Don't go rogue on your social media feeds this winter! Instead, venture out and add a little snowy sparkle to your feed with the perfect winter photo dump from Eau Claire. We have just the recipe for creating a stellar carousel, strategically featuring all the best parts of winter. Find the most photogenic spots for coffee, shopping, and outdoor play in Eau Claire, and we'll help you build the most aesthetic collection!
All bundled up
The winter season is for layers, puffy jackets, snow boots, and warm accessories! It's a style of its own, and can be one of the most creative parts of the season. If you're looking for cold-weather clothing, find high-quality gear at Eau Claire Outdoors or Scheels. For fashionable pieces of the season, head to Hello Adorn for sweaters and accessories, and find the cutest hats, mittens, and more at The Local Store. Or, find your holiday or winter outfits at the Mustard Seed Boutique, Eau Claire Boutique, and more shopping destinations in Eau Claire.
Cozy cafe moments
Coffee is a necessity at all times of the year, but it just hits different in the winter months. Whether you're team hot or iced, the coffee doesn't stop brewing in Eau Claire, and the coffee shops invite you to experience all their winter glory. Find shops downtown like Acoustic Cafe, Shift, Phoenix Coffee, or ECDC, or head to Water Street for some java at The Goat or Racy's.
If you're seeking some special coffees this winter, you're in luck. Our cozy coffees blog highlights the shops that are serving festive coffee drinks just for the winter season – check out the list here! For our complete coffee guide, check out our coffee shops page here.
Twinkly holiday trails
Add a little sparkle and pizzazz to your winter photo dump with memories made at the holiday light shows! Take a drive through the Lights in the Valley display at the Eau Claire County Expo Center, or drive around the city to see people's very own home light displays! It makes for the perfect holiday date to grab a hot cocoa, turn on some Christmas music, and enjoy the colors of the holiday season! For more places to see light displays this holiday season, check out our complete guide here.
Fresh snow fall
It wouldn't be a true winter photo dump without including a stunning photo of a fresh snowfall. The views are especially stunning near the water, whether it be in Phoenix Park along the Chippewa River, or at Carson Park or the Rod & Gun Park with the nearby Half Moon Lake.
For a real hidden gem, hit the trails at Lowes Creek County Park after a heavy snowfall – the pine trees covered in a heavy coat of snow are seriously breathtaking! Discover all the trails to explore this snowy season in Eau Claire, or find parks to visit this winter here.
Sweet stops for fresh pastries
Winter is for treating yourself to all the sugary, sweet treats the season has to offer. Everything from fresh-baked pies at Norske Nook to peppermint croissants at The Nostalgic Bean to fluffy donuts at Wicked Sweet Bake Shop – it makes winter seem not so bad! Cure your sweet tooth with a visit to The French Press, Acoustic Cafe, or ECDC this season and find delicious, fresh pastries, muffins, macaroons, and more. Find our full bakeries blog here to plan your visits!
Making spirits bright
Eau Claire gets serious about winter every year with their igloo and Vinterko setups around town! Step inside one of these cozy winter hideaways and you’re instantly transported to a twinkling, frosted wonderland.
At Dive and The Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen, the igloos are the place to sip seasonal cocktails or warm mocktails surrounded by glowing lights and frosted windows. Over at The Lakely, the Vinterko huts offer a unique, Nordic-inspired experience with festive drinks and intimate seating that make every shot Instagram-ready. These experiences are a must-do when visiting Eau Claire in the winter!
The rest of Eau Claire's cocktail scene is bringing the magic to their menus with peppermint cocktails, sugar cookie martinis, and other festive creations. Take a peek at our blog highlight holiday drinks this season!
The great indoors
We'll admit – sometimes the great outdoors are just a little too chilly to enjoy in the winter months. But that doesn't mean you should hibernate through the season! Eau Claire has plenty of spots where you can soak up natural light while staying warm, cozy, and productive!
