Eau Claire City Guide 2020 by Volume One Magazine

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EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

2020-2021

EAU CLAIRE

CITY GUIDE CONTACT

(715) 552-0457 www.volumeone.org mail@volumeone.org

PUBLISHER Nick Meyer EDITORS + CONTENT Eric Christenson + Tom Giffey + Rebecca Mennecke DESIGN Taylor McCumber + Mackenzie Slattery ILLUSTRATIONS Luke Benson PHOTOS Andrea Paulseth + Luong Huynh + Zach Oliphant + Lee Butterworth + Kelsey Smith + Caitlyn Berlin + Marisa Wojcik + Shane Newman + Nick Meyer + Rachel Worthing + Branden Nall + Taylor Smith ADVERTISING Neil Hodorowski + Chase Kunkel + Brian Maki BASIC INFO The Eau Claire City Guide is published by Volume One – a locally owned, locally operated, and locally focused magazine. © 2020 VOLUME ONE The writing, artwork, and photography in The Eau Caire City Guide remain the property of the authors, artists, & photographers. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publication or its advertisers.

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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LOCAL STUDENT LIFE TABLE OF CONTENTS

GEtting around

history and facts

shopping and spending

FAMOUS RESIDEN TS

TAX I S A N D O T H E R TRANS PO R TATI ON

LOCAL POLITICS

L O C AL BUS R OU T E S

• F OOD

BY T H E N UMB ERS

NE I GH BO R H O ODS

• M U SIC

15 16

WHAT’S HO T N OW

WHERE DO I G E T. . .

• G A M IN G • W OR KOU T S • & M OR E

ALSO IN THIS GUIDE EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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OP E N IN G LE TTE R

PLUS! it’s all available online at: VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

food and drink

CHEAP EATS

LATE N IGHT

COFFEE SHOPS

arts and media

recreation and outdoors

LOCAL MUS I C

E A U CL A IR E ’ S PA R K S

VISUAL AR TS

KUBB

S TA G E + S C RE E N

CYCL IN G CU LT U R E

W IN T E R F U N

SU M M E R F U N

ABOUT VOLUME ONE

G R EAT D EA LS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Find more stories, resources and deals at VolumeOne.org/CityGuide and sign up there for our monthly student email list!

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WE MEAN THAT ENDEARINGLY. SERIOUSLY! You’re new to Eau Claire

and that’s amazing because this town has a lot to offer. And it’s a good thing you’re reading this, because we’re gonna help you find out for yourself. of the dorm room and out of their rental unit to try SOME PEOPLE AROUND EAU CLAIRE something new and see something different. like to complain that college students never get off Maybe “willing to get out” isn’t the right bunch campus. They never really see the city. They never of words. These are people who need to get out fully appreciate what’s going on here. They’re baand really see what’s going on. And when seeing sically self-absorbed toddlers, and they just don’t what’s happening around here just doesn’t cut it care about the hard-working, creative people anymore, they starting making things happen. who build this town into something great. Eau Claire is a sweet spot. But we know that’s not true. Over the years, I’ve come to unOK, it’s kinda true. I mean, “Eau Claire is filled derstand that it’s filled with the there’s always a few weird globs with the right kind right kind of stuff to create alof unfinished Gummi Bear stuck of stuff to create most anything you want. It’s big to the bottom of every bag, enough to offer you a variety right? Nobody’s perfect. I’ve almost anything you of resources and a real audidefinitely come across a certain want. It’s big enough ence, yet it’s small enough that kind of person who just doesn’t to offer you a variyou won’t get lost in the noise. know how to live in a city. You ety of resources and People live here for their entire know the type – they stick to their lives without ever really getting routines. They keep their heads a real audience, yet that concept. down. They rarely explore. it’s small enough For years, a lot of great indiOn the surface, these peothat you won’t get viduals have worked very hard ple might even seem to be lost in the noise.” to build this place. We’ve got outgoing and engaged, but at music and art and food and a the end of the day, between huge pile of things to do outthe couch, classes, and bed, side. It’s always changing, and it’s not perfect, there’s only a handful of places they actually go. but how boring is “perfect?” A city’s imperfections They might hit a certain restaurant a few times a usually provide a foundation for the really good month, a certain bar every week, a certain bike stuff. This is where exciting new scenes flourish trail, but that’s about it. and thrive. And this is where you come in. But thankfully, these kinds of people are fewer This town is a gift – it’s yours now. But like all and fewer. gifts, it’s not much fun until you get up off your butt I graduated from UW-Eau Claire and I’ve been and use it. living and working in this town ever since. In that So welcome to Eau Claire. We can’t wait to see time, some of the most passionate people I’ve ever what you make of it. –Mike Paulus, Volume One met have been students – students willing to get out EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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O f a o t

