Northern WI Vacation Plan/Recommendations

Ok, so I have never taken a vacation to northern Wisconsin in the summertime, I have been heading up that way for years in the winter to ride snowmobiles, and everytime I am up there I think, man I have to get up here for a summer trip. So this would be a family vacation probably would try to go for a week with my wife, the three girls and ideally with our 3 year old golden retriever - Lexi... Questions I have or things to consider:

- Location - obviously needs lake access preferably with a beach
   - Resort or House/condo rental
   - Which Lake
      - I think a chain would be cool, love to explore waterways
      - How are the chains between lakes (from an inboard perspective)
      - Which are best for skiing
      - Where is a good concentration of CCFer's
- Activities - generally we love just hanging at the lake, but is there other stuff that are "MUST SEE" for a summer trip. I know Lake in the clouds up in UP is cool, and then there are numerous stops we always make on the sleds; Sayner's Pub, JJ's Pub, Pine Cone Cafe for breakfast and others.
- Timing: I know we all joke about "the two weeks of summer" we get up north, but which two weeks??? So what month(s) gives us the best chance for warm, sunny, wind-less weather? (HA- I know this is the funniest question of all).

Alright so let the recommendations start (and thanks for the help)!

If you're going to Manitowish Waters, I think Little Bohemia is worth the visit still.

Although we have a cabin on a nice, quiet lake in Eagle River, it sounds like you might want to experience a chain up there. If you want a quiet lake that's great for skiing and less commercialism, PM me and I'll take care of you with a different plan.

IMO you can't beat Minocqua as far as inboard-friendly, family fun stuff. Your boat becomes your car for the time you're up there and that's just plain fun. Definitely more "commercial" that Eagle River or Three Lakes but for your first trip up there... lots to see and do. We rented a house for years on the chain and had a BALL over there.

Lakes can get busy on weekends but there is a LOT of water to explore! I'd shoot for renting a house over any other housing options although there are some nice resorts on that chain.

Steve,
What Joel said!!

I was like you ... always thought of the area as "white". (It is actually green in the summer).

We went up a few years ago and you definitley want a lake map the first few times out. We were on the upper chain. Pete B is on the lower chain...altho we could have gone by boat, we decided to go over one afternoon by car.

would love to go back again sometime!!!!

Minocqua is 30 minutes from Eagle River. If you time it right you can have time on our quiet lake, amazing chain time, and visit Pete who is 10 miles from me. No need to compromise.

bkhallpass wrote: California. BKH

Yes, Brian I need to get out there and visit you and Roy and Andy too. In due time...

Steve,
The chain has some of the neatest wet boat houses I have ever seen. Ask Pete (maybe Joel?) for sure, but, I think they are trying to do away with them and wont let you build new /and limit repairs to existing ones with out a lot of hassle?

You ought to check out the Chanticleer Inn in Eagle River. Right on the chain. We have stayed there a time or two. It's a classic old school Wisconsin inn. Nice deck in back you can drink cold Old Style, and have a brat, and watch the boats go through the channel the inn is located on. Good access to all the lakes.

For some reason, I can't insert the link. Probably a pop-up blocker I need to figure out.

davidg wrote: You ought to check out the Chanticleer Inn in Eagle River. Right on the chain. We have stayed there a time or two. It's a classic old school Wisconsin inn. Nice deck in back you can drink cold Old Style, and have a brat, and watch the boats go through the channel the inn is located on. Good access to all the lakes.

Chanticleer is nice. Ramp across the channel there for additional entertainment. For lunch we love going to the Braywood in on Catfish lake. Fun to see all the boats come and go AND free entertainment with the boat ramp right there. We used to stay here back in the 80's and had a lot of fun. They have a few standalone cabins as well as condo-style accommodations.

Braywood Resort

Lunch at the 'Whale is definitely a must-do Minocqua activity!

skutsch wrote: The idea of boat as your car (Minocqua)is very appealing, of course generally we tend toward that attitude that less commercialism is better (3 lakes). I'd love the idea of a week on a quiet lake GREAT for skiing too. See too many options. Keep the ideas coming, and then I'll have a bunch of options to propose to the family! Thanks for the contributions so far!!!

Obviously my vote is for the Manitowish Chain, but I am a huge fan of the Minocqua chain as well. A couple times a year I take a boat and cruise the Minocqua chain for the day mainly going to Lake Tomahawk. Absolutely amazing that lake.

The biggest difference between the two is that the Minocqua chain is more built up and has more people where the Manitowish Chain is far more quiet. Other than that, both are pieces of heaven.

Here is a possible advantage to the Manitowish chain. I can get you a cabin rental in a very quiet bay on Island Lake. You have your own dock, grille, garage (shed really), free access to a boat launch, and the neighbor has a 1986 Ski Nautique. And if you did want to take a day trip to the Minocqua chain, it's 15 min down the road.

My grandma owns two cabins side by side on the Manitowish Chain. She used to rent the one, but doesn't really anymore. However, I could talk her into doing it if I help her get it ready and such. But if you have a pet it would be a no go. Here is where we are located:



And here is the cabin (ignore the funny color stuff, I was playing with my camera):



All this is dependent on what we find when we go up there. It could be leveled for all we know. But if you're interested, let me know and I'll see what we can work out schedule wise.

Also, you can check out www.greerspier.com for current lake conditions (ie: frozen or not). Just click on the 'dock cam' link. I checked it today, still frozen dammit.

skutsch wrote: ........ So what month(s) gives us the best chance for warm, sunny, wind-less weather?

I'd echo what Ryan said on the time frame. Mid July or later will give you the best shot at good weather. If you can hold off 'till after the first week of August, things really begin to quiet down as far as boat traffic is concerned. The weather usually stays pretty nice into early September but the water temps will start to cool off by then.

If you do end up in the Three Lakes area, get in touch, I can point you to some nice calm shorelines even if there is a bit of wind.

skutsch wrote: Hey Matt - what a generous offer. This is in the VERY preliminary stages, I hesitate to even say it has made it to the "planning stage" at this point more of a brainstorm. So don't go doing a big clean up yet! But as we move forward, I will let you know. Those cottages look great, I HOPE there not leveled. Thanks Again.

Haha, I know my grandma hopes at least one is leveled. Then we get a new one lol.

We won't really clean it up too much. Just the usual spring open.

It would probably take a small miracle for this to come together. I would need to know pretty far in advance to get most of the days off of work. Not a huge deal though. The nice part is that you can have any date you want. I will be up there for the 4th of July FYI. And let me tell you, fireworks by boat is freaking awesome (assuming the weather holds out).

I'mm PM you with more info on the place. I don't want to break any forum rules regarding advertising for a business.....