Adventure
Whether hiking, birding, biking, or skiing, the almost 30-mile Birkie trail doesn't disappoint! The fall is our favorite time to explore because of the amazing fall colors all around. Highway OO Trailhead is one of many spots you can hop on the trail and is about 15 minutes from the Cottage (and there is a heated chalet with changing rooms and a cafe). Mosquito Brook Trailhead is another spot about 11 minutes from the Cottage. If you're hiking, consider starting in the morning for less bike traffic.
6 locals recommend
Birkie Trail
Birkie TrailWhether hiking, birding, biking, or skiing, the almost 30-mile Birkie trail doesn't disappoint! The fall is our favorite time to explore because of the amazing fall colors all around. Highway OO Trailhead is one of many spots you can hop on the trail and is about 15 minutes from the Cottage (and there is a heated chalet with changing rooms and a cafe). Mosquito Brook Trailhead is another spot about 11 minutes from the Cottage. If you're hiking, consider starting in the morning for less bike traffic.
This trail is less than 10 minutes from the Cottage! It is a popular Hayward loop for mountain bikers. Hiking is also possible, just keep an eye out for bikers!
Hatchery Creek
This trail is less than 10 minutes from the Cottage! It is a popular Hayward loop for mountain bikers. Hiking is also possible, just keep an eye out for bikers!
About 20 minutes from the Cottage. Henks Park on Henks Road is another local Hayward favorite trail for hiking or mountain biking. It has several trails with different lengths and difficulties; are all marked. There's a gazebo to relax in or enjoy your lunch.
Henks Road
Henks RoadAbout 20 minutes from the Cottage. Henks Park on Henks Road is another local Hayward favorite trail for hiking or mountain biking. It has several trails with different lengths and difficulties; are all marked. There's a gazebo to relax in or enjoy your lunch.
We haven't visited Black Lake Trail yet but it's on our list - from what we've heard, there is a campground and a trail that goes around the lake. It's about an hour from the Cottage.
Black Lake Road
Black Lake RoadWe haven't visited Black Lake Trail yet but it's on our list - from what we've heard, there is a campground and a trail that goes around the lake. It's about an hour from the Cottage.
A nice park with a lake, ball fields, playground, and pickleball courts about 10 minutes from the Cottage.
Silverthorn Lake Park
13317 W Park RdA nice park with a lake, ball fields, playground, and pickleball courts about 10 minutes from the Cottage.
We haven't visited Spider Lake Golf Resort yet, but it's on Rodrigo's list! It gets good reviews online and is only 20 minutes from the Cottage.
Spider Lake Golf Resort
11165 W Elaine DrWe haven't visited Spider Lake Golf Resort yet, but it's on Rodrigo's list! It gets good reviews online and is only 20 minutes from the Cottage.
A highly-rated golf course in Hayward that is on our list to try out. It is about 12 minutes from the Cottage.
7 locals recommend
Hayward Golf Club
16005 W Radio Hill RdA highly-rated golf course in Hayward that is on our list to try out. It is about 12 minutes from the Cottage.
If you're interested in trying out horseback riding, this spot comes highly recommended! It is located about 22 minutes from the Cottage.
Spider Lake Ranch Riding Stable
10881W WI-77If you're interested in trying out horseback riding, this spot comes highly recommended! It is located about 22 minutes from the Cottage.
A popular spot to rent tubes, kayaks, or canoes for a trip down the Namekagen River. It is located about 33 minutes from the Cottage.
22 locals recommend
Jack's Canoe Rental
N7504 Wagon Bridge RdA popular spot to rent tubes, kayaks, or canoes for a trip down the Namekagen River. It is located about 33 minutes from the Cottage.
A highly-recommended company for local, guided fishing trips, lessons, and gear.
8 locals recommend
Hayward Coffee Company
10543 Main StA highly-recommended company for local, guided fishing trips, lessons, and gear.
Great kid-friendly park with a tree house, hands-on activities, and trails. Located about 20 minutes from the Cottage.
Wayside Wanderings Natural Play Area
43135 Randysek RoadGreat kid-friendly park with a tree house, hands-on activities, and trails. Located about 20 minutes from the Cottage.
A beginner/intermediate/kid-friendly bike park with a variety of obstacles and trail loops. Located about 18 minutes from the Cottage.
