As with any work of travel literature, this blog is a snapshot that captures a particular place at a particular time. And of course, through a particular set of eyes (ours). All opinions in the post below are our own and we only recommend places and products we love! Also, while we do our best to keep blog posts up to date with current prices, locations, and hours of operation we suggest double-checking when planning a trip. This post does not contain affiliate links. No content is AI-generated.
Embrace the cold weather and shake off any winter blues you might be feeling post-holiday season with some frosty fun in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The cozy hygee vibes are everywhere in this town located in the west-central part of Wisconsin. Nestled along the Chippewa and Eau Claire River confluence, Eau Claire features a thriving historic downtown district with exceptional Midwestern hospitality, a vibrant arts scene and a robust festival and events calendar. While there’s always something to do, see and experience in this part of the state, a visit during the winter season is something special…at least we certainly think so!
Make the most of your wintry getaway while making magical memories with these fun winter getaway ideas:
Eat & Drink
Warm up from the inside out with hot chocolate, coffee, or a winter brew – you can get all three at The Coffee Grounds, a local, family-owned coffeeshop. They roast each coffee individually for max flavor potential guaranteeing a fresh sip from start to finish. Breakfast and lunch are served all day and their menu is staked! Sweet potato kale hash, bagel and smoked salmon, even a Ruben made with wagyu corned beef are served up here.
K Point, a small brewery, is on the other side of the building. Besides cold brews you’ll also find batch cocktails including a twist on the beloved Wisconsin fav: maple old-fashioned.
Another great spot for brews is Lazy Monk Brewing which specializes in traditional Czech and German lagers. Step into their Bier Hall to warm up with a great pint and cozy conversation.
Dine in an Igloo at the Dive. It is always patio season in Wisconsin, and no one nails the winter patio scene better than the Dive. Located on the rooftop of the Lismore Hotel you’ll find the cutest seasonal igloos set up and ready for you to unwind. The drinks menu here is stacked and the Dive is known both near and far for its incredible specialty cocktails – both signature and specialty. Sip a warm drink like a Hot Toddy (brandy, lemon juice, honey syrup, hot water) or our personal favorite, a Twin Flame (made with mezcal, Irish Whiskey, Lemon & Pineapple Juice, Vanilla, Cinnamon Hot Honey Syrup). Check out the cocktail menu here. If you want to stay and hang out longer, consider enjoying a romantic woodfire pizza dinner while tucked cozily inside your very own heated igloo. If pizza isn’t your thing, you’re in luck because the full menu is available as well.
An advanced reservations to experience the igloos is required and available for a maximum time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Each igloo comfortably fits up to 6-8 guests. If you can’t secure an igloo during your visit or it’s just not your thing, the Dive bar space is still definitely worth a visit. Once upon a time in the 1970’s this space was a swimming pool. Today it is modern, hip and offers a nice birds-eye view of downtown Eau Claire.
Things to Do
Ice Skating: Lace up your skates and head out to one of several ice rinks located around the city. While there are indoor and outdoor options available, we recommend you check out one of the outdoor options. Several lakes in town are flooded each year for ice skating and several sites have warming shelters on the premises as well. General skate is free and will require you to show up with your own pair of skates. You can also try sledding, downhill skiing and snowboarding at Pinehurst Park. These activities are weather dependent so be sure to check out the city’s recreation webpage for the most up to date information.
Duck Pin Bowling at Reboot Social. For a fun, retro indoor activity check out duckpin bowling which is a bit of a lost art. Originating in the east coast, this game of mini bowling is still alive and well across Wisconsin and, dare we say, making a bit of a comeback as evident by the duckpin bowling lanes at the modern social gathering space: Reboot Social. For just $6 per person per hour you can try your hand at this sport. We highly recommend you reserve a lane in advance as this is not only a popular hangout spot but also gets booked up fast for kid parties. You can also enjoy boardgames, a lower level filled with arcade games and a full bar here too!
Cheer on the Chippewa Steel. Hockey is big in Wisconsin especially up north and while the Chippewa Steel are technically not based in Eau Claire, they are so close that you can’t pass up experiencing one of their home games if you can make it work. The Chippewa Area Ice Arena is located about 20 minutes outside Eau Claire in the town of Chippewa Falls. A part of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), the Chippewa Steel play a 60-game regular season that kicks off mid-September and runs through early April. Single game day tickets are affordable making this an exciting experience for the whole family!
Visit the Winter Farmer’s Market located in downtown Eau Claire. This is the place to go for local, high-quality items directly from the people who make them. You’ll find a little bit of everything from fresh, local vegetables, homemade hummus, maple syrup and even dog treats.
As we mentioned earlier, Eau Claire has a busy events calendar that is always changing. In January 2024 one unique winter activity offered in nearby Fall Creek, WI was a Candlelight Snowshoe Hike. Donning snowshoes, hikers hit a trail illuminated by candles and moonlight at the Beaver Creek Reserve. No snowshoes? No problem! They were available to rent for this event. If you get the opportunity to try snowshoeing, we hope you will give it a try. It can be challenging and is not for everyone, but it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the snow covered, frozen parts of Wisconsin’s great outdoors. Be sure to check out trail conditions and know before you go with the Wisconsin Snow Report.
Where to Stay
Located in the heart of downtown Eau Claire – next to all the action – you’ll find the Oxbow Hotel, a boutique hotel property made up of two buildings (one of which was a mid-century motor lodge built in the 1960s). The Oxbow Hotel features modern retro aesthetic with an outfitters twist providing guests with a truly distinctive stay. You’ll find a record player in each room. Be sure to dive into the hotel’s rad vinyl library to craft the ultimate playlist before you hit up the Lakely Restaurant in the Oxbow Hotel for local grub and craft cocktails.
And for guests who like to get a workout during their stay, you can request gym guest passes which you can use to access the gym at the Lismore Hotel, located a quick 6-minute walk from the Oxbow. (They have Pelatons!)
For some, “winter in Wisconsin” brings to mind scenes of cozy cabins with fireplaces blazing. But for others, like us, the winter season is a fun time to get outdoors or to frequent a new place in the off-season when the crowds are lesser and the prices – at least for hotel accommodations – tend to be a bit more affordable. We wanted to capture some of what makes winter in our home state magical and there is no better place where that rings truer than Eau Claire. You’ll find no shortage of unique ways to make the most of you’re a wintry getaway in this indie Wisconsin city. We hope you’ll agree!
~ Alyssa + Justin
