the tribe’s history and culture.
Lumberjack World Championships
The festival invites lumberjacks from all around the world to participate in games like log rolling, axe throwing, sawing, and chopping. The contest lasts three days, and a large number of visitors gather to watch the events.
Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival
This festival is the destination for mountain bikers as they race through the picturesque woods. It is a very popular gathering for bikers and their families.
2. Lumberjack Village Mini Golf
If you are looking for a family-friendly activity, then you should add Lumberjack Village Mini Golf to your list of things to do in Hayward, Wisconsin.
Bring the whole family, and tee off for fun! Within the course, visitors will be able to enjoy a view of a waterfall.
The whole course is a nature walk because it has plenty of plants and flowers to look at. Children of all ages will enjoy playing on this mini golf course and trying to conquer the child-oriented hazards of the course.
At the end of the game, you can stop at our gift shop or enjoy a snack at the snack bar.
3. Freshwater Fishing Hall Of Fame
You can’t miss the location of this spot because there is a 143-foot statue of a Muskie fish; stretching across the lot. There are seven buildings in the complex.
There are pictures of the biggest fish caught in this area and 400 mounted fish. There is also an exhibit of outboard motors. On the second floor is an observation deck for visitors to enjoy the view.
Add a visit to this location to your bucket list of things to do in Hayward and explore the fascinating world of freshwater fishing!
4. Northwoods Humane Society And Thrift Shop
For animal lovers, add a visit to the Northwoods Humane Society to your list of things to do in Hayward, WI.
These buildings are dedicated to saving the lives of stray animals in the area. At the humane society, they house abandoned or abused animals and provide medical services.
If the animal is feral, they provide training so it can be placed in a family home. The Thrift Shoppe offers second-hand items of all kinds; at reasonable prices.
All of the proceeds of the shop go to benefit the animals at the humane society.
5. American Birkebeiner
One of the best things to do in Hayward is to participate in or watch the American Birkebeiner.
If you love to ski or want to watch others ski, this is the place to visit. This event is the largest cross-country skiing race in North America.
This annual event has been held each February since 1977 and draws crowds from around the country. The event is held in memory of a survival event, so the skiers are only allowed to carry light backpacks containing warm clothing, food, and survival gear.
This race was started to commemorate an event in 1206 during the Norwegian Civil War. A group of soldiers banded together to smuggle the illegitimate son of King Hakon to safety, as his life was in danger. The child weighed 7.7 pounds, so that is the weight the backpacks of the skiers must be.
6. Out of The Woods Winery
Spend a lovely afternoon walking through the beautiful rows of grapevines. The original name of the Winery was the Hook Stone Winery.
Visitors here can also enjoy tasting the wine, mead, and ciders made here at the Winery. Small snacks are also available while you taste the wine. Inside the headquarters of the Winery is a gallery of original art done by local artists of the area.
The current exhibition features paintings based on poetry done by local poets, making it a fascinating place to discover more about the culture of this town.
If you are looking for things to do in Hayward that are a little more low-key, then add Out of The Woods Winery to your list!
7. Hayward Amusement Center
Bring the whole family to enjoy the many activities, but be sure and enjoy the go-kart track since that is their most popular activity.
The center has been in business since 1961 and offers an 18-hole miniature golf course, rock climbing, and batting cages.
8. Spider Lake Ranch Riding Stable
If you’d like to go horseback riding, a visit to Spider Lake Ranch Riding Stable is worth adding to your list of things to do in Hayward. You can have a relaxing and enjoyable ride through the area with one of the horses here.
This family-owned stable will provide you with friendly, gentle horses and trained guides to take you through the nearby woods.
If you want to ride one of the horses, be sure you are wearing sneakers or boots – since open-toed shoes are not safe for horseback riding.
The guide on the trail will provide you with lessons about horses, horseback riding, and information about the history of the area.
9. Tremblay’S Sweet Shop
In the heart of the downtown area, you’ll find this shop featuring homemade candy. They opened in 1963 and made many kinds of chocolates, brittle, fudge, and hard candy.
You can buy some to enjoy during your vacation and some boxes to bring or send home. The owner of this shop, Dennis Tremblay, is a skier who decided to find an activity to enjoy during the winter months.
Tremblay and his family still run the sweet shop and would love to have you come and discover their candies.
10. The Park Theatre
One of the fun things to do in Hayward is to visit The Park Theatre. This theatre was opened in 1948 and has shown movies to Hayward families and visitors since then.
The theatre was recently renovated to allow performing arts groups to present plays, and there are still performances here you can enjoy.
There is also a small art gallery for visitors to enjoy. Coming presentations will feature a lecture by outdoorsman Chris Dombrowski, who will provide information about his travels in the area and discuss how we can conserve energy and protect the earth.
