10 Things I Love About the Eau Claire Area

It’s the 9th largest city in the state, the Horseradish Capital of the World and was named one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2015. And with a name like Eau Claire – it’s French for “clear waters” – you know it’s downright beautiful. Here are just 10 things I love most about this area of Wisconsin:

1. Live Music
   
   

   The Eau Claire Jazz Festival’s 52nd Street was started in 2013 as the brainchild of Artistic Director Bob Baca. This year’s festival is April 22-23.

   The life blood in Eau Claire really is its music. Home of Bon Iver, Country Jam USA, Eaux Claires and so much more, the area is one of the best in the state when it comes to great tunes.

2. The Dells Mill and Museum
   
   

   The Dells Mill is one of the most photographed sites in Wisconsin. Photo by Adam Dorn Photography

   About a half-hour southeast of the city of Eau Claire is the Dells Mill and Museum. Witness this historic five-story grist mill turn as it has for three generations – deeming it both a state and national historic site. The magnificent Dells Mill also happens to be one of the most photographed sites in Wisconsin and for very good reason.

3. Kubb
   
   

   Eau Claire is the home of the U.S. National Kubb Championship. Photo by Volume One

   Eau Claire is the Kubb Capital of North America. So what is it exactly? Pronounced “koob,” the objective of this horseshoes-meets-bowling lawn game is to knock over wooden blocks, (AKA kubbs) by tossing wooden batons at them!
4. Wining & Dining
   
   

   Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery in Eau Claire opened in 2010. Photo by Ty Randerson

   I refuse to pick just one spot to feature because Eau Claire’s restaurant scene is impressive all around. But I will share a few of my top spots: Nucleus Cafe, Lazy Monk Brewing, Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery and Eberts & Gerberts – a Chippewa Valley original!
5. The Local Store & Volume One Gallery
   
   

   The Local Store & Volume One Gallery boasts a diverse collection of fun items from Wisconsin-made art to cheeky apparel to eclectic knickknacks. Photo by Andrea Paulseth, Volume One

   I could spend all day at The Local Store & Volume One Gallery because it’s chock-full of one-of-a-kind items that represent Eau Claire and Wisconsin. Browse books, apparel, home decor, kitchenware and so much more.

6. Big Falls
   
   

   Hike it. Tube it. Picnic it. However you explore it, Big Falls will impress. Photo by Adam Dorn Photography

   Lush forests, flowing waters and unparalleled sunsets make the Chippewa Valley a truly gorgeous destination. Just upstream from Altoona, the Eau Claire River passes over a waterfall known as Big Falls. Take in the sights and sounds of this beaut and consider picnicking, tubing, canoeing or fishing!

7. Silvermine Ski Hill
   
   

   The intense sport of ski jumping is highlighted in Eau Claire every year when the city hosts the Silver Mine Ski Invitational.

   If you haven’t yet witnessed ski jumping in person, you ought to. Cheer on these brave souls as they launch themselves off the Silvermine Ski Hill and soar into the night sky. This year’s Silver Mine Ski Invitational is February 12-13.

8. Eau Claire Sculpture Tour
   

   The Eau Claire Sculpture Tour is a great way to explore the city. It’s free and accessible year-round!

   Do you enjoy free, outdoor and interactive activities? Then you’re going to love the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour, which is accessible year-round. Created by artists from across North America and even abroad, the sculpture tour features a vast variety of styles, materials and sizes. Bring your camera!

9. Local Parks
   
   

   Volume One’s Sounds Like Summer Concert Series takes place every Thursday at Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire. Local bands play to crowds of more than 1,000 along the Chippewa River.

   The Eau Claire area is dotted with more than a dozen parks that each have their own special charm. From music at Phoenix Park to baseball at Carson Park, it’s no wonder why families love this city.

10. Babbette’s Seeds of Hope
    
    

    A beautiful scene with a beautiful story, Babbette’s Seeds of Hope had a lot of folks talking in 2015. Photo by Adam Dorn Photography

    This past summer I learned of a story out of Eau Claire that really touched my heart. Babbette Jaquish was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in the spring of 2006. She lost her battle with cancer in November 2014. Before Babbette passed away, she had expressed one wish to her husband, Don: to plant a field of sunflowers dedicated to helping others living with cancer.This past summer, her husband fulfilled her wish and planted four miles of sunflowers along Highway 85. It’s one of the most captivating and moving sights I’ve ever seen.

Watch Eau Claire: Hanging with the Locals this weekend on Discover Wisconsin!

Mariah Haberman hosts the nation’s longest-running tourism TV show, Discover Wisconsin. She hails from Evansville, where she was brought up in a family of seven in a small farmhouse outside of town. Some of her favorite memories include Lake Michigan fishing trips with her Dad, showing sheep at the Rock County Fair and buzzing around the farm on an ATV with her little brother. Watch Discover Wisconsin Saturdays at 10 a.m. on FSN Wisconsin’s outdoor block. (Twitter: @DiscoverWI)