The Eau Claire Bucket List: Iconic Things You Have to Do

Attend a music festival

If there's one thing to know about Eau Claire, it's that there is no shortage of live music festivals during the summer season. Throughout the year, the city (and surrounding Chippewa Valley) fills with festival stages, late-night sets, and palpable energy that turns a weekend into something more.

Wander into the pines trees for Blue Ox Music Festival or Campout In The Pines, or put on your boots for Country Jam, Hoofbeat Country Fest, and Summer Jam. Rock out under the stars at Rock Fest, find yourself in a rave scene at Force Fields, a cosmic EDM festival, or discover the Eaux Claires Festival, founded by local artist Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. 

But it goes beyond the festival scene. Each spring, the downtown businesses fill with big jazz bands for the annual Jazz Festival. And through the summer weeknights, music fills the region's parks at live concert series. 

Pick your style, find our sound, and bust a move to the beat of Eau Claire's music. 

Play a game of Kubb

You might not expect it, but one of Eau Claire’s most beloved traditions starts with a few wooden blocks and a patch of grass. Kubb, often called “Viking chess,” is a lawn game where players toss wooden batons to knock over blocks (kubbs) and, eventually, the king. It’s simple to pick up, surprisingly strategic, and best played with a drink in hand and a little friendly competition.

Eau Claire didn’t just adopt kubb—we helped put it on the map. The city is known as the Kubb Capital of North America and hosts the annual U.S. National Kubb Championship each summer, drawing teams from all over the country. What started as a niche backyard game has become a full-on local tradition.

You’ll find people playing in parks all over town, but a few great places to start include Phoenix Park, Carson Park, and River Prairie Park. Grab a set, gather your crew, and see how quickly you get hooked.

See the nations largest Sculpture Tour

Around here, art isn't tucked away. It's out in the open, woven into everyday life. The Eau Claire Sculpture Tour is the largest rotating sculpture tour in the nation, featuring dozens of pieces spread throughout downtown, along the river, and across the city. It's part gallery, part scavenger hunt, and entirely self-guided, so you can take it all in at your own pace.

You might stumble across a new favorite on a walk between coffee shops, or plan your own route to see as many pieces as possible. Either way, it's an experience that makes exploring Eau Claire feel a little more creative.

And for those who are especially into the arts, keep going! Eau Claire is filled with vibrant murals, live performances, and creative spaces, all coming together to create Eau Claire's quirky, artsy side. After all, Eau Claire has been given the nickname "ART Claire"–and it's easy to see why.

Cross all nine footbridges

Eau Claire is shaped by its rivers, and its vast neighborhoods are connected with stunning, unique bridges–each with its own personality.

Make it your mission to cross all nine:

• Phoenix Park Bridge (this one lights up at night!)
• Haymarket Plaza Bridge
• Grand Avenue Bridge
• High Bridge
• S Bridge
• UW-Eau Claire Bridge
• Clairemont Avenue Bridge
• Boyd Park Bridge
• Riverview Island Bridge

Nine bridges, nine different views. Some feel tucked away, while others drop you right in the energy of downtown. Plan your route so you can say you've walked them all!

Float down the Chippewa River

You'll notice that the rivers are an integral part of our identity here in Eau Claire, and we believe that some of the best days take place in the sunshine on the water. The Chippewa River winds right through the city and forms a confluence with the Eau Claire River in downtown Eau Claire. 

From there, it's all about how you choose to experience it. Float the afternoon away on a river tube, paddle your way through by kayak or canoe, or cast a line and settle in for a quiet day of fishing along the river.

A couple of routes to get you started:

• Drop in at Phoenix Park and make the float to nearby exits (view map here)
• Get a shuttle ride from Loopy's to make the float from Chippewa Falls back to Loopy's (view map here)

Pack your life jackets, coolers, sunscreen, and swimsuits, and let the river set the pace for your Eau Claire experience.

Note: River conditions can vary, and floating the Chippewa River can be dangerous at times. Always wear a life jacket, be aware of water levels and weather conditions, and float at your own risk.

Hike to Mt. Simon

Best view in Eau Claire? We can say for certain that Mt. Simon is one of the best. It's a short but steady hike that leads to one of the best overlooks in the city, and a go-to spot for catching the sunset.

Not to spoil it too much, but once you get up there, you'll see a 360-degree view of the Eau Claire region, made up of winding rivers, towering trees, and, if you're lucky, an epically colorful sky.

But come fall, it's a whole different experience. The wooded areas take on stunning orange, red, and yellow colors, and quickly become one of the best places to see the fall foliage.

