10E On the Road: Eau Claire? Oh yeah.
Outdoor, cultural amenities abound
Eau Claire is the best city in Wisconsin you haven’t been to.
Maybe you have, if you went to college there or had a friend who did. Or maybe you’re a native who’s already in on the secret of the Chippewa Valley.
But if you’re like me and overlooked the small city in west-central Wisconsin, you’re missing out on a great destination for a getaway.
The city of 67,545 is a little Madison and a little Milwaukee, with plenty of outdoor activities from biking to kayaking thanks to its location at the confluence of two rivers; a college-town youthfulness that manifests in bars, breweries and cafes; a growing dining scene with a focus on local foods; and a booming arts scene, thanks to locals like Justin Vernon, of the Grammy Award-winning band Bon Iver, and Nick Meyer, founder of the arts and culture magazine Volume One and a force behind some of the area’s music events and festivals.
“Eau Claire is a town where if you arrive the wrong day, the wrong season, with nobody to show you where to go, it can look pretty dead,” Meyer said. “But if you’re here either the right day, the right season, or with the right guide, you can have an amazing experience here that I think really surprises people.”
Outdoor attractions
Like other Wisconsin towns, Eau Claire buzzes with things to do in warmer months. But even when I first visited for a conference in November, I found plenty to do and was immediately struck by this former sawmill town.
The trendy boutique hotel where I stayed provided a great first impression. The Oxbow Hotel opened in September 2016 after nearly four years of work converting the old Green Tree Inn, which had fallen into disrepair since opening in 1947 as the Edwards Hotel.
Meyer, along with partners Vernon and Zach Halmstad, founder and CEO of JAM Software, and Ben Richgruber, executive director of the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center, were the creative force behind the hotel, which includes 30 rooms and suites and an attached restaurant, bar and performance stage.
Rooms feature unique Wisconsin touches such as prints from local artists, local snack offerings in the mini bar and a working record player, with records available to check out for free from the front desk.
Another perk at the front desk (aside from the perk-up from free