Your Travel Guide to Eau Claire, Wisconsin in the Summer & Fall
Flowers from the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market. Click on my photos to pin on Pinterest!
Eau Claire, Wisconsin is such a great travel destination full of fun. This blog will be all about what to do on your visit during the summer and fall. I’ll go over where to stay, where to eat, my go-to shops, my favorite things to do, and my recommended day trips from Eau Claire.
Eau Claire in the Summer & Fall
I love Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It’s such a cool, little city! I grew up in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, which is only an hour away. We would often make trips to the Eau Claire area, and it was always a fun time. As adults, Ross lived in Eau Claire for a few years, so we both had the pleasure of living like a local. Eau Claire has such a wonderful community and there’s so many awesome things to do in the area!
Eau Claire during the summer and fall is my favorite. The weather is gorgeous, typically around 75-85 degrees in the summer and typically around 45-60 degrees in the fall. The summer nights are long and the leaves put on a show in the fall. Here is everything I recommend you check out on your visit to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
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Where to Stay
If you want to stay in downtown Eau Claire, I highly recommend The Oxbow Hotel. It’s a cute boutique hotel close to everything downtown. The Lakely is located inside the Oxbow, so you can walk downstairs and enjoy live music, delicious food, and craft cocktails.
Another great spot in downtown Eau Claire is The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire. The location is also ideal, close to downtown activities. You don’t have to go far to enjoy The Informalist restaurant, ECDC-Coffee House, and the DIVE cocktail lounge from the Lismore rooftop.
A more budget friendly and kid friendly hotel to check out is Metropolis Resort. This is such a fun place to stay with the family as their amenities include Chaos Water Park and Action City! Who doesn’t love a water park and amusement park?
Where to Eat & Drink
Eau Claire has some incredible restaurants, breweries, and cafes to check out. They have a good mix of casual and upscale, so there’s a little something for everyone. Below is my list of recommendations all around Eau Claire.
The Nucleus Cafe breakfast
The Nucleus Cafe
The Nucleus is one of my favorite brunch spots in Eau Claire. It’s located on Water Street and often pretty busy on the weekends as it’s right across the bridge from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus. The food here is SO GOOD. My go-to orders are the Nucleus French Toast, which are zested with orange slices, or their Strawberry Nutella Crêpes, which are also amazing. Ross likes to order fresh squeezed orange juice and the El Presidente, which comes with a heaping pile of golden hashbrowns, chorizo, eggs, corn, cheese and peppers. They also have a lot of delicious vegan options as well. We love the Nucleus Cafe and always leave very full and happy!
The French Press
If you can’t tell, I love breakfast and brunch. lol. The French Press is another lovely cafe we enjoy going to. This spot is great for Mother’s Day brunch. They have so many homemade pastries to choose from and the most decadent stuffed french toast. They also offer catering!
The Nostalgic Bean
Over in Altoona, is the wonderful, women-owned bakery, The Nostalgic Bean. They have so many goodies, like macarons, croissants, quiches, and more made from scratch. Their menu is always changing, so there’s always something new to try. If you’re lucky, you’ll also find The Nostalgic Bean’s booth at the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market.
Pastries from The Nostalgic Bean
Stella Blues
Stella Blues is a casual, Cajun-American inspired restaurant in downtown Eau Claire. Their food is delicious, they offer a wide variety of drinks, and the atmosphere is great. They also have a little outdoor patio for the warmer months.
Mona Lisa’s
If you’re craving creamy pastas, head over to Mona Lisa’s. They offer a variety of fresh Italian dishes right from Eau Claire’s Water Street. We’ve always had a great experience eating out here, and I highly recommend it!
Valley Burger Company
Who doesn’t love a handmade burger and some delicious fries? Valley Burger Co. is a must visit. This bar & grill is quaint, classic, and serves one of the best burgers in Eau Claire. It’s a great lunch spot to grab a drink and hang out with friends. They also offer veggie burgers and gluten-free buns! Valley Burger Co. is one of my new favorite places in Eau Claire.
