Wausau, Wisconsin · Published by Emberlight Studios
Updated October 2026 · 9 places · Wausau
Quick answer
Our top picks are Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Center for the Visual Arts and Woodson History Center.
These free, year-round options are all within Wausau city limits and include parks, a riverfront trail, and galleries with free admission. Park access is generally free; seasonal fees apply at Monk Botanical Gardens, so it is included only for its no-admission winter season.
700 N. 12th St., Wausau, WI 54403
The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum presents changing exhibitions and has an outdoor sculpture garden and an interactive Art Park. It is known for its annual Birds in Art exhibition, and admission is always free.
Best for: art and sculpture garden
427 N. Fourth St., Wausau, WI 54403
The Center for the Visual Arts has four gallery spaces with changing exhibitions, along with an art school and gallery shop. Its galleries are always admission-free and include exhibits by local and regional artists.
Best for: local and regional art
410 McIndoe St., Wausau, WI 54403
The Woodson History Center houses exhibits, a research library and archives in a historic house. Visitors can see exhibits on Marathon County history, and admission is free.
Best for: local history
405 Park Blvd., Wausau, WI 54401
3M Park is a public park with walking paths, a playground, sports courts and a sledding hill. Its range of outdoor recreation amenities makes it a place for walking, play and sports.
Best for: walking and recreation
500 River Drive, Wausau, WI 54403
Isle of Ferns Park is a river-island park with gravel paths, walking trails, picnic areas and open play space. It connects to the River Edge Parkway trail and offers a quiet route through the Wisconsin River setting.
Best for: riverfront walking
600 Stewart Island, Wausau, WI 54403
Barker-Stewart Island Park is a public island park with gravel paths and walking trails. It is part of the riverfront park-and-trail corridor along the Wisconsin River.
Best for: riverfront trails
Wausau riverfront trail; access points include 1400 N. River Dr., Wausau, WI 54403
The River Edge Parkway is a multi-section trail following the Wisconsin River through Wausau, with connections to parks including Isle of Ferns and Barker-Stewart Island. Trail users encounter river views, downtown waterfront, and Wausau Whitewater Park along the route.
Best for: walking and biking
200 River Dr., Wausau, WI 54403
Wausau Whitewater Park is a public riverfront site used for whitewater recreation and practice. It sits beside the River Edge Parkway, where trail users can watch kayakers, rafters and canoeists on the water.
Best for: watching whitewater activity
1901 N. 4th Ave., Wausau, WI 54401
Monk Botanical Gardens is a public botanical garden with ornamental plantings and space for walking and nature education. It is open year-round, but admission is seasonal; winter visits currently require no admission fee.
Best for: gardens and nature