Recreation Tourism Attractions
10 Chippewa Valley ‘Tourist’ Things Locals Should Enjoy, Too
Seriously, if you already live here, why not enjoy these gems?
McKenna Scherer, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
When you go on vacation or visit somewhere new, you don’t shirk the “tourist-y” things – they’re tourist-worthy for a reason! The same thinking applies to the Chippewa Valley, too. Yeah, you’ve probably heard of a lot of these gems, but have you actually experienced them for yourself? Here are 10 must-sees for tourists and locals alike.
1. Leinie Lodge / 124 E Elm St., Chippewa Falls
For a lot of folks, the word alone evokes imagery of the Midwest, and Valley locals live it: Leinenkugel’s. Surprisingly, I’ve come across more than a handful people who have lived in the area for years – if not decades – but who have never taken a brewery tour at Leinie Lodge or enjoyed a pint right from the Lodge’s own taps! Leinie Lodge is also home to a Pilot Brewery, meaning special and limited-edition brews are regularly served at the C.F. location at “Pilot Night” events on the first Thursday of each month. Plus, you can count on the Lodge to host an array of events year-round, including its popular and upcoming Summer Kick Off on June 15. • Website • Facebook
2. Chippewa Area History Center / 12 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls
Formerly known as the Chippewa Area History Museum, the Chippewa Area History Center is housed in a newly-built, multi-level facility where locals and tourists can learn more about Chippewa County and its historical roots. Unlike most museums, the History Center is purposefully made to never stay the same, with artifacts frequently moved around and exhibits rotated in and out due to the sheer number of artifacts available to display. From the area’s original inhabitants, the region’s Ojibwe, Dakota, and Ho-Chunk nations, to the later fur traders and European immigrants, to lumbering, the military, and more, you’ll learn more and more each time you visit the Chippewa Area History Center. (Take a peek inside here.) • Website • Facebook
3. Devil’s Punchbowl / 410th Street, Menomonie
Renowned as a geological gem, the Devil’s Punchbowl spreads across a three-acre area with a staircase safely escorting visitors from the top, down into the “punchbowl,” carved by water over thousands of years and the waterfall that flows down its sandstone hollow. Home to diverse plant life, the Devil’s Punchbowl is as stunning up-close as it is in photographs that take in its large expanse, so feel free to casually view it or lace up your hiking boots for an adventure here! • Website • Facebook
4. The Mabel Tainter / 205 Main St. E, Menomonie
Constructed during the Victorian era, the Mabel Tainter Theater is structural marvel as much as it is a must-see tourist attraction thanks to its diverse lineup of acts year-round. Built in 1889 as a performing arts and cultural center dedicated to Mabel Tainter, the late daughter of lumberman Andrew Tainter, it remains a mainstay of the arts and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With hand-carved details in every nook and cranny, the elegant theater is home to a marble staircase and floors, stained glass windows, four fireplaces, and much, much more. See it all for yourself by scheduling a tour or learn more online. • Website • Facebook
5. Crystal Cave / W965 WI Highway 29, Spring Valley
Located just shy of one hour from Eau Claire, Crystal Cave was first discovered in 1881 by two local farm boys, according to its website, although the multi-level geological site and recreational favorite we know it as today wasn’t developed until 1941. On June 7, 1942, Crystal Cave officially opened and went on to welcome 20,000 visitors in its first year. At the start of 1992, major exploration began at the site, uncovering an additional cave passage and two caves, effectively tripling the length of Crystal Cave. Today, folks are invited to explore the passages – more than 70 feet below ground! – and take a tour to learn more about its geology, history, and more. Try your hand at gem panning or mini golf, peruse the area’s natural trails and picnic grounds, or enjoy a beverage at the Gold Miner’s Saloon. • Website • Facebook
6. Sculpture Tour Eau Claire / 610 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire
Dubbed the biggest tour of its kind in the nation in 2022, Sculpture Tour Eau Claire encompasses more than 150 unique, mixed-media sculptures along the streets of downtown Eau Claire and beyond, stretching from the edge of Carson Park up to River Prairie in Altoona. Whether traveling by foot, bike, or vehicle, you can follow the Sculpture Tour and hit every single one of the sculptures thanks to Visit Eau Claire’s Sculpture Tour Map, available digitally or by PDF. Enjoy the streets decked out in sculptures and murals, and vote for your favorite online! • Website
7. Beaver Creek Reserve / S1 County Highway K, Fall Creek
Just a few miles from Eau Claire, Beaver Creek Reserve serves the surrounding communities with environmental education opportunities, offering a hands-on experience to enjoy and get to know the area’s natural state. Founded in 1947 with its original 160-acre grounds, Beaver Creek Reserve now offers 400 acres of diverse habitats to experience and share with plant and animal life. The sheer number of habitats – from wetlands to savannah to river bottom forests and more – makes this recreational hub a must-see, and with about 9 miles of hiking trails and frequent events, plus its Wise Nature Center building, you’ll never be bored. (If you stick around into the evening and the Wisco weather is treating us right, enjoy the Hobbs Observatory for some stellar starlight views.) • Website • Facebook
8. Big Falls County Park / 600 Big Falls Forest Road, Fall Creek
About 10 miles east of Eau Claire, Big Falls County Park is a local favorite for year-round adventures, especially during the summertime. Settled on about 135 acres of wooded land, Big Falls offers picnic areas with grills, soft sandy beaches, and waterways fit for canoeing, tubing, and fishing. The main attraction is well worth the quick trip: the natural waterfalls. The Eau Claire River ripples over large rocks and throughout the park, and its waterfall is one of the largest in the state. Pack a cooler, grab a beach towel and your sunscreen, and make an all-day adventure out of it! • Website
9. 2 Roots Wine & Art Gallery / 216 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire
Opening in the fall of 2023, 2 Roots Wine & Art Gallery (formerly known as 200 Main Art & Wine Gallery) has quickly become a cool hub for live music and – as its name suggest – visual art and wine galore. While one side of the space is home to its main wine shop, kitchen, and balcony seating – including a projector for various viewings – the other side houses a wine bar with self-serve wine dispensers, offering more than 100 wine varieties by the glass. Aiming to become one of the country’s largest “by the glass” wine programs, 2 Roots’ wine inventory is well over the 2,000 mark. If you’re not a wine enthusiast, no worries: You can enjoy spirits like whiskeys, gins, or tequilas, a beer fridge, and even saké. Order a charcuterie board and sit back for a classy-yet-casual hangout with friends. • Website • Facebook
10. Chippewa River Trolley Co. / 205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire
Since its launch in August 2023, the Chippewa River Trolley Co. has become a fast favorite for locals and tourists, offering historical tours as well as food-and-drink-focused adventures, seasonal tours such as the Eau Claire Dark History Tour, the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley, and the Easter Eggspress ride for families and kids. Storytelling excursions begin and end at The Local Store in downtown Eau Claire, and the trolley itself is a nod to the late 19th- and 20th-century trolleys that once traveled the Chippewa Valley by way of electrical tracks. Of course, this modern-day trolley has the updated gadgets to make rides comfortable – air conditioning, heat, open-air sides when the weather is right and sealed windows when it’s not, a speaker system, etc. Head to the Chippewa River Trolley Co. website to see what new tours are happening next, or schedule your own private tour! • Website • Facebook