The Informalist
Looking for something a little more upscale? The Informalist is the perfect spot for you! This restaurant offers small plates packed with big flavors. They also serve a great brunch with patio seating and vegan options. The Informatlist is located right in downtown Eau Claire, inside The Lismore Hotel, next to all the action.
The Livery Restaurant & Saloon
The Livery Restaurant & Saloon is a great place to go with friends. Not only is their food tasty, but they have an upstairs game room and an outdoor patio with a fire pit. Go for dinner and stay for drinks around the fire.
Olson’s Ice Cream
Treat yourself to some Olson’s Ice cream in downtown Eau Claire. This ice cream shop has been around since 1944! They have delicious, homemade ice cream with a flavor to please everyone. Olson’s also has a little shop in downtown Chippewa Falls and at the Irvine Park Zoo, only a 20 minute drive away.
The Coffee Grounds
Want to support a local coffee shop? The Coffee Grounds offers fresh ground coffee, breakfast and lunch all day, and cute gifts. Their coconut coffee beans are a family favorite. The Coffee Grounds makes sure to serve organic, gluten free, and vegetarian options as well!
Lazy Monk Brewing
Grab some beers, or a tasty root beer, at this traditional German Brewery. The Lazy Monk Brewing’s atmosphere is laid back and the interior and patio are both decorated with European knick knacks and cute hand paintings. It’s located along the Chippewa River and right down the street from The Brewing Projekt, so you can easily walk to both breweries.
The Brewing Projekt
I love The Brewing Projekt! Bring your friends and go have a beer at this cool brewery. They have so many unique flavors to try, like I Donut Know, which is a sour ale with apple and cinnamon flavor and Squeeze and Crush, a lager with lime and sea salt. I recommend ordering a flight and trying a bunch of their different beers. This brewery is large with seating both inside and outside. They even have a roof top patio, which is so amazing in the summer. There are often food trucks outside the brewery and you can bring in your own food as well. The Brewing Projekt also host fun events, so check out what’s happening for your visit.
Flight of beers at The Brewing Projekt
The Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen
New to Eau Claire is The Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen. It’s the Midwest’s largest self-pour taproom. Not only do they have a huge variety of beers, but they also serve wine, hard seltzers, kombucha, and cocktails. Head over to their patio and hang out along the river for the afternoon!
Nightlife & Entertainment
Eau Claire is fairly small, but don’t count them out for nightlife and entertainment. All around Eau Claire, you’ll find great live music, awesome bars, and even a waterpark! Below is my list of recommendations.
The Reboot Social
Go back in time and have some fun at The Reboot Social, an arcade bar and grill with awesome retro games and bowling! Grab your friends and spend the night competing in pinball, skee-ball, racing games, and more.
Playing skee-ball at The Reboot Social
The Lakely
Live jazz, cocktails, and a patio-sign me up! The Lakely is the perfect elevated date night in downtown Eau Claire. You can grab a bite to eat paired with a creative cocktail. It’s located inside the Oxbow Hotel, so you can also book a room for a weekend getaway. Check out their events to plan your visit.
The Alibi Lounge
Grab a burger, a beer, and hang outside at the tiki bar at The Alibi Lounge. This bar is fun, no matter what time of day. The Alibi Lounge is a great spot to watch sports during the afternoon, enjoy a loaded bloody mary, or even play in a bean bag tournament. At night, they have live music and karaoke!
Pablo Center
Experience a talented performance at the beautiful Pablo Center in downtown Eau Claire. The Pablo Center hosts a wide variety of shows, acts, and exhibits throughout the year. We’ve seen comedy shows and live music at the Pablo Center, and both were a wonderful experience. See the upcoming performances and events here!
Water Street
Water Street is a historic street in Eau Claire, filled with awesome bars and restaurants. This is the place to go out for drinks on the weekend, popular especially among UW-EC students. Some fun bars to grab a drink and dance at are The Joynt, Grand Illusion, and Dooley’s Pub.
Chaos Water Park
Make a splash at Chaos Water Park all year around. Kids of all ages will surely have a blast. Their water attractions include water slides, a lazy river, an aquatic playground, a pool, and hot tub. Check out their water park pass deals here or book a night at Metropolis Resort to get your passes included.
