Our Guide to the Region
Food Scene
Cocktail and/or a meal on the roof at sunset is a must.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Bayfield Inn
20 Rittenhouse AveCocktail and/or a meal on the roof at sunset is a must.
I LOVE this place. It's a regular stop every time we're near Cornucopia. They have an amazing deli so load up for the beach here. Plus, they have everything else from nuts to soup.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ehlers General Store
88545 Superior StI LOVE this place. It's a regular stop every time we're near Cornucopia. They have an amazing deli so load up for the beach here. Plus, they have everything else from nuts to soup.
Pick up smoked fish or enjoy fish and chips. They are located at the beach (smoked fish) and in downtown (fish and chips).
Halvorson Fisheries
Pick up smoked fish or enjoy fish and chips. They are located at the beach (smoked fish) and in downtown (fish and chips).
This recently restored historical building in downtown Bayfield has brought a touch of pizazz to our dining options. If you want to go fancy, go on a Friday or Saturday (make reservations!). If you'd like to go classy casual, go Tues-Thurs for their wood-fired pizza. Then walk down to Honest Dog Books for a bit of browsing. :-) PS - They also do take out so you can grab pizzas and walk to the park for music on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the summer.
St. James Social - Boutique Hotel
This recently restored historical building in downtown Bayfield has brought a touch of pizazz to our dining options. If you want to go fancy, go on a Friday or Saturday (make reservations!). If you'd like to go classy casual, go Tues-Thurs for their wood-fired pizza. Then walk down to Honest Dog Books for a bit of browsing. :-) PS - They also do take out so you can grab pizzas and walk to the park for music on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the summer.
Drinks & Nightlife
Absolutely the most delicious, unique cocktails in the region. On weekends, they often have a food truck. Copper Crow is the only Native American-owned distillery in the nation. It's been written up in the Wall Street Journal and other publications. Worth the trip.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Copper Crow Distillery, LLC
54814 State Hwy 13Absolutely the most delicious, unique cocktails in the region. On weekends, they often have a food truck. Copper Crow is the only Native American-owned distillery in the nation. It's been written up in the Wall Street Journal and other publications. Worth the trip.
This is THE place to hang out -- have a brew, swing in a hammock, let your dog run around, and shop for a bit at Howl Adventure. Brewmaster on-site and some of the best microbrew around. Most evenings there is a fabulous food truck, lots of shade, and picnic tables. This is a regular stop for me and my husband.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Adventure Club Brewing
35265 S Co Hwy JThis is THE place to hang out -- have a brew, swing in a hammock, let your dog run around, and shop for a bit at Howl Adventure. Brewmaster on-site and some of the best microbrew around. Most evenings there is a fabulous food truck, lots of shade, and picnic tables. This is a regular stop for me and my husband.
They serve one thing: fish fry. Craig Hoopman is a fisherman so you know the fish is fresh caught from Lake Superior. The atmosphere is fantastic and they have music a few times a week.
Hoop's Fish & Chips Dockside
They serve one thing: fish fry. Craig Hoopman is a fisherman so you know the fish is fresh caught from Lake Superior. The atmosphere is fantastic and they have music a few times a week.
Major band under a canvas tent at the foot of our only ski hill. I highly recommend. Doesn't matter the show, this is all about the vibe. This is where we take all of our out-of-town visitors. They also serve food, drink, and snacks.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Big Top Chautauqua - Concert Venue
32525 Ski Hill RdMajor band under a canvas tent at the foot of our only ski hill. I highly recommend. Doesn't matter the show, this is all about the vibe. This is where we take all of our out-of-town visitors. They also serve food, drink, and snacks.
Essentials
If you're coming through Ashland, stock up at the co-op. They have a robust selection of local and organic produce, meats, juices & solid selection of beer.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chequamegon Food Co-Op
700 Main St WIf you're coming through Ashland, stock up at the co-op. They have a robust selection of local and organic produce, meats, juices & solid selection of beer.
Need a workout while you're on vacation? The Bayfield Rec Center has a non-chlorinated pool and workout space.
Bayfield Rec Center
140 South Broad StreetNeed a workout while you're on vacation? The Bayfield Rec Center has a non-chlorinated pool and workout space.
Wine, booze, cheese, etc. All the essentials. The staff is fantastic and fun.
Bayfield Wine And Spirits
13 S 2nd StWine, booze, cheese, etc. All the essentials. The staff is fantastic and fun.
Shopping
Great for outdoor clothing—shoes, boots, rain gear, sweaters + men's and women's casual wear + their own line of outdoor clothing (Wolfsong Wear) They also have gloves, mittens, hats, and fun outdoor gadgets. It's a really great store for browsing and buying gifts & best of all their walls are covered in dogsledding photos. Owners John and Mary Thiels also own Dreamcatcher Sailing charters and Wolfsong Mushing. You can get info on all of their outdoor adventure options at the store.
