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In the 1960s, ’70s and even the ’80s — in what many of us remember as the golden age of downtowns — the city of Shawano was a hub of excitement and experiences. There was shopping for penny candy and other trinkets at Schultz Bros. Five and Dime, the delicious smell of donuts wafting from Mehlberg’s Bakery (and later Bult’s) in the early mornings, Friday night pizza and subs from Kid’s Korner Pizza, and memorable department store shopping trips to Chaimson’s.

That special magic has returned to the city of Shawano and in a dynamic way. There is a groundswell of support among business owners and the community at-large toward making Shawano more than a location you just stop for gas on the way to and from Packers games, or on your way farther “up north” to Wisconsin’s Northwoods.  

“A lot of the buildings that have been empty downtown have started to get a new life,” explained Jesse Borlen, president, curator and archive director of the Shawano County Historical Society.

And, he adds, as Main Street improvements continue by way of building revitalization, preservation, and restoration, new faces and businesses are springing up throughout the city, not just along downtown streets. 

It’s a growing anticipation and enthusiasm that has spread throughout the city of more than 9,000 residents, which in its infancy rose and expanded due to its ability to support logging among its waterways, and still supports a papermill — now in its 130th year. 

As a former mayor of the city of Shawano, Jeanne Cronce saw the changes in the making and is proud of what’s been accomplished so far, from Main St. to the parks and rec department and so much more. As someone who remains deeply involved in the community, Cronce also saw herself as one of Shawano’s biggest cheerleaders during her mayoral term and continues to promote the many opportunities that exist for visitors to Shawano.

“I just felt that we needed to accentuate our positive aspects and work on the things that were negative and bring them up to what people expect to make it a good community,” she reflects. “A good place to live, work, and to recreate.”

As a new energy builds downtown and throughout the city, the area continues to benefit from its proximity to the Wolf River and Shawano Lake, as those two bodies of water support the fun and gaiety of outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors like waterskiing and jet skiing, pontoon rides, open water fishing, and ice fishing.

“Experiencing Shawano, you still get a flavor of small-town atmosphere,” said Michelle Eron, tourism manager with Shawano Country. “With the way the city is changing recently, bringing in a lot of new shops, dining options, breweries, and things like that, I believe that [Shawano is] starting to become more up-and-coming, but not losing that small town feel and sense of community.”

Eron says she’s seen Shawano grow into an area that offers something for everyone in the family, and the best part is that it’s easily accessible from anywhere in the Fox Valley.
“Jump on the highway and we’re 45 minutes to an hour from Wausau [and Appleton], or 30 minutes from Green Bay,” she explains. “So, it’s worth the drive to come here!”

Events for the Whole Family, All Year Long

There is never a shortage of events happening in Shawano, many held annually.

Shawano traditionally welcomes summer in with two landmark events: Sun Drop® Dayz, held along East Elizabeth Street the first weekend in June, as well as the Shawano Historical Society’s Rhubarb Fest, held at Heritage Park typically in mid-June.

Sun Drop® soda is synonymous with Shawano, thanks to the Hartwig family and Twig’s Beverage. Sun Drop® Dayz pays homage to this delicious golden soda — considered by locals to be the nectar of the gods — but more importantly, raises funds for local nonprofits. As of 2024, Sun Drop® Dayz contributed more than $100,000 to local nonprofit organizations. Experience your first Sun Drop® Slushie brain freeze (it’s a thing!) while listening to live music.

Rhubarb Fest is a free-admission event offers live music, crafts, children’s games, a pie content, plant sale, food and family fun.  It’s help as a fundraiser to help preserve the culture and history of Shawano County, generating funds for operating expenses of the Shawano County Historical Society. 

Another longtime summertime attraction is the Shawano Fireworks event, traditionally set off the evening of July 3 over Shawano Lake. It’s a neat sight to see hundreds of boats gathered throughout the spans of the 7-mile-long lake, trying to catch the best glimpse of this donor-funded show. Previously set off from the island in the center of Shawano Lake, the show has moved to the Shawano Airport. 

Downtown Shawano will be hopping this year on July 13, as it hosts ShawanoFest. This all-day event, hosted by Shawano Downtown and the Shawano Parks and Rec department, includes a car show, craft vendors, kids’ activities, music, the Shawano Farmer’s Market, food trucks and many more family activities.