Action City
Action City, where the fun never stops! lol. This was our most fun school field trip back in the day, and it’s still such an exciting place to visit. Action City has some awesome attractions like go-karts, bumper cars, zip-lining, laser tag, bowling, an arcade, trampoline park, you name it. It’s part of Metropolis Resort, so if you’re spending the night, make sure to check out their deals.
Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market
Outdoor Activities
After being cooped up all winter, Eau Claire in the summer and fall is so lovely. No wonder we all hang out outside! Check out these fun outdoor activities around the Eau Claire area.
Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market
One of my favorite things to do in Eau Claire is go to the famers market. I love browsing through all the fresh fruits, veggies, flowers, and baked goods from local farmers all while listening to live music. The flower bouquets are my favorite! There’s always so many to choose from. The Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market is open on Wednesday mornings, Thursday afternoons, and Saturday mornings June-October. We enjoy starting our Saturday mornings at the farmers market and then getting brunch downtown. It makes for a fun date!
Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park is so beautiful during the warmer months. It’s right on the Chippewa River, wildflowers bloom all around the park, and it’s located in downtown Eau Claire. Not only does Phoenix Park hold the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market, but they hold so many other fun events all summer long! Some of my favorites are The Artist Market, Volume One’s Food Truck Fridays, and Pride in the Park. You can explore all the events here.
Floating the Chippewa River
Floating down the Chippewa River is the perfect hot summer day activity. Just bring a tube, pop it into the river, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the water. A popular spot to launch your tubes is at Phoenix Park and Hobb's Landing is a good spot to get out at.
Floating the Chippewa River in Eau Claire
Lowe’s Creek County Park
Lowe’s Creek County Park is the perfect place to hike and mountain bike. They have well groomed trails that are a blast to explore. They even have a new bike park, where mountain bikers of all skill levels can practice and have some fun! How cool!
Pinehurst Park
If you’re looking for something a little more rugged and action calls your name, head over to Pinehurst Park. The bike park here has big jumps and drops, rough terrain, and beams. Ross is always looking for adventure, so he loves Pinehurst Park.
Big Falls County Park
A lovely scenic area just outside of Eau Claire is Big Falls County Park. Here, you’ll find beautiful waterfalls, sandy beaches, picnic areas, and camp sites. It’s the perfect place to relax in nature, cool off in the water, and snap some pretty photos.
Sunflower field at Babbette’s Seeds of Hope at Jaquish Farms
Babbette’s Seeds of Hope at Jaquish Farms
Every August and September, Babbette’s Seeds of Hope at Jaquish Farms in Eau Claire is one of the most beautiful spots to visit in Northwestern Wisconsin. Not only is this sunflower field incredibly pretty, but it also has an incredible story. This sunflower field was planted in memory of an amazing woman, Babbette, who lost her battle to Multiple Myeloma. Her loving family plants sunflowers every year since her passing. You can read more about her story here. It’s $7 per person or $25 for a carload to enjoy flower picking, a fun maze, and wagon rides. You can also make a donation to Babbette’s Seeds of Hope fund here.
Country Jam
Every July, Eau Claire hosts 3 days of Country Jam. It’s a weekend full of friends, live music, and summer fun! The festival grounds have recently moved, and had a glow up, with plenty of space to camp and hang out. See who the lineup is for this year here and plan your visit.
Having fun at Country Jam
Chalk Fest
Another fun event in Eau Claire each summer is Chalk Fest! This event takes place on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus and is full of incredible chalk artwork. Not only can you admire other’s artwork, but you can even register for your own square (ages 12+). Don’t miss your chance to bring your masterpiece to life. This event is fun for all ages and there’s even a free family area where children under 12 can express their creativity.
Ferguson’s Apple Orchard
Hanging out at Ferguson’s Apple Orchard is the perfect fall activity. Pick apples, grab pumpkins to carve, get lost in the corn maze, and enjoy some fresh baked fall treats. Whether you’re looking for a fun date idea or bringing the family, Ferguson’s Apple Orchard has it all and is a great way to celebrate fall.