Cable Bike Park
12955 Cable Sunset RdA beginner/intermediate/kid-friendly bike park with a variety of obstacles and trail loops. Located about 18 minutes from the Cottage.
"Wisconsin's Moving National Park" - an picturesque river running through Hayward with lots of opportunities for recreation with canoes, kayaks, or tubes. If you have your own boat, you can put in at one of the landings around the Hayward area. If you need to rent, many outfitters, including the Hayward KOA campground located 6 minutes from the Cottage, rent canoes, kayaks, and tubes, and provide transportation to/from your starting and ending spots.
14 locals recommend
Namekagon River
"Wisconsin's Moving National Park" - an picturesque river running through Hayward with lots of opportunities for recreation with canoes, kayaks, or tubes. If you have your own boat, you can put in at one of the landings around the Hayward area. If you need to rent, many outfitters, including the Hayward KOA campground located 6 minutes from the Cottage, rent canoes, kayaks, and tubes, and provide transportation to/from your starting and ending spots.
About an hour and 10 minutes from the Cottage - this is one of our favorite spots for family-friendly hiking with waterfalls. Worth the drive! In the summer, there is also a great spot for swimming.
55 locals recommend
Copper Falls State Park
36764 Copper Falls RdAbout an hour and 10 minutes from the Cottage - this is one of our favorite spots for family-friendly hiking with waterfalls. Worth the drive! In the summer, there is also a great spot for swimming.
Mini-golf and go-cart rides right in Hayward. Seasonal hours, so check their website before you go. Located about 10 minutes from the Cottage.
9 locals recommend
Hayward Amusement Center
10439 WI-27Mini-golf and go-cart rides right in Hayward. Seasonal hours, so check their website before you go. Located about 10 minutes from the Cottage.
About an hour's drive from the Cottage, St. Peter's Dome is the "highest spot on the Chequamegon " and has a variety of interesting terrain to explore - highly recommended, especially for intermediate hikers. Also check out Morgan Falls in this area.
13 locals recommend
Saint Peters Dome
About an hour's drive from the Cottage, St. Peter's Dome is the "highest spot on the Chequamegon " and has a variety of interesting terrain to explore - highly recommended, especially for intermediate hikers. Also check out Morgan Falls in this area.
About 40 minutes from the Cottage, check out this hike + waterfall down the Tuscobia trail. Cell service might be limited, so plan your route before you go!
Yarnell Creek Falls
Yarnell CreekAbout 40 minutes from the Cottage, check out this hike + waterfall down the Tuscobia trail. Cell service might be limited, so plan your route before you go!
Food scene
This is our local watering hole! It's a part of our Birch Point Condo Association and has good burgers, cold drinks, and live music in the summer! They have seasonal hours, so be sure to check them out on social media for the latest schedule.
Bullhead Bob's Bar and Grill
15326 Birchpoint RoadThis is our local watering hole! It's a part of our Birch Point Condo Association and has good burgers, cold drinks, and live music in the summer! They have seasonal hours, so be sure to check them out on social media for the latest schedule.
Our go-to place to order pizza! You can call ahead and pick up a pizza to go or dine in to enjoy their log cabin–style space. Located in Hayward, just 7 minutes from the Cottage.
10 locals recommend
Coop's Pizza
10588 California AveOur go-to place to order pizza! You can call ahead and pick up a pizza to go or dine in to enjoy their log cabin–style space. Located in Hayward, just 7 minutes from the Cottage.
A Hayward staple - this classic bar & grill has good food and atmosphere, although it can get busy! We recommend putting your name on the list and then walking to check out some of the shops downtown Hayward while you wait!
16 locals recommend
Angler's Bar and Grill
10547 Main StA Hayward staple - this classic bar & grill has good food and atmosphere, although it can get busy! We recommend putting your name on the list and then walking to check out some of the shops downtown Hayward while you wait!
Miller's market has some great breakfast sandwiches! We love walking in, checking out what they have in their bakery and meat sections, and then grabbing a breakfast sandwich to go. Double check their hours before heading over, as they are closed Sundays.
7 locals recommend
Miller's market
15867 Railroad StMiller's market has some great breakfast sandwiches! We love walking in, checking out what they have in their bakery and meat sections, and then grabbing a breakfast sandwich to go. Double check their hours before heading over, as they are closed Sundays.
A great breakfast, lunch, or coffee spot in Hayward - highly recommend checking it out! You can also purchase Backroads coffee at the Marketplace grocery store to take some Hayward roasts with you!
