Eau Claire, Wisconsin
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 44.819700, -91.494800
Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 40.0°C (-40°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 103586
Language: English
Eau Claire is a charming city in western Wisconsin, USA, Situated at the confluence of Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers. The city has a population of around 66, 000 people and is known for its vibrant arts scene, Excellent schools, Affordable cost of living and outdoor recreational opportunities. The city’s thriving music scene is one of its most popular attractions. Several annual music festivals attract visitors from across the country. Live music venues offer a diverse range of genres from jazz to indie rock.
Eau Claire’s natural scenery is also stunning with miles upon miles of scenic hiking trails through lush forests nearby. Water activities such as kayaking or fishing can be enjoyed at Lake Altoona or Half Moon Lake. The city boasts an impressive art scene with several galleries showcasing works by local artists as well as national exhibitions on occasion. Visitors can explore various art forms including painting sculptures photography among other mediums at places such as Pablo Center at Confluence Campus or L.E Phillips Memorial Public Library Art Gallery.
Education plays an important role in Eau Claire’s community; it has been ranked as one of America’s best college towns by Forbes Magazine due to its high-quality education system provided by University Of Wisconsin-EC (UWEC) which is renowned for its business program amongst other programs offered by them. Foodies will delight themselves here since there are many restaurants serving up delicious local cuisine, Including fresh seafood, Farm-to-table dishes and locally brewed craft beers. The city is also home to several breweries that offer tours and tastings for beer enthusiasts.
Eau Claire offers a unique blend of natural beauty, Cultural attractions, Educational opportunities and great food making it an ideal destination for visitors looking for an authentic Midwestern experience.
- Carson Park
- Phoenix Park
- Chippewa River State Trail
- Pablo Center at the Confluence
- Children’s Museum of Eau Claire
- The L.E Phillips Memorial Public Library
- Schlegelmilch-McDaniel House
- Waldemar Ager House
- Fairfax Park Disc Golf Course
- Hobbs Municipal Ice Center
- Healthcare
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Tourism
The city is home to several hospitals and clinics including:
- Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire
- HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital
Eau Claire is also a hub for higher education with institutions such as:
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- Chippewa Valley Technical College
Manufacturing companies with significant operations in the city include:
- Hutchinson Technology Inc.
- Menards Distribution Center
- JAMF Software
Prominent retail businesses in the area include:
- Target
- Walmart Supercenter
- Kohl’s Department Store
Eau Claire attracts tourists with its natural beauty including parks like:
- Carson Park
- Phoenix Park
It also offers cultural attractions such as:
- Pablo Center at the Confluence
- The Ojibwe Tribe originally inhabited Eau Claire for centuries before European settlement.
- Eau Claire became a major center for logging and lumber production in the late 1800s due to its location on the Chippewa River.
- Carson Park is home to several notable historical landmarks, including a train depot from 1896 and an original log cabin from the early days of Eau Claire.
- The Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of logging in Wisconsin and honoring Paul Bunyan, a legendary figure associated with logging.
- The Charles W. Upham House is a historic home built in 1887 that is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- John Menard Jr., founder of Menards, one of America’s largest home improvement stores, was born and raised in Eau Claire.
- Justin Vernon, lead singer/songwriter of indie band Bon Iver, grew up in Eau Claire and still maintains strong ties to his hometown.
- Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson was born and raised in Elroy but attended college at University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
- Academy Award-winning actress Eva Marie Saint grew up nearby Lake Forest Illinois but attended college at University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
- Comedian Nick Swardson also attended college at University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
- Chippewa Valley Museum is a museum that showcases the history and culture of the Chippewa Valley region.
- Pablo Center at the Confluence is a performing arts center that hosts music, theater, and dance performances.
- Phoenix Park is a public park that features a farmers market, concerts, and other events throughout the year.
- The Sculpture Tour Eau Claire is an outdoor art exhibit featuring dozens of sculptures throughout downtown Eau Claire.
- The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire is an interactive museum designed for children to learn through play.
- Carson Park is a historic park that includes a baseball stadium, museum, and walking trails along Half Moon Lake.
