Eau Claire area
Around Eau Claire area
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Greater area · Wisconsin · 222k people
Eau Claire area
Locals say Chippewa Valley
Where the rivers hum and the hops flow.
Old GoldNavy Blue
Welcome to the Chippewa Valley! Whether you're here for the rivers, the music, or just a good fish fry, you'll find a friendly vibe that feels like home. Grab a Leinie's and settle in.
Clubs for Eau Claire area
No clubs for Eau Claire area yet.
The room
Eau Claire area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Eau Claire's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Eau Claire. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Eau Claire area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Phoenix Park Downtown riverfront park with splash pad and concert venue.
- Carson Park Home of the Eau Claire Express baseball team and the Chippewa Valley Museum.
- Putnam Park Wooded trails along the Eau Claire River near UW-Eau Claire.
- Irvine Park and Zoo Free community zoo and park in Chippewa Falls.
- Pablo Center at the Confluence Modern performing arts center for concerts and theater.
- Leinenkugel Brewery Historic brewery in Chippewa Falls, a regional icon.
- Outdoors Paddle or tube the Chippewa River
- Outdoors Bike the Chippewa River State Trail
- With kids Irvine Park and Zoo
- With kids Children's Museum of Eau Claire
- Evenings Live music at downtown venues like The Plus
- Evenings Bar hop on Water Street
- Locals love Supper clubs
- Locals love Breweries and taprooms
Through the year
- Northern Wisconsin State Fair July County fair with rides, livestock, and food.
- Eau Claire Jazz Festival April Multi-day jazz performances and workshops.
- Country Jam USA July Large country music festival with national acts.
- Eau Claire Marathon May Road race through the city and along the rivers.
- Sawdust City Days June Summer street festival with live music and vendors.
Cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers; spring and fall are mild but short. Best: Late spring through early fall for warm days and outdoor events.
Talk like a local
- “O'Claire”
- Local pronunciation of Eau Claire.
- “The Valley”
- The Chippewa Valley region.
- “Bubbler”
- Drinking fountain.
- “Up north”
- Northern Wisconsin, often used for cabin trips.
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- UW-Eau Claire Blugolds NCAA Division III
- Eau Claire Express Northwoods League
Also rooting for Green Bay Packers (NFL), Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
Eat and drink
- Cheese curds Fresh, squeaky, often battered and fried
- Bratwurst Grilled, served on a bun with sauerkraut and mustard
- Friday fish fry Traditional cod or perch, with coleslaw and rye bread
- Leinenkugel's beer Brewed in nearby Chippewa Falls, a local staple
- Cranberry products Wisconsin is the top cranberry producer; nearby Warrens is the capital
Where people go
- Supper clubs Classic Wisconsin dining with relish trays, brandy Old Fashioneds, and prime rib
- Breweries and taprooms Craft beer scene, including Leinenkugel's and local microbreweries
- Riverside parks and trails Phoenix Park, the Chippewa River State Trail, and the confluence of rivers
- Farmers markets Seasonal produce, cheese, and local crafts
- Music venues The Pablo Center, plus intimate clubs and outdoor stages
Heritage and traditions
The Chippewa Valley takes pride in its lumberjack and brewing heritage, its vibrant indie-folk music scene, and the welcoming Hmong community, all set along the scenic Chippewa River.
This time of year in Eau Claire area
- Cranberry harvest Fall Fall tours of cranberry bogs in the surrounding area.
Say it like a local: “You betcha” — An enthusiastic 'yes' or 'of course'.
Festivals
- Blue Ox Music Festival June A three-day bluegrass and roots music festival held in June.
- Pure Water Days July A community celebration in Chippewa Falls honoring its pure spring water, with parades and family events.
- Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest September A fall beer festival at the Chippewa Falls brewery with German music and food.
- Chippewa Valley Pride June An annual LGBTQ+ pride festival in Eau Claire with a parade and community fair.
- Hmong New Year November A celebration of Hmong culture with traditional clothing, food, and performances.
