If you ask anybody who has ever spent time in Hayward, Wisconsin, chances are they will tell you "Hayward is a one of a kind town, and there is nothing else like it anywhere". Hayward is famous for many reasons. It is a great place to visit, no matter what the season is you will find something fun and exciting to do in Hayward.

If you are a sport fisherman you will absolutely love the wide variety of places to fish. You could almost call Hayward an island, since it is almost completely surrounded by lakes both large and small, whether you choose to fish for Bluegill, Crappie, Large mouth bass, Small mouth bass, Walleye, Perch, Northern Pike, or the big daddy catch of them all, the Musky (Muskellunge). You will find ample places to fish until your limit is reached, on almost every day you choose to get out and go fishing. Hayward is home to the "Musky Fest" a 55 year old fishing contest that is held on June 25th and 26th of each year. Top prizes in "Musky Fest" vary from gift certificates for local stores, fishing tackle, and rod and reel sets. They have a "Musky Queen" pageant in which one lucky contestant is crowned "Musky Queen" for the year. The contestants entertain the crowd with song and dance routines, poetry recitals, acting, and some contestants have even displayed talents such as playing the wine glasses. There are usually a dozen or so local contestants.  The number of contestants varies from year to year.

Hayward is also home to world famous places to visit. Places such as:

• "The National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame" that opened in 1976. This is a must visit place if you are in Hayward. It is packed with all kinds of old fishing lures, rod and reel sets, old boat motors and other fishing paraphernalia.  It also houses the record hall, where current and past world fishing records are recorded and stored. "The National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame" is home to the "World Famous Giant Musky". The "World Famous Giant Musky" stands almost 5 stories tall and is around 1/2 a block long. You enter the "World Famous Giant Musky" at a doorway that is in the tail of the fish. It is actually a working museum, which houses several of the antique fishing items. After walking up several flights of stairs, you reach the mouth of the big musky. This provides an observation deck for up to 20 people at a time. It has quite a good view of Hayward and the surrounding area. You also have a great view of the The National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame" compound. The grounds of the compound have small ponds filled with fish you might find on any area lake. It also has several fake giant size fish that are plaster cast replicas, with a small boat sitting beside it, great for a joke vacation photograph to send back home to your friends.
• "The Lumberjack World Championships" which are held at the "Lumberjack Bowl". Events are held in several categories to determine the Lumberjack World Champion. Prize money of more that $50,000 dollars is awarded each year, split between the men and the women who compete in separate events.

 Men compete in events such as:

• Chopping
• Sawing
• Log Rolling
• Tree Climbing
• Standing Chop

While the Women (LumberJill's) compete in events such as:

• Chopping
• Felling (where they stick a nail in the ground a distance from a pole and you have to cut the pole and drop it on the nail.)
• Log Rolling
• Sawing
• Several championship caliber golf courses surround the Hayward area.
• Hayward Amusement Center has go carts, mini golf and an arcade.
• Raging Rapids Water Park
• Wilderness Haven has canoe rentals and guide service on all Hayward lakes.
• Lac Courte Oreilles Casino Lodge and Convention Center a 24 hour casino and bingo establishment.

If summer relaxation is your chosen thing to do in Hayward, you are in for a treat. Hayward's streets are lined with a large variety of stores to fill almost any want or need you may have. You can cure your sweet tooth by stopping in one of the local mom and pop confection stores. They carry some of the most delicious hand made fudge, peanut brittle, cookies, candies and cakes that are just simply mouth watering. Hayward is home to many restaurants serving several types of food. You will find dining establishments like "The Hayward Inn", to "The Moccasin Bar and Grill" to "Rumors" a local bar and grill. You could literally spend all day walking up and down the streets of Hayward and still find something new to do around every corner.

In the fall, Hayward is a virtual rainbow of mother natures fall colors. The trees all have different color leaves; it is truly a beautiful site. Fall also brings fall Bass, Northern Pike and Musky fishing. Some of the big fish caught all year are caught during the fall.

Another fall favorite is the "Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival" On the 2nd Weekend in September, this 40 mile, point-to-point off-road bicycle event travels from downtown Hayward, Wisconsin, over the famous "American Birkebeiner Ski Trail", forest roads, snowmobile trails and other wooded lanes to the finish line in Cable, Wisconsin.

There is the Bayfield Apple Festival, which happens on the 1st Weekend in October. This festival has fun and food for all. Festivities include arts & crafts displays, a parade, live music, and orchards where you can pick your own apples.

Winter in Hayward is a good time to visit if you like the outdoors in the winter. Hayward is home to the World Famous "Birkebeiner" Cross Country Race. Every year people flock to Hayward by the thousands, either to compete in the cross country event, or just to watch the race and enjoy great outdoors. This event is more than just a cross country ski race; it is a weeklong event with something for everybody. The "Birkebeiner" is the main race of the week; it is a 51k cross country event that contains several classes. The Elite Men and The Elite Women start the race first, and then slowly the judges let the rest of the contestants start at timed intervals. The event also has smaller races such as the 12k sprint, a Children's snow shoe nature hike, and the 10k Family Fun Ski.

Hayward is also home to many miles of snowmobile trails. Some of the trails are groomed (manicured by special trail grooming equipment), or you could just go off riding into unknown territory and do some nature riding on your snowmobile. If you don't have a snowmobile, they are available for rent in a few locations in and around town.

As you can see, Hayward, Wisconsin is an excellent source of year round fun for the whole family. I hope that if you have the chance to go to Hayward, that you take it. I have been there on several occasions. Each time I say that it couldn't possibly get any better, it always does.