Fall Getaways in Wisconsin: An Owl Ridge Weekend

Why Wausau Is Made for Fall Getaways in Wisconsin

Fall getaways in Wisconsin tend to center on the same handful of things: color, cool air, and a good reason to stay outside longer than usual. Wausau delivers all three. October here brings hillsides that shift from green to gold and rust, mornings cool enough for a jacket, and afternoons still mild enough to spend on a trail or a patio. It’s the kind of stretch that makes autumn in Wisconsin worth planning a trip around, rather than just noticing on the drive to work.

Wisconsin weather in October runs mild by day and sharp by night. Wausau typically sees highs near 56 degrees and lows around 37, with an early dusting of snow always a possibility. That swing is part of the appeal. A sunny hike in the afternoon can turn into a fire-lit evening within a few hours, which is exactly the rhythm a good fall getaway should have.

Fall Things to Do in Wisconsin Near Wausau

A few outings define fall things to do in Wisconsin around Wausau, and most of them are within a short drive of downtown. Here are some ideas for fall getaways in Wisconsin.

Granite Peak runs a scenic chairlift up Rib Mountain during peak color season, weather permitting, and it’s worth reserving ahead since fall weekends fill quickly. Rib Mountain State Park itself is a strong option for anyone who’d rather take the color in on foot, with an observation tower that opens up wide views across the Wisconsin River valley. For a ride instead of a hike, Nine Mile Forest offers wooded mountain bike trails southwest of the city, while the Mountain Bay State Trail begins nearby in Weston and follows a former railroad corridor through the countryside.

If you’d rather stay behind the wheel, Highway 107 north toward Merrill tracks the Wisconsin River through wooded terrain, with Grandfather Falls worth a stop along the way. And downtown Wausau covers the rest: a stop at Timekeeper Distillery, a local brewery, dinner at one of the area’s better restaurants, or an afternoon at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, where the Birds in Art exhibition runs September 12, 2026, through January 3, 2027, with free admission.

Fall festivals in Wisconsin add another reason to time a visit around October. Wausau’s Harvest Fest takes over the 400 Block on October 3, 2026, with pumpkins, food vendors, and family activities, while Boos and Booze brings an adults-only Halloween night to the Rothschild Pavilion on October 23.

A Home Base for Your Fall Getaway

After a day outside, Owl Ridge Cabin gives you somewhere to enjoy your evening and is one of the best parts of fall getaways in Wisconsin. Set on a private, five-acre wooded lot about ten minutes from downtown Wausau, the cabin was built for couples, with 1,100 square feet split between an open living, dining, and kitchen space, a king bedroom, and a spa-inspired bathroom with a steam shower and an oversized soaking tub. Heated floors and a fireplace make the cooler October nights part of the experience rather than something to plan around.

For a fall getaway with a bit more occasion, Owl Ridge offers a Culinary Experience, where a local chef prepares and serves a four-course dinner for two at the cabin with wine chosen for the season, along with add-on touches like roses, chocolates, and sparkling wine for an anniversary or birthday. Owl Ridge is the sister property of the Stewart Inn in downtown Wausau, so if you’re weighing Wisconsin cabin rentals against a boutique hotel stay, both options put you close to the same fall color and the same city.

Book your stay at Owl Ridge Cabin and build your own version of a Wisconsin fall weekend, whether that means hiking Rib Mountain in the morning or simply staying in by the fire.

Frequently Asked Questions
When does fall start in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s fall color season typically begins in mid-September in the north and moves south through October, with the Wausau area often at or near peak color during the first half of October.

What’s the weather like in Wisconsin in October?
In Wausau, October days average around 56 degrees with nights closer to 37, and an early snow flurry is always possible, so layers are worth packing for both hiking and evenings outside.

Where can you see fall colors near Wausau?
Rib Mountain State Park, the Dells of the Eau Claire, and Big Eau Pleine County Park are three of the most reliable spots for fall color near Wausau, with Rib Mountain’s observation tower offering the widest view.

Are there fall festivals near Wausau?
Yes, Harvest Fest takes place on the 400 Block on October 3, 2026, and Boos and Booze, an adults-only Halloween event, follows at the Rothschild Pavilion on October 23.

Book your stay at Owl Ridge Cabin and make one of Wisconsin’s best fall getaways your next weekend away.