Midwest Summer Bucket List: Eau Claire, WI + Beyond
Shot-skis, a quintessential part of Midwestern culture, at Camp Lola Whiskey
When I tell people I live in Wisconsin, they usually follow up with "...but why?"
I think people often have this misconception that choosing to call the Midwest home means I've given up on adventure entirely.
Spoiler alert: I haven't.
Sometimes the most transformative experiences happen in your own backyard. And if your backyard happens to be the Midwest? Even better. We've got cheese curds that'll ruin you for life, rivers perfect for floating away your problems, and a summer concert scene that punches way above its weight class. So if you're one of those coastal folks who thinks the Midwest is just flyover country, or if you're a local who's forgotten how damn good we have it here, this list is for you.
Here's the short version, in case you're skimming: this is my Midwest summer bucket list — more than a dozen things to do in and around Eau Claire, Wisconsin, plus ten bigger Midwest adventures beyond it — from someone who actually lives here. I'm Laura Ericson, I run Type 2 Travel and host Camp Lola Whiskey up in the Northwoods, and every pick below is something I do myself.
Enjoying curds and a beer at Mogie’s downtown Eau Claire.
Eau Claire Essentials
Eau Claire is my home base — a college-and-music town on the Chippewa River about 90 miles east of the Twin Cities. These are the summer things I'd send any first-timer to do first.
Devour cheese curds like your life depends on it
Fresh, squeaky, preferably fried. If they don't squeak, send them back. I don't make the rules. Our favorites around the Chippewa Valley are from:
And fun fact, Visit Eau Claire even sponsors an official cheese curd crawl. Yes, you can be incentivized to eat cheese curds—it really doesn’t get more Wisconsin than that.
Hit up the Downtown Farmers Market
Saturday mornings, Phoenix Park. Get there early for the good stuff—local honey, fresh flowers, and the kind of produce that makes you actually want to cook. Pro-tip: Park near Shift, get a coffee (and maybe a waffle, 10/10), and meander over to the market.
Float the Chippewa River
Grab a tube, some beverages, and zero plans. Let the current do the work while you soak up summer and probably get slightly sunburned. And if you’re feeling snacky after all that floating, stop at Ray’s on Water Street on our way back for a hot beef sandwich and a brandy old fashioned. Worth it.
Creating a flower crown backstage for Sierra Ferrell at Blue Ox in 2024
Attend a Music Festival
Eau Claire is fortunate to have a plethora of music festivals at our fingertips every summer. You can view the full lineup here, but a few of my favorites are Blue Ox and Eaux Claires, which is making its much anticipated comeback since its 2019 departure.
Enjoy a meal at Good Wives
This local gem is owned by my friends Ella and Ema, and it’s the restaurant I frequent most when I’m home. If you’re there for brunch, get the breakfast hash, eggs en cocotte, and a bloody mary. If you’re extra hungry, sample the sausage—Ella makes her own. The dinner menu rotates every few weeks, so there’s always something new and delicious to sample.
Catch a show at Sounds Like Summer
Free Thursday night concerts in Phoenix Park are one of the most quintessential parts of summer in Eau Claire. Bring a blanket, bring your friends, bring wine in a Yeti (be cool about it), and stop by Eau Claire Cheese + Deli to get some charcuterie staples for a picnic.
Get pizza at Leona’s
Leona’s does wood-fired pizza that'll make you reconsider your entire relationship with carbs. The crust? Chef's kiss. EC local Justin Vernon from Bon Iver even shouted it as one of his favorite stops when he’s in town, so it’s earned some street cred.
Explore the Pablo Center
Our gorgeous performing arts venue that proves we're not just cheese and beer. Though we are definitely still cheese and beer. Check the upcoming schedule and grab tickets to a show!
Biking the Chippewa River State Trail on a late summer afternoon.
Bike the Chippewa River State Trail
We have miles of paved trail along the river in Eau Claire—perfect for burning off all those cheese curds. Electric Bike Rental can outfit you with a zippy bike if you don’t already have one.