Another coming program will feature humorist Michael Perry. Michael is a trained nurse who volunteers with the local rescue squad. He and his family live in Wisconsin, and his humor is based on his life here. He is the author of a book titled, “Never Stand in Front of a Sneezing Cow.”
11. Guided Rides
Runamuk Rides Enjoy a ride on a guided snowmobile as you speed through the forest and marvel at the surrounding scenery.
Your group can choose from a variety of exploration experiences. Some of them are multi-day tours, and you will explore the area fully.
They will be happy to guide you if you need suggestions for a comfortable hotel or a good restaurant.
Bill Shumway’s Guide Services This tour will lead you on a water voyage through the area. Bill Shumway is the owner of the service and has been guiding tours since 1985.
The tours provide time for its riders to fish for walleye. Shumway has also invented two custom fishing lures, which he will allow you to try during the trip – and then buy if you enjoy the experience.
Be sure to add the place to your bucket list of things to do in Hayward, WI.
12. American Birkebeiner Trails
This area has more than 100 kilometers of winding and spellbinding trails. The trails attract bikers, hikers, skiers, and those who enjoy camping in the park’s rustic cabins.
An annual bikers’ event called the Birkie Trail Run is held here.
13. Scheer’s Lumberjack Show
Audiences of all ages will love this show, which demonstrates lumberjack skills that will surely surprise and entertain you.
They not only showcase their skills in this show, they also mix in some comedy to further entertain your family.
14. Wilderness Walk
This friendly zoo offers something for the whole family to enjoy. The trail in the zoo passes the cages of a timber wolf, porcupines, goats, lambs, bears, and lemurs.
There is a petting zoo, and the children will be allowed to feed the animals.
15. Dining In Hayward
There are many places to dine in Hayward. Some of the restaurants you will find here are:
The Ranch
This restaurant has been delighting diners since 1931. Many expertly prepared dishes are available here, ranging from steak to seafood. You can see wandering herds of horses, deer, and bison on the grounds of the restaurant.
Angry Minnow Brew Pub and Restaurant
This restaurant was built in 1889 and is a historic location you will enjoy. The specialty ale here is McStukie’s Scotch Ale, but the brewery also serves its own Oatmeal Stout or a brew called Silver Pig.
The ambiance is very relaxing, and the features of the building retain its historical authenticity.
Chippewa Inn
This is the most popular steakhouse in the area. Since 1930, they have been serving expertly prepared food, wine, and cocktails. In addition to the traditional American fare, they also have a menu section dedicated to traditional German dishes.
Angler’s Bar and Grille
The building was first a gas station, built in 1930. The gas station is still found on the entrance floor of the restaurant, and it opens into a bowling alley.
This family restaurant serves casual fare in a convivial atmosphere. In addition to burgers and wings, they have a section of their menu featuring Mexican fare. They also offer seating in their outdoor beer garden.
16. Lake Kids
For a reason, Lake Kids is Hayward’s top-rated children’s store – it has everything you could want!
The store is filled with games that will entertain and inspire creativity among children, and the friendly staff can help you find the best gifts, games, and other popular items for a reasonable price.
Lake Kids is open Monday to Friday, 10 am-5 pm, Saturday, 9 am-5 pm, and Sunday, 10 am-3 pm. So make sure to add Lake Kids to your wish list of things to do in Hayward with kids!
17. Park Theater
The Park Theater is a performing arts center in Hayward, California. It has been open for over sixty years and offers a platform for local performers to show their skills.
The theater also displays local visual arts often. The current focus of the park theatre is to educate the community about the importance of performing arts.
This makes it a great place to visit if you are interested in the arts or if you want to learn more about them.
18. Northwood’s Humane Society
The Northwood Humane Society is a shelter that provides maximum care to abandoned and unwanted animals.
They have put in a lot of time and resources to socialize and train naughty animals, as well as provide medical care for those animals who have lost their health. They also own a thrift shop, their main income source.
The thrift shop has many eye-catching treasures for a reasonable price, so it is definitely worth a visit. If you’re looking to financially support society, volunteers are also welcome.
Plan your trip to Hayward
Hayward, Wisconsin, is home to many lakes, which makes it a popular tourist destination for fishing, hiking, and biking. The city has a rich history that can be explored at various museums and historical sites. There are also many trails for bikers, hikers, and skiers to enjoy.
The area has various restaurants serving American, German, and Mexican cuisine. Families can also visit the Wilderness Walk Zoo or see the Lumberjack Show.
If you like to plan ahead, consider saving this article so you can use it as a reference for things to do in Hayward with your family and friends. And be sure to share it with your friends so they can enjoy all these charming city offers!
