Northwest Wisconsin
The Northwest Wisconsin region, also known as "Indianhead County" (because of the outline made by its western border), is in Wisconsin.
Subregions
- Chippewa Valley. Located in the southeastern part of the region. Major cities are Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie.
- Coulee Region. The northern tip of the Coulee Region is in the southern part of Northwest Wisconsin. The rest, including the city of La Crosse, is in the Southwest Wisconsin region.
- Northland. Includes Rice Lake, Barron, Chetek, Spooner, Hayward.
- St. Croix Valley. Located along the western edge of the region (bordering Minnesota). The major city is Hudson.
- Twin Ports. Located in the northwestern part of the region. The major cities are Superior and, across the river in Minnesota, Duluth.
- Bayfield Peninsula Bounded on the north and east by Lake Superior and the south by Chequamegon Bay. The shoreline includes the villages of Port Wing, Herbster, Cornucopia, and Redcliff, and the small cities of Bayfield and Washburn. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is on the northern tip of the peninsula mainland and 21 adjacent islands in Lake Superior.
Cities
Map of Northwest Wisconsin
Other destinations
Understand
Get in
Get around
See
- 1 National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, 10360 Hall of Fame Dr, Hayward, ☏ +1 705-634-4440. 9:30AM-4PM. A museum in Hayward dedicated to promoting fresh water fishing, housed in the world's largest muskie sculpture.
Do
- Ice Age Trail. Statewide hiking path.
Chippewa Valley
Click on the city name for things to do in:
- Crystal Cave, Spring Valley (about 45 miles (72 km) west of Eau Claire).
- Wise Nature Center, Fall Creek (From Eau Claire: Highway 12 east to Fall Creek (about 12 miles, 19 km), then north on County Road K (about 4 miles, 6 km)). Hands-on learning stations, interpretive displays of local fauna and flora, live animal exhibits, and a butterfly house.
Chippewa Valley Festivals and Events
Click on the city name for festivals and events in:
These listings are presented in chronological order.
- CountryFest, Cadott (about 24 miles (36 km)) northwest of Eau Claire). A country music festival held in the fourth weekend in June.
- Rockfest, Cadott (about 24 miles (36 km) northwest of Eau Claire). A rock music festival held in the third weekend in July.
Northland
- Big Top Chautauqua (near Bayfield & Ashland). Regional and national musical performers.
- Ice Age Interpretive Center, New Auburn (7 miles (11 km) east of New Auburn and 1.9 miles (3 km) east of State Highway 40 on County Highway M). Glacial history - exhibits, videos, live and stuffed animals.
St. Croix Valley
- Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, 102 E. Crex Ave., Gransburg (north on Highway F out of Grantsburg), ☏ +1 715-463-2739. Visitors center open 8-4:30 weekdays, 10-4 weekends / driving tours at any time. A wide variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects also reside here. The rare sedge marsh and brush prairie habitats make the area a utopia for wildlife which, in turn, makes Crex a paradise for bird watchers, naturalists, botanists, hunters, trappers, and all the other hearty explorers who are interested in the great bounty that nature offers.
- National Eagle Center, Wabasha, Minnesota (about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Eau Claire), ☏ +1 651-565-4989. 10-5 daily.
- Trade River Winery, 21115 Deer Lane, Grantsburg, WI (From St. Croix Falls: Hwy 87 N to Hwy 0. Go East to Hwy 48. Right on 48. From Grantsburg: Hwy 70 E to Cty Rd M. Right on M to Hwy 48. Right on 48.), ☏ +1 715 327-4193, info@traderiverwinery.com. Winery with a gift shop. $5 wine tastings.
Eat
Chippewa Valley
Click on the city name for restaurants in:
- Cafe 44, 315 West River St., Colfax, WI. Internet cafe.
- The Creamery, Downsville, Wisconsin (about 25 miles (36 km) west of Eau Claire), ☏ +1 715-664-8354. Just off the Red Cedar State bike path.