Photo: The Brewing Projekt
Places to Grab a Drink
Eau Claire Breweries
No place where time goes faster than a brewery. Lucky for you, Eau Claire has so many of them! Grab your family and friends and visit downtown breweries like The Brewing Projekt or Lazy Monk. Venture out beyond Eau Claire's city limits and try Ombibulous in Altoona, WI or plan an extended visit and brewery tour at the famous Leinenkugel's Brewing Company!
Eau Claire Wineries
We get it - beer isn't for everyone. Instead, experience one of the great wineries in the Chippewa Valley! Stay in Eau Claire and enjoy wine or spirits at Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery or pile in the car and drive a few minutes over to the Town of Wheaton and discover the ever so scenic River Bend Winery & Distillery. Find all the wineries in our area here.
Other Hot Spots
A few other honorable mentions for cool places to grab drinks include:
- Helix - a craft wine and cocktail bar in River Prairie Park
- 3rd & Vine - offers beer and cheese tastings with phenomenal charcuterie boards
- Dive - a rooftop bar located downtown at The Lismore Hotel
- The Fire House - a casual downtown bar that features over 30 taps
Photo: Beaver Creek Reserve
Family-Friendly Things to Do
Children's Museum of Eau Claire
The Children's Museum of Eau Claire is a perfect diversion for the little ones during wedding festivities in Eau Claire. Nestled in downtown Eau Claire, this museum features a variety of engaging exhibits and hands-on activities designed to captivate the imaginations of the youth. With its emphasis on learning through play, the museum provides an ideal escape for kids, ensuring both entertainment and education.
Eau Claire Sculpture Tour
Looking for something budget-friendly that will entertain the family? Consider setting foot on the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour! It is the #1 largest sculpture tour in the NATION and serves as Eau Claire's very own free public art display. Sculptures are scattered all throughout the city; see if you and the kids can find them all and then vote for your favorite one!
Beaver Creek Reserve
Located on the outskirts of Eau Claire in Fall Creek, WI is Beaver Creek Reserve! With its vast natural beauty and family-friendly amenities, the reserve offers an immersive experience in nature exploration. You can embark on scenic hikes, discover the wonders of wildlife exhibits, and engage in educational programs that seamlessly blend fun with learning!
Metropolis Resort
For families in town for a wedding, the Metropolis Resort in Eau Claire stands out as an ideal spot to stay for families with young kids. With its long list of comforting accommodations coupled with its wide range of on-site activities like Chaos Water Park and trampoline park, Action City, this is a place where you can count on your kids being entertained each and every minute of your stay.
Photo: Raggedy Man
Where to Shop
Downtown
- Dotters Books - a cute little bookstore made for readers of all ages
- Tangled Up In Hue - a shop with an eclectic collection of locally crafted art, gifts, apparel and more
- Revival Records - the best place in Eau Claire for music lovers to get their vinyl
- The Local Store - a community-centric shop offering a diverse array of locally made products that embody the spirit of the Chippewa Valley
- Hello Adorn - boho-inspired boutique specializing in handcrafted artisan jewelry and other timeless & contemporary goods
- Raggedy Man - a shop with vintage-inspired goods and distinctive and nostalgic items
Beyond Downtown
- Oakwood Mall - a one-stop shop for big brand names like Scheels, Maurices, American Eagle and many more
- House of Gouda - delightful cheese shop that sells award-winning Gouda and a variety of Dutch and European foods
- West Rowe - a chic and trendy boutique offering modern home decor and women's fashion
- Down to Earth Garden Center - a horticultural haven selling a diverse away of plants, garden supplies, and expert advice for how to be the best plant parent
Best Ways to Explore the Outdoors
Hit the Bike Trails
Eau Claire's bike trail system provides a refreshing and active way to discover the city's natural beauty. With of 70+ miles of trails, there's terrain available for all kinds of biking. See the best of the city on the Chippewa River State Trail or hit the woods and try mountain biking at Lowes Creek. Find a complete guide for biking in Eau Claire here.
Go Tubing or Kayaking on the Chippewa River
Did you know that 2 major rivers converge in the heart of Eau Claire? The Eau Claire River and the Chippewa River form the confluence in downtown Eau Claire. While the Eau Claire River is a little more rapid, the Chippewa River is known from far and wide as one of the best places to go tubing during the summers. It even earned a spot in Fodor's Travel "The 13 Best Spots for a Classic American River Float". Many also kayak and canoe on this river!
Spend the Day on a Golf Course
Spend the day out on the green! Eau Claire and the surrounding cities are home to a long list of golf courses. This is the perfect way to enjoy some time outside with a group before getting all dressed up for a wedding!
Cast Your Rod
You've learned by now that Eau Claire has an abundance of waterways. This means there are a lot of great places to go fishing! Not only do Eau Claire's rivers and lakes provide a serene and rejuvenating escape, but they also allow you to reel in some local catches! Some of the best places to go, among several others, are Lake Altoona, Big Falls County Park, and Lake Wissota. Find a complete guide for fishing in Eau Claire here.
Photo Credit: Travel Wisconsin
Experience Eau Claire's Arts & Culture
View the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour
This is your chance to discover the #1 largest Sculpture Tour in the NATION! Yep - we said it! Our tour is made up of over 150+ sculptures created by local and international artists. These sculptures can be found all over the city, but you'll see a large majority of them in downtown Eau Claire. Find all the info you need to create your own walking tour here.
Hunt Down Murals
The same way you can find sculptures all over the city, you can spot many murals! These are fun to just look at, but make an even better background for some fantastic photos. Find all our Insta-worthy murals here.
Catch a Show at Pablo Center at the Confluence
Pablo Center at the Confluence is arguably the hub for all kinds of art here in Eau Claire. This state-of-the-art building hosts several concerts, broadway shows, art galleries, and much, much more. See their season lineup and see if anything strikes your attention!
Find Live Music
In the summer, there isn't a weekday where you can't find live music SOMEWHERE in Eau Claire. Some of the annual summer concert series in Eau Claire & Altoona include Kickin' It Country, Tuesday Night Blues, Rock'n On The River, and Sounds Like Summer. Not to mention, there are so many businesses and restaurants in the city that are known to have live music regularly. Just browse our event calendar and see what's going on while you're in town!
Travel Tips
Fly Into The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport
The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport proudly partners with Sun Country Airlines and offers three roundtrip flights per week to the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP) along with nonstop roundtrip flights to other major airports.
Use a Shuttle to Arrive to Eau Claire from MSP
If you've flown into MSP, consider using a shuttle or other transportation service to get you to Eau Claire. The ride from Minneapolis to Eau Claire is approximately 90 minutes. Explore services like Green Fleet, Groome Transportation, and Landline to see what will work best for you.
Bike When You Can
Getting around with a bicycle in Eau Claire is very easy. Our city has over 70+ miles of interconnected trails that are safe and offer a scenic way to see the city. Discover bike shops and rentals here.
Uber/Lyft Services & Parking
Uber and Lyft are available in the city of Eau Claire. If you happen to arrive here with your own car, there are plenty of options available throughout the city for parking. In downtown Eau Claire where it may seem more crowded, there are several ramps that have spots available for an affordable price.