Menomonie: Trails, Culture and City History

Menomonie offers several ways to experience your stay: the Red Cedar State Trail adds a scenic touch, while the theater, museum, Main Street, and Sculpture Tour put art and history in the spotlight. In summer, events in the parks and Wakanda Water Park add further options.

Red Cedar State Trail

The depot building and visitor center on Highway 29 on the west side of Menomonie serve as the northern starting point of the Red Cedar State Trail. Parking and trail passes are available there. Designated as a rail trail, the trail is 14.5 miles long and runs from Menomonie along the steep slopes of the Red Cedar Valley to its connection with the Chippewa River State Trail. This gives you specific reference points for planning your outing: the starting point, trail length, and scenery. If cycling is part of your stay, you can make these details a focus alongside the cultural and park options.

Theater and Museum

The Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater was built in 1889 as a tribute to Mabel Tainter, a young woman who loved music and the arts. The Mabel Tainter serves as a center for performing arts and culture. Located in Wakanda Park, the Rassbach Museum tells stories from Wisconsin’s long history—from the mound builders of about a thousand years ago to today’s communities in Dunn County. The two places highlight different periods: the theater is rooted in its founding in 1889, while the museum spans the story from an early era to present-day communities. This places the theater’s cultural role and the museum’s far-reaching historical narrative side by side as distinct points of interest.

Main Street and Sculpture Tour

Menomonie’s Main Street has been designated a National Downtown Historic District. The Menomonie Sculpture Tour is a public art experience for all ages. Main Street thus offers a designated historic landmark, while the Sculpture Tour focuses on art and explicitly welcomes visitors of all ages.

Summer in the Parks and at Wakanda Water Park

In summer, concerts and ice cream events take place in Menomonie’s parks. If you’d like to plan one of these activities, check the event dates for your travel period. Wakanda Water Park offers a different kind of recreation: its water area covers nearly 14,000 square feet, and the water slide is 31 feet high. The park also has a spacious swimming pool, a diving board, and a playground for younger visitors. The park events are specifically tied to summer; the water park’s measurements and facilities give you more concrete information about what it offers. Since seasonal facilities can change, check the latest information about Wakanda Water Park before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Boyceville

For the main travel overview: Dunn County.