10 locals recommend
Backroads Coffee
10526 Dakota AveA great breakfast, lunch, or coffee spot in Hayward - highly recommend checking it out! You can also purchase Backroads coffee at the Marketplace grocery store to take some Hayward roasts with you!
A classic Hayward experience - we recommend you stop into West's for a cold treat while in town!
11 locals recommend
West's Hayward Dairy
15848 W 2nd StA classic Hayward experience - we recommend you stop into West's for a cold treat while in town!
Delicious tacos, plus other great staples - we recommend you try the horchata (cinnamon rice water drink)! Highly recommend!
9 locals recommend
Main Street Tacos
10560 W 2nd StDelicious tacos, plus other great staples - we recommend you try the horchata (cinnamon rice water drink)! Highly recommend!
"Fine dining in the Northwoods". A highly recommended dinner spot for date night or a special occasion! Located under 20 minutes from the Cottage.
Tavern at White Stag Farm
12695 Wisconsin 77"Fine dining in the Northwoods". A highly recommended dinner spot for date night or a special occasion! Located under 20 minutes from the Cottage.
Highly-recommended spot for food -- people especially mention the BBQ ribs, wings, and wood-fired pizza! Wine slushies are also recommended. Located 20 minutes from the Cottage.
10 locals recommend
Tamarack Farms Winery
12679W Co Rd BHighly-recommended spot for food -- people especially mention the BBQ ribs, wings, and wood-fired pizza! Wine slushies are also recommended. Located 20 minutes from the Cottage.
City/town information
Just over an hour's drive from the Cottage, Bayfield is one of our favorite spots in Wisconsin! You can catch the ferry across Lake Superior to Madeline Island to explore, or seek out other ways to enjoy the lake, such as swimming, kayaking, a guided boat trip, or a sailing adventure. Bayfield also has great restaurants and shops, and is a fun destination!
43 locals recommend
Bayfield
Just over an hour's drive from the Cottage, Bayfield is one of our favorite spots in Wisconsin! You can catch the ferry across Lake Superior to Madeline Island to explore, or seek out other ways to enjoy the lake, such as swimming, kayaking, a guided boat trip, or a sailing adventure. Bayfield also has great restaurants and shops, and is a fun destination!
Sightseeing
Family-friendly tours at an alpaca farm. Visit the store to purchase super soft gifts and souveniers! Located 15 minutes from the Cottage.
Joyful Journey Alpacas, LLC
13920 Wisconsin 77Family-friendly tours at an alpaca farm. Visit the store to purchase super soft gifts and souveniers! Located 15 minutes from the Cottage.
A must-do in Hayward! Take your photo at the big muskie, and explore the different museum exhibits to learn about the biggest and best catches from the area. Located 12 minutes from the Cottage.
36 locals recommend
Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
10360 Hall of Fame DrA must-do in Hayward! Take your photo at the big muskie, and explore the different museum exhibits to learn about the biggest and best catches from the area. Located 12 minutes from the Cottage.
A family-friendly spot to see and interact with a variety of animals. Seasonal hours - check their website for availability, especially after the summer. Located 15 minutes from the Cottage.
26 locals recommend
Wilderness Walk Zoo
9503 WI-27A family-friendly spot to see and interact with a variety of animals. Seasonal hours - check their website for availability, especially after the summer. Located 15 minutes from the Cottage.
Book a themed trip on the railroad! Options include packages for couples and families. Located 35 minutes from the Cottage.
8 locals recommend
Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad
n6639 Dilly Lake RdBook a themed trip on the railroad! Options include packages for couples and families. Located 35 minutes from the Cottage.
Another Hayward must-do! Check out world champion lumberjacks and jills as they show off their talents! Located 12 minutes from the Cottage.
17 locals recommend
Scheer's Lumberjack Show
15640 County Road BAnother Hayward must-do! Check out world champion lumberjacks and jills as they show off their talents! Located 12 minutes from the Cottage.
Neighborhoods
The perfect spot to check out all kinds of Hayward shops, restaurants, and history! Park along the street or in the free lot by the bank and walk up and down Main Street to see what downtown Hayward has to offer.
Main Street
Main StreetThe perfect spot to check out all kinds of Hayward shops, restaurants, and history! Park along the street or in the free lot by the bank and walk up and down Main Street to see what downtown Hayward has to offer.