Neillsville offers travelers several distinct points of interest: historic architecture, memorial sites, and outdoor activities. The Neillsville Historic Preservation Commission offers a historic walking tour of the city. Other highlights include individual sites such as the Reed School and WCCN Pavilion, as well as trails and memorials at The Highground. This makes it possible to tailor a stay to different interests, without culture and outdoor activities adding up to the same experience.
Architecture and History in Neillsville
The historic walking tour focuses on buildings and architecture from four styles: Gothic Revival, Arts and Crafts, Prairie, and bungalow. This variety makes architecture the tour’s connecting thread. Anyone interested in architectural history can view the styles mentioned as different perspectives on the city’s buildings. Many of Neillsville’s historic buildings are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Reed School offers a different focus. The schoolhouse dates to 1915 and can be explored by visitors. While the walking tour covers several architectural styles in Neillsville, here the focus is on a single historic school building. This offers two different ways to explore history: a tour through the city and a visit to a schoolhouse with a specific year of construction.
WCCN Pavilion also has a connection to architectural history: in Neillsville, it is located in the building from the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair. Visitors can explore a private collection of World’s Fair memorabilia there and meet Chatty Belle, the world’s largest talking cow. The connection to World’s Fairs is evident both in the building and in the collection; Chatty Belle adds another clearly named attraction to the visit.
Memorials, Trails, and Landscape
The Highground offers a different aspect of a visit from the history of buildings. The grounds include more than a dozen memorials and four miles of hiking trails. From the plaza at The Highground, visitors can see half a million acres of Wisconsin woodland and glacial moraine. The memorials, trails, and view from the plaza offer different points of interest: those interested in memorial sites will find an extensive collection of tributes, while the trails and vista add landscape and movement to the visit.
Another recreational offering is a year-round activities program run by the City of Neillsville in partnership with the Neillsville School District. It includes outdoor education, natural history, and snowshoeing. These topics offer a different perspective on Neillsville from its historic buildings, with the focus here on nature and outdoor activities. The program ranges from natural history and outdoor education to snowshoeing; these offerings give a concrete sense of its thematic breadth.
More Interests for Your Stay
The Neillsville Country Club adds another dimension, with a 9-hole course in Neillsville’s gently rising, rolling hills. However, a closure notice has been issued for the course. If golf is important to your travel plans, please check its current status before visiting.
Visitors interested in Wisconsin-made products also have a specific place to visit: Pavilion Cheese & Gifts carries products made in Wisconsin and artisan cheeses. Along with the historic sites, outdoor offerings, and memorials, this shopping destination expands the range of topics that may factor into choosing a stay in Neillsville.
For the broader travel overview: Clark County.