- The Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum is a living history museum that tells the story of Wisconsin’s logging industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Leinenkugel’s Brewery Tours & Tasting Room allows visitors to take a tour of one of Wisconsin’s oldest breweries and sample some beer afterward.
- Irvine Park & Zoo houses over 300 animals from around the world including tigers, bears, bison etc.
- Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Park honors all veterans who have served in any branch or war since World War I with memorials such as plaques for each branch of service along with monuments for each war fought by American soldiers.
- The Eau Claire Express is a summer baseball team based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that was established in 2005. They play their home games at Carson Park.
- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) Blugolds are the athletic teams representing UWEC and compete in NCAA Division III as part of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).
- The Eau Claire Cavaliers is an amateur baseball team founded in 1974 that competes in the Chippewa River Baseball League.
- The Chippewa Valley Predators is a semi-professional football team located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that plays their home games at Carson Park and competes in the Northern Elite Football League.
- The Eau Claire United Soccer Club provides opportunities for players of all ages to develop their skills and compete at various levels of competition as a youth soccer organization.
- In 2010, Carson Park hosted the Northwoods League All-Star Game featuring some of the top collegiate baseball players from across the country.
- Several high schools located within or near Eau Clair are members of the Big Rivers Conference, which is a high school athletic conference competing at various levels throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota.
- Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival is a two-day music festival held in June.
- International Fall Festival is a celebration of cultural diversity with food, music, and dance performances from around the world in September.
- Chalkfest is an annual event where artists create large-scale works of art on the sidewalks of downtown Eau Claire in July.
- Summer Fest is a three-day event featuring live music, carnival rides, food vendors, and more in August.
- Blue Ox Music Festival is a three-day bluegrass and roots music festival held in June.
- Country Jam USA is an annual country music festival held in July.
- River Prairie Fest is a family-friendly event with live entertainment, food vendors, and activities for all ages in September.
- Winter After Hours is an outdoor winter festival featuring ice sculptures, snowshoeing, sledding and more fun activities during February.
- Artisan Markets are monthly markets that showcase local artisans selling handmade goods such as jewelry or clothing items.
- Fall Harvest Fest celebrates the fall season with pumpkin carving contests, hayrides, caramel apple making, etc.
- The Nucleus – a farm-to-table restaurant that serves American cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.
- The Informalist – a trendy restaurant that offers seasonal American fare and craft cocktails.
- Mona Lisa’s Restaurant – an Italian eatery known for its homemade pasta dishes and wood-fired pizzas.
- The Classic Garage – a retro-themed diner serving classic American comfort food like burgers, fries, and milkshakes.
- Mogie’s Pub & Restaurant – a cozy spot for pub grub such as wings, sandwiches, and burgers along with craft beer selections.
- Altoona Family Restaurant – a family-owned diner that serves breakfast all day along with classic American dishes like meatloaf and pot roast.
- Milwaukee Burger Company – a popular chain restaurant specializing in gourmet burgers made from fresh ingredients sourced from local farms.
- Carson Park is a 134-acre park that boasts baseball fields, walking trails, picnic areas, and a historical museum.
- Phoenix Park is located in downtown Eau Claire and features an amphitheater, farmers market, and walking trails along the Chippewa River.
- Owen Park is situated on the riverfront and offers tennis courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- Fairfax Pool is an outdoor public pool with water slides and diving boards for visitors to enjoy.
- Lowes Creek County Park spans across 250 acres of land with hiking and mountain biking trails available for visitors to explore.
- The Eau Claire County Expo Center hosts various events throughout the year such as fairs, concerts, and rodeos.
- Pinehurst Park offers cross-country skiing during winter months while providing hiking trails during summer months.
- Tower Ridge Recreation Area provides downhill skiing/snowboarding opportunities in winter months while offering disc golf courses during summer months for visitors to enjoy.
- Half Moon Beach at Lake Altoona provides an artificial beach where people can swim or sunbathe on hot days.
- Wild Ridge Golf Course is a public golf course that features 18 holes of championship-level golfing for enthusiasts to indulge in their passion for golfing.
