‘Discover Wisconsin’ Rhinelander episode to debut this week

Discover Wisconsin, the nation’s longest-running travel & tourism TV series, will open its 39th season with an episode created in partnership with the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce.
According to a Discover Wisconsin press release, the episode will be available to stream starting at 4 p.m. Feb. 18 ( through discoverwisconsin.com and YouTube) and will premiere on the Discover Wisconsin Regional Television Network on Feb. 21 and 22.
In the episode, hosts Andrea Boehlke and Eric Paulsen follow the trail of the Hodag, the mythical beast that’s become a symbol of the community’s creativity and charm, the release states.
Host Eric Paulsen shared, “This was a fun one to film, from the multiple hodags—we’re always discovering new ones in town—to some parks, events, and even a cool BMX bike track I’d never been to. The history of Rhinelander IS the history of the Northwoods, and Pioneer Park was particularly fascinating. Downtown is bustling with a nice variety of businesses (I loved the record store by Rhinelander Brewing, of course). And the cool resort options just east of town were hidden gems I only discovered when we filmed the show. I’m definitely coming back to enjoy those again soon! This is a great episode that showcases why Rhinelander is more than a stop on your way into the Northwoods; it’s one of the Northwoods’ crown jewels.”
The episode begins at the Pioneer Park Historical Complex, where Rhinelander’s lumber era comes to life. Viewers then meet the most famous resident—the mythical Hodag—on a colorful Hodag tour.

“It was so fun to get to explore Rhinelander with a new lens and discover what makes it so legendary!” host Andrea Boehlke added. “From the incredibly serene resorts to the quirky Hodag tour to the delicious food scene, Rhinelander is such a gem of the Northwoods. I love that we could show how the community comes together to cherish and celebrate what makes Rhinelander so special.”
From there, Andrea and Eric savor Rhinelander’s infamous dining at spots like Brown Street 151, showcase a wide range of outdoor recreation, from biking to golfing, and spotlight family-owned lakeside resorts built for multi-generational vacations.
Rounding out the visit, the episode dives into Rhinelander’s arts and events, featuring galleries and beloved community celebrations such as the Hodag Country Festival and the wintertime Lights of the Northwoods display. Across all four seasons, Rhinelander is a place that is authentically, creatively, and proudly legendary, the release notes.