Maine brings a rural feel to the Wausau area, plus room to grow
Just north of Wausau, Maine’s country roads pass through farms and crop fields alongside the Wisconsin River. Despite being just 6 miles from downtown Wausau, the village maintains a spacious, rural feel, where locals can build barns and enjoy multiple acres. Still, Maine's location so close to the city means residents can work in Wausau or head into town for groceries and school. “People like it because it's between Wausau and Merrill, and it’s a quick commute to town,” says Holly Hettinga, marketing administrator for Coldwell Banker Action Realty. “Wausau is expanding north and west, so Maine is one of the growing areas. People just want to be in the greater Wausau area.”
Ranch-style homes and New Traditionals on multi-acre properties
Long driveways — some dirt, some paved — help ranch-style and New Traditional homes keep their distance from the country roads. Some areas also have thick clusters of trees, bringing some privacy to the open landscape. Most properties start around an acre, especially for homes built in the ’60s and ’70s. However, Hettinga says, “Anything built now has a 3-acre requirement.” Prices range from $140,000 to $480,000.
Maine students are part of Wausau's public school system
Students start at Maine Elementary School before continuing to John Muir Middle School. Both schools receive a B rating from Niche. Wausau West High School receives a B-plus and is home to the district’s planetarium, which also hosts field trips and community events.
Boating on the Wisconsin River and exploring the botanical gardens
Maine has a boat launch off 4th Street, allowing kayakers, tubers and boaters to access the Wisconsin River. Locals can also fish along its banks. Brokaw Park has a small patch of green with a playground, basketball hoops, a volleyball net and a baseball diamond. For hiking and snowmobiling, the Wisconsin River Forest Unit trails snake through the woods and along the river. Monk Botanical Gardens is also just over the border into Wausau.
Maine's local pubs and Wausau's supermarket options
While locals often head into Wausau for restaurants, Maine has some dining options of its own. Richard’s Restaurant and Bar has called Maine home for over 35 years with a menu featuring burgers, pasta and steak. The Mill Yard, just outside the community, serves burgers and daily specials on Taco Tuesday and Fish Fry Friday. For groceries, Wausau has Festival Foods and County Market, about 6 miles south, plus Walmart, Aldi and Sam’s Club on the southern side of the city, about 9 miles away.
Seasonal traditions at Willow Spring Gardens in Maine
Even though Maine is a rural community, it hosts several annual traditions for community gatherings. “They have an event barn called Willow Springs Garden. Every year, there’s a fireworks show that people travel from Wausau to go watch,” Hettinga says. “And they do other things like sleigh rides in the winter and a car show in the summer.” Locals can also rent the barn for events like weddings.
Driving to Wausau via U.S. Route 51 or the county roads
U.S. Route 51 follows the Wisconsin River down the length of Maine into Wausau. Drivers can also take County Road K. Both options link the community with Aspirus Wausau Hospital, 5 miles away, and down to Mosinee for the Central Wisconsin Airport, about 20 miles away. In Maine, County Road W is the only river crossing.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