O N t C e

So, WHO ARE WE? I MEAN, THAT’S KIND OF A PERSONAL QUESTION, but sure. We’re

Volume One (makers of this handy guide) and we’re here to help make your time in Eau Claire as awesome as possible. Here’s some of what we do:

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Volume one magazine

Every two weeks we make a magazine that’s full of news, arts, culture, and plenty of events in the coming weeks. You can pick up the new issue every other Wednesday around campus and at coffee shops, restaurants, stores, and a ton of other places around the area.

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VOLUMEONE.orG

On top of all that stuff in the mag, you can check us out your favorite digital device for more event listings, more photos, and just generally more awesomeness. We also have plenty of local guides and resources (like for restaurants and bars) that’ll help you quickly learn more about the area.

Volume one EVENTS

We’re constantly putting on our own events including our Sounds Like Summer Concert series, which brings 1,500+ people to Phoenix Park every Thursday in the summer for live local music, or Chalkfest, our annual chalk art festival taking place in the summer on UWEC’s campus mall!

THE LOCAL STORE

Our retail wing of Volume One is The Local Store – 205 N. Dewey St., or online at VolumeOne.org/store. We have tons of gifts, T-shirts, postcards, and the like all about Eau Claire, the Chippewa Valley, and Wisconsin. We recently expanded to include even more awesome local stuff!

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EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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HISTORY AND

FACTS EAU CLAIRE IS PRETTY RICH ON THE HISTORY FRONT. From Native American heritage to loggers to baseball, this community has a lot behind it. This context will help you enjoy your time here even more.

NOTABLE LOCALS 12

LOCAL POLITICS 14

BY THE NUMBERS 15

WHAT’S HOT NOW 16

NOTABLE LOCALS AS YOU GET TO KNOW EAU CLAIRE, you’ll see the names of certain

prominent local figures from history plastered all over the town. Here are four of the people behind those names.

L.E. PHILLIPS

ADIN RANDALL

What’s named after him? The public library, UWEC’s science hall, the senior center, a Scout camp, and lots more! • Who was he? President of Eau Claire-based National Presto Industries for nearly three decades in the mid-20th century, he was also a major philanthropist. • Fun fact: Presto is still around, and makes everything from salad shooters to military ammunition.

What’s named after him? The Historic Randall Park Neighborhood, Randall Park, Randall Street. • Who was he? An early settler, entrepreneur, and politician. In the 1850s, he owned much of what is now Eau Claire’s west side, and he donated land for a park, a cemetery, and churches. • Fun fact: He’s the guy whose statue is in the middle of Randall Park.

HENRY CLEVELAND PUTNAM What’s named after him? Putnam Park, Putnam Trail, Putnam Drive, Putnam Heights Neighborhood. • Who was he? One the city’s founding fathers, he made a fortune investing in lumber and later became a conservationist. • Fun fact: Katherine Putnam Hall is named after his daughter.

WILLIAM CARSON What’s named after him? Carson Park. • Who was he? A late19th century lumber baron whose heirs donated Carson Park to the city in 1914. The park is home to UWEC football and countless rec opportunities. • Fun fact: In 1892, eight of Wisconsin’s 64 millionaires – including Carson – lived in Eau Claire.

HANK AARON One of the greatest men to ever play baseball got his start right here in town. Henry Aaron’s first pro gig playing baseball was for the Eau Claire Bears in 1952 – then part of the Boston (soon to be Milwaukee, then Atlanta) Braves’ farm program. He quickly moved up and after one season was promoted to another team.

