Sunday, July 16, 2023 Pre-BEX Tours
Take me out to a ball game!
Description: We have two fun facts to throw at you. 1) Did you know that baseball legend Hank Aaron debuted his baseball career on the field at Carson Park in Eau Claire? Pretty neat, huh?! 2) Did you know that Eau Claire, WI is the largest grower and processor of horseradish in the entire WORLD?! So, how do baseball and horseradish go together? Join us for Mustard Night at an Eau Claire Express baseball game to get a taste of our local horseradish culture, watch some Northwoods League Baseball deck from the fan deck and find out why the historical Carson Park is such a local treasure to Eau Claire, WI!
Date: Sunday, July 16, 2023 | 2-6 PM
Shuttle pick up from hotels: starts at Residence Inn at 12:55 PM
Game starts: 2:05 PM
Shuttle departs Carson Park to shuttle-inclusive hotels: Approximately 5:05 PM
Maximum Attendees: 20+
*Meal + 4 drink tickets included
*ADA Accessible
Monday, July 17, 2023 Pre-BEX Tours
Tell Your Friends You're Gone Fishin' in Eau Claire!
Description: Ready to do some fly-fishing in Eau Claire's clear water? Join Landon Hintz of Whiskey Rivers Fly Fish on his raft and set out on a scenic float down the Eau Claire River from Big Falls County Park. All are welcome whether you're a fly-fishing pro or a first-timer who's eager to get their hands on a fly rod. Don't fret, your raft will be supplied with snacks to help fuel your fishing trip. Once you wrap up the fishing trip, head on over to Cowboy Jack's in River Prairie for a celebratory drink and some grub!
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 | 8 AM - 3 PM
Pick up from hotels: 7:30 AM
Drop off to hotels: 3 PM
Maximum Attendees: 2
*Meal & 1 drink included
*A Visit Eau Claire representative will transport participants for this pre-tour.
Bikes & Brunch!
Description: Eau Claire, WI is home to over 76+ miles of bike trails that not only pass through some of Eau Claire's most scenic spots but also connect you to other neighboring cities! Get a nice, soft introduction to our trail system by heading out on a guided ride with Visit Eau Claire's very own, Megan Zabel-Holmes. Megan is Visit Eau Claire's Creative Manager by day, but by night, she's the biggest biking enthusiast we know! So, it only makes sense that we let her guide your ride! This will be an easy ride made for beginners with low intensity. After you've cycled up an appetite, grab a seat at the table at The Cranky Buzzard for a delicious brunch!
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 | 10 AM - 1 PM
Maximum Attendees: 8
*Brunch included
*Arrive to Pablo Center via hotel shuttle no later than 9:15 AM. A Visit Eau Claire representative will leave at 9:45 AM to guide your walk to pick up bikes from Eau Claire Electric Bike Rental (6 min) and will guide your walk returning to Pablo Center after brunch (5 min).
Dive Into the Arts!
Description: Our city goes by many names (half the time it's mispronunciations; by the way, it's pronounced "OH Claire"), but our favorite nickname is "ART Claire". This experience is where you'll get to learn where that nickname comes from. Explore the largest Sculpture Tour in the nation (with the help of Visit Eau Claire's very own Jullie Pangallo). Fuel up with a pizza buffet at The Informalist and keep this artful experience going with a clay hand-building workshop at the historic Banbury Place! Top off this experience with art and wine at Eau Claire's infamous 200 Main. If you're aching to learn about the wealth of artistry in Eau Claire, this is the experience to put on your list!
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 | 11 AM - 5 PM
Maximum Attendees: 12
*Pizza buffet included
*ADA Accessible
*Arrive at Pablo Center via hotel shuttle no later than 11 AM. A trolley will depart Pablo Center at 11:15 AM. This pre-tour will end at 200 Main at 4:30 and participants can walk to return to Pablo Center (1-minute walk).
Discover the Small-Town Charm of Osseo, WI!
Description: Just 20 minutes south of Eau Claire lies the sweet little town of Osseo, WI. The charm and small-town hospitality that comes out of this city are unmatched. Come with us for a little tour of Osseo that will include an alpaca farm tour and some award-winning pie! Our friends at Justorian Alpacas will teach you everything you need to know about these animals and even let you feed and pet them! Once you're hungry, you'll get a chance to taste some of the best pie in the country! Norske Nook is known across the state for its pies, so it's only fair you get a taste and form an opinion of your own. Spoiler alert: you're going to love them.
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 | 12-3:30 PM
Maximum Attendees: 20
*Lunch included
*ADA Accessible | Bathrooms are not available at Justorian Alpacas.
*Shuttle will pick up at Pablo Center @ 11:30 AM. Shuttle will depart from Norske Nook @ 2:45 PM and return to Pablo Center.
Join the Leinie's Side!
Description: Over in Chippewa Falls, WI, just 20 minutes north of Eau Claire, is the infamous Leinenkugel's brewery. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company has been brewing beer in the Chippewa Valley for over 150 years. You'll get to go out on a brewery tour, sample their phenomenal beers, dine on their gorgeous outdoor patio with some local food truck cuisine, and even do some shopping at the Leinie Lodge! Are you ready to join the Leinie's side?!
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 | 12-3:30 PM
Maximum Attendees: 30
*Flight of beer included
*ADA Accessible
*Shuttle will pick up at Pablo Center @ 11:30 AM. Shuttle will depart from Leinie Lodge @ 2:40 PM and return to Pablo Center.
Get a Slice of the Chippewa Valley!
Description: In Eau Claire, dining experiences go far beyond four walls and a roof. Farm to Fork at Dancing Yarrow is well known by locals as "the hippie farm". Life just feels simple here. This farm is made up of 18 acres worth of forest, river garden, and prairie and the keepers on site have transformed this land into a little retreat. They focus on wellness and healing here and are eager to tell you their story. Come connect with friends and nature, try a slice of pizza made right on the farm and listen to some live local music from the band, Thistle Down. Could there be a more perfect summer night?!
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 | 4-7 PM
Maximum Attendees: 30
*Dinner + 1 drink included
*ADA Accessible
*Shuttle will pick up at Pablo Center @ 3:30 PM. Shuttle will depart Farm to Fork @ 6:30 PM and return to Pablo Center.
NOTE: This event time overlaps with Monday night's Sponsor Party. If you plan on attending the Sponsor Party, please choose a different Pre-BEX Tour to attend in order to make it back to Pablo Center at the Confluence in time.
Johnny's Italian Steakhouse Fine Dining Experience
Description: Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse has been voted The Best Restaurant in Eau Claire, and for good reason! At Johnny’s, our steaks take center stage and are complemented by an assortment of Italian cuisine and seafood, an expertly curated wine list, a dark romantic atmosphere and old-fashioned service and hospitality. This experience offers a cocktail hour in our banquet hall to sample our signature cocktails and an assortment of select wines served by our knowledgeable staff, followed by a five-course meal at Johnny’s that is sure to delight. For the finest dining Eau Claire has to offer, look no further than Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse.
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 | Cocktail Hour: 6:00 PM | Dinner: 7 PM
Maximum Attendees: 15
*A curated five-course meal presented by Johnny's chefs + 2 drink tickets included
*ADA Accessible
*Trolley will pick up at Pablo Center @ 5:40 PM. Trolley will depart Johnny's @ 9:00 PM and return to hotels.
NOTE: This event time overlaps with Monday night's Sponsor Party. If you plan on attending the Sponsor Party, please choose a different Pre-BEX Tour to attend in order to make it back to Pablo Center at the Confluence in time.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 Pre-BEX Tours
Tell Your Friends You're Gone Fishin' in Eau Claire (2.0)!
Description: During your visit, you'll very quickly learn and see the rivers that flow right through Eau Claire. It makes sense, though! "Eau Claire" literally translates to "Clear Water" from French to English, so you can see how our city got its name. With such pristine natural resources come many outdoor recreation opportunities. Set out on a guided fly fishing trip and see what fish species you can catch in our waters.This trip will take you from Big Falls County Park to Lake Altoona. After the fishing trip, indulge in the locals' favorite burgers at Valley Burger Company!
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | 8 AM- 2 PM
Maximum Attendees: 8
*Meal & 1 drink included
*Shuttle will pick up at Pablo Center @ 7:30 AM. Shuttle will depart Valley Burger Company@ 1:30 PM and return to Pablo Center.
NOTE: This pre-tour is weather permitting and is subject to change.
Set Your Clock to River Time!
Description: One of the biggest Eau Claire bucket list items that you have to cross off your list while you're here is kayaking down the Chippewa River. Our friends at Loopy's and River Inn have us covered all the way from the float to the appetite you'll work up by the time you make it back onto shore. Hop in your kayak and enjoy the scenic sights the Chippewa Valley has to offer! After the float, get ready for some award-winning chicken wings from River Inn. A day out on the water and good food - what can get better than that?!
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | 10 AM - 2 PM
Maximum Attendees: 20
*Lunch & 1 drink included
*Shuttle will pick up from Pablo Center @ 9:30 AM. Shuttle will depart River Inn @ 1:30 PM to return to Pablo Center.
It's a Pontoon Party!
Description: Cue "Pontoon" by Little Big Town because this is the tune you'll be singing all day if you decide to set out on this excursion! Get your lake legs ready because you'll get to spend a full day out on the beautiful Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls, WI! Lake Wissota is a 6,148-acre lake with a maximum depth of about 64 feet. Locals and visitors come here to swim, fish, and simply just enjoy the lake life. It's only fair that you get to experience it too! Don't forget to pack your sunscreen! And don't fret - boat snacks will be provided.
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | 10:15 AM - 5 PM
Maximum Attendees: 10
*Food & drinks included
*Shuttle will pick up at Pablo Center @ 9:30 AM. Shuttle will depart Wissota Lodge @ 4:30 PM to return to Pablo Center.
All Aboard the Eau Claire Rolling Tap!
Description: It's time to explore Eau Claire's stunning downtown! But not by foot... by rolling tap! Hop on, crack a beer, and pedal through the streets of downtown Eau Claire making pitstops at some of Eau Claire's iconic bars, restaurants and shops. This is a great and unique way to see a large portion of our city in a small amount of time. Just make sure to wear some comfy shoes!
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | 12-4 PM
Maximum Attendees: 12
*Beer & appetizers included on board
*Rolling Tap will pick up at Pablo Center @ 12 PM and drop off at Pablo Center @ 4 PM.
Photo Credit: Travel Wisconsin
Experience the Best of Wisconsin: Cheese Curds & Beer!
Description: You can't say you've been to Wisconsin if you haven't tried local cheese curds and beer. Seriously, these two things are the way of life here in America's Dairyland. Experience the best of Wisconsin with a cheese curd and beer crawl! The crawl will include a total of 8 locations: 4 breweries, and 4 restaurants. Prepare your lactose pills and come hungry; this crawl will be one for the books! PS: check out our FREE Curd Crawl & Brew Pass mobile passes and learn how visiting these locations can earn you free prizes!
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | 1-5 PM
Maximum Attendees: 22
*1 beer at each brewery & family-style cheese curds at each restaurant included. It is important to be punctual for each stop as the bus driver will be following a scheduled itinerary.
*Party bus is not ADA accessible. Participating locations are ADA accessible.
*Party bus will depart Pablo Center @ 12:45 PM and return to Pablo Center @ 5 PM.
An Evening on the Farm!
Description: Have you ever experienced life on the farm? If not, now's the time! We'll take you to Together Farms, a farm that raises grass-fed beef & lamb, and pastured pork organically. You'll get to feed the pigs, learn about the farm on a wagon tour, enjoy live music, and eat the fruit of their labor. Trust us when we say the burgers here are some of the best in our region. But wait, there's more! (Channeling our 90s infomercial vibes here.) Before heading over to the farm, you'll get to tour the Silver Spring Foods, Inc. farm! Silver Spring is the largest grower and processor of horseradish in the entire WORLD! So, you'll get to see where the magic happens and end the tour with samples and appetizers at the Silver Spring Foods, Inc. farmhouse. This is guaranteed to be a day to remember!
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | 1-6 PM
Maximum Attendees: 30
*Dinner + 1 drink included
*ADA Accessible
*Shuttle will pick up from Pablo Center @ 12:45 PM. Shuttle will leave Silver Spring @ 3 PM. Shuttle will depart Together Farms @ 5:30 PM to return to Pablo Center.
Seize the Day with Cheese & Beer!
Description: If there's one thing we can guarantee during your trip to Eau Claire, WI, it's that you'll get your cheese fix before you leave. Our neighbors over in Menomonie, WI will help us do that. Come take a tour of the Ellsworth Cheese Factory to see how cheese is made, and keep the good times rolling over at brewery nønic where you'll get to sample some of their beers. We can't just cap it at one brewery visit. We'll also make a trip over to Lucette Brewing Company where you'll learn how brewing beer fuels a community.
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | 2-6 PM
Maximum Attendees: 30
*1 drink at each location & dinner included
*ADA Accessible
*Shuttle will pick up from Pablo Center @ 1:15 PM. Shuttle will depart Menomonie, WI @ 5:30 PM and return to Pablo Center.
Get Your Kubb On!
Description: Let's get some things straight first. It's pronounced "koob" (rhymes with tube), not "cub". And two, you're officially in the Kubb Capital of North America! Yep - that's right; we take Kubb to a whole new level here. Eau Claire hosts a nationwide Kubb tournament every July that draws in over 100+ teams to compete. Now is your chance to learn from the pros. Come on over to The Lakely to learn how to play Kubb from a previous Kubb tournament participant. This laid-back evening will be accompanied by live jazz music, craft cocktails, and good camaraderie. Come see if you have what it takes to take down the king!
Date: Tuesday, July 18 | 5-7 PM
Maximum Attendees: 20
*ADA Accessible
*2 drink tickets included
*Arrive at Pablo Center no later than 4:30 PM. A Visit Eau Claire representative will guide your walk (7 min) to The Lakely at the Oxbow Hotel and your walk back returning to Pablo Center once the pre-tour ends.