Departments

Dining 

Dining To-Do List

From supper club fare to ice cream cones piled high with sweet offerings, you’ll never go hungry while trekking through the Waterfall Capital of Wisconsin. Call ahead or check out social media for up-to-date hours. 

Sportsman’s Cafe, Crivitz 

Early bird gets the worm — and a delicious breakfast at Sportman’s Cafe in Crivitz. Open seven days a week for dine-in or take out from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., they offer made-to-order breakfast and lunch items with fresh ingredients. Enjoy a wide selection of options and specials at Sportman’s, like fluffy biscuits and luscious country-style gravy, cream-cheese stuffed French toast, or corned beef hash. If it’s Friday, do yourself a favor — take a long walk after breakfast, and then head back to Sportsman’s for the renowned fish fry!

1393 Lounge, Marinette 

The 1393 Lounge is located inside the M&M Victorian Inn in Marinette, featuring an extensive martini and cocktail list, flights of artisan cheeses and other savory items. Open weekends, the martini lounge has offered such interesting libations like the Black Widow Martini – Absolute Citron, Chambord, Cointreau and sour, and The Sun Will Rise Again – rum, Luxardo Liquor, lime, grapefruit and Absinthe. They also cater to the old-school “shaken, not stirred” requests. 

Ironworks, Marinette 

With its famous installation of public art above the building, Ironworks in Marinette turns heads both outside — and inside — the renovated 1889 building. Its industrial-style aesthetic plays host to menu creations throughout the year like the special menu item, the Shmac Burger. It includes two smash patties filled with mac and cheese, covered in Corona queso. There’s also the menu standby Red Hot Rivet – a 1/3-lb. burger topped with pepper jack cheese, fried jalapenos and house-made chipotle ketchup on a brioche bun. Or stop by for a beer and a quick snack, like Ironworks’ Jumbo Wings. 

Rene’s Dining Room, Crivitz 

Sizzling steaks, a big dinner salad and homemade soups make the quintessential supper club menu and when traveling in Marinette County, Rene’s Dining Room serves up that time-honored Wisconsin tradition – with its own rich history! Well-known with locals as well as vacationers, it is a destination for dining, cocktails and history, as they celebrate the restaurant’s 60th anniversary this year.  

The Cafe Green, Marinette 

If you’re looking to lighten up your lunchtime, The Cafe Green offers a healthier, fresh alternative to fast food. Make it a stop before heading to Red Arrow Park for family fun and let them fill your picnic basket for you with deliciousness. Salads, black bean burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, zoodle dishes and soups are among the offerings.  

Blue Bike Burrito, Marinette 

For fresh Southwest food made from organic and local ingredients whenever possible, visit Marinette’s Blue Bike Burrito. Their burritos, quesadillas, nachos and tacos come with chicken, ground beef, chorizo or grilled veggies options, as do their salads. Want all the flavor of a burrito but you’re on a carb-free diet? Try their Naked Burrito!  

Iceburg, Crivitz 

A stop at Iceburg in Crivitz is great for anyone wanting a delicious burger, comfort snack food, hot dog or ice cream treat! A menu highlight, the Southwest Burger, is a 1/3-lb. patty with lettuce and tomato and topped with cheddar, two onion rings and a rich house-made Southwest sauce. On the hot dog side of things, their Nacho Dog is a deep-fried hot dog with grilled onions, tomatoes and taco meat, and it’s topped with house-made nacho cheese and fresh jalapeños with a side of salsa. If you just need a “little” something to tide you over until dinner while out exploring the countryside, try their new Buffalo Fries – French fries covered with sliced chicken tenders, buffalo sauce, ranch and bleu cheese crumbs. Missed breakfast? Indulge with their Cinnamon Toast Crunch flurry, brand-new for 2021! 

Mickey-Lu-Bar-B-Q, Marinette 

A Marinette institution in deliciousness and nostalgia, Mickey-Lu’s – as it’s affectionately known by its fans — is a 1940’s diner with flame-kissed burgers cooked over charcoal, as well as hot dogs and cube steak, broiled ham, fried egg and grilled cheese sandwiches. Wash it down with a shake or malt made with real ice cream. 

Forgotten Fire Winery, Marinette 

 Everyone needs a nice break from the usual hustle and bustle of vacation and Forgotten Fire Winery is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine, hard cider, or hand-crafted nonalcoholic soda. Opened in 2011, Forgotten Fire Winery offers wines from dry to sweet to please any palate and is open all year to visitors. 

Events

Hot Events

Your Marinette County datebook

Logging & Heritage Festival

July 10

Photo courtesy of the City of Marinette

Marinette’s Logging and Heritage Festival celebrates Marinette’s lumbering history. There are local artisan craft and farm market vendors and limited nonprofit food vendors. A variety of entertainment is also offered for festival goers throughout the day and the evening is wrapped up with fireworks. Stephenson Island, Marinette. 715-732-5162.

Marinette Co. Fair

Late August 

Where else can you combine your love for fried food with horse shows, a demo derby, magic shows, animal exhibits and amusement rides? Why, the Marinette County Fair of course! The fair offers all the beloved activities, food and refreshments county fairs are known for, held at the fairgrounds in Wausaukee in late August. 920-591-1407. 

Peshtigo’s Sesquicentennial Historical Days 

September 24-26 

Peshtigo’s Sesquicentennial Historical Days commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Peshtigo Fire of October 8, 1871 and honors the city that rose from the ashes of the Great Fire. A run/walk, parade, fireman’s breakfast, logging show and other festivities are part of the weekend. Enjoy historical re-enactments, an arts and crafts sale, music, bounce houses, face painting and balloons, and food and beverages. Badger Park, Peshtigo. 715-582-3041.

Christmas in Marinette 

December 4

Held on the first Saturday of December each year, Christmas in Marinette is a day of fun-filled activities throughout the City of Marinette. There are events for the whole family, for shoppers, crafters, lovers of the arts and anyone who enjoys a heart-warming holiday experience. 715-732-5120.

Knights of Columbus Jeff Champeau Memorial Duck Race

The annual Niagara Knights of Columbus Jeff Champeau Memorial Duck Race is a fun community event, typically held near the end of July/early August in Niagara. Attendees are invited to purchase ducks, which are then raced in a body of water with the first-place duck winning a top prize of around $1,000 and spots paid throughout for the other finishing ducks. 

Wausaukee Fall Festival 

October 2

Fall is such a lovely time of year in Wisconsin and fall festivals are a highlight of autumnal fun. Visit Wausaukee’s version of a Fall Festival, complete with crafters, music, delicious food and refreshments, face painting for kids, booyah, bake sales, horse-drawn wagon rides, a farmers market and more. Following the pandemic halt of 2020, village of Wausaukee administrator, clerk and treasurer Sara Pullen says the event occurs the first Saturday in October each year. The event, hosted by a village of about 560 residents, typically features more than 100 vendors and crafters. 715-856-5341.

Thursday Flea and Farmers Market

May 27-September 2

Are you looking for a bargain or a hidden treasure? The Crivitz Thursday Flea and Farmers Market can start your weekend right! The market offers a wide variety of unique items for everyone. Great shopping and family fun make this an event you should add to your vacation “to-do” list. Open Thursdays May 27-September 2, and also Saturday, July 3. 715-854-2030.