A Local's Guide to St. Germain: Vilas County Lakes, Supper Clubs, and Colorama

St. Germain is a Vilas County lake town through and through -- a crossroads in the heart of the chain-lakes country, ringed by water and stitched together by some of the best supper clubs in the Northwoods. It's a four-season recreation hub: boating and fishing in summer, snowmobiling in winter, and a beloved fall-color festival that turns the whole area gold.

What is St. Germain known for?

Lakes and snowmobiling. St. Germain sits among the Vilas County chain lakes -- a magnet for summer cabins, fishing, and boating -- and it's a serious snowmobile town in winter, sitting on a web of trails (the Snowmobile Hall of Fame calls St. Germain home). Its signature event, Colorama, celebrates the peak fall foliage each autumn.

Things to do in St. Germain

The lakes are the year-round draw -- fishing, boating, and paddling across the Vilas County chain in the warm months, and snowmobiling and ice fishing once the snow flies. Fall is for Colorama and leaf-peeping the back roads at peak color. It's an outdoors-and-supper-club town rather than an attractions checklist; the rhythm follows the seasons.

Where to eat in St. Germain

The supper clubs are the main event. McGregor's Blink Bonnie Supper Club, Pub N Prime, and Clearview Supper Club are the classic prime-rib-and-fish-fry destinations, while DJ's Northwoods Family Restaurant is the everyday standby. The Timbers, Fibbers, and Cira's Red, White & Brew cover the tavern side, Knocker's Pizza and Spang's handle pizza and Italian, and Red Canoe Coffee & Cocktails is the morning-and-evening hangout.

When to go

Summer is peak lake season; fall is Colorama and some of the best color in the state; winter is prime snowmobiling on the trail network. The supper clubs are excellent year-round, and the Friday fish fry is a constant.

Planning your visit

St. Germain sits at the junction of State Highways 70 and 155 in Vilas County, between Eagle River and the Minocqua-area lakes. The lakes need a boat or a rental; the supper clubs are spread along the highways, so plan to drive between them. It pairs naturally with Eagle River and the Three Lakes chain.

The bottom line

St. Germain is Vilas County lake life distilled -- water in every direction, a supper club for every night, and a town that lives by the seasons. We surface what's worth the trip; you choose the lake. See what's on this week at the Lineup.