Places like Shift and Down to Earth Garden Center offer bright, airy interiors with big windows that let in sunlight even on the coldest days. If the kids need to run off some energy, the Children's Museum is designed with giant windows overlooking the entire play floor so the sun can shine all through the play day. The Pablo Center provides sweeping windows and elegant light-filled areas that turn every shot into a professional-looking capture.
Whether you’re sipping coffee, exploring exhibits, or catching a quiet moment of sunlight, these spots prove that you don’t need to brave the cold to keep your winter photo dump glowing. For more places to get natural light this winter in Eau Claire, read the blog here!
Playing in the snow
Don't let the winter go by without getting out and exploring all the recreational opportunities you can only experience in the snow.
Grab your crew and hit the hills for sledding at Wheaton Park, where fast runs and snowy slopes are perfect for playful, action-packed photos. Explore Lowes Creek on snowshoes for a serene, wintery hike through quiet trails. For cross-country skiing enthusiasts, Beaver Creek Reserve offers scenic routes through snow-covered forests and open fields.
Glide across Boyd Park’s ice rink for classic winter skating fun, or let loose at Pinehurst Park, where sledding hills, playgrounds, and open spaces provide endless opportunities for snowy play.
This is just the beginning of playing outside this winter. Check out our winter recreation page to unlock more!
The tree that made the cut
Don't forget to throw in a pic of you and your crew on your Christmas tree hunt! Strolling through rows of snow-dusted evergreens is perfect for capturing that classic holiday photo. Places like Pleasant Valley Tree Farm, Curvue Hideaway, and Lowes Creek Tree Farm offer the perfect mix of quality trees, cozy cabin stores, and memory-building.
Sip on hot cocoa, take a hayride, or explore festive decor as you pick the perfect tree. For more tree farms in and near Eau Claire, view our blog here!
Stylish store displays
Sometimes, window shopping is just as much fun as actual shopping! The Local Store has mastered the art of seasonal displays with multiple Christmas trees, wreaths, lights, bows, ornaments, and more. While the local goods are too good to pass up, just the atmosphere that Volume One creates is magical and worth the visit! The Osseo Nickel Barn offers a similar experience with holiday greenery greeting you at the entrance and a cozy, dark, antique interior awaiting.
Wisconsin Makers Market keeps their offerings in season, too, and during this time of year, you're sure to find adorable holiday trinkets and crafts for yourself or as a gift. And Down to Earth Garden Center keeps its store displays looking compelling and stunning every year with home decor and plant accessories that everyone will want. Stroll through, snap your favorite corners, and let these shops add extra sparkle and holiday spirit to your winter photo dump!
Gathered around the fire
When the winter chill sets in, nothing beats curling up next to a warm fireplace with a hot drink in hand. Infinity Beverages offers a relaxed atmosphere to sip wine or cocktails by a flickering fire, and Leinie Lodge combines rustic charm with upbeat beer flavors for an inviting gathering space. Over in River Prairie, the Helix lounge is a moody space to grab cocktails in the evening, and Cowboy Jack's even has fire pits on their enclosed patio space for a cozy, bringing-the-outdoors-in kind of atmosphere.
For something a little more unique, the Vinterkos at The Lakely gives you the charm of a Nordic-inspired winter hut with intimate seating around the fire. It's cozy and the perfect space to show off on your winter photo dump!
For more fireplace hangouts this winter, check out our complete blog here.
Tail-waggin'winter moments
Last but not least, you know what the people want to see... As soon as your followers scroll upon pics of your four-legged friends, you'll know the photo dump is complete.
Bundle up and hit the trails or the winter loop this season, plowed with high priority after snow events. Local dog parks are perfect for letting your pup romp in the snow, chase a ball, or make new friends while you capture candid winter moments.
Eau Claire also has plenty of dog-friendly spots where your furry friend can join you indoors or on patios, from cozy cafes to local shops. Plan your dog-friendly trip to Eau Claire with our guide here!