Eau Claire (Wisconsin)

By bus

• Greyhound

  phone: +1 715 874-6966
  address: 6251 Truax Lane
  Eau Claire is served by Greyhound services from Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago. The bus "terminal" is inside a McDonald's restaurant at the far northwestern outskirts of town, so you will need to hire a taxi from there to your accommodations unless you feel like walking 7 miles to downtown.

By car

Eau Claire is on Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 53 and is 90 miles (145 km) east of the Twin Cities.

By plane

• Chippewa Valley Regional AirportIs a public airport on the north side of town. Most U.S. destinations are available within 2-3 hours of transfer. As of March 2010 service is available to Chicago O'Hare with several flights each day.

Alternatively, you can fly into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and take the shuttle service to Eau Claire:

• Chippewa Valley Airport Service

  address: 6204 Chuck Lane
  The terminal in Eau Claire is in the northwestern part of town, across the street from the Greyhound terminal.

Like most U.S. cities of its size, all Eau Claire offers by the way of mass transit is a relatively anemic municipal bus system. The buses have bike racks.
The downtown and Water Street areas, and most of the University academic buildings, are located within a river valley. Other parts of the town are located on higher ground. Walking and biking is an option in and between downtown, Water Street, and the University lower campus. However, for most folks (particularly in the winter) travel to other parts of the city will be by auto, taxi, or bus.
==See==

• Chippewa Valley MuseumAward-winning exhibits, beautifully preserved historic structures on the grounds, fun activities, a working turn-of-the-century ice cream parlor, and more.

• Idea Gardens

  address: 5530 Fairview Dr.
  Presented by Eau Claire Master Gardeners and UW-Extension.

• Paul Bunyan Logging CampA museum.

• Schlegelmilch-McDaniel House

  phone: +1 715-832-7028
  address: 517 S Farwell St

• Waldemer Ager house

Nearby towns

• Chippewa Moraine Interpretive Center

  address: New Auburn, Wisconsin
  Glacial history - exhibits, videos, live and stuffed animals.

• Crystal Cave

  address: Spring Valley, Wisconsin

• National Eagle Center

  address: Wabasha, Minnesota

• Leinenkugel Brewery

  address: 1 Jefferson Avenue, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729-1318

For a fairly complete listing of current events, pick up a copy of Volume One, a free magazine available at more than 200 locations throughout the area. Another listing can be found in the Thursday edition of the local Eau Claire Leader-Telegram newspaper.

General

• Chaos Water Park

  - located in Eau Claire

• Action CityIndoor/outdoor amusement center, including a climbing wall, arcade, laser tag, go karts, mini bowling, bumper cars, and mini golf.

• Cinema

• Cameo Budget

• London Square

• Oakwood Mall 12

L.E. Phillips Planetarium

address: Phillips Hall on UW-Eau Claire Campus

Ski SpritesWater ski shows offered in the summer months.

Wise Nature Center

address: Fall Creek, Wisconsin

Hands-on learning stations, interpretive displays of local fauna and flora, live animal exhibits, and a butterfly house.

The arts

• State TheaterPlays, musical performances, occasional headline acts.

• Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild

  address: 102 W. Grand Ave

• Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra

  address: 316 Eau Claire St.
  Performances at the State Theatre

• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Theatre and Arts

  address: Haas Fine Arts Building, 121 Water Street

Younger children

• Children's Museum

• Chippewa Valley Railroad

• Eau Claire Children's Theatre

  address: 1814 Oxford Avenue
• See also the Fairfax Pool listing in the "Recreation" section below, and the Crystal Cave and Wise Nature Center listings in the Northwest Wisconsin article.

Festivals and events

These listings are presented in chronological order.

• Sawdust City Days

  address: Carson Park
  A family festival. Third weekend in June.

• U.S. National Kubb ChampionshipThe largest kubb tournament in North America. Held in mid-July.

• Country JamA country music festival. Third weekend in July.

• SummerfestCelebration of the 1950s and 60s featuring food, live music, chalk art, and classic cars. Fourth Saturday in July.

• Pioneer DaysTractor pulls, antique cars, steam engines, etc. Second weekend in August.

• Festival in the Pines

  address: Carson Park
  A family festival. Fourth weekend in August.

