Trip tips: Ride or row
Things to do in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls area
Things to do: More than 30 miles of bike trails wind through Eau Claire, including the paved Chippewa River State Trail, which connects with the Red Cedar State Trail southwest of town. North of Eau Claire in Chippewa Falls, the paved Old Abe State Trail heads north for 20 miles. Soon it will connect with the Chippewa River trail to form an 80-mile network of trails in the area.
Paddle down the Chippewa or Eau Claire River. In a one- to two-hour float you’ll pass under a handful of bridges, some that have been converted to bike trails. Rent a canoe or kayak from a number of outfitters in town, including Riverside Bike & Skate, 937 Water St. ($40 for a kayak, $50 for a canoe; bike rentals are also available starting at $20 per day). (715) 8350088, riversidebikeskate.com.
Learn about the area’s logging history at the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum in Carson Park, where a giant statue of Paul and his fabled blue ox are a favorite photo opp. (715) 835-6200, paulbunyancamp.org.
Next door, the Chippewa Valley Museum has two historical structures and a variety of exhibits, plus an ice cream parlor. (715) 8347871, cvmuseum.com.
Also in Carson Park is the baseball stadium for the Eau Claire Express, a Northwoods League team. Outside the stadium is a statue of an 18-year-old Hank Aaron, who played in the stadium with the Eau Claire Bears early in his career. For a schedule and tickets, call (715) 839-7788 or see northwoodsleague.com/ eau-claire-express.
For shopping, check out The Local Store, Red’s Mercantile, Tangled Up In Hue, Good & Sturdy Vintage and Revival Records.
Big Falls County Park features a small waterfall along the Eau Claire River. There are two entrances to the park — park in the lot off Highway K at 600 Big Falls Forest Road, Fall Creek (note the access road is gravel and a little rough), for an up-close view of the falls. The entrance off Highway Q at 11500 Wild Rose Lane, Eau Claire, provides access to a small sandy beach. Day passes are $3 per car.
The Devil’s Punchbowl is a beautiful little natural area south of Menomonie managed by the West Wisconsin Land Trust. A series of steps and a short trail lead down into the bowl, which is a half-moon sandstone rock formation draped in green with a small waterfall. Find it on 410th St.
Tour Leinenkugel’s as the Chippewa Falls brewery celebrates its 150th anniversary. Tours are offered daily and begin in the Leinie Lodge, where you can sample brews and browse Leinie gear. (888) 534-6437, leinie.com.
The free Irvine Park Zoo in Chippewa Falls features a petting zoo and a variety of animals from bears and bobcats to bison and tigers. The park also features hiking trails.
Where to eat and drink: Craft breweries are on the rise in Eau Claire. Check out The Brewing Projekt for brews from pale ales to sours, The Lazy Monk for European lagers and K Point Brewing, which opened inside Coffee Grounds at 4212 Southtowne Drive in 2016. In Menomonie, Lucette Brewing Co. serves up beers in a large, two-story tap room that also serves wood-fired pizzas.
The Informalist’s menu is wide-ranging and locavore-pleasing, with everything from trout and filet minon to wood-fired pizzas.
The Lakely touts its menu as “Midwest modern comfort food,” and this Wisconsin girl can concur. Breakfast and dinner are served daily; live music performances entertain nighttime guests. Stay at the attached Oxbow Hotel so you can indulge in a couple of the restaurant’s delicious cocktails, many made with house-made bitters.
Ray’s Place is the place for hot beef sandwiches, served with a homemade horseradish mustard — on a napkin.
Where to stay: The Oxbow Hotel has 30 rooms in a chic updated hotel with personal, local touches from local artwork to record players in every room. (844) 692-6932, theoxbowhotel.com.
The Lismore Hotel is a DoubleTree by Hilton with more than 100 rooms a trendy restaurant and a rooftop bar. The hotel opened in May 2016 after a two-year renovation of a rundown hotel at its location. (715) 835-8888,
For camping options, try Coon Fork Lake County Park in Augusta, Lake Wissota State Park outside Chippewa Falls or Brunet Island State Park in Cornell.
Upcoming events: The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series brings live music to Phoenix Park from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday, June through August.
The Downtown Farmers Market is held in Phoenix Park on Wednesday and Saturday mornings and Thursday afternoons, June through October (plus Saturdays in May).
Major summer music festivals include the indie Eaux Claires (June 16-17), Country Fest (June 22-25) and Rock Fest (July 13-15) in Cadott, and Country Jam (July 20-22).
Leinenkugel’s celebrates its 150th anniversary Aug. 11-12 with live music, food, games and of course, beer. Events take place at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds and the Leinie Lodge and Brewery.