August brings with it the Shawano Folk Music Festival, held this year August 9-11, and the Shawano Airport Fly-In and Car Show, August 17. The music festival, held at the Mielke Arts Center on Airport Road, celebrates folk music with indoor evening concerts, outdoor daytime programs, quilts, crafters, food, and, as organizers note, a gloriously eclectic mix of great music. The fly-in, another longtime event on Shawano’s calendar, includes classics, antiques, warbirds, sky divers, helicopters and modern aircraft, and free flights have been offered in the past for kids, ages 8 to 17.

The city says farewell to summer and ushers in September with the Shawano County Fair, held over Labor Day weekend each year. From the conclusion of its opening night fireworks, fairgoers will find a marathon of midway fun, live music, food and beverage. Watch the truck and tractor pulls, view amazing 4-H projects from local kids, visit the animal barns, take in a game of bingo, and try your hand at the midway carnival games and rides. Don’t forget to taste-test the chili and grilled cheese at the Belle Plaine Rural Fireman’s stand, or the famous cream puffs from the Wolf River Harmony stand.

To the delight of anyone in search of autumn fun in early October, downtown Shawano hosts two marquee events, Octoberfest and Witches’ Night Out, mixing tradition with spooky.

During Octoberfest, held this year on October 5, you’ll find German culinary delights from Stubborn Brothers Brewery, as well as specialty beers like Oktoberfest, pumpkin ale, and salted caramel beer. Crafts, children’s activities, a pumpkin giveaway, scarecrow contest, and polka bands are also part of the fall fun!

For Witches’ Night Out, held October 11 in 2024, visitors are invited to don their best witch or warlock costume and shop all day throughout the downtown retail stores for scary in-store specials. This event gets great turnout in the costume department, and live music has also been part of the festivities in the past.

Completing your holiday shopping list and checking it twice is made easier with the Holiday Stroll, held this year on November 30 downtown. The event features a new addition, the Holly Jolly Trolley, for this year’s shopping extravaganza. Follow that up with Christmas music, hot chocolate and sweet treats at Franklin Park while you stroll through the 100 decorated Christmas trees, enjoy horse and wagon rides, visit with Santa and his reindeer, and stay for the countdown to the lighting of the Shawano Christmas Tree. 

On December 6, pack a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate and head back to Main St. to commence a month of celebrating and cheer with the Shawano Santa Parade. After the parade, tell Santa what you’re hoping for during his visit to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group on S. Washington St.

The Mooseyards is the place to be for its most celebrated of events in March. The area — located just outside the city limits along Lake Drive — is known as the location where a farmer, long, long ago, owned a garden-destroying mule named Moose. It hosts its hallmark event with the annual Shawano Mooseyard St. Patrick’s Day Parade. For more than 30 years, the parade and other activities have celebrated all things Irish and green, and it has a spirited, block-party style feel to the event.

Five Ways to Experience the Great Outdoors in Shawano Country

A visit to the city of Shawano isn’t complete without a pontoon ride or renting jet skis to enjoy Shawano Lake. The more than 6,000-acre lake, located to the northeast of the city limits, has a maximum depth of 39.5 feet. There are several public access points by way of boat landings near the city limits, and just outside the city to the north side of the lake. 

If waterskiing, wakeboarding or tubing are on your summer vacation lists, Shawano Lake is the place to be. Those interested in summertime fishing will find pan-fishing efforts successful. The lake also contains musky, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. During the winter months, the lake becomes its own village, offering up plenty of space for ice fishing, snowmobiling, and ATV/UTV usage.

The Wolf River also snuggles the city’s boundaries, and a good time will be had by all when you plan an afternoon through Great Wolf Tubing Company. Offering tubing and kayak rentals, they run floats throughout June, July and August.

If a slow morning bird watching in a park sipping a coffee from Beans and Books is more your speed — or your kids need to run off their haul from Old Glory Candy — there are 23 City Parks to enjoy in Shawano! Much like the downtown, the parks and rec department has gained attention for the hard work they’re putting into improving green spaces across the city. Memorial Park, located off Main Street, is a favorite for families, with a small tot lot play area and a larger playground on the east side of the park, and a splashpad open during the summer months. 

 “Our city and our parks department have done a great job in the last couple of years, really stepping up their game,” says Borlen.

