Things to do in Portage
American Legion State Headquarters & Museum
In 2001, the American Legion built a new state headquarters in Portage. The headquarters houses a museum full of plaques, statues, uniforms, medals, photos, and documents from the history of Wisconsin's American Legion. The Museum is open Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm. Call 608-745-1090 for more information.
2930 American Legion Drive, Portage, WI
Cascade Mountain Ski & Snowboard Area
We have countless opportunities to experience the excitement of winter, from our large beginner area to our half pipes and terrain parks. Restaurant, lounges and ski shop are all on premise. Open Monday - Friday 10am - 10pm; Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 9am - 10pm. Call 608-742-5588 for more information.
W10441 Cascade Mountain Road, Portage, WI
Farmer's Market
The Farmer's Market is held every Thursday afternoon/evening in downtown Portage. Operating year round.
140 E. Cook Street, Portage, WI
Fox-Wisconsin Portage Site
The original portage (carrying place) is a narrow strip of land between the north-flowing Fox and the south-flowing Wisconsin Rivers. Pierre Marquette and Louis Joliet recorded using the portage on June 14, 1673. By the 1780s, it became a rendezvous point for the trading of furs and supplies. Native Americans controlled and utilized the portage for hundreds of years until the Treaty of 1828. The route, today known as the city street Wauona Trail, is listed on the National Register Open year round and located at Wauona Trail Street. Call 608-742-6242 for more information.
Historic Indian Agency House
The U.S. Government, in 1832, built the Indian Agency House for the Agent to the Winnebago Nation, John Harris Kinzie. The house stands near the site of Fort Winnebago, facing the Portage Canal. It has been restored by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, and furnished with antiques, all dating to pre-1833. Open May 15 – October 15 Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm; Sunday 11am - 4pm. Located at Agency House Road. Call 608-742-6362 for more information.
Historic Portage Walking Tour
Tour the city of Portage’s historical district downtown and along the waterfront. Provided is a tour map for you to view the 23 buildings listed in the brochure available at the Chamber of Commerce. The buildings bear a number plaque on its front that is visible from the street to aid in matching the current structure to the historical photograph and define the historical style.
301 West Wisconsin Street, Portage, WI
Ice Age Trail / Portage Canal & Marquette Segment
The Ice Age Trail begins in Portage at the Pauquette Park and continues 11.5 miles through Portage and north to Governors Bend Park. 12,000 to 15,000 yrs. ago monstrous glaciers, over two miles thick crept out of Canada to cover much of Wisconsin. The Marquette Segment was originally built and maintained by the Boy Scouts in the 1950's. The Portage Canal Segment works with volunteers from the Heritage Trail Chapter, Portage Canal Society, Boy Scouts and local schools, both segments are open to the public. Open year round. Fires and Camping are only allowed in designated areas. Found throughout Portage and beyond. Call 608-742-7837 for more information.
Museum at the Portage
The Museum at the Portage was established to showcase displays relevant to the history of the city. The Museum highlights the historic sites in the city and the surrounding areas. Included in the permanent collection and display area are items from historical events such as: Native American Settlements, Fort Winnebago (1828-1845), Indian Agency House, Surgeons Quarters and the Portage Canal and many more. Open noon - 3pm Saturday & Sunday. Special tours are available upon request. Call 608-742-6682 for more information.
804 MacFarlane Road, Portage, WI
Portage Canal
Shovels and wheelbarrows were used to begin digging the Portage Canal in 1838. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took over and completed it in 1876. It was 2.3 miles long, 75 feet wide, 7 feet deep, providing a connection between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. The canal is now open to limited canoe travel. Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail borders the canal. Open year round. Call 608-742-6242 for more information.
Portage Country Club
Open year round. Call 608-742-5121 for more information.
W7245 Country Club Road, Portage, WI
Rustic Road 69
R-69 travels along the historic Portage Canal. On one side of the road, wetland habitat harbors Sandhill cranes, Great Blue herons, and many other birds. The road leads to the historic Indian Agency House. Built in 1832, the house is open to the public. The northeast end of the road connects with the Marquette Trail where you can see the remnants of the Old Fort Winnebago Locks. The locks and canal joined the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, making travel by water possible from Green Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
Saddle Ridge Golf Club
Open year round. Call 608-742-2181 for more information.
100 Saddle Ridge, Portage, WI
Society Hill Historic District
The Society Hill Residential Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contains 137 "primary" buildings, some dating back to the 1850s. The large and gracious homes create an atmosphere of turn-of-the-century wealth and high society. Many are constructed of cream-colored brick that was manufactured in three local brickyards. The homes of two Pulitzer Prize winning authors, Zona Gale and Fredrick Jackson Turner, are located within this district. Open year round. Call 608-742-3315 for more information.
Surgeon's Quarters Of Fort Winnebago
The Surgeon's Quarters overlook the site where Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette left the Fox River at Portage in 1673. The only remaining building of Fort Winnebago, the Surgeon's Quarters is owned, restored and maintained by Wisconsin Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Open daily 10am - 4pm. Call 608-742-2949 for more information.
W8687 State Road 33, Portage, WI
Zona Gale Center
The Center for Cultural Arts is open year round Monday - Friday 1:30-5:30pm. This is a free art gallery offering changing exhibits. Performance dates and times vary. Call 608-742-5655 for more information.
301 E. Cook Street, Portage, WI
Zona Gale Civic League
The 1921 Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist, author and social activist Zona Gale constructed this house in the Greek revival style for her parents in 1906. She continued to live here until 1928 when she married William Breese. Upon her death, William Breese deeded the house to the Women's Civic League, which Zona Gale had founded in 1932 to promote education and civic and social improvement. Call 608-742-6242 for more information.
506 W. Edgewater Street, Portage, WI