FYI:

FAC T C H E C K : Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Titanic, Jack Dawson, says he’s from Chippewa Falls, and remembers swimming in Lake Wissota – which actually didn’t exist in at the time the Titanic sailed. EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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LOCAL POLITICS IF THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR HOME FOR AWHILE, you better

know how it all works and how you can get involved. Eau Claire is a small city, which is pretty great if you’re interested in politics. The city is big enough to deal with some unique and exciting issues, but small enough that you can really make your mark on the political system. The city doesn’t have a mayor, and instead functions with an elected City Council and a hired city manager. Local elections are generally in spring and state and national elections are in fall and, yes, your vote really does matter. So hit the polls!

ELECTED LEADERS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

TERRY WELD

JEFF SMITH

JODI EMERSON

RON KIND

City Council President

State Senate

State Assembly

U.S. Congress

GET INVOLVED! GO TO A MEETING:

The Eau Claire City

JOIN A COMMITTEE:

The city is always

Council meets in the second and fourth weeks of

looking for people to lend their voices to

each month. Meetings are over two days: Public

discussions on specific issues. Committees

hearings are Mondays at 7pm and legislative

range from zoning to sustainability and

meetings are Tuesdays at 4pm. Find a full sched-

usually meet monthly. Serving on one

ule and learn how you can stream meetings

is a great way to take an active role in a

online at EauClaireWi.gov/Government.

specific area you’re passionate about.

DID YOU KNOW? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

2020-21 Elections Nov. 3 - General Election (for partisan offices, including U.S. president) Feb. 16 - Spring Primary (local nonpartisan offices) Apr. 6 - Spring General Election

Find out where you vote, what you need to bring, and what’s on the ballot at MyVote.wi.gov VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

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POPULATION OF THE CITY OF EAU CLAIRE

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YEAR EAU CLAIRE WAS INCORPORATED

SQUARE MILEAGE OF THE CITY OF EAU CLAIRE

CHIPPEWA VALLEY’S AREA CODE

ACRES OF PARKLAND IN EAU CLAIRE

RESTAURANTS IN THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY

MILES OF RIVER RUNNING THROUGH EAU CLAIRE

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WHAT’s hot now WE’RE SURE YOU’LL KEEP UP ON THE NEWS NOW THAT YOU LIVE HERE, but to get you started here are a few of the bigger stories from

the last year that’ll keep popping up in local headlines.

‘VOTE’ MURAL IN DOWNTOWN E.C.

mural mania 2020 may go down in history as the year of the mural in Eau Claire: Among the literal bright spots during this challenging time have been the profusion of outdoor wall art popping up in town. In July, visiting artist Clark Stoeckley painted two timely “VOTE” murals on downtown buildings (the side of Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor facing Farwell Street and the back of Details clothing store at Water Street and Fifth Avenue). Then a group of artists created a Black Lives Matter mural on the back of the Lismore Hotel downtown, which features the faces of George Floyd, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, and other Black people who died in police custody. In late summer, artist Rehannah Petska created a mural reading “Love is the Key” on the back of The Metro, facing Lake Street, and other murals are planned nearby thanks to the upcoming “Color Block” project. Add these to other murals created in recent years – including the Bon Iver album art next to the old State Theatre and the Instragram-worthy mural by Chicago artist Molly Z a few blocks down the street – and Eau Claire is on track to become Mural City.

Keep up to date: EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Keep up with print publications like Volume One or the Leader-Telegram, on TV with WEAU 13 and WQOW 18, or on air with WPR News. VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

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IRONSIDE AXE CLUB

IT’S AXE SEASON

Have you studied the blade? Considering Eau Claire started as a lumber town, it’s not surprising that axe throwing has caught on as a recreational trend here. In late 2019, Action City (2402 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire) opened the area’s first axethrowing facility. (If you’re not into sharp objects, Action City has go-karts, a trampoline park, and an arcade, too.) Over the summer, axe-throwing has popped up in two more places: Ironside Axe Club (2930 London Road, Eau Claire) and Stout Craft Co. (1501 N. Broadway, Menomonie). If you feel like taking out your aggression by throwing a sharp object as a target, these places have you covered.

FOLKSY FRIENDS Taylor Swift surprised the world – and topped the charts – when her new album, Folklore, dropped in July. The disc’s second single, “Exile,” featured the voice (and composing talent) of Eau Claire native and Blugold grad Justin Vernon (better known as Bon Iver). While Bon Iver has won a couple of Grammys, “Exile” marks the band’s first appearance on the Hot 100. Thanks, T-Swizzle!