From the county aspect, Shawano County Park, located on the north shore of the lake about 13 minutes from the downtown area, offers a large beach area to enjoy lake swimming. Build a sandcastle and splash in the waves along the north shore, enjoying the best parts of lake life in the summertime. A new playground, just a short walk from the lake, is the perfect place for kids who need a break from the sun and sand. 

Want to hit the links? You’re in luck – Shawano Lake Golf Course is just 11 minutes from the downtown area. The course, nick named “Shalagoco” or simply The Shal, was established in 1922 and is one of Wisconsin’s oldest courses. The public course features 18-holes spread over 120 acres of rolling, tree-lined fairways with manicured greens. The Shal also has a full bar and restaurant.

Delicious Eats & Treats 

Bountiful Breakfasts

Before a day that’s filled to the brim with water sports or retail therapy, you need to eat a great breakfast. Shawano doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the many offerings for the first meal of the day. If you want to grab a delicious donut or other Italian sweet treat to enjoy while walking the downtown area, head to Fannita’s Bakery on Main St. Not only is it a treasured spot for Shawano locals, but you’ll often find Fannita’s bread and other items at other hospitality establishments throughout the city. Glas Coffee, located north of the Shawano Lake channel on Main St., offers high quality coffee, espresso, tea and specialty drinks, as well as breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Start your day with an iced macchiato and sit down to enjoy an avocado toast, or a bacon and sausage burrito, made with bacon, sausage, egg, tomato and white cheddar. Beans and Books Coffeehouse (Green Bay St.), as well as Beans and Books Espresso (Main St.), are favorite stops for coffee and espresso, smoothies, ice coffees and lattes, energy drinks, frappes, and so much more. Enjoy your special coffee drink with a Beans and Books sweet snack like a scone, muffin or cinnamon roll. Or grab a breakfast wrap, like the peanut butter banana version, made with peanut butter, a fresh banana, and honey-oat granola. (Made to order items available at the Green Bay St. location only.) Don’t forget to pick up a new or used book to read while you’re there!There are several locations to enjoy a leisurely sit-down breakfast, if that’s more your speed. Farm Inn’ on Main, Shawano’s Café, and Pop’s Ball Park Diner are popular choices for families to enjoy a big, stick-to-your ribs kind of breakfast with all the fixin’s. 

Lunches with a Gourmet Touch

The Gourmet Café at Thornberry Cottage on Main St. also makes a great choice for a unique take on lunch, featuring their quiche of the day and a wide selection of gourmet sandwiches with an Italian spin. Try the Zepplin, which includes prosciutto, hot soppressata, burrata, fresh walnut pesto, spicy garlic aioli, sun-dried tomatoes and oil-tossed arugula. They also offer a variety of bakery items and beverages, as well as wine, beer and special cocktails.

If you are looking for salads, wraps, and smoothies for lunch during the week (Monday through Friday), look no further than SweetLife Eatery, located above Total Fitness on North Main St. Try their Green Paradise smoothie, featuring pineapple, mango, OJ, spinach, coconut, chia and turmeric, or build your own smoothie bowl with fresh ingredients.

Dinnertime Delights

In addition to being a small-batch, experimental brewery that wins the praises of many locals and visitors alike, Stubborn Brothers Brewery also offers a vast menu of options Wednesdays through Sundays. Try a farm-to-table ½ pound burger, like the pepper jam, bacon and pepper jack option, or the breakfast burger with guacamole, egg, hashbrown and a sunny-side-up egg. They also offer salad, soups and hand-helds, like a hot honey chicken sandwich and prime rib sandwich. If you’re craving a fish fry, their menu is dedicated to this time-honored tradition on Fridays. 

Enjoy a night out away from the hotel or cabin with a visit to Fully Stocked on Main St. Distributed via a specialized self-service station, Fully Stocked offers 20 rotating wines and eight spirits on tap. Small plate-style food is also available to enjoy while you sip. Start your night out with a Great Harvest Bread Co. service, featuring Stock Market Tuscan herb olive oil and traditional balsamic, muffuletta olive salad & honey garlic butter.

Dixon’s Torchlight, located off East Green Bay Street and offers steaks, seafood, pasta and chicken dishes. Visit on Wednesday for their all-you-can-eat night, featuring deep fried shrimp, cod and scallops. They also offer a creative take on appetizers, like their sesame tuna crisp or portabella mushroom fries, and delicious dinners like their steak tips gorgonzola and baked manicotti.

