Located in central Wisconsin, Stevens Point celebrates its natural, educational and historical resources with opportunities for learning, recreation and fun. The streets of its historic downtown welcome visitors to a variety of shops and restaurants. Local festivals create good times, with events like the annual Iola Old Car Show and Swap Meet, the largest of its kind in the Midwest. As the site of a University of Wisconsin campus, Stevens Point visitors enjoy athletic and cultural venues, and a lively intellectual environment.
Trail Adventures
- The 26-mile Stevens Point Green Circle Trail is unusual in that it encircles the entire city. This easy-to-access trail welcomes 100,000 users each year. It parallels the Wisconsin and Plover rivers, winding through forest, prairies and wetlands. The trail expands options with connections to multiple trail systems, including those at Schmeeckle Reserve, the Heartland Trail system and Tomorrow River State Trail. Popular with hikers and bicyclists, the trail also accommodates cross-country skiers and snowshoers during winter months. A diversity of habitat along the pathway offers rich opportunities for birding. Frequently seen species include waterfowl, raptors, songbirds and others.
Youth Activitries
- Youth-oriented attractions provide hours of wholesome recreation for Stevens Point residents and visitors. The Kids Are Special Here (KASH) Playground at Mead Park is a wheelchair-friendly play area affording every child the opportunity to enjoy active fun. A 14,422-square-foot skateboard and BMX park replicates a city street challenging participants with ramps, rails, stairs, walls and benches. Three disc golf courses test player skills. Courses include the Yulga, Mead Park and McDill courses. When the snow flies, Iverson Park Winter Sports Arena cures cabin fever with a 300-foot toboggan run, three sledding hills, a snowboard hill and an outdoor lighted ice rink.
Art
- Stevens Point offers artistic inspiration through a host of art venues. Riverfront Arts Center, a community fine art gallery, presents exhibits and workshops. Stevens Point Sculpture Park engages the spirit with a fusion of nature and art. This outdoor "gallery" includes works by 22 artists, which are installed along trails. A stroll through downtown provides the opportunity to enjoy a collection of 10 murals showcasing influential community figures and significant historical city events. Scaraborcchio Art Museum, a community hub for artistic and cultural activities operated by the city and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, inspires with exhibits and programs.
History and Science
- History and science buffs find plenty of opportunity in Stevens Point to stimulate curiosity. Try exploring the night sky at the University of Wisconsin's Allen F. Blocher Planetarium, located on campus in the science building. The campus is also home to a Museum of Natural History. Portage County Historical Society operates the Stevens Point Historic Fire House No. 2, showcasing old firefighting equipment along with art. A stroll through the city's historic downtown district reveals more than 60 preserved buildings constructed in a variety of architectural styles. Spark young imaginations with a visit to the Central Wisconsin Children's Museum. It offers hands-on exhibits geared for ages 6 to 12 years.
