Published in
11 min readApr 22, 2015
Eau Claire is awesome throughout the year, but the summers are on a whole other level. We put together a list of 100 things to do during an Eau Claire summer. That’s right, 100. Take a look through our list and have a pen and paper handy, because you’re going to want to jot some of these down. Did we miss one of your favorite Eau Claire summer time activities? Use #UWEC or tag us @UWEauClaire and take us with you on your journey via Instagram.
1. Grill out at a local park to enjoy a classic burger or brat fry
3. Head over to The Lakely for live music and their Campfire Stories series
4. Attend events like The Northern Wisconsin State Fair, Country Fest, Country Jam, and Blue Ox Music Festival
5. Enjoy summer nights on outdoor patios like the one at The Livery
6. Walk around and check out the historic homes in Eau Claire’s Third Ward neighborhood
7. Take advantage of Taco Tuesday at Burrito Xpress on Water Street. Get $1 tacos every Tuesday.
8. Spend a day cooling off at the Fairfax Pool
9. Cheer on the Eau Claire Express from the Fan Deck for the ultimate spectator experience
10. Bike the Eau Claire Marathon route for a long-distance biking challenge
11. Watch MLB or the PGA Tour on a big screen at Monk’s Bar and Grill
12. Get active with some outdoor volleyball at The Complexx
13. Enjoy a day off and relax at Half Moon Beach
14. Join the “VolunTourism” trend and give back to the community by volunteering
15. Diversify your palate with an afternoon of wine tasting at Infinity Winery or 200 Main Art & Wine
16. Pick up a gift created by a community artist from The Local Store
17. Get artsy at places like Cheers Pablo Paint & Sip
18. Grab some friends and your tube for a float down the Chippewa River
19. Impress your out of town guests with a Leinie’s tour. Don’t forget to stop in the Leinie Lodge to see vintage brewing equipment!
20. Stroll through the Sculpture Tour to see installations scattered throughout downtown Eau Claire
21. Practice your fishing skills and get out on local waterways with Bullfrog Fish Farm
22. Exercise on the Parcourse Fitness Course at Lowes Creek Park
23. Experience the cuteness overload at the Butterfly House at the Beaver Creek Reserve
24. Discover the numerous outdoor wonders within Irvine Park
25. Put in a round of “Frolf” at a regional course like Tower Ridge County Park
26. Listen to live music at Owen Park where free concerts are offered Tuesday nights
27. Learn how to play Kubb! If you’re up for the challenge, compete in the U.S. National Kubb Championship in July
28. Grab dinner with friends at The District Pub & Grill
29. Go on a treasure hunt, try geocaching!
30. Learn more about our galaxy with star gazing at the Hobbs Observatory
31. Grab some friends and become detectives for a day finding hidden gems around downtown
32. Browse local works of art at Tangled Up in Hue
33. See a live performance at the State Theatre
34. Take Insta-worthy photos at local murals scattered around downtown and Artisan Forge Studios
35. Grab some friends, catch your favorite movie, and eat lots of popcorn at the recently renovated Downtown Micon Cinema
36. Challenge your friends to a volleyball game at Mount Simon Park
37. Treat yourself at Altoona Family Restaurant with brunch or dinner
38. Learn something new at a local library and read in a nearby park
39. Watch the Ski Sprites water ski show team perform on Lake Altoona, Sunday and Wednesday evenings during the summer months
40. Immerse yourself in the history of our region at the Chippewa Valley Museum
41. Stroll through one of many community gardens like Down to Earth or May’s Floral
42. Grab some friends for Free Yoga in the Park on Saturdays at River Prairie Park in Altoona
43. Find a new restaurant that Eau Claire has to offer on VisitEauClaire.com
44. Watch an outdoor movie for free with UWEC’s Summer Cinema series on Wednesday evenings during the months of June, July, and August