• International Fall FestivalBazaar, performances, and parade.

• Coalition Blues Festival

Nearby festivals

• Chippewa Valley Renaissance Faire

  address: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
  Jousting, juggling, comedy, minstrels, magic, stage shows and more! You’ll find gourmet delights and entertainment fit for a king! Our artisan village is filled with merchants offering pottery, stained glass, jewelry, costumes & finery and other handmade wares. Plenty of fun for the wee ones too!

• CountryFest

  address: Cadott, Wisconsin
  A country music festival held in the fourth weekend in June.

• Rockfest

  address: Cadott, Wisconsin
  A rock music festival held in the third weekend in July.

• Village of Terror

  address: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
  Magic, music, mayhem & more. Unlimited carnival rides every night. One price for all attractions. Friday and Saturday nights late Sep-late Oct.

Recreation

• City ParksEau Claire has many city parks. Carson Park is in the center on the city, surrounded by an oxbow lake. Home to Eau Claire baseball and football teams, Chippewa Valley Museum, Chippewa Valley Railroad, and Paul Bunyan Camp. Phoenix Park is the newest park at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers. It is home to the Eau Claire Downtown Farmer's Market and features free concerts on Thursday evenings in the summer. Other city parks include Mount Simon, Rod & Gun, Boyd, Owen, and Riverview.

• BowlingTwo public bowling alleys: Wagner's (South Hastings Way, East side) and Bowlwinkles (North Clairemont Ave, West Side).

• Chippewa River State TrailBicycling, walking, running, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Connects to the Red Cedar Trail to the south, and planned expansion will link it to Chippewa Falls to the north, and eventually to the Old Abe State Trail.

• Disc golfThree courses, one in town at Mount Simon City Park, another just a few miles east of Eau Claire at the Tower Ridge Recreation Area, and the final located an North Star Middle School.

• Fairfax PoolThe facility includes a main pool with zero depth entry and an olympic size, eight lane, 50 meter swimming area. A stationary waterslide, 22 feet high with a flume extending 150 feet, is one of the main attractions of the pool. The pool also features a "Raindrop" in the zero depth area of the pool. A separate diving well includes both a one meter and a three meter diving board. Also located on the grounds are a sand volleyball court, a concession stand, and a covered pavilion.

• GolfSix public courses. Pine Meadows (Par 3 course), Mill Run, Wild Ridge, Lake Hallie Golf, Hickory Hills (a few miles south of town, on Hwy 93), Princeton Valley Golf. Two private clubs, Hillcrest Country Club and the Eau Claire Country Club (both in nearby Altoona)

• Riverside Bike & Skate

  address: 937 Water Street
  Offers rental bicycles, canoes, kayaks, rollerblades, child trailers, and ice skates. It also offers one to four hour canoe and kayak trips on the Eau Claire or Chippewa Rivers.

Sports

• Chippewa Valley PredatorsGreat Plains Football League (April - August).

• Eau Claire CavaliersWisconsin State Baseball League(May - August).

• Eau Claire ExpressNorthwoods League Baseball (May - August).

• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire AthleticsCollegiate sports events.

• Oakwood MallThe Oakwood Mall commercial area includes Target, Walmart, and Best Buy stores.

• Water Street DistrictSmall shops primarily catering to the nearby University population.

Farmers' markets

• Downtown Farmers Market

• Festival Foods Farmers Market

  phone: +1 715 838-1000
  address: 3007 Mall Dr

• Oakwood Mall Farmers Market

  phone: +1 715 878-4328

• Winter Farmers Market

Eau Claire has its share of the usual chains. For more unique dining try:

Downtown

• Ray's Place

  address: 838 Water Street St
  Hot beefs and hot ham sandwiches, and Ray's hot horseradish mustard.

• Acoustic Cafe

  address: Barstow St
  Coffee house and sandwich shop.

• Dessert First

  phone: +1 715 833-8440
  address: 210 S Barstow St
  Bakery and cafe.

• Grand Avenue Cafe

  address: W Grand Ave
  Coffee house and cafe. Sidewalk seating available.

• Houligans

  address: S Barstow St
  Steak and seafood. Upscale casual.