AN ARTIST’S CONCEPTION OF THE FLESCH FAMILY WELCOME CENTER

CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION Don’t be surprised if you see some bulldozers and barricades on and around the UW-Eau Claire campus – excellence, as they say, is always under construction. The new Flesch Family Welcome Center, which is going up on Roosevelt Avenue, is expected to be finished in the summer of 2021. Renovations also began in 2020 on Governors Hall on upper campus. Meanwhile, work to create the Sonnentag Centre – a major event center on Menomonie Street that would serve both the campus and community and would replace Zorn Arena – was put on hold in April 2020 in part because of COVID-19. EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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G A EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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GETTING AROUND EAU CLAIRE HAS A LOT TO OFFER, BUT FIRST YOU HAVE TO GET OUT THERE. Luckily, we’re also pretty good at that. Whether you have a car, a bike, or just your own two feet, check here for the scoop on getting around.

TRANSPORTATION 20

BUS ROUTES 22

NEIGHBORHOODS 24

TRANSPORTATION WHILE IT’S PRETTY DANG EASY TO WALK OR BIKE to everything you need, sometimes you want to get out of downtown and explore the rest of the city – or at least move a little more quickly in the dead of winter.

EAU CLAIRE OFFERS REAL-TIME BUS TRACKING WHIZBANGERY Lucky you! Eau Clare Transit offers real-time online bus tracking. With the amazing power of GPS, you can track our fine city’s buses via computer or smartphone. This means you can whip out your phone and pull up a map of the city’s bus routes to see each bus moving along the streets of Eau Claire like you’re James Freaking Bond. The map not only displays routes and realtime bus movement, it also shows you where the bus stops are, and it can even estimate your wait time. LIKE MAGIC. In the Apple App Store or Google Play, find the DoubleMap Bus Tracker app. For web browser tracking, go here: ectbustracker. doublemap. com/map

UBER / LYFT Ya know, both Uber and Lyft operate in Eau Claire, so if you need a ride, pull up their apps and get cruising.

OTHER LOCAL TRANSIT OPTIONS: A-1 EAU CLAIRE TAXI (715) 831-8294 • 2600 Mercantile Dr.

CHIPPEWA VALLEY AIRPORT SERVICE (715) 830-9400 • www.ChippewaValleyAirportService.com • The CV Airport Service gets you to and from the Minneapolis airport from their west side service station. You can reserve a spot online or by calling.

DELIVERY FIX + TAXI (715) 835-5853 • info@deliveryfix.com.

DOOR 2 DOOR TAXI AND TRANSPORTATION (715) 514-4550 • info@door2doortaxi.com.

LIMO CAB

Eau Claire Bike Cab

(715) 559-7327 Pedicabs are bicycle-drawn carriages. In the warmer months, they cover Water Street, Barstow Street, and points in between, Tuesday through Saturday.

DID YOU KNOW? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

(715) 835-1413 • 2619 E. Clairemont Ave.

RIGHTWAY SHUTTLE SAFE RIDE (BLUE BUS) (715) 210-6791 • The Blue Bus offers a cheap, safe ride to students on weekend nights, running Friday and Saturday, 8pm2:30am for only $2.

Most Eau Claire Transit buses have free Wi-Fi, so get some work (or Facebook) in as you ride. VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

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EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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Route Map

ALL ROUTES

Map MAP Key KEY

Route 1

MELBY ST

Route 2 - 12

Route 3 Route 3 - 4

STARR AVE

Route 4 Chippewa Valley Regional Airport

Route 5 - 15 Route 6 Route 7 - 17 Route 8 - 18 Route 9 - 19 Route 20 - 21 Express 10

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EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

16 16 OFFICE - 715.839.5111 EAU CLAIRE BUSES

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OAKWOOD HILLS PRKWY

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TAKE THE BUS

STATE ST

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Monday - Friday

ALTOONA BUSES

7:30 am- 4:00 pm

HOLIDAY

New Year

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BUSINESS

MELBY STMELBY ST

A leader and innovator in enhancing life quality through exceptional public transportation options.

