February Winter Retreat in Shawano, Wisconsin

If you are a big city person looking to run away to a small town in Wisconsin this winter, Shawano may be the place to run to. Here you can escape for some much needed rest and relaxation or for the active, social individual, partake in events and activities. Whether you are alone, with someone special, or you have a family, you can find several things to do in this small community. Located in Shawano County, Shawano has some very nice places to stay and visit as well as winter activities to enjoy.

With a population of about 8,400 people, the streets are not overly crowded. It is easy to make your way leisurely around the city. Within the city there are many shops to browse in and down-home restaurants to eat at. Downtown Shawano offers many small businesses. Book World is a nice place for the avid reader to find material to read while relaxing on vacation. Dreier Pharmacy and Gift Shoppe is full of attractive, unique gifts. Jungle Music offers new and used music as well as guitars and some unique clothing. Their iguana is fun to visit with while you shop. Body Essentials sells soy candles, bath and body products, unique clothing, jewelry, and many other pamper-me-products. This is a must see store and the management and employees are pleasant. Spirit of the Northwoods is located across the street from Body Essentials. Spirit of the Northwoods offers items that reflect much of the beauty of Northeastern Wisconsin. Do not miss browsing in this store.

Beans and Books Coffeehouse serves up the best coffee drinks in town. They offer Italian sodas and hot cocoa, muffins, and healthy wraps for lunch. They also sell used books. The atmosphere of this coffee shop is relaxing and smells wonderful! It is pleasantly decorated and very comfortable. Bult's Bakery is also great for a breakfast stop for the best in doughnuts and pastries. Farm 'inn On Main is a down-home restaurant featuring a full menu for any meal or anytime in between. The homey country atmosphere here is appropriate for this farming community. If you care for Chinese food, Hunan Chinese Restaurant has fabulous food and service. Flamingo's Family Restaurant is great, offering low prices, big portions, and good service. In the mood for pasta? Go to Luigi's Pasta and Pizza for a scrumptious pasta or pizza dinner.

For your dwelling needs, there are various hotels such as Country Inn and Suites, Super 8 Motel, Americ Inn, and Comfort Inn and Suites, all of which are comfortable and clean. If you prefer something more private visit http://www.discoverourtown.com/ WI/Shawano/Lodging-784.html for area bed and breakfasts, cabins, cottages, condos and vacation rentals. Many of these are nestled in beautiful, tall, snow-covered trees on and around Shawano Lake, many of which offer pleasant scenery of the lake.

There are various winter activities to partake in. Acres for Recreation offers cross-country ski trails. I recommend Navarino Nature Center for well-groomed cross-country ski trails and it is a great place to find a quiet spot on one of the frequently placed benches they place throughout the paths to sit, observe, and listen to the Wisconsin winter wildlife. Also enjoy a winter snowshoe hike on these trails or simply walk them. No matter which way you decide to take the trails of the Navarino Nature Center, you would have to be dead to not feel the tranquility and soak in the beauty of these nature trails. Located throughout the state are numerous snowmobile trails. This year, however, there really hasn't been sufficient snowfall in the area for snowmobiling. Shawano area snowmobilers usually travel further north to enjoy this past time.

There are up-coming February winter events taking place throughout the month. The 1st through the 10th is the 1st Annual Got Shanty Contest. The ice shanty theme is "Love Shack". Taking place on Shawano Lake as well as surrounding Loon and Washington Lakes, there is an entry fee charged. This is fun for artistic-minded ice fishermen with a sense of humor. Call 715-526-2280 for more information.

On February 3rd the Navarino Nature Center will hold a Winter Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is free to all and there will be family activities, sledding, and winter games. Also being held at the Navarino Nature Center on the 10th is a Valentine's Day Snowshoe Walk from 9 a.m. to noon. There is a fee charged. There will also be a candle light ski/snowshoe/sledding event on this day from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your sweetheart. Visit www.navarino.org for more information on these events.

Maple Hills Golf Course will hold a Super Bowl Party on February 4th. Offering food and prizes, this football party is great for the sport fan. February 9th through 14th is Downtown Shawano's Sweet Street Days. Stroll the downtown area to look for special gifts for your sweetheart and enter to win gift certificates. February 10th is the Figure 8 Muskie Club Annual Ice Fishing Derby held on beautiful Shawano Lake. Food will be offered. There will be a raffle and kid's prizes. Call 715-526-9793 for more information.

There are opportunities for you to make a difference in a couple of area causes. On February 17th, Safe Haven Domestic Abuse Support Center will hold a Spare the Violence Bowl-A-Thon. Pledges will be made to help raise money for Safe Haven, the area domestic violence safe shelter for abuse victims. Call 715-526-3421 for more information on this event.

If you would like to help the animals in the area that reside at the Shawano County Humane Society, you might be interested in the banquet at The Gathering on February 24th. Social hour will be at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. There will be a live and silent auction, a raffle, and the proceeds from this event will benefit the shelter. This is a wonderful opportunity for animal lovers to support our furry friends. The phone number for the shelter is 715-526-2297. Perhaps you can visit and find a pet to take home with you.

Shawano, Wisconsin is a beautiful winter retreat. When you need to escape from the hectic routine of your daily rigors, consider traveling to this small community to refresh and renew. Whether you take in the winter wonderland from your lounge spot in front of a fireplace or you venture out to play in the snow, you will truly have a good time.