6 Best Things to Do in Eau Claire Wisconsin (2023) Ask The Locals Edition

Get tips from locals on the best things to do and see when you visit the city of Eau Claire, WI this weekend.

Things to Do in Eau Claire WI Today

Welcome to the first post in our new series of “Ask the Locals!”

The locals will never steer you wrong because who better to ask than those that live, eat, play, and sleep here?

When I heard that TBEX North America was going to be held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, I was excited.

I had never been to Wisconsin and it was on my bucket list.

So I purchased my ticket and made our RV campground reservations and waited for the date to arrive.

With a travel conference, comes experiences that I probably would not have not have known about.

Again, experiences that only locals can recommend.

So today, we are sharing our favorite places to see, and the best things to do in Eau Claire, Wisconsin right from downtown Eau Claire.

Several of the locations listed below were complimentary visits. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from yours.

Where to Stay

Eagle Ridge Campground in Chippewa Falls, WI

While there are not many RV parks in the Eau Claire region, we were able to find one close in Chippewa Falls, the Eagle Ridge Campground.

I left my husband and dog in the RV and stayed at a hotel while the conference was going on.

This way, I was able to enjoy the evening activities (and drinks) without having to worry about driving back to the RV. (even if it was only 10 miles away!)

Lismore Hotel – Everything You Need

The Lismore Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Only a block away from the Pablo Center, there are also many things to do within a few blocks.

Restaurants, nightlife, bakeries, and ice cream too.

Don’t want to leave the hotel? You don’t have to.

Breakfast, dinner, and drinks on the rooftop, are all within a short walk.

Parking is free for hotel guests but it’s also convenient to park if just grabbing a bite to eat for $5 a day.

Things to Do in Eau Claire WI This Weekend

Country Jam Wisconsin

If you missed the biggest music event of 2023, there is always next year.

When I heard Country Jam was going to be held the weekend after the conference, I extended our stay at Eagle Ridge Campground.

I did try to book a camping spot right at the music festival. However, they don’t allow pets and as y’all know, we have crazy dog.

I love country music and they are a lot of fun.

The Country Jam Wisconsin was this past weekend!

While you can experience three whole days of your favorite country stars taking the stage in a jam-packed lineup, we only went on Saturday evening to see Tim McGraw.

And of course, he was awesome.

They always bring together some of the country’s hottest artists as well as other emerging stars for an unforgettable weekend filled with great music and amazing memories.

The TBEX conference attendees got a sneak peek at the Country Jam Kickoff Party.

Up-and-coming performers such as Jon Wolff and Muscadine Bloodline were playing.

With something new around every corner, this is one festival that will leave a lasting impression on everyone who attends.

So be sure to book your reservations now, for next year’s big event.

Best Burgers at Together Farms

If you’ve never had a burger straight from the farm, then you are missing out.

We had one once before and a regular burger from the store just doesn’t cut it.

Well, Together Farms is run by Stephanie, her husband, and her children.

Burger nights are a huge hit and they can have 1000 patrons per weekend.

They serve Grass Fed Beef and there are so many to choose from.

I had the Hawaiian Burger. A burger topped with grilled pineapple, and BBQ sauce. It was messy but soooo good.

You can grab your own burger on Thurs through Sunday evenings during the summer.

There is also a brand new store where you can purchase items.

I had my eye on the Cheesecake cupcakes but I controlled myself, lol.

And don’t forget to try out some of the adult beverages that consist of craft beer and my favorite…Apple Pie Cocktail.

It’s Hot at Silver Springs Foods

And I don’t mean literally. We are talking about horseradish here.

The horseradish tour at Silver Springs Foods was interesting and seeing mustard in a kegerator was different.

We were served appetizers which consisted of hummus and mustard, as well as pretzel bites so we could taste the different varieties of horseradish mustard.

The horseradish mustard range in heat from 1 to 5 and if you are looking for something different…then you need to try the Cranberry Mustard.

And don’t forget the Bloody Mary with horseradish. 😉

So Many Flavors at Olson’s Ice Cream Shop

Homemade ice cream is everyone’s favorite. Especially when there are flavors upon flavors to choose from.

I headed over to the downtown Eau Claire location after lunch because it was highly recommended by one of the locals.

With so many choices, I opted for a banana split. And I was not disappointed.

In fact, it was so good that I hunted down Olson’s Ice Cream Chippewa Falls location so that my husband could give it a try.

He too ordered a banana split and could not believe the size and how good it was.

I opted for just a single scoop cone (which was still huge) of Black Cherry.

It too was excellent. We really did want to try them all but we were full from the food truck at Leinie Lodge.

Grab a Beer and Great Food at Leinenkugels Leinie Lodge

We had a few coupons for a free beer compliments of Leinenkugels.

So we just hung out for a while. 🙂

I chose the combo of Peach Lemonade. I’m a huge Peach fan so that was a no-brainer.

We were disappointed that we missed the brewery tour because it looked really interesting.

I guess that means we will have to come back.;)

While Leinie Lodge does not serve food, there are several days of the week when there is a food truck available.

The food from SmokeStream Food Truck was phenomenal. I would definitely go again on a night when they were there.

Pablo Center is the Place for Events

The Pablo Center is where the conference was held. But it is also the place to go for events in downtown Eau Claire, WI.

Close to hotels, restaurants, and the hustle and bustle of nightlife, it overlooks the Chippewa River.

You will also find festivals, arts, and summer programs just to name a few.

Things to Do in Eau Claire WI This Weekend Conclusion

These things to do in Eau Claire, Wisconsin are just the tip of the iceberg.

But no matter which weekend you choose to visit, you will always have an enjoyable time.

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