Eat a hot beef (or hot ham) sandwich at Ray’s
Yes, it’s so good that it’s mentioned twice. They make their meat in a crock pot behind the bar, and yes—it will change your life. Don’t ask for a plate, but DO ask for hot mustard. They also serve the best Wisconsin old fashioned in town, in my humble opinion.
Day drink at one of our breweries
Between Lazy Monk, The Brewing Projekt, and Modicum, you've got options. Support local, drink good beer, make questionable life decisions.
Sipping a cold beer at The Brewing Projekt in downtown Eau Claire.
Shop at The Local Store
Our independent bookstore/gift shop/general purveyor of cool stuff. You will not leave empty-handed.
Have a beer at The Joynt
Easily the most famous bar in Eau Claire—bring cash, pet a dog, play a song on the juke box, and don’t ask for light beer.
Catch sunset at on Ray’s Beach at Lake Wissota
Because sometimes you need to remember why you live here in the first place.
Have a cocktail at The Dive
They’ve got a seasonally rotating menu of good drinks, rooftop views of the city, and good vibes. Sit outside on the patio in the summer, and reserve one of their igloos in the winter.
Didn’t quite find enough activities to fill your bucket list? Visit Eau Claire has an entire library of ideas on their website.
Other Midwest Must-Dos (Go Big or Go Home)
Beyond Eau Claire, these are the Midwest summer trips worth the drive — a mix of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois, from a weekend at Camp Lola Whiskey to a paddle into the Boundary Waters.
A rowdy (and a little rainy) game of musical chairs ensues at Camp Lola Whiskey.
Camp Lola Whiskey
Okay yes, this is my event and I am most certainly biased, but hear me out—adult summer camp in the woods of Wisconsin with yoga, workshops, bonfires, and the kind of shenanigans that make you feel 25 again. Late August. Be there.
The roasted corn is iconic at the fair.
Minnesota State Fair
Everything on a stick. Literally everything. Plus people-watching that rivals any international airport. If Camp Lola Whiskey doesn't convince you to visit the Midwest in late August, the State Fair should seal the deal. And BONUS: my favorite artist, Sierra Ferrell, just happens to be headlining on Sunday evening after camp. It’s a perfect ending to a perfect summer weekend.
Door County, Wisconsin
Think "Cape Cod of the Midwest" but with better cheese and less traffic. Cherry picking, fish boils, and sunsets over Lake Michigan.
Milwaukee's Third Ward
Art galleries, boutiques, the Public Market, and enough good restaurants to plan an entire weekend around eating.
Do not overlook the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour—it’s lowkey amazing.
Chicago Architecture Boat Tour
I know, I know—touristy. But it's touristy for a reason. The skyline from the river hits different.
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois
Canyons, waterfalls, and hiking that'll make you forget you're in Illinois. In the best way.
The Boundary Waters, Minnesota
Canoe camping in pristine wilderness where your phone doesn't work and you remember what actual quiet sounds like.
Dane County Farmer's’ Market
Circles the Capitol every Saturday. It's massive, it's beautiful, and you will eat your weight in cheese samples.
Porcupine Mountains, Upper Peninsula Michigan
Waterfalls, old-growth forests, and Lake Superior views that look straight out of the Pacific Northwest.
Any small-town festival
Seriously. Pick a random weekend, find a town of 2,000 people, and attend their annual Whatever Festival. You will eat terrible/amazing fair food, hear a surprisingly decent cover band, and meet the nicest humans on earth.
The Bottom Line:
Yes, I'll be in Georgia this fall. Yes, I'm also leading trips to Colombia and Egypt. But I'm also spending my summer floating down rivers in Wisconsin, eating cheese curds at the farmers market, and reminding myself that adventure isn't always about the passport stamps. Sometimes it's about showing up for the place you call home.
Soooooo…see you at Camp Lola Whiskey. Bring bug spray and an appetite. ✌🏻