Explore Eau Claires agricultural scene

Local and always fresh, Eau Claire's agriculture scene goes well beyond the farm stand. It's woven into everyday life here and is a foundational piece of Eau Claire's story.

Start with the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market, where local growers, makers, and food vendors line the park with everything from freshly-picked produce to baked goods and handcrafted finds. It's a staple of the warmer months, and an easy way to tap into local flavor.

For a more fragrant experience, wander the fields at Pondview Lavender Farm when they're in bloom. The local wineries give you a taste of Wisconsin-grown grapes, as well as the full experience with live music, snacks, and tastings. Or if you're an animal lover, Justorian Alpacas is a dream oasis in Osseo, WI, raising adorable alpacas for families to visit.

And of course, this is Wisconsin, so you're not escaping the cheese. Local creameries like Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery craft a wide range of cheese flavors and recipes, and you might even find some at shops like Eau Claire Cheese & Deli and House of Gouda.

Take your time with this one. The agricultural landscape changes with the seasons, so you may need to make another trip to see what you've missed throughout the rest of the year!

Dine at a supper club

Despite the name, there’s no membership card, and it’s definitely not just supper. Supper clubs are a Wisconsin thing, and once you experience one, you just get it.

The supper club setup is simple: it includes Old Fashioned cocktails, steak dinners, fish fries, salad bars, Grasshopper desserts, and a dark, moody atmosphere. In and around Eau Claire, restaurants like 4 Mile, Houligans Steak & Seafood Pub, Wissota High Shores, and Jake's Supper Club carry on these traditions. Each has its own take, but all deliver that signature supper club experience. 

Come hungry, get cozy, and stay awhile. Supper clubs aren't built for quick meals–they're meant to be lingered in and enjoyed.

Explore Carson Park

Set on a peninsula surrounded by water, Carson Park is one of those places that packs a little bit of everything into one easy loop and has a little something for everyone visiting Eau Claire.

During the summer months, the Eau Claire Express baseball team takes the field in Carson Park, the same field that legends Hank Aaron, Bob Uecker, and Joe Torre once played. It's entertainment for the whole family, whether you're watching from the grandstands or the energetic fan deck! Also during the summer months, you'll find kayakers setting out into Braun's Bay, a quiet little oasis located at Carson Park's south entrance.

Also located in Carson Park is all of the region's history packed into one place at the Chippewa Valley Museum and Wisconsin Logging Museum. These museums take you on a journey through the decades that created modern-day Eau Claire and even offer hands-on, interactive play for kids to explore. 

And for more family-fun, Carson Park's train operates in the warmer months, and the playground is ready to go all year-round with epic courses and play exhibits.

Start at Carson Park with one thing and see where it takes you, as it's easy to wander and hard to leave.

Journey on the Chippewa Valleys state trail systems

If you want to see more of the Chippewa Valley, start on the trails. The Chippewa River State Trail and Old Abe State Trail connect Eau Claire to neighboring communities with miles of scenic paths that follow the river, wind through quiet countryside, and open up to some of the best views in the region.

You can start right in the heart of Eau Claire and ride out to places like Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, Durand, or beyond, with stops along the route to pull over, take in the view, grab a bite to eat, and soak up the outdoors. And you can take these trails however you prefer, whether you're walking, biking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing. 

With these trail systems, it's less about the destination and more about the journey of getting there. Choose your route, and set off through the region!

Attend a show at the Pablo Center at the Confluence

Right in the heartbeat of downtown, the Pablo Center at the Confluence is where Eau Claire's creative energy takes center stage. Literally. This state-of-the-art performing arts center hosts everything from nationally touring acts and concerts to local productions, dance performances, and film. 

You might find yourself at a Broadway production one night, then back for a live concert or small artist the next. The center is also home to symphony performances that fill the space with sound, along with seasonal and holiday shows that become traditions of their own.

It's welcoming, dynamic, always buzzing, and deeply connected to the local arts scene. Check out the lineup, grab your tickets, and make it a night out in downtown Eau Claire.

Participate in one of many races

There’s something about Eau Claire that makes people want to get up and exercise. Maybe it’s the trails, maybe it’s the community, maybe it’s just the energy. Whatever it is, it shows up in a race calendar that doesn’t really have an off-season.

The Eau Claire Marathon is the headliner. A Boston-qualifying race weekend that’s been voted one of the best marathons and half marathons in Wisconsin, it brings big race energy without the big-city chaos. Just a scenic course, strong crowd support, and an epic finish line celebration.

But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll find 5Ks and 10Ks popping up throughout the year, bike races that take full advantage of the region’s trails and terrain, and winter runs that lean into the season instead of sitting it out.