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Featured Stops

Lake Altoona Lake Altoona

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A. Altoona Middle & High School B. BioLife Plasma Services C. Carson Park D. City Hall E. Courthouse F. CVTC G. Delong Middle School H. DMV I. Family Medicine Clinic J. Festival Foods Locations K. Hope Gospel Mission Bargain Center L. Marshfield Clinic Oakwood Center M. Marshfield Clinic Riverview Center N. Mayo Clinic – Clairemont Campus O. Mayo Clinic – Luther Campus P. Menards Q. North High School R. Oakwood Mall S. Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Center T. Target U. Transit Office (CMF) V. UWEC W. Walmart X. Sacred Heart Hospital

CITY OFCITY ALTOONA OF ALTOONA

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EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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HOLIDAY HOLIDAY CLOSURES CLOSURES New Year’s New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Memorial

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WELCOME TO THE

NEIGHBORHOOD EVEN IF YOU LIVE ON CAMPUS , you’ll probably (read: you should) make your way out to the neighborhoods that surround UW-Eau Claire. HERE’S A QUICK RUNDOWN >>

Galloway St

Main St

w Far e ll St

5th Ave

Lake St

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State St

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2 Clairemont Ave

GET INVOLVED! EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Most neighborhoods have active neighborhood associations that maintain websites, host events, and are there to help. VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

) .

RANDALL PARK

1 RANDALL PARK

Tons of students live this area. The Historic Randall Park Neighborhood is home to thousands of students, but also some of the oldest homes in Eau Claire and plenty of families. Named after the park that sits in the center (with the statue of ol’ Adin Randall himself), this is a nice neighborhood to call home after the residence halls.

THIRD WARD

The Third Ward – creatively named after its voting district – hosts a perfect mix of family homes, students, and young professionals in gorgeously eclectic houses. The neighborhood is known to many students as just a parking lot, but take a walk through and you’ll see a couple of gorgeous parks, community gardens, and more.

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

PUTNAM HEIGHTS

Just off upper campus you’ll find Shopko and Wendy’s, but tucked behind that is Putnam Heights, a large residential area that connects the downtown with Eau Claire’s south side. The neighborhood is dotted with ballparks and other sports facilities shared by the university and city.

DOWNTOWN

Beyond the shops, restaurants, and bars that line Barstow Street are a number of residences. With a generally young population, Downtown has been bustling with new construction and renovations.

EASTSIDE HILL

Just up the hill from downtown, the Eastside Hill is made up of young families, students, and young professionals alike. There is great access to the city’s bike trails, and Boyd Park is one of the city’s most active, with events all year and a basketball court that’s crawling with pickup games. Watch for their massive thrift sale day in early May. VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

S S EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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SHOPPING SPENDING AND

WE KNOW YOU’RE NO MONEYBAGS OVER THERE. College students are notoriously strapped for cash as they juggle school and jobs, but start here to find the best places to get the essentials – or to treat yourself.

GROCERIES & MUSIC 28

GAMES & FITNESS 29

Where do i GET... MOVING TO A NEW CITY CAN BE TOUGH, especially figuring out where your regular spots are. We mined our Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll (volumeone.org/bestof) to find the spots locals say you should shop.

WHERE DO I BUY GROCERIES?

REVIVAL RECORDS

3007 Mall Dr., Eau Claire The Midwest chain offers a massive variety of food, including a huge organic section. And most recently, Festival has taken over two additional EC locations at 2717 Birch Street and 2615 North Clairemont Avenue.

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WOODMAN’S MARKET

2855 Woodman Ave., Altoona This enormous, employee-owned grocery store is packed to the gills with just about any kind of food item you’d ever need.

WHERE DO I BUY MUSIC?

Sure you can load up your iTunes, but sometimes it’s nice to talk to a real person and get some new

JUST LOCAL FOOD

recommendations.

1117 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire

REVIVAL RECORDS

The downtown co-op offers a variety of locally produced and organic products, including fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and milk. They also have organic cleaning and bath products.

128 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire The downtown record store offers a massive collection of new and used vinyl and used CDs with a friendly staff to boot. They also host occassional all-ages shows and signing events.

JUST LOCAL FOOD

THE LOCAL STