Plan the perfect friend-cation to Eau Claire this summer and explore the area's food scene, small shops, music events, and outdoor possibilities! For the trip planner of the friend group– we've got your back. Discover the top things to do with friends in Eau Claire, WI!
Get matching bracelets at jewelry stores
Make your friendships official the "Eau Claire way," and pick out bracelets at Token Jewelry or Hello Adorn! These handmade jewelry shops offer permanent bracelet bars with stunning chain options to choose from, and you can customize your "forever accessories" with charms and other add-ons! Token and Hello Adorn also create a variety of necklaces, rings, bracelets, and other pieces for the home. At Hello Adorn, you can also shop for clothing, hair accessories, plant pots, and so much more. Check out these stunning shops in downtown Eau Claire to find the perfect, everyday accessories for you and your friends!
Dance at Tuesday Night Blues
Tuesday is Blues-day in Eau Claire, and what better way to spend an evening in Eau Claire than dancing to blues music, eating at food trucks, and hangin' out in Owen Park?! Tuesday Night Blues takes place every Tuesday at 6:30 PM from early June through late August. Pack your lawn chairs, blankets, and hammocks, and head on over to Owen Park for a beautiful evening listening to live music along the Chippewa River. Click here to view the complete 2024 Tuesday Night Blues schedule.
Pour each other's drinks at The Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen
If you and your bestie are polar opposites, the new Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen is just the place to find everyone's kind of drink! The Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen is the Midwest's largest self-pour taproom with over 70 taps featuring domestic beers, craft beers, wines, ciders, seltzers, and kombuchas. Grab a bite to eat, and share a flatbread, basket of tots, orders of bruschetta, and more. Stop in, get your self-pour card, and make a game out of it– who can find the best brew?!
Grab coffee at the Osseo Nickel Barn & Coffee Shop
Make a day trip out of your next coffee run, and experience the Osseo Nickel Barn & Coffee Shop in Osseo, WI! The Nickel Barn is where antique shopping meets local consignment products meets fresh coffee. Order lattes, teas, blended coffee drinks, fruit refreshers, smoothies, and delicious coffee shop pastries. Shop around the store or relax on the colorful patio outside, and discover the rest of Osseo on your quick day trip from Eau Claire!
Go axe throwing at Section 715
For the thrill-seeking friend groups, brave the cages at Section 715 for a friendly axe-throwing competition! Bookings are available for private parties, corporate events, or casual throwing for 1-2 hour time blocks. Channel your inner Paul Bunyan while in Eau Claire, and get your hands on an axe for a throwing tournament!
Explore the art scene of Eau Claire
Sculptures, murals, & music galore! It's no wonder Eau Claire has gained the nickname "Art Claire." The Eau Claire Sculpture Tour is the largest in the nation and is scattered throughout the area. There are dozens of murals, big & small, decorating the walls of Eau Claire's businesses, and many of them would make the perfect backdrop for your friend-filled Instagram photos. Businesses like The Lakely and The Plus host live music throughout the week, and other concert series can be explored throughout the summer in Eau Claire. Click here to discover more of the art scene of Eau Claire
Hit the lake for a fishing trip
This season, spend the day fishing with friends in Eau Claire! Explore waters like Lake Altoona, Elk Creek State Public Fishing Area, Half Moon Lake, Lake Wissota, or the Chippewa River. Pick up all your gear at Eau Claire Scheels, and if you need some extra guidance, book a trip with Whiskey Rivers Fly Fishing, Eau Clarie Anglers, or Wisconsin Fly Fishing Company. Check out our complete guide to fishing in Eau Claire here!
Play a round of golf
Take your fore-ever friends out for a round of golf on Eau Claire's golf courses! There are 7 unique, public golf courses to tackle in the Eau Claire area and all have luscious greens and stunning views. Stick around Eau Claire to try out the courses at Wild Ridge, Mill Run, Hickory Hills, Princeton Valley, and Pine Meadow, or wander over to Altoona to experience Dick's Divot Driving Range or Osseo Golf Club in Osseo, WI. Celebrate your round with drinks and dinner at Eau Claire's golf clubhouses after!
Go floating down the Chippewa River
Friends who float together, stay together, right?! Take on the Chippewa River, and rent your river tubes from Loopy's Grill & Saloon in Wheaton, WI. This bar overlooks the Chippewa River and offers shuttle services to your river float starting point. Make the 3-hour float back to Loopy's in the summer sunshine, and end your trip with a drink at the outdoor bar! Loopy's also serves a full food menu, appetizers, and seasonal beer flavors from Leinenkugel's brewery. Check out the link to learn more about Loopy's!
Go for an ice cream walk
Take a sunset walk with your bestie accompanied by a scoop of seasonal ice cream flavors! Scoop up at Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor or Olson's Ice Cream in downtown Eau Claire, and take the Chippewa River State Trail or Riverwalk Trail for a relaxing, summer jaunt. Find more flavors at 44 Below in River Prairie, Eau Claire Cheese & Deli, Acoustic Cafe, The Ice Cream and Bakery Shop, and more. Check out the full list of places to get ice cream in Eau Claire here.
Get cocktails & charcuterie boards at Helix
A friends get-together wouldn't be complete without laughing over cocktails and snacks! And Helix in River Prairie is the perfect vibe for drinking wine, beer, or craft cocktails and ordering a delicious charcuterie board. Helix is open every day of the week and is best enjoyed while on the patio on summer evenings. Check out the link to head to Helix for your next G.N.O.!
Rent e-bikes or e-scooters at The Local Store
Take a ride around town with your crew by renting e-bikes or e-scooters in downtown Eau Claire! You can rent all the equipment you'll need at The Local Store, and they can even point you in the right direction with recommended routes, maps, and stops along the way. Our blog highlights some of the best places to grab a bite to eat, have a drink, do some shopping, and snap some pics. Find out how the rental process works, where to ride, and more here!