Who doesn’t love a great salad bar on a Saturday night in Wisconsin? Just to the west of the city limits, Kassidy’s Studio Lounge has customers raving about not just their salad bar, but also their steaks, broasted chicken and more. Don’t forget to try their take on an old-fashioned, which many locals consider one of the area’s best.

If your group is looking for something different than steakhouse meat and potatoes — with an authentic cultural tie to the food being served — Shawano has many options for that as well. Luigi’s Pizza and Pasta (Main St.) offers Italian classics including pizza, pasta and seafood in a casual space with a bar and covered patio. El Tequila (East Green Bay St.)  and El Jefe (located in the Four Seasons Hotel) also receive rave reviews for their authentic Mexican cuisine.  Hunan Chinese Restaurant, a small family-owned restaurant in downtown Shawano, is a go-to choice for those craving delectable egg rolls along with other Chinese specialties. 

Burger and Brew Bites

Maybe you’re simply in the mood for a laid-back atmosphere and a burger, sandwich, an appetizer sampler and brew — well, Shawano’s got you there, too!

Along Airport Road, as you head toward the north shore of Shawano Lake and the city limits, The Pad offers what they call the best burgers in Wisconsin. Ask for the Duke burger or try a Legit Chicago Dog. Just down the road at Jeff and Tammy’s Lighthouse, make a stop for their burgers, chicken and other noteworthy sandwiches. (If it’s Lent, you’ll also find a Wisconsin favorite — smelt — on the menu.) Located along the Shawano Lake channel, it’s a popular stop off the boat in the summertime and offers live music throughout the summer months. Continuing along Lake Drive to the north, Brothers Pub offers a wide range of menu options, including wings, homemade pizza, sandwiches, wraps, salads and Friday fish fry.

So Much to See — and Do — in Shawano

A visit to Shawano truly offers something for everyone. Even if you aren’t a foodie or enjoy shopping, you can find many other reasons to make a stop. 

For the history buffs, Shawano County Historical Society is a wealth of information about not just the city, but the county and surrounding towns and villages. Located along the Wolf River, on the site of the first European settlement in Shawano County, the grounds include the John Kast House built on site in 1871, a schoolhouse built in 1895, a reconstructed 1800s log cabin, and a 1930s limestone building that was built with limestone from Limestone Hill outside of town. Visitors will also find a replica of the 1906 C&NW Zachow depot, with a diorama of Zachow circa 1949, a Dairy Museum that was once used by the county to store oil, and the restored 1891 Old Tabor Church. (Call ahead to book a tour).

Is there anything better than listening to a live band or performer in the summertime with your friends and family? We certainly can’t think of anything! The Naberhood Block Party, located at 214 S. Main, offers free entertainment Tuesday and Saturday Nights, June through August.

Meanwhile, Thursdays at Franklin Park (found between Washington and Franklin Streets) offers live music every Thursday night June through August, with food and beverage vendors available each week. 

If you feel the need — the need for speed (sorry, we couldn’t resist) — head to Shawano Speedway, located at the county fairgrounds, every Saturday night from April through Labor Day weekend. The dirt-track racing competition is fierce, with Shawano Speedway hosting local and regional hot shoes every week in five divisions, including many drivers with ties to the Fox Valley. 

Known as where “The Good Times Roll,” Lakeshore Lanes bowling alley has long-been a place for not just bowling, but camaraderie in the community. Featuring a bar and grill in addition to a roomy dance floor, it’s not hard to have a great time. Cosmic bowling is offered every Friday and Saturday night at 9 p.m., and there is daily open bowling from 10 a.m. onward. They also have pool tables, darts and video games.

If taking in a movie is up your alley, head to the Shawano Cinema. Offering the newest movies on both indoor and outdoor screens (one of just a handful remaining in Wisconsin), it’s a great way to spend a rainy vacation day or night out for mom and dad. 

Taking in a show from the Shawano Ski Sharks is a longtime tradition for residents and visitors alike. Held Wednesday nights in the summer months, it’s a great mid-week activity for vacationers, free and offered in a family-focused environment. Started in 1976, the team is still going strong and competes at a high level against other teams in Wisconsin, as well as nationally. 

The Mielke Arts Center and Mielke Park, home base for the Shawano County Arts Council, host events throughout the year in the areas of theatre, visual arts and music. Box In The Wood Theatre Guild has presented musicals and straight play comedies in the past, and the site also hosts the annual Shawano County Art and Craft Fair, this year on July 28.

