Trip Planning
Your Guide to Downtown

Hayward Main Street Guide

Downtown Hayward, Wisconsin

A compact, walkable strip of locally-owned restaurants, shops, galleries, and bars in the heart of the Northwoods. No chains. No pretense.

24 businesses15-min walk end to end

The Map

Everything's within a 15-minute walk. Tap a pin for details.

Eat & Drink
Sweets
Shop
Art
Essentials

Eat & Drink

From Friday fish fry to craft cocktails — the places that keep people coming back.

01

Anglers Bar & Grill

Bar & Grill

The Main Street anchor. Known for Wisconsin fish fry, burgers, homemade pizza, and Mexican dishes. Full bar with Old Fashioneds. Outdoor patio. Game room. The back room ('The Alley') handles large groups.

Date NightFamiliesGroupsLocal Classic

The move

Friday Fish Fry & an Old Fashioned

02

The Social Kitchen & Cocktails

Restaurant & Bar

Newer full-service spot with a craft-focused menu. Signature cocktails and mocktails, beer, wine. Known for cooking in beef tallow and house-made sauces. Spacious for groups. Outdoor patio. Occasional live music.

Date NightGroupsCraft Drinks

The move

Smash burger or signature cocktails

Tue–Thu 11:30am–8pm · Fri–Sat 11:30am–9pm
03

Main Street Tacos

Mexican

Authentic Mexican — tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas. Everything made in-house. Strong margaritas. Gluten-free friendly (corn tortillas). The 3 Taco Combo may be the best deal downtown.

FamiliesQuick StopBudget

The move

Birria tacos + a margarita

Mon–Sat 11am–8pm
04

Angry Minnow Brewery

Brewpub

Hayward's craft brewery, now on Main Street. Beers brewed on-site — River Pig Pale Ale to Oaky's Oatmeal Stout. Smoked fish tacos, comfort food. Front opens as a garage door in summer. Growlers and 4-packs to go.

Date NightCraft DrinksLocal Classic

The move

A flight of house-brewed beers

Tue–Thu 2–7pm · Fri 12–8pm · Sat 12–6pm
05

Out of the Woods Winery

Winery & Taproom

Downtown winery with 16 taps, wines, meads, ciders, slushies, and spirits. House-made wines plus selections from across Wisconsin. Flight tastings available. Relaxed, personality-filled atmosphere.

Date NightCraft DrinksChill

The move

Start with a flight — try the Tip Up Gluhwein in winter

Tue–Thu 2–7pm · Fri–Sat 12–7pm
06

3 Fly Sisters Taps & Wines

Taproom

16 taps including their own light beer, wines, specialty ciders, lemonades, and impressive charcuterie boards. Husband-and-wife owned with deep Hayward roots. Earth Rider on tap.

Date NightCraft DrinksChill

The move

Charcuterie board + a local tap

Thu–Fri 2–8pm · Sat 12–8pm
07

Backroads Coffee

Coffee Shop

Locally roasted coffee, kolaches, breakfast burritos, baked goods, and lunch items. Bigger inside than it looks. Great merch and specialty food items to take home.

FamiliesQuick StopSolo

The move

Meat lovers breakfast burrito + caramel latte

Mon–Sat 6am–4pm · Sun 6am–3pm

Sweets

The sweet side of Main Street. Budget accordingly.

01

West's Hayward Dairy

Ice Cream·Seasonal

A Hayward institution since 1954. Over 40 flavors of hand-dipped premium ice cream plus dairy-free options. Malts are the move. Generous scoops — 'two scoops' is more like six. Worth the line.

FamiliesQuick StopLocal Classic

The move

A malt — or Lemon Church Basement flavor

02

Tremblay's Sweet Shop

Candy & Fudge

Homemade fudge, chocolate truffles, salt water taffy, peanut brittle — watch them make it. Multi-generational family business. Cash/check preferred (ATM on site).

FamiliesQuick StopGifts

The move

Fudge and chocolate truffles

Mon–Thu 9am–7pm · Fri–Sat 9am–8pm · Sun 9am–5pm
03

Sundaes with Annabell & Charlotte

Ice Cream & Popcorn

Chocolate Shoppe ice cream with tons of flavors including vegan and no-sugar-added options. Also home to Salty Girls Popcorn — 16 gourmet flavors made in-house.

FamiliesQuick StopGifts

The move

Hayward Mix popcorn + a scoop

Mon 12–5pm · Tue–Thu 10am–5pm · Fri–Sat 10am–8pm

Shop

One-of-a-kind finds you won't get online.

01

Silver Star Market

Boutique & Floral

Women's and men's clothing, accessories, beauty, decor, gifts, snacks. Full floral design service — fresh arrangements, wedding rentals.

Date NightGiftsSolo

The move

Curated clothing + fresh flowers

Tue–Fri 11am–5pm · Sat 10am–5pm
02

Hayward Mercantile Co.

Kitchen & Cooking

Wisconsin's largest cooking store. Cookware, gadgets, Chef Jeff's seasonings, high-end cutlery, cast iron. Olive oil & balsamic vinegar tasting bar. Shop dogs inside.

