Visit St. Germain
Visit St. Germain

Plan for the Perfect Weekend
in St. Germain, Wisconsin

Famous for miles of towering pines, fun-filled lakeside shores, and expansive star-filled skies, St. Germain is the perfect family vacation destination. Break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and discover the many ways to unwind in the Northwoods. With great food, comfortable accommodations, and endless exploration to be had, St. Germain has all the necessary ingredients to make for a perfect vacation.

Day 1:

All Play, No Work Make Vacationers Very Happy

Insta Resort

The Leisure Lodge Resort is resort living, Wisconsin-style. There’s sand volleyball, a tennis court, a boat launching ramp with paddle boats and canoes and a beach ripe for swimming. Don’t expect to be glamping here — instead, you’ll be greeted with large cabins stuffed with every amenity you could expect from a home, from stoves to couches, TV, and WiFi. There are picnic tables, fire pits, lawn chairs, and grills. The cabins range from 2 to 5 bedrooms (the latter sleeps up to 19), and the prices are as low as $135 per night depending on the cabin you select and the time of the year. They book quickly, especially in the summer months, so make sure to reserve yours early.

Grab Some Grub

Head into town to snag some groceries and snacks. With the season in full swing, backyard barbecues and picturesque picnics are a must. Grab fresh veggies, burgers, buns, and more, and enjoy access to the onsite grills and fire pits available to you at the Leisure Lodge Resort. And for dessert? You can’t visit St. Germain without stocking up on cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, and donuts at Sentry Foods’ Bake Shoppe. Deli food here is fresh and delicious, and they stock everything you may need for your lil’ getaway.

#BoatLife

Boating is big in the Northwoods. The lakes are deep, calm, and seemingly endless, and you won’t ever feel like it’s crowded. There are an abundance of water resources, so you can choose whether you want to enjoy the lakes on a tub, in a motor boat, or simply by taking a dip. Since you’re staying on the lake, take advantage of this by renting a pontoon or a waverunner from Paul’s Rent-All. They deliver and pick-up the pontoon rentals from the lake, so it’s no hassle. Most of the boat rentals are $190 per day with a two day minimum, and they come with everything you need, including life jackets, boat ties, anchors, bumpers, and a depth finder.

Cast a Line

Now that you’ve checked into your resort, stocked up on food, and rented the boat, it’s time to play. Many people come to this region specifically to fish, as they draw from Lake Michigan, Green Bay, and Lake Superior  turning Wisconsin fishing into a major industry. Still, newbies may have good luck as well. Fishing supplies are available at Ray’s Landing, including live bait, fishing rods and tackle. Make sure you ask where all the fish are biting at the moment so you don’t go home empty handed. Don’t be surprised to catch trout, walleye, musky, and bass here, as they are plentiful.

Lakeside Lunch

With plenty of groceries and fresh caught fish, take advantage of the Leisure Lodge resort grills. With plenty of grills to go around, this is the perfect place to have lunch, re-apply sunscreen, and lounge lakeside for a bit. Fire up some brats, burgers, fish, or veggies and enjoy a Wisconsin-style barbecue beachside. Now full and well-rested from your afternoon picnic, head back out onto the lake to fill up on even more swimming, fishing, and boating.

Supper Time is the Best Time

Get yourself spruced up: it’s dinner time, the supper club way. Supper clubs are a tradition in Wisconsin. Only open for dinner, these time-honored establishments typically serve a selection of local and fresh surf and turf. Supper clubs are often first-come, first-served and serve until they’re sold out. This is an event, rather than a quick meal. Make your way to Pub & Prime Supper Club, where you can dine on some of the best prime rib in the world. The specialty of the day (every day) is their infamous prime rib, which should be paired with their salad bar. And don’t neglect the Tiki bar, which serves some of the best cocktails in St. Germain — their grasshoppers are exceptional.

Want S’more?

A day in Wisconsin is never complete without fireside fun, so when you return to the resort, it’s smores and fireside story time.

Share

Day 2:

Sunday, Fun Day

Three Cheers for Three C’s Coffee Cup Cafe

It’s time to fuel up for the day. Looking for something kid friendly? With the best coffee ever? French toast worth traveling for? Check, check, and check. 3C’s Coffee Cup Cafe is a mom and pop breakfast joint that is the pride of St. Germain. Breakfast and lunch is served all day, with standouts like biscuits & gravy, broiled walleye and eggs, and potato pancakes bringing the entire town in on weekends. Be prepared for a bit of a wait, but it’s totally worth it.

Spin City

You’ve logged time on the water and you’ve eaten all the Wisconsin grub. Here’s a surprise: St. Germain is a destination known for more than lake life and food. Take a detour away from the water for a few hours to go cycling. Rent a bike — with or without a motor —  for just $25 per day (without motor) or $70 per day (with the motor) from St. Germain Bike Rentals. Then, hit the Heart of Vilas County Trails, which winds along 52 miles of paved trails connecting the towns of St. Germain with Sayner, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, and Mercer. You’ll pass through the forest and along the lakes and the rivers, which are dotted with swimming spots, walking trails and picnic areas, and also restrooms.

You’ve Got Game

For lunchtime, and there’s no better place to refuel before your next adventure, the 19th Hole Sport Bar & Grill, which not only serves up gigantic portions of cheese curds, pizza, and craft beer — but it’s also the place to go for ice cream. Savor and sample from their over 32 locally made flavors. And the best part? Before you head back out onto the water, you can get in the swing of things the St. Germain way with a round of miniature golf.

Play the Day Away

With your time in St. Germain coming to an end, log some final hours lakeside. Cast another line, or spend the afternoon soaking in the cool, calm waters. And as the sun sets on your final day in the Northwoods, take your boat for a final trip to the Clearview Supper Club for dinner. Dock lakeside and dine at one of the most iconic supper clubs in the region. This St. Germain classic serves regional favorites like French onion soup and prime rib in a rustic, comfortable atmosphere.

Share

Day 3: Back to Reality

One More For the ‘Gram

As your vacation draws to an end, be sure to make a quick pitstop for a picture in front of Chief St. Germain: an icon in the region. Gather beneath the towering 15-foot tall statue and take your final snapshot before embarking back to reality. With your cooler packed with freshly caught fish, your belly full, and your skin sunkissed, all that’s left now to do is begin dreaming of your return to the great Northwoods.

Share