Are you a lover of antiques, vintage ware and the thrill of the hunt? The Outdoor Flea Market at the Shawano County Fairgrounds is just for you! Held every Sunday from late April to October 6 this year (except Labor Day weekend), the market offers antiques, household, crafts, food and much more.

The Shawano Has History Tour offers visitors a glimpse at the history of the beautiful buildings that makeup the downtown area. Plaques on the buildings tell the visitor about the history of the property, businesses, and owners via a QR Code you can use with your smartphone. Shawano’s business district was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 and the city still has many of its original buildings that date from the late 1800s and mid 1900s. The goal is to have 20 plaques installed of the 40 locations they’ve identified to include in the tour by the summer of 2024.

Shawano is a Sun Drop® city, and a visit should include a stop at the Twig’s Beverage Museum. The museum is conveniently set up for a self-guided tour, featuring a theatre to watch a short film about the company’s history. You can then continue your way to the bottling line window to watch them make soda, live and in-person! At the end of the tour, enjoy a sampling bar where you’ll try free samples of the many flavors Twig’s offers. There’s also a gift shop on-site.

For those days when the rain crashes the party — or parents need a break from the cabin and the kids — J Doggs on Main St. offers two golf simulators and a putting green. Visit for the golf and stay for their famous and much-beloved hot dogs and outstanding burgers. 

If it’s time to carve out “me” time during your stay in Shawano, check out a yoga class at Wholistic Yoga Center on South Main St. Open since 2013, their mission has been to cultivate a space of tranquility and healing energy for uninterrupted yoga practice. They’ve created a haven where their clients can immerse themselves in the transformative power of yoga. 

​Shop Until You Drop 

There are lots of places to “shop local” in Shawano, you’ll be amazed to see the options and how the downtown and city has rebounded with a vengeance. 

 A longtime Green Bay favorite for home décor and gifts, Thornberry Cottage has now moved to Shawano and shoppers couldn’t be more excited. Offering a full array of home accessories and gifts, they also offer complimentary gift wrapping and gift basket creation. 

The Stock Market, owned by the Stock sisters, is your go-to place in Shawano for everything from extra virgin olive oils to aged balsamic vinegars, wines, spirits and beer. They also offer loose leaf teas, organic spices, local cheese, trendy home décor, tees, candles and soaps, gourmet food items and condiments, and so much more. Another of their businesses, The Stock Peddler, recently opened on West Green Bay St. and offers fresh and faux floral arrangements, stems, plants and more.

Dan and Diane Hartwig loved “antiquing” together whenever they had the opportunity, and in the summer of 2020, they took the leap and made their hobby a business, opening Bottle House Antiques. The antique mall is named in honor of the Hartwig family’s soda bottling business, Twig’s Beverage (located just behind Bottle House). Individual vendors sell their antiques and collectibles, and new items are added each week, so there is always something new to see.

War Bonnet Native American Gifts, located on South Main St., hosts a wide selection of Native American unique artwork, beadwork, sculptures, furs, and jewelry. Authentic Native American items are made by local Native artists, including Menominee, Oneida, and Stockbridge. Stop in to see their beautiful selection of show-stopping Pendleton blankets as well. 

Old Glory Candy and Fudge Shop is the place for kids to feel like kids in a candy store and for kids-of-all-ages to experience the amazing sense of nostalgia when we see the many kinds of candy we all remember fondly from our childhoods. Grab a paper bag and fill to your stomach’s content from the bins of bulk candy, including nearly 30 kinds of taffy. Make sure to take home a piece of their homemade fudge in flavors like maple walnut, dark chocolate sea salt caramel, and chewy praline.

The Ultimate Closet offers contemporary clothing styles for women and men for all seasons, including brands like Tribal, Jag Jeans, Esqualo, 7 Diamonds and other great-looking brands in pants, shorts, polos, tops, sweaters, dresses, and even jumpsuits. French Kande jewelry, including necklaces, rings, and bracelets, help top off any outfit. Sizes 0 through 16 are offered. The space, which was originally the Citizens Bank, still includes the original bank vault, which now serves as their dressing room. You’ll never be caught wearing boring clothes after a visit to The Ultimate Closet!

The Blend, which is a “fusion of girl bosses,” hosts several different vendors within its space with items in the clothing, gift and accessories categories for sale. When you purchase something from this female-based business incubator, you’re directly supporting a local female entrepreneur!

