Bears, cougars and hyenas, oh my! Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls offers a FREE year-round zoo (with an iconic Christmas Village during the holidays). Oh, and let’s not forget the unofficial queen of the park — the peacock! Anyone else dreaming of Volume One’s Sounds Like Summer Concert Series in Phoenix Park while scraping ice from their windshield? Sitting in the grass with sun warming your face while listening to a variety of local musicians and artists… that’s the stuff. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Tuesday Night Blues at Owen Park in the historic bandshell offers not only local blues artists but international and community talents from UW-Eau Claire. —Justine Childs