My favorite Places to Visit Around Northwest Wisconsin
Babbette’s Seeds of Hope. Click on my photos to pin on Pinterest!
Northwest Wisconsin has some pretty cool spots, like Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Hayward, and Bayfield. These are the more well known cities, but I bet there’s also some lesser known areas that you haven’t explored yet! This blog will be all about my favorite places around Northwestern Wisconsin to visit. Add these to your travel adventures the next time you’re in the area. These are too good to miss and perfect for some summer fun!
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Stardust Drive in Movie Theater
Looking for a cute, summer date night? Head over to Chetek for the one and only drive-in movie theater in Northwest Wisconsin at Stardust Drive in Movie Theater. This spot is so much fun! We like to drive the truck and fill the bed with pillows and blankets. It’s so lovely watching a movie under the stars while cozy in your blankets. Stardust has two screens with multiple movie showings, so there’s something for everyone. Check out what movies are showing here.
The Stone Barn
Dreaming of eating delicious wood-fired pizza outside under the moon? The Stone Barn in Nelson, Wisconsin makes that dream come true. This is a summer must! The Stone Barn offers pizza, wine, ice cream, and charming views from a rustic barn. The barn is surrounded by nature and you can even get married here! My family loves taking a little roadtrip to this spot. I recommend bringing a blanket to sit on and having a drink while you wait, because this restaurant can get busy.
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. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive travel guide to Eau Claire, make sure to read my Eau Claire blog!
Babbette’s Seeds of Hope at Jaquish Farms sunflower field
Pondview Lavender Farm
A brand new addition to the Chippewa Falls area is Pondview Lavender Farm. I’m a sucker for flower fields, so of course I love this farm! Right off Highway 29, you can stroll along fields of purple lavender and pick your own lavender bouquet to take home. They also have the cutest little shop where they sell homemade lavender goodies, like lavender lemonade mix and soaps. U-Pick Lavender runs from mid-June to mid-July. They also hold other seasonal events like yoga and lavender mocktail classes. Check out their events here and other fun things to do around Chippewa Falls here. This little city is one of my favorites in Northwest Wisconsin.
Lac Courte Oreilles
I absolutely LOVE spending my time on Wisconsin lakes during the summer. One of my favorites near Hayward is Lac Courte Oreilles or LCO for short. This lake is clear, has a great sandbar, and fun bars like Angler’s Haven Resort. It’s a pretty perfect spot to hang out during the summer, and I highly recommend it. Check out all of my other favorite spots around the Hayward area here. There’s so many fun things to do around Sawyer County!
Lac Courte Oreilles sandbar
Willow River State Park
Over in Hudson, Wisconsin is the stunning Willow River State Park. This state park is like a little slice of the tropics, with an amazing waterfall. You can cool down by wading in the pools or venture behind the waterfall if you’re more adventurous. Willow River State Park also has some great hiking trails. This Wisconsin state park is a gem!
Willow River State Park
The St. Croix River
There are many picturesque areas right along the Wisconsin-Minnesota border on the St. Croix River. It’s a great river to boat and kayak on. You can rent gear and even book a trip with Wild River Outfitters. North of Grantsburg along the St. Croix, there are rustic camping sites at Sandrock Cliffs Campground. When you get by St. Croix Falls and Taylor Falls, you’ll see the Dalles of the St. Croix. I recommend camping at Interstate Park, Wisconsin’s oldest state park, and hiking around the Dalles for some fantastic views.
Kayaking along the St. Croix River
The Flambeau River
Over in Winter, Wisconsin, you can rent canoes from Big Bear Recreational Rentals LLC. at Big Bear Lodge and then canoe the Flambeau River. How fun! They even drive you to the starting location and are very helpful with anything else you need. Then, you can spend the day hanging out on the water and paddling down the Flambeau River all the way back to Big Bear Lodge. This trip takes a few hours, depending on how laid back you make it. Make sure to pack sunscreen, water, and some snacks! I’ve done this trip a couple of times. Each time, I enjoy seeing all the wildlife and have a wonderful experience. If you’re really feeling adventurous, there are multiple primitive campsites along this route that you can canoe in and out of. When we make this trip, we usually camp at Connor’s Lake campground nearby.
Little Falls & Slough Gundy
Another adventurous spot between Winter and Hawkins, Wisconsin is Little Falls & Slough Gundy. At the beginning of this short hike, you’ll see a sign guiding you in the direction towards either Little Falls or Slough Gundy. They’re both very close together, but have different features. Little Falls is just what you’d expect. It’s a beautiful spot with rapids on the Flambeau River. Slough Gundy is more adventurous, with large rocks and deep water. Growing up, I often came here with friends to jump off the rocks into the river. It’s so much fun! This is a remote area, so be careful while exploring. You likely won’t have cell phone reception.
Slough Gundy
Copper Falls State Park
My family has enjoyed visiting Copper Falls State Park in Ashland County for as long as I can remember. The waterfalls and hiking trails up here are seriously amazing and we love the campground. I recommend taking in the scenery and then ending the day with ice cream at the picnic area. Here are some of the best hikes to explore at Copper Falls State Park. It’s such a special place.
Pattison State Park
Another great spot for waterfalls is up in Superior at Pattison State Park. Again, my family loved camping here while growing up. It’s such a scenic spot! Little Manitou Falls and Big Manitou Falls, the highest waterfall in Wisconsin, rumble and roar spring through fall. It’s pretty magical. The hiking trails are wonderful and the views of the waterfalls are unbeatable.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior
There are many ways to visit Lake Superior as it’s so large and spans across Northern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, Northern Michigan, and Ontario. Check out these beaches across Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron county that are on the Lake Superior shoreline. Lake Superior is beautiful no matter what, but it’s even more fun to explore while on the water.
Apostle Island Sea Caves
Up near Bayfield, Wisconsin are the beautiful Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. Kayaking around the Apostle Island sea caves is one of the coolest things to do in Wisconsin! This area is so unique and a must see. You can either book a kayaking tour or venture out with your own gear. If you’re going on your own, make sure you’re experienced, because Lake Superior is no joke! The waves can get large and the water is cold, so you should know what to do if your kayak flips. I recommend booking a tour like this one.
Kayaking around the Apostle Island sea caves
Madeline Island
While you’re up in the Bayfield area, be sure to check out Madeline Island! It’s a short ferry ride away from Bayfield and so pretty. Explore the beaches like Big Bay State Park and Meyers Beach. You can definitely make visiting this area into a multiple day trip. Here’s some highly rated vacation rentals on or near Madeline Island to check out for your visit.
Exploring around the Apostle Islands
Overall Thoughts on Northwestern Wisconsin
Overall, in my opinion, Northwestern Wisconsin is underrated. It’s so beautiful! You get lakes, waterfalls, rivers, flower fields, and so much more! It’s fun to explore around your own backyard, so if you haven’t made it out to these awesome places, what are you waiting for?
Camera used to document my travels: Canon EOS 5D Mark III & IV 35mm lens, Olympus Om-1 35mm film, and iPhone