FamiliesGiftsFoodie

The move

Olive oil & balsamic tasting bar

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Sat–Sun 10am–5pm
03

Nordic Northwoods

Clothing & Gifts

Scandinavian-inspired apparel and gifts. Dale of Norway sweaters, trolls, and hard-to-find Nordic items.

GiftsLocal Classic

The move

Dale of Norway sweaters

Mon–Sat 11am–4pm
04

Rugged Roots

Boutique

Inspired by Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe, Hayward, and Stone Lake communities. Home decor, jewelry, bags, hats, blankets, soaps, candles, pottery.

GiftsSoloCulture

The move

Locally inspired home goods

Tue–Sat 10am–5pm
05

Scrappy's Antiques

Antiques & Vintage

Collectibles and vintage treasures. Good prices, friendly owner. The kind of place where you dig and find something unexpected.

SoloRainy Day

The move

30 minutes of browsing

Hours vary — check locally
06

Eagle Wings Fashions

Souvenir & Apparel

Hayward logo wear — t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, swimsuits. Custom heat-transferred designs with quick turnaround. Open 7 days.

FamiliesGiftsQuick Stop

The move

Custom Hayward souvenir tee

Daily 9am–6:30pm
07

Namekagon General Store

Leather Goods

Handmade leather goods crafted in the shop. Belts custom-sized on the spot, wallets, bracelets, hair accessories. Smells incredible. Dog-friendly.

GiftsSoloCulture

The move

Custom-fitted leather belt or bracelet

08

River & Rain

Crystals & Wellness

Crystals, gemstones, adaptogenic mushroom coffee, candles, jewelry, boutique clothing, books. Salt therapy room on site.

GiftsSoloCulture

The move

Browse gemstones + mushroom coffee

Tue–Sat 9am–5pm
09

Riverbrook Bike & Ski

Outdoor Gear

Trained staff who use the gear they sell. Bikes, skis, accessories, clothing, service, tuning. Rentals available. Zero pressure. 5.0 stars for a reason.

FamiliesOutdoors

The move

Bike rental for a downtown ride

Mon–Fri 10am–6pm · Sat 9am–5pm · Sun 10am–4pm
10

Sophie's Dog Bakery

Pet Boutique

Baked and decorated dog treats, accessories, toys. Hats and people accessories in the back. Dog-friendly. Fun stop even if you're just browsing.

FamiliesGifts

The move

A treat for the pup

Seasonal — check locally

Art

Where local talent lives.

01

The Art Gallery

Gallery & Studio·Seasonal

Five local artists in different mediums: watercolor, abstract, painting & sculpture, lego art, and abstract painting. Monthly themed exhibits May–October.

SoloRainy DayCultureDate Night

The move

Visit during a themed exhibit

May–Oct — check for exhibit dates

Essentials

The practical stops that round out a downtown trip.

01

Hayward Fly Fishing Co.

Fly Shop & Rental

Full-service fly shop. Also rents a 2-bed apartment upstairs — queen + full, kitchen, porch, WiFi. Walk to everything. Guided trips on the Namekagon.

OutdoorsSolo

The move

Book a guided trip or the apartment

Mon & Thu–Sat 9:30am–5pm · Sun 10am–2pm
02

MarketPlace Foods

Grocery

Hayward's largest supermarket on Main Street. Produce, meats, deli, bakery, natural foods, olive bar. Caribou Coffee inside. Liquor store on site.

FamiliesBudget

The move

Deli + bakery for picnic supplies

03

Northwoods Humane Society Thrift

Thrift (Charity)

Thrift shopping that supports the local humane society. Clean, well-organized, surprisingly good finds. Staff researches vintage pieces.

BudgetSoloRainy Day

The move

Dig for a treasure

Mon–Sat 11am–3pm

Annual Events

The ones that pack Main Street and turn downtown into a destination.

01
February

Birkie Fever

America's largest cross-country ski marathon. Downtown becomes the finish-line party. Businesses run Birkie specials.

02
June

Musky Fest

75+ year tradition. Sidewalk sales, arts & crafts, live music, car show, food trucks, carnival, Grand Parade.

03
Late July

Lumberjack World Championships

World-class lumberjack competition. Log rolling, pole climbing, sawing — sport, history, comedy.

04
October

Fall Sip & Shop

Shops open late. Deals, sips, snacks. Passport to 10+ businesses, prizes at Anglers.

Know Before You Go

Insider tips from the locals

1

Hours are seasonal — double-check Facebook pages before visiting.

2

Parking is free everywhere. Walk the full district in 15 minutes.

3

Friday fish fry is sacred. Anglers is the downtown go-to.

4

Hayward Lakes Visitor Center (by the big musky) has trail maps and local tips.

5

Birkie weekend: book lodging months ahead.

6

Walkable to the Namekagon River, Shue's Pond, and Lake Hayward.

7

Most craft drink spots close Sun–Mon. Plan accordingly.

Independently compiled to help visitors explore Downtown Hayward. Details change seasonally — always check ahead. For the official downtown directory, visit downtownhaywardwi.com