Dreier Pharmacy Gift Shoppe — or just Dreier’s, if you’re a local — has been family owned for more than 50 years. A longtime staple of the downtown, the gift shoppe offers unique gifts, collectibles, jewelry, ladies clothing and accessories, and decor for your home or cabin. 

Are you a quilter? You must check out Bolt & Skein Quilt Shop, located on East Green Bay St. Owner Jenny Maltbey wanted to create a space in Shawano where young and old can share in the fun of creativity through simple stitches and knits, and she certainly has done just that. Pick up a new kit, pattern, or add to your fabric collection!

Martin Jewellers, your go-to jewelry store on Main St., was established in 1960 by Herb Martin. Herb started in clock and watch repair, and then expanded his business over time. David and Heather Pahl purchased Martin Jewellers in 2017, and many of the familiar brands and outstanding services were maintained, and now include brand offerings from Victor, Midas, Tracy Arrington Studios, Leslie’s, Berco, Bulova and more.

Stay A While in Shawano

If camping is your speed, Shawano County Campground is the place to be. With nearly 100 sites, the campground sits on the shores of Shawano Lake and has a lot to offer families in terms of amenities. A new playground, just a short walk from the lake, is the perfect place for kids to enjoy an afternoon, and a sandy beach is just a short walk from the sites. Campers also have access to the boat launch. Reservations open 12 months in advance.

If staying at a hotel in Shawano is your preference, check out Boarders on River Bend Rd. (right off the corner of Highway 29 and 22). The facility offers an indoor pool and hot tub, seven whirlpool suites, and the Shawano Café is right next door. 

Located on Airport Road, Shawano Four Seasons Hotel is the only full-service hotel in Shawano with a lounge and restaurant on-site. It also has a large atrium area with a pool and hot tub, a game room, lounge, and fitness center. 

There are many options to choose from if you are going the Vrbo, Airbnb or similar private rental  routes. Some of the highlighted options included Brother’s Chalet, Bamboo Shores and Sandy Shores.

Located directly next to a boat launch and with access to private docks, Brother’s Chalet is situated on the western side of the lake, giving vacationers a glimpse of the sun rise each day. As the name hints, the home is conveniently located directly across from Brother’s Pub and Grill, offering food and drink daily, and is also near Dockers On The Corner, which serves a great menu of steak, fish, pork chops, and features a salad bar.

For locations with several cottages in one location, check out Bamboo Shores or Sandy Shore Cottages. Bamboo Shores, located just outside the city on the south side of Shawano Lake, has six individual homes with modern conveniences available for year-round rental. Homes No. 2, No. 5, and the Plumber’s Hilton include wood-burning fireplaces. A pontoon is also available for use for each residence. (And, for a step back into time, see their website for a great history of Schumacher Island and how it has ties to Bamboo Shores!)

Sandy Shores Resort includes four cottages located on 110 feet of sandy beach front on the north side of the lake. There is plenty of lawn space, perfect for badminton, bocce or other games. The resort’s shoreline offers a shallow entry with a sandy bottom, perfect for families with young swimmers. Cottages are equipped with a full kitchen and a full bathroom. 

Set Your Sights on a Visit to Shawano!

Like many downtowns throughout the Midwest, Shawano has weathered the challenges of the last couple of decades and is really experiencing a renaissance. As a visitor walking the streets, you feel the energy that occurs when a city is at the inception of amazing times ahead.

“Shawano has been my backyard for 15 years, so I’ve watched the changes happen,” reflects Suzanne Wittman, Chamber of Commerce executive director. “And I was here probably every weekend during that time. I’ve always said to people it feels like you’re up north, but you’re not really up north, right? You’re just a step away from Green Bay or the Fox Cities, so you don’t have this long drive ahead of you. However, it still feels like you can go to your cottage or your lake house and do the typical tourism stuff, like the fishing and hiking and biking. 

“I think the biggest change really has been what’s very visible is the downtown with the incoming stores, which have really elevated what is offered here when you come here to visit,” she adds.

“I have a real passion for Shawano,” furthers Cronce. “I think it’s a great community to live in. I encourage people to come and visit it … it’s where I want to be and there are good people here and lots of interesting things to do.”

“It’s become a Worth the Drive destination … it is that kind of place right now that it wasn’t 15 years ago, or even 10 years ago,” Wittman adds.