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
- Altoona
- Ashland
- Baldwin
- Bayfield
- Chippewa Falls
- Cornucopia
- Eau Claire
- Ellsworth
- Hudson
- Menomonie
- Neillsville — great little town
- Pepin
- St. Croix Falls
- Spooner
- Stockholm
- Superior
- Washburn
Other destinations
Understand
Talk
Get in
Get around
See
Itineraries
Do
- Ice Age Trail. Statewide hiking path passes through Chippewa County.
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.
- Chippewa Moraine 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. Trade River Winery - your source for unique, hard to find, quality New and Old World wines at a great value. Shop for our unique and affordable wines at the winery or online at . Founded in 2001, Trade River Winery is a family-owned venture located on beautiful Trade Lake in northwestern Wisconsin.
Trade River Winery is just an hour and a half drive from the Twin Cities along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Come to our forest glen to relax on our elegant patios, which are surrounded by landscaped gardens and a waterfall. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch or phone ahead to order a Wine Country Lunch.
You will find a warm and friendly atmosphere in our tasting room, where novices to experts alike can explore these undiscovered wines. Don't forget to visit our gift shop where you will find a fun and interesting array of gifts for the epicurean at heart. Our 2009 season begins Memorial Day weekend. We're open Wednesday-Sunday during the summer for wine tastings (or by appointment). (Winter hours: Saturday only.)
Our patios also are available for rent for private parties. Our staff is delighted to assist you with weddings, receptions, corporate functions, fund-raisers, or other events. Our outdoor facilities can accommodate up to 300 people. It is our pleasure to answer any inquiries about our winery and other attractions or accommodations in the area. $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.