Wausau is an unassuming central Wisconsin city that punches above its weight for outdoor recreation. The Wisconsin River runs through the centre of town, and a series of rapids just below the downtown bridge has made Wausau one of the top whitewater kayaking venues in the Midwest — the city has hosted numerous national and world championships over the past two decades.
The cultural highlight is the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, known internationally for its annual "Birds in Art" exhibition, which draws wildlife artists from around the world. Rib Mountain State Park, just south of town, offers hiking trails and one of the highest points in Wisconsin — and in winter, the mountain becomes a popular ski area.
Wausau's downtown has a solid selection of locally owned restaurants and a pleasant riverwalk. It is a practical base for exploring Marathon County's lakes and forests, with good highway connections in all directions — Minneapolis is about three hours west, and the Door County peninsula is roughly the same distance to the east.