Rice Lake is the nearest "big town" to Chetek (8000 is "big" around here). You'll find a new Super Wal-Mart there, but that's not really what you came to Wisconsin to see. Rice Lake has many special places to visit. Only a few of our favorites are mentioned here. Stop at the Visitor's Center (see "Getting There") for more information.
Downtown Rice Lake has a number of small specialty shops. You can park along the street or in an off-street parking lot near the lake and walk to the various shops. Dana's, across from the surplus store, is good for lunch. Check out the Rice Lake Tourism site for more things to do.
On the north side of town, Bear Paw is a sporting goods store that looks and acts like the great outdoors. You'll think the birds over the waterfall are real, but they're part of a fantastic taxidermy display. A fun stop for kids.
Miller's Cheese House is not just cheese, but also meats, gifts, even fruitcake (in season). But you'll be sure to enjoy their cheese curds. If you go there early in the week, you can have cheese curds for treats while fishing on Lake Chetek. If you get them later in the week, you will need to lock them up in a cooler in the trunk if you expect them to last the trip home! You can also sample some of their spreads, and maybe some fudge, if you ask. Pick up a catalog to order Christmas gift boxes of real Wisconsin cheese for your friends, or even yourself!
Finish off the evening with one of Red Barn Theatre's fine community theatre presentations. See their web site for what's playing.
There are two sites of Native American historical interest in Rice Lake.
Bayfield Trail, on Lakeshore Drive on Rice Lake is an old Indian trading route. A historical marker on the shore of Rice Lake overlooks the old rice beds. Pipestone and wild rice from Rice Lake were traded to other settlements along this trail. Near the marker are pits which were likely used to store the wild rice harvest.
Indian Mounds Park, also on Lakeshore Drive, preserves 12 Indian Burial Mounds, all that remain of some 67 mounds constructed in the Rice Lake area. Archeological excavation revealed burial bundles, some ornaments and implements. The mounds are believed to have been constructed by a branch of the Dakota Sioux. When you visit Indian Mounds Park, remember that this site is sacred to Native Americans. It is a great place to bring a book and read about when Wisconsin was the "frontier" of the United States. Email us with suggestions of good reading on Wisconsin history and traditions.
From Rainbow's End Resort, take country SS north through Cameron to Rice Lake. If you don't have K-Mart, Shopko, or Wal-Mart back home, Rice Lake's got them. They are discount department stores. Keep on going past the first light (at Cedar Mall and K-Mart), the second light (Cenex and Farm & Fleet), third light (Burger King), fourth light (auto parts store), fifth light (Marketplace groceries), past the Dairy Queen... Just past the dam on the right is the Rice Lake Visitor's Center. Stop in for more information. "Downtown" starts in the next block.
Or, if you'd like to get straight to Bear Paw and Miller's Cheese House... From Rainbow's End Resort, take U.S. 53 north to the second Rice Lake exit, highway 48. Bear Paw is a right-then-left jog across the highway from the exit. Bargain Bill's, an interesting closeout place, is a left, then on the right after going under 53.
Miller's Cheese house is on highway 48. From 53 and Bear Paw, go east (a right turn from 53, left from Bear Paw) and follow 48. It makes a left turn at a Kwik Trip. Miller's is at the stop sign, where 48 turns right. Miller's is on the left. From the south on SS, stay on SS going north. SS makes a several-block-long jog and joins 48. Follow 48 past Rainbow Home Center (a very interesting much-more-than-a-hardware store). Miller's is on the left at the stop sign where 48 turns right.
Have fun on your outing from Base Camp Chetek at Rainbow's End Resort!
Some Rice Lake, Wisconsin web sites:
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