Five Bed & Breakfasts to Check Out in the Chippewa Valley
historical jaunts and scrumptious breakfasts are rolled into one at these local B&Bs
You could stay at any number of chain-branded hotels or duke it out for an Airbnb online, but in an area as rich with history and full of family-owned businesses as the Chippewa Valley, why not stay at one of the area’s B&Bs?
The McLaren House Bed & Breakfast
522 Superior St., Chippewa Falls | Website
Built in 1885 by early Chippewa Falls lumberman, Alexander McLaren, this home was renovated into an elegant, history-honoring B&B, which opened in October. With Victorian-style decor, one-of-a-kind woodwork throughout, luxurious and modern touches, and delectable menu to appease any morning appetite, The McLaren House is perfect for anyone looking for a refined B&B experience. Now owned by locals Kristina and Kevin Custer, this B&B dream has been in the works for more than 25 years, a classic Chippewa Valley entrepreneurship tale.
The McLaren House features three bedrooms named after historically significant area figures, three classic, charming parlors and two fireplaces, a large grand dining room, two co-living spaces, private bathrooms, and a 24-hour coffee lounge.
Inn on Lake Wissota
16649 96th Ave., Chippewa Falls | Website
Guests are invited to relax in the home-away-from-home atmosphere of the Inn on Lake Wissota, aptly named for its location on the spectacular shore of Lake Wissota. Owned by locals Brad and Meghan Shultz, the duo brings gourmet breakfasts and comfortable accommodations with picturesque views to match thanks to terraces, plenty of windows, and outdoor seating.
The Inn has operated as a bed and breakfast for decades, with Brad and Meghan taking over the business and renaming it while breathing new life into it. Notably, Megan loves offering a true breakfast experience for their guests, and thanks to Brad’s skill of locally sourcing ingredients, delicious meals are planned down to the detail – raspberry chipotle bacon strips, local honey, syrup, coffee, and meats, pastries and a variety of baked goods, and more await hungry stomachs.
With four luxury rooms fitted with terraces, fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and free WiFi and Roku TVs, the Inn creates a modern B&B experience without the hustle-and-bustle stress of modern life.
The Oaklawn Inn
423 Technology Drive E, Menomonie | Website
Built by Menomonie 1800s lumber baron (and later, mighty Red Cedar River communities developer) Andrew Tainter for his daughter, Lottie, and son-in-law, George Seeley, in 1889. In its heyday, Oaklawn was also home to a 16-sided barn with a cupola, three racetracks, eight additional buildings, and three more residences on the property – plus the 518-acre farm.
The racing tracks sold in 1903, the farm staying in the Tainter family until 1948 when it was purchased by the John P. Dale family who farmed it until 1968 and continued to live at Oaklawn until 1990, when ground broke for the Stout Technology Park. Maggie Foote then purchased the home in 1997 and opened The Oaklawn Inn in 1998, running it for 23 years. Stephanie Perry, the current innkeeper, bought the house in December 2021 and spent all of 2022 renovating it, opening the doors once again in spring 2023.
The great room, dining room, and parlor were freed from the drop ceilings they had, bringing them back to their original 11-foot height. All the walls, ceilings, and floors were patched, sanded, and painted. Fourteen doors were stripped to their original pine wood, stained, and oiled. Perry gave the 134-year-old house a refresh to break into a new chapter and continue its legacy.
The Inn has four spacious bedrooms with different color schemes and decor, vintage wares adorning much of the interior, and a furnished wrap-around porch to enjoy the fresh air and view.
Otter Creek Inn
2536 Hansen Lane, Altoona | Website
Right outside of Eau Claire, the more than 100-year-old, 6,800-square-foot, three-story Otter Creek Inn has carved out an enchanting home among the trees. Enveloped in towering trees, the 21+ B&B also features a sprawling courtyard, an 18-item breakfast menu (grazing basket, egg soufflé, French toast blueberry compote, and more), and all the charm of a storybook cottage.
With modern amenities and furnishings, the Inn invites all to its six-bedroom property (where the owner’s friendly cats also reside, in private quarters). Fresh breakfast is served daily in the dining room, breakfast nook, second-floor balcony, or by delivery straight to your room! Each of the six bedrooms are fitted with a private jetted whirlpool tub, Hulu Live, and Smart TVs, and guests are invited to enjoy the piano bar with complimentary beverages and more in the evening.
The Tapestry Trunk Bed & Breakfast
503 Pine St., Colfax | Website
Tucked away in Colfax, The Tapestry Trunk B&B has been settled into the town since 1910. Offering a quaint experience with four uniquely themed rooms – the Golden Traveler’s room, Lighthouse room, By the Seashore Blue room, and Green Up North room – rooms are available by the night and weekend, the full house also available for family, friends, business, or other retreats. The family-friendly B&B offers continental breakfast – including its signature Blueberry Hill Coffee Cake – off-street parking, a backyard deck, and more.
The Tapestry Trunk was opened with the intent of offering a modest, house-next-door feel, though it was once home to an early village blacksmith. Built for Lewis Rowe and his family in 1910, Rowe’s blacksmith shop used to be right behind the home, which has since been home to many locals and families – and now to all. Its motto: “Who says you can’t go home again?”