Howl Downtown
100 Rittenhouse AveGreat for outdoor clothing—shoes, boots, rain gear, sweaters + men's and women's casual wear + their own line of outdoor clothing (Wolfsong Wear) They also have gloves, mittens, hats, and fun outdoor gadgets. It's a really great store for browsing and buying gifts & best of all their walls are covered in dogsledding photos. Owners John and Mary Thiels also own Dreamcatcher Sailing charters and Wolfsong Mushing. You can get info on all of their outdoor adventure options at the store.
Of course, I own Honest Dog Books but it truly is a beautiful bookstore filled with used, new, and rare books + vinyl, maps, and art. The store has been in Bayfield for 35 years -- I have been the lucky owner since 2019.
Honest Dog Books
38 S 2nd StOf course, I own Honest Dog Books but it truly is a beautiful bookstore filled with used, new, and rare books + vinyl, maps, and art. The store has been in Bayfield for 35 years -- I have been the lucky owner since 2019.
This is the place to find out about the biking, hiking, and skiing scenes in the region. Knowledgable staff & awesome selection for getting outdoors. They also have some short trails on-site to test bikes and skis.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S Co Hwy JThis is the place to find out about the biking, hiking, and skiing scenes in the region. Knowledgable staff & awesome selection for getting outdoors. They also have some short trails on-site to test bikes and skis.
I've been in this shop a million times and I still find something I want every time I go. Owner Andy Falconer is an artist with large network of artist friends--lots of unique, cool gifts.
Stone's Throw
40 S 2nd StI've been in this shop a million times and I still find something I want every time I go. Owner Andy Falconer is an artist with large network of artist friends--lots of unique, cool gifts.
One of the newest shops in Bayfield, Penny Print Studio has a cool model -- they work with local artists to create screens & then artists earn a percentage on every t-shirt/tea towel/tote bag sold with their art. Beautiful stuff. And it's really fun to watch the screen being made while you wait.
Penny Print Studio
40th South 2nd StreetOne of the newest shops in Bayfield, Penny Print Studio has a cool model -- they work with local artists to create screens & then artists earn a percentage on every t-shirt/tea towel/tote bag sold with their art. Beautiful stuff. And it's really fun to watch the screen being made while you wait.
My Favorite Hikes
One of the best hikes around. Second growth forest that leads you to the lake.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Frog Bay Tribal National Park
92070 Frog Bay RdOne of the best hikes around. Second growth forest that leads you to the lake.
Easy, flat, accessible trail that leads to Lake Superior.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Houghton Falls State Natural Area
Houghton Falls RoadEasy, flat, accessible trail that leads to Lake Superior.
Sightseeing
Unique wetland area with a boardwalk that lets you go out and see Great Blue Herons in their nests. Plus frogs, etc. Accessible.
Beaver Hollow
88850 Compton RoadUnique wetland area with a boardwalk that lets you go out and see Great Blue Herons in their nests. Plus frogs, etc. Accessible.
Seeing the sea caves is something you will never forget. If you catch a calm day, ideally near sunset -- the best.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Trek & Trail
7 Washington AveSeeing the sea caves is something you will never forget. If you catch a calm day, ideally near sunset -- the best.
Cheapest and easiest way to get out on the lake and it gets you to Madeline Island. If you take your car, go to Big Bay State Park. If you don't take your car, you can hit downtown plus the city beach.
Madeline Island Ferry Line
Cheapest and easiest way to get out on the lake and it gets you to Madeline Island. If you take your car, go to Big Bay State Park. If you don't take your car, you can hit downtown plus the city beach.
Hike the sea cave trail that goes above the sea caves or book a trip with Trek and Trail or Lost Creek Adventures.
Bayfield Peninsula Sea Caves
415 Washington AveHike the sea cave trail that goes above the sea caves or book a trip with Trek and Trail or Lost Creek Adventures.
Things to Do
This is a bonafide downtown independently-owned movie theater with lots of pizazz inside. Great way to beat the heat with the kids or date night. I really love this theater and I can't believe it made it through DVDs, streaming, and the pandemic but here it is.
Bay Theater
420 Main St WThis is a bonafide downtown independently-owned movie theater with lots of pizazz inside. Great way to beat the heat with the kids or date night. I really love this theater and I can't believe it made it through DVDs, streaming, and the pandemic but here it is.