Menomonie between Red Cedar Valley and culture

Menomonie offers a variety of reasons to visit: the Red Cedar State Trail winds through Red Cedar Valley, while theater, a museum, and public art offer other highlights. There is also a water park and a range of summer events. When looking for a vacation rental in Menomonie, it’s worth first considering whether nature, culture, or a day by the water will shape your stay.

Cycling along Red Cedar Valley

The Red Cedar State Trail is a 14.5-mile rail-trail. It runs from Menomonie along the steep slopes of Red Cedar Valley to its junction with the Chippewa River State Trail. Its total length is a useful reference when deciding how much room a bike ride should take up in your itinerary. However, the distance alone does not indicate a specific ride time; plan your day around the section of trail you actually want to cover.

The northern trailhead is at the depot building and visitor center on Highway 29, on the west side of Menomonie. Parking and trail passes are available there. If you want to make the trail a focus of your stay, you can take this starting point and the route through the valley into account when choosing where to stay. This puts a specific route at the center of your planning, rather than just the general prospect of outdoor activities.

Theater, museum, and public art

The Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater was built in 1889 as a tribute to Mabel Tainter, a young woman with a great love of music and art. Today, The Mabel Tainter serves as a center for performing arts and culture. This connects the building’s history with its cultural role: it offers a point of interest for travelers who want to experience Menomonie beyond outdoor activities.

The Rassbach Museum is located in Wakanda Park. Its stories span from the mound builders of around a thousand years ago to the present-day communities of Dunn County, offering a broad sweep of history. Menomonie’s Main Street has been designated a National Downtown Historic District. The cultural offerings also include the Menomonie Sculpture Tour, a public art experience for all ages. The theater, museum, designated historic district, and sculpture tour each offer a distinct focus—from performing arts and local history to public art.

Water park and summer events

Wakanda Water Park has a water surface of nearly 14,000 square feet and a 31-foot waterslide. It also features a large swimming pool, a diving board, and a playground for younger visitors. These specific features make the water park a standalone option for a stay that includes time for water fun. Menomonie’s parks also host concerts and ice cream events in the summer.

You can look for a vacation rental in Menomonie in the context of what you want to discover on your trip—without limiting your stay to just one kind of experience.

You can also discover Boyceville as another destination.

For the broader travel overview: Dunn County.