Apple picking at Ferguson’s Apple Orchard
My Favorite Shops
I love shopping local and supporting small businesses, especially in my home state of Wisconsin. Eau Claire is home to many great places to explore. Shop small, sustainably, and have fun!
The Local Store
The Local Store at VolumeOne is an Eau Claire staple. Here, you’ll find all things Eau Claire and local from Wisconsin. It’s the best spot to grab a gift or a souvenir from your visit. Browse local artwork, apparel, games, books, homemade soaps, classic Wisconsin treats, and so much more.
Searching for vinyls at Revival Records
Revival Records
Our favorite must-do in Eau Claire is visit Revival Records. We stop here every time we are in town. lol. This record shop is full of gems to add to your collection. We like to browse the newly added section to find the best steals. The staff is always friendly and it’s such an awesome local store to support.
Abraxus Wax
Another funky record store to check out is Abraxus Wax. It’s right down the street from Revival Records, so I recommend visiting both. This store is newer, but their shelves are filled with amazing music. The owner is kind and knowledgeable. You can really see his love for music in his store. It’s such a fun place to shop!
Abraxus Wax Record Store
Banbury Place Markets
Throughout the year, the historic Banbury Place hosts markets with a wide variety of local vendors to explore. You’ll find everything from home furniture, vinyls, homemade goodies, food, and live music. With 3 levels to shop, there’s something for everyone here.
Eau Claire Vintage
Eau Claire Vintage is such a fun stop with the best vibes. If you’re looking for a cool graphic tee, this is the place for you. You never know what treasure you’ll stumble upon here. Check it out and shop sustainably.
Day Trips from Eau Claire, Wisconsin
There are so many great travel destinations around Eau Claire, Wisconsin. If you’ve already come this far, make sure to check out the other incredible cities nearby. Read all about my favorite places to visit around Northwestern Wisconsin to get the full scoop!
Hanging out at Lake Wissota State Park in Chippewa Falls
Chippewa Falls
One of my favorite little Wisconsin cities, and only 20 minutes North of Eau Claire, is Chippewa Falls. Chippewa is home to Leinie Lodge and Lake Wissota, so make sure to stop by! I wrote a whole blog about all the best places around Chippewa Falls, so make sure to check that out.
Hayward
If you’re looking for a northwoods getaway, look no further than Hayward, Wisconsin. It’s less than 2 hours away from Eau Claire. Hayward, and the surrounding Sawyer County is filled with gorgeous lakes, great food, and fun outdoor activities. Head over to my Hayward blog to read more!
Paddleboarding up near Hayward
Wisconsin Dells
The waterpark capital of the world is only 2 hours South of Eau Claire. Wisconsin Dells is full of exciting attractions, late night entertainment, and some amazing waterparks. Wilderness Resort, Kalahari Resorts and Great Wolf Lodge are three of our favorite waterpark resorts. You also can’t miss Noah’s Ark, the biggest waterpark in Wisconsin Dells.
Minneapolis & St. Paul
Less than 1.5 hours west of Eau Claire, are the Twin Cities in Minnesota. It’s home to Mall of America, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, the Minnesota State Fair, and a ton of beautiful lakes. I’ve been living around the Twin Cities for about 10 years, so I have plenty of recommendations about my favorite spots around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Stay tuned, because there will be more to come! In the meantime, I wrote a blog about my favorite day trips from Minneapolis. It includes a lot of fun Minnesota and Wisconsin destinations.
Overall Thoughts on Eau Claire
Overall, I love Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The community is vibrant, there are so many great restaurants, fun entertainment, and beautiful natural areas along the Chippewa River. Although Eau Claire is larger than many cities around Northwest Wisconsin, it still has a small town feel. You get the best of both worlds in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and I highly recommend a visit here! If any local Eau Claire residents have more recommendations, feel free to add them in the comments below. I’d love to keep exploring!
Camera used to document my travels: Canon EOS 5D Mark III & IV 35mm lens, Olympus Om-1 35mm film, GoPro, and iPhone
