A Local's Guide to Woodruff: Lumberjack Shows, the World's Largest Penny, and Lakeland Suppers

Woodruff is Minocqua's twin -- the northern half of the Lakeland area, sharing the same lakes, trails, and steady stream of summer visitors. It's a little more low-key than its island-city neighbor, with a beloved lumberjack show, one genuinely odd roadside landmark, and a good Northwoods brewery to round out a day on the water.

What is Woodruff known for?

The World's Largest Penny and lumberjack shows. The World's Largest Penny monument honors the 1950s "Million Penny Parade," a children's penny drive that helped build the Lakeland hospital -- a quirky bit of local pride. In summer, Scheer's Lumberjack Shows bring axe-throwing, log-rolling, and pole-climbing to the area, a Northwoods classic. Around it all are the Lakeland-area lakes shared with Minocqua and Arbor Vitae.

Things to do in Woodruff

See the World's Largest Penny, catch a Scheer's Lumberjack Show in summer, and get out on the Lakeland lakes -- this is shared water with Minocqua, so boating, fishing, and the Bearskin and other trails are all close. Trout Lake Golf & Country Club covers a round, and the brewery is the easy after-the-lake stop.

Where to eat in Woodruff

Rocky Reef Brewing Company is the local craft-beer anchor and a great après-lake hangout. For the classics, Northfork Fin & Filet does the Friday fish fry, Heart II Bar & Grill and Preuss's Pub are the local taverns, and the nearby Era Cafe in Arbor Vitae is a beloved breakfast-and-lunch stop. Anthony's Ristorante covers Italian, and Milky Way Coffee Company handles the morning cup.

When to go

Summer is peak Lakeland season -- the lakes, the lumberjack shows, and the warm-weather crowds. Fall brings excellent color, winter brings snowmobiling and skiing, and the supper clubs and brewery hold up year-round. Confirm Scheer's show dates before you build a visit around them.

Planning your visit

Woodruff sits right next to Minocqua on US-51, twinned so closely that the two function as one Lakeland destination -- pair them freely, along with neighboring Arbor Vitae. The lakes need a boat or a rental; downtown and the penny are quick stops. It's an easy basecamp for the central Northwoods.

The bottom line

Woodruff is the easygoing side of the Lakeland area -- a giant penny, flying axes, and a lakeside brewery to finish. We surface what's worth the trip; you choose the lake. See what's on this week at the Lineup.