- Eau Claire International Festival April A spring event showcasing the area's diverse cultures with food and performances.
Landmarks with a story
- Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum A recreated 1890s lumber camp in Eau Claire with original buildings and exhibits.
- Chippewa Valley Museum Located in Carson Park, this museum tells the story of the region's lumber, farming, and immigrant history.
- The Grand Theatre A historic 1930s movie palace in downtown Eau Claire, now a performing arts venue.
- Chippewa Falls Historic District A downtown area with well-preserved Victorian-era buildings, including the old lumber barons' homes.
- Eau Claire County Courthouse A neoclassical courthouse built in 1916, a landmark in the city center.
Food traditions
- Brandy old-fashioned The signature cocktail at supper clubs, made with brandy, bitters, and a cherry or olive.
- Beer cheese soup A creamy soup made with local cheese and beer, often served with pretzels.
- Hmong egg rolls and pho Brought by Hmong refugees who settled in the 1970s, now a staple at local restaurants and festivals.
- Lumberjack breakfasts Hearty breakfasts of pancakes, eggs, and sausage served at community events, honoring the logging heritage.
- Cannibal sandwiches Raw ground beef on rye bread with onions and salt, a Wisconsin tradition served at holiday gatherings.
Music and arts
- Indie folk music The scene centered around Bon Iver and Justin Vernon, with many local bands and venues.
- Bluegrass and roots music The Blue Ox Music Festival and local jam sessions keep this tradition alive.
- Jazz The Eau Claire Jazz Festival is one of the largest high school jazz festivals in the country.
- Community theater The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild and other groups stage productions year-round.
A little history
- 1860s-1900s Lumber boom
- 1867 Leinenkugel's brewery founded
- 1970s-1980s Hmong resettlement
- 2000s Indie music scene emerges
- late 1800s Chippewa Falls earned nickname 'Pure Water City'
Rivalries
- UW-Eau Claire Blugolds vs. UW-Stout Blue Devils College football and basketball rivalry.
- Eau Claire Express vs. La Crosse Loggers Northwoods League baseball rivalry.
- Packers vs. Vikings fans Friendly but passionate NFL fan debate.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day High school hockey
- Outdoors Snowshoeing
- Outdoors Ice skating on the river
- With kids Paul Bunyan Logging Camp
- With kids Blue Ox Music Festival
Locals speak with a mild Upper Midwestern accent, blending German and Scandinavian influences. They often say 'ope' for 'oops,' use 'pop' for soda, and pronounce 'Eau Claire' as 'O Claire.'
Only here
- Chippewa Falls is nicknamed 'Pure Water City' for its famously clean spring water.
- The Eaux Claires music festival, founded by Justin Vernon, put the valley on the indie music map (though on hiatus).
- Leinenkugel's is the oldest brewery in Wisconsin still operating, founded in 1867.
- The Chippewa River runs right through the city, and locals call the whole region 'the Chippewa Valley'.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'Eau Claire' as 'O Claire' – the French name is pronounced like the English 'O'.
- Embrace the winter: invest in a good coat, boots, and try cross-country skiing or ice fishing.
- Order a brandy old-fashioned at a supper club – it's the local cocktail.
- Know that 'pop' means soda, and 'bubbler' is a water fountain.
- Get a Leinenkugel's beer – the brewery in Chippewa Falls is a local institution.
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Areas in Eau Claire area
Nearby
Every areaPolk CountyWisconsinWhere the northwoods meet the river.Red WingMinnesotaRiver town pride, bluff country soul.ArcadiaWisconsinWhere the Mississippi winds through bluffs and farms.Rice LakeWisconsinWhere every lake has a story.Black River FallsWisconsinWhere the river runs through pine and bog.WinonaMinnesotaWhere the bluffs meet the riverRochesterMinnesotaWhere healing and heartland meetWisconsin RapidsWisconsinWhere cranberry bogs meet the Wisconsin River
Eau Claire-Menomonie, WI CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.