guides · From the editor's notebook
A Local's Guide to Three Lakes: A 28-Lake Chain, a Cranberry Winery, and Northwoods Suppers
Three Lakes sits on one of the world's largest connected chains of lakes -- 28 lakes for boating and fishing, plus a cranberry winery, an arts center, and classic Northwoods supper clubs.
Three Lakes sits at the edge of one of the largest connected freshwater chains of lakes in the world -- 28 lakes you can navigate by boat without ever trailering out. It's a quintessential Vilas County lake town: a winery known for cranberry wine, a small arts scene, and a row of taverns and supper clubs to land at after a day on the water.
What is Three Lakes known for?
The chain of 28 lakes. The Three Lakes-Eagle River chain is among the world's largest interconnected freshwater lake systems, which makes this prime boating, fishing, and paddling country. The town is also home to the Three Lakes Winery, well known for its cranberry wines made from the region's bogs, and the Three Lakes Center for the Arts keeps a surprising cultural calendar for a town this size.
Things to do in Three Lakes
Get on the water -- the 28-lake chain is the whole point, ideal for a long day of boating or fishing. Visit the Three Lakes Winery for a cranberry-wine tasting, catch a show at the Three Lakes Center for the Arts, and stop by the quirky Northwoods Petroleum Museum for a bit of roadside Americana. Don Burnside Park is the easy in-town green space and lake access.
Where to eat in Three Lakes
Black Forest Pub & Grille is the busy local favorite, SpiritView Lakeside and Sunset Grill put you on the water, and Claytons 1881 Room is the historic sit-down spot. Lindy's Hideaway and Tavern on the Loop cover the tavern side, Sorge's DayBreak Diner handles breakfast, and Deja Brew Coffee is the morning cup.
When to go
Summer is peak chain-of-lakes season -- this is where the boating shines. Fall brings excellent color and the cranberry harvest, winter is snowmobiling and ice fishing, and the winery and supper clubs are good year-round.
Planning your visit
Three Lakes sits on US-45 just south of Eagle River in Vilas County, sharing the famous chain of lakes with its larger neighbor. A boat or a rental unlocks the best of it; downtown and the winery are quick stops. It pairs naturally with Eagle River and St. Germain for a fuller Vilas County lakes trip.
The bottom line
Three Lakes is lake country at its purest -- a 28-lake chain, a cranberry winery, and a supper club to end the day. We surface what's worth the trip; you choose the lake. See what's on this week at the Lineup.