Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wildfirerumorsspread—supposedlythebeasthadbeencaughtlickingupthelast
offal of a white bulldog, its favorite meal. A lumberjack posse led by Shepard sup-
posedly captured it, with chloroform and a long pike, yet oddly nobody but he could
look at it. When the jig was about up, Shepard claimed the Hodag escaped—but ulti-
mately, somewhat reluctantly, admitted the hoax.
It never quite left the psyche of the local community, however: The Hodag is
everywhere. Hodag is the high school nickname and mascot. Parks and businesses
are named after it. Check out the history and the hoax at Rhinelander's Logging Mu-
seum. The coolest souvenir in the northlands is a Hodag sweatshirt.
The Wisconsin Legislature once even discussed a bill that would make it the “of-
ficial mythical beast” of Wisconsin.
Food
Tip of the cap to the third-generation pasty makers at
Joe's Pasty Shop
(123 Randall
Ave., 715/369-1224, 10am-6pm Tues.-Fri., 8am-3pm Sat.) downtown—they make 'em
from scratch daily (no mean feat) using environmentally friendly practices.
M
Rhinelander Cafe and Pub
(30 N. Brown St., 715/362-2918, 7am-11pm daily,
$5-25) has been in business since 1911 and today is the must-see dining experience in the
region. The huge, hall-style dining room is buttressed by the original diner counter. Prime
rib, steaks, and duck are still the specialties. SRO (standing room only) is the norm.
Holiday Acres Three Coins Dining Room
(U.S. 8 E, 715/369-1500, 5:30pm-9:30pm
daily, 9am-1:30pm Sun. brunch, $8-16) specializes in seafood and offers a consistent slate
of jazz. Believe it or not, international jazz stars have tooted in little Rhinelander, Wiscon-
sin.
Information
The
Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce
(Sutliff Ave., 715/362-7464 or 800/236-4386,
www.explorerhinelander.com
)
is just off U.S. 8.
Getting There and Around
The
Rhinelander/Oneida County Airport
(3375 Airport Rd., 715/365-3416) has service
to the Twin Cities.
DrivingtoRhinelanderfromEagleRiver(viaWIS17,24miles)takes35minutes.From
Minocqua, Woodruff, or Arbor Vitae (via WIS 47, 27 miles), it takes 38 minutes.
