Shawano Voyage Tips and guide

Shawano is in North Central Wisconsin and is the largest city on WIS 29 between Green Bay and Wausau. With a population of roughly 9200, the city is the largest in Shawano County, and is nestled on the southwest side of Shawano Lake. Shawano is also on the Wolf River and has fishing dedicated to both bodies of water.

Understand

The area was inhabited by the nearby Menominee, with the namesake of the city, lake, county, and adjacent town believing to be named after Chief Sawanoh (translating to southern in an Ojibwe term).

Get in

Map of Shawano

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Get around

WIS 22 comes in from the south towards Clintonville and Waupaca, and exits the city on the east side for Cecil and Oconto.

WIS 29 is the main freeway/expressway in the area, providing access to Wausau and Wittenberg going west, and Bonduel and Green Bay heading east-southeast. There are three main access points into the city; at Business WIS 29/CTH-MMM, at Exit 225 for WIS 22, and at Exit 227 for WIS 47/55 north / CTH-K south.

WIS 47 and WIS 55 are concurrent throughout the city of Shawano. They run alongside WIS 29- WIS 47 coming in from Appleton and WIS 55 from Kaukauna respectively- in the southeast, then head north towards Keshena in the Menominee Reservation. In Keshena, WIS 55 turns right for Crandon while WIS 47 remains heading northwest towards Antigo.

See

44.78665-88.6118341 Shawano County Historical Society, 524 N Franklin St, ☏ +1 715 526-3323. M/Th: 10AM-2PM. Historical park along the Shawano Lake Outlet (updated May 2025)

Do

44.771733-88.6201311 Great Wolf Tubing Co, 1013 S Water St, ☏ +1 715 524-8823. Tubing company dedicated to water recreation on the Wolf River (updated May 2025)

44.825619-88.5335812 Shawano Lake County Park, ☏ +1 715 524-4986. County park on the northern shores of Shawano Lake (updated May 2025)

Buy

Downtown Shawano (especially along Main Street) has a variety of local shops, boutiques, and antique stores. More commercialized amenities can be found along WIS 22/47/55 on the east side of the city, including a Walmart Supercenter and several fast food restaurants.

Eat

44.7821-88.60871 Farm Inn' On Main (Farm Inn on Main), 123 N Main St (Downtown Shawano), ☏ +1 715 524-4916. S-Thu 6AM–3PM, F/Sa 6AM-8PM. Popular spot for hearty breakfasts, homemade pies, and classic American comfort food. $. (updated May 2025)

44.7743-88.60932 Luigi's Pasta & Pizza (Luigi's), 607 S Main St (South of downtown), ☏ +1 715 524-4791. Tu-Su 4PM–9PM, closed Mon. Family-owned Italian restaurant serving pizza, pasta, and classic Italian dishes. $$. (updated May 2025)

44.7645-88.60913 Longhorn Saloon, W7389 River Bend Rd, ☏ +1 715 524-9195. Daily 11AM–9PM. Bar and grill sandwiched between WIS 22 and the Wolf River with burgers, sandwiches, and a lively local atmosphere. $. (updated May 2025)

44.7568-88.61254 Shawano's Cafe, 920 E Green Bay St, ☏ +1 715 201-1122. Daily 7AM–9PM. Classic American diner serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites. $. (updated May 2025)

44.7838-88.60975 The Daily Drip Coffeehouse (Daily Drip), 115 E Division St (Downtown, near Main St), ☏ +1 715 201-1111. Mon–Fri 6AM–4PM, S 7:30AM–1PM. Local coffeehouse with espresso drinks, pastries, and light breakfast/lunch options. $. (updated May 2025)

44.802-88.56846 Brother's Pub (Brothers' Pub), N5867 Lake Dr, ☏ +1 715 524-5212. S-Thu 11AM–8PM, F 11AM-9PM. Casual pub with a wide menu, including burgers, pizza, and Friday fish fry. $$. (updated May 2025)

Drink

44.7795-88.60911 Stubborn Brothers Brewery, 220 S Main St (Downtown Shawano), ☏ +1 715 201-0859. M/W-Th: 11AM-9PM, F/Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-8PM, Tu 9AM-5PM. Local craft brewery with a rotating selection of beers, pub food, and frequent live music events. $$. (updated May 2025)

44.7757-88.61022 Sharona's Bar, 607 S Main St (South of downtown, next to Luigi's Pasta & Pizza), ☏ +1 715 201-0086. Daily 11AM–2AM. Neighborhood bar offering drinks, pool, and a friendly local crowd. $. (updated May 2025)

Sleep

44.7564-88.61311 Boarders Inn & Suites, W7393 River Bend Rd (Near the Wolf River, west side of Shawano), ☏ +1 715 524-9090. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Modern hotel with free breakfast, indoor pool, fitness center, and Wi-Fi. $$. (updated May 2025)

44.7827-88.56792 Haven Hotel, 104 Airport Rd, ☏ +1 715 526-2044. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Affordable, no-frills hotel with basic amenities and convenient location near stores on the east side. $. (updated May 2025)

44.7836-88.56953 Four Seasons Hotel (Shawano Four Seasons Resort), 201 Airport Rd MMM, ☏ +1 715 201-1501. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Resort-style hotel with lakefront views, indoor pool, restaurant, and event facilities. $$. (updated May 2025)

Stay safe

Although the town has a relatively low crime rate, the notorious Samanta Roy Institute of Science & Technology (commonly shortened to SIST or alternatively called Ramas) still exist within the vicinity. While not nearly as active right now as they were prior to 2010 (where they made a hit list targeting many city and county officials over a dispute), they still maintain a compound along WIS 47/55 north of Shawano. They should not be a problem to you as long as you don't look for trouble.

Connect

Free Wi-Fi can be found at many of the local coffee shops, restaurants, and hotels. Shawano also has a public library with free internet access. There is also access to free Wi-Fi at Shawano Lake near Cecil.

Go next

Green Bay is the largest city in Northeast Wisconsin, and is home to the Green Bay Packers, Bay Beach Amusement Park, museums, and a growing downtown.

Appleton can be accessed via WIS 47 south, and is the largest city in the Fox Cities region. The city boasts a tall downtown, the Fox River Mall, and is home to Lawrence University.

Wausau is the largest city in North Central Wisconsin, and is home to the Granite Peak Ski Area, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, and a vibrant downtown. Rib Mountain, described as Wisconsin's tallest mountain, is right outside.

Going north on WIS 47/55 leads to the Menominee Reservation, a gateway to the northwoods. Travelers can opt to either head towards Crandon and ultimately the western Upper Peninsula, or head towards Antigo and the Northwoods region.

Routes through Shawano

END ← Oconto ←	N S	→ Waupaca → Wautoma
JCT S/S ← Wausau ←	W E	→ Green Bay → Kewaunee
Rhinelander ← Antigo ←	N S	→ Appleton → END
END (Near Iron River, MI) ← Crandon ←	N S	→ END (Near Chilton)

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