Hi, it’s Jane. 

Welcome to our blog on romantic things to do in the Eau Claire area. Tim and I have always enjoyed attending stage plays. Years ago, shortly before we were married, one of the first plays we saw together was “I Do, I Do”. So I was excited to hear that Tim got us tickets to see the same show up at Fanny Hill’s theatre. We went a few weeks ago and had a great time. Fanny Hill theatre is an intimate setting with tiered rows of seating. They put us off to a side at a small table just for two and it really added to the atmosphere. The show was well done, with a lot of laughs and several parts that made us relive times from our own marriage. The day we were there they had a scrumptious dessert bar and we did our best to put a dent in it. It was a lovely afternoon, but far from over. 

I thought we were heading back home, but Tim had other plans. Turning west out of the parking lot, he didn’t answer any of my questions. About 20 minutes later we arrived in Downsville and turned into the parking lot at The Creamery. I began to think we were there for dinner (it had been years since we’d last visited) but I caught on when he pulled out a suitcase.  We were staying overnight!

Paula and Terry, the Creamery’s owners, have gone to great lengths to make a very unique experience for overnight visitors.  The Birdhouse Inn’s 10 rooms are large, tucked neatly into the surrounding woods and feature heavenly organic bedding on the King size beds. Hand painted tiles in the spacious bathrooms and double whirlpools add to the relaxing nature of the Inn.

After settling in, we went for a walk on the trails that wind through the woods, circling the two ponds on the property.  Tim likes to take pictures, so he had plenty of ‘subjects’ on the way.  The Creamery has an amazing restaurant and fabulous menu, but we decided to head north for dinner and checked out the Pioneer Grill & Saloon on Tainter Lake, just north of Menomonie. It was a nice drive through the countryside and the place was hoppin’ when we got there.  Plenty of seating indoors and out, so they were able to fit us right in.  Tim had a large cheeseburger and I enjoyed the shrimp.  Both were delicious, served fast, fresh and hot.  They were setting up for music when we left and more people were filing in.  Looked like it was going to be fun. On the way back down to the Inn, we stopped to watch a most incredible sunset (no charge… free for everyone if you wait for it!) and made it back into the Downsville valley in time to watch the fog settle in. A little walk around the property to experience the silence and solitude and then we turned in for the evening to enjoy our stay.

Breakfast (included) was on the screened terrace and we enjoyed a selection of fresh fruits, baked goods from the Brickhouse Bakery on the property and a beautiful view of the back yard flowers and birds. You would have to go to great lengths to find a more relaxing setting and if you are there with your love, it is quite romantic. 

What a terrific surprise the entire weekend was. We highly recommend checking out Fanny Hill and the Creamery and find some romance right here in the Chippewa Valley.