45. Catch some local music (thanks to Volume One) during the Sounds Like Summer Series on Thursdays in Phoenix Park
46. Go roller blade to your heart’s content on the Chippewa River Trail
47. Grab a kombucha and participate in trivia night at Growler Guys on Tuesday nights
48. Get to know your neighbors by hosting a BBQ or bonfire. Don’t forget the s’mores supplies!
49. Enjoy a carefree afternoon at Lake Altoona Beach
50. Be adventurous and go camping! Stay in EC or check out area campsites in Chippewa Falls
51. Venture off-road by biking the trails at Lowes Creek Park
52. Get active by participating in a local 5k race
53. Try berry picking! Try Govin’s Farm or Appledore Woods Berry Farm
54. Check out the art at Artisan Forge Studios
55. Keep it local by shopping at Just Local Food Co-op
56. Reduce, reuse and recycle. Make a day of visiting local thrift sales to find some new styles or home decor
57. Get into gardening and create your own summer meals by using the ingredients in your backyard
58. Shop at a local ethnic grocery store and try a new recipe using the ingredients found at the store
59. Rent a pontoon to explore Lake Wissota
60. Go roller-skating at High Roller Skating Center
61. Grab your tennis racket and play at the Owen Park tennis courts
62. Try horseback riding at Wilderness Pursuit in Neillsville
63. Snag a photo op with Paul Bunyan and his blue ox at the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp in Carson Park
64. Plan a picnic and head to Phoenix Park for an afternoon of sunshine with friends
65. Attend the U.S. Chainsaw Competition in August at the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp
66. Mark your calendar for the Fourth of July fireworks (presented by Festival Foods) in Carson Park
67. Rent a canoe or kayak from the EAC on campus and explore the never-ending waterways in the Chippewa Valley
68. Discover the environmental wonders of the area with a hike along the Ice Age trail
69. Buy some homegrown produce and fresh flowers at the Farmer’s Market in Phoenix Park on Saturday mornings
70. See amazing art created solely with chalk at Chalkfest, hosted in July
71. Grab a group of family and friends and enjoy axe throwing at Wisco’s Bar and Restaurant
72. Channel your inner author and get involved in the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild
73. Practice your perfect swing at Dick’s Divot Driving Range
74. Go for a drive along rustic roads through the Chippewa Valley
75. Take a day trip to explore Big Falls
76. Participate in a DIY Wood Sign Workshop at Board and Brush Creative Studio
77. Support local musicians at various music events at The Lakely, Acoustic Cafe, and more
78. Jet down the tube slides at Carson Park
79. Enjoy a charcuterie board at 3rd and Vine
80. Support local music — buy an album from Revival Records
81. Treat yo’self to a night in a local hotel! A room at the Metropolis gets you access to Chaos Water Park!
82. Relax and rejuvenate; enjoy a day at the spa or get a massage at Lotus Spa Eau Claire
83. Get a Boba Tea at StarCup downtown
84. Explore the Chippewa Valley’s antique stores
85. Head over to The Coffee Grounds for a delicious drink, pastries, and truffles. Also be sure to check out K Point Brewing located inside The Coffee Grounds
86. Jam out to your favorite country artists at Country Jam in July or get your rock on at Rock Fest
87. Check out all the local options at Food Truck Friday in Phoenix Park throughout the summer
88. Dive in to an adventurous outing, like sky diving, to cross an item off of your bucket list
89. Go to a Burger King Car Show at a local Burger King
90. Try a cup of joe everywhere you go to see which local coffee shop is your favorite
91. Support the Pack — watch pre-season games at Dooley’s Pub
92. Sip a Blender Bonanza from Racy’s for a sweet treat
93. Eat a specialty sandwich from Nelson’s Cheese Factory and get an ice cream cone for dessert. We won’t judge
94. Watch the sun rise and set on the same day while sitting at Little Niagara
95. Take a walk around your neighborhood and pick up trash along the way to keep Eau Claire beautiful
96. Perfect your bowling skills at a local bowling alley
97. Play Bocce Ball through the UW-Eau Claire campus
98. Team up with Visit Eau Claire to join the Eau Claire Crew and experience Chippewa Valley in a fresh, new way!
99. Take a trip over 70 feet below ground to Crystal Cave, Wisconsin’s longest cave
100. Share your love for Eau Claire on social media — hashtag #CaptureEC to highlight personal photos and awesome finds in the Eau Claire area
All of those summer activities and only 3 months to experience them all?! If you think we missed something use #UWEC to share your Eau Claire adventures.
If you’re looking for a full event calendar and additional Eau Claire fun (plus additional insider information on Eau Claire), VisitEauClaire.com is the place for you!
Happy exploring!
