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
[edit]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
[edit]
Get around
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 1 Shawano County Historical Society, 524 N Franklin St, ☏ +1 715-526-3323. M Th 10AM-2PM. Historical park along the Shawano Lake Outlet.
Do
[edit]- 1 Great Wolf Tubing Co, 1013 S Water St, ☏ +1 715-524-8823. Tubing company dedicated to water recreation on the Wolf River.
- 2 Shawano Lake County Park, ☏ +1 715-524-4986. County park on the northern shores of Shawano Lake.
Buy
[edit]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
[edit]- 1 Farm Inn' On Main (Farm Inn on Main), 123 N Main St (Downtown Shawano), ☏ +1 715-524-4916. Su-Th 6AM–3PM, F Sa 6AM-8PM. Popular spot for hearty breakfasts, homemade pies, and classic American comfort food.
- 2 Luigi's Pasta & Pizza (Luigi's), 607 S Main St (south of downtown), ☏ +1 715-524-4791. Tu-Su 4–9PM, closed M. Family-owned Italian restaurant serving pizza, pasta, and classic Italian dishes.
- 3 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. $.
- 4 Shawano's Cafe, 920 E Green Bay St, ☏ +1 715-201-1122. Daily 7AM–9PM. Classic American diner serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites.
- 5 The Daily Drip Coffeehouse (Daily Drip), 115 E Division St (Downtown, near Main St), ☏ +1 715-201-1111. M–F 6AM–4PM, Sa 7:30AM–1PM. Local coffeehouse with espresso drinks, pastries, and light breakfast/lunch options.
- 6 Brother's Pub (Brothers' Pub), N5867 Lake Dr, ☏ +1 715-524-5212. Sa-Th 11AM–8PM, F 11AM-9PM. Casual pub with a wide menu, including burgers, pizza, and Friday fish fry.
Drink
[edit]- 1 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. $$.
- 2 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.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 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.
- 2 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.
- 3 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.
Stay safe
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- 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) |