Oakwood Mall Area

• Northwoods Brewpub

  phone: +1 715 552-0510
  address: 3560 Oakwood Mall Dr
  Eau Claire's only brewpub. 10 beers and seasonal brews crafted on the premises. Norske Nook food and pies.

• Hmong Noodle Wrap

  phone: +1 715 552-0525
  address: 3509 Gateway Dr

Upper Campus Area

• Randy's Family Diner

• Shanghai BistroChinese and Japanese (sushi and sashimi.)

• SweetwatersUpscale casual.

Water Street

• El Patio

  address: Water Street
  Mexican food.

• Mona Lisa's

  phone: +1 715 839-8969
  address: 428 Water Street
  Upscale casual contemporary Italian and Mediterranean

• The NucleusCasual. Serving breakfast (until closing on weekends) and lunch. Unique variety of sweet and savory breakfasts, including daily varieties of quiche.

Other

• Draganetti's Ristorante

  phone: +1 715 834-9234
  address: Clairemont Ave at Hwy 53
  Italian cuisine. Patio seating available.

• Mike's Smokehouse

  phone: +1 715 834-8153
  address: 2235 North Clairemont Ave
  Barbeque.

• Monkey in the Middle Pizza Co.

  address: 2402 Lorch Ave

• Olympic Flame

  address: London Road
  Gyros and a few other Greek specialties. A long time Eau Claire favorite.

• Tokyo

  address: London Road
  Japanese. Dinner is grilled at the table. Lunch is table service from the kitchen.

Nearby restaurants

For restaurants near Eau Claire click here.

Coffee houses

• The Coffee Grounds

  phone: +1 715 834-1733
  address: Hwy 93
  Coffee roasted on the premises. Sandwiches. Also sell bulk coffee, craft beers, wine, fine spirits, teas, chocolate, gourmet foods. Walk-in cigar humidor. Outdoor seating available.

• The Goat Coffee House

  address: 408 Water St
  Sidewalk seating available.

• The Living Room Coffee House & Drive Thru

  phone: +1 715 831-0245
  address: 2006 Cameron St

• Racy D'Lene's Very Coffee House

  address: 404 Riverside Dr
  Behind the Nucleus Cafe (connected), faces the Chippewa River and bike trail. Outdoor bench seating available.

• Seattle Pride

  address: Brackett Avenue
  Locally owned. Drive up window.

• Coffee Traders International

  address: South Hastings Way
  Coffee roasted on the premises. Live music on some Friday nights.

• Gloria Jeans

  address: Oakwood Mall and at Menards West

• Seattle's Best Cafe

• Starbuck's

  address: Located in Target, one on Hastings Way, one on Clairemont Ave (near Shopko)
  Drive up at Hastings Way and Clairemont Ave locations

Downtown

• The Mousetrap

  address: S Barstow St
  Live music.

• Clancy's Irish Pub

  address: 414 S Barstow St

Water Street

The primary bar scene in Eau Claire is on Water Street, near the University lower campus. There are 10-15 bars within a few blocks. Highlights include:

• Stella's Red Room near downtown

• Dooley's Irish PubFood available. Private room available.

• The Joynt

• Mogie's PubBurgers and Chicken Wings, and other food available.

• Brother's Pub

• The Pioneer

• The Brat Kabin

Upper West Side

• Tailgates Sports Bar

  address: North Clairemont Ave
  Food menu. Outdoor sand volleyball court. Patio seating available. Live music on weekends.

South Side/Upper Campus Area

• O'Learys Pub

  address: West Clairemont Ave
  Live music on weekends.

Downtown

• Green Tree Inn and Suites

• Ramada

Upper Campus Area

• Days Inn

• Exel InnClosest to campus.

• Hampton Inn

• Holiday Inn

  address: 2703 Craig Road

• The Plaza

Other

• Antlers Lodge

• Best Western Trail Lodge Hotel and Suites

  phone: +1 715 838-9989
  address: 3340 Mondovi Road
  Easy access to the Chippewa River State Trail.

• Econo Lodge

Bed & Breakfast

• Otter Creek

• Augusta, Wisconsin.
• Altoona, Wisconsin.
• Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, is about 12 miles (19 km) to the north.
• Menomonie, Wisconsin, is about 24 miles (38 km) to the west.
• The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota are about 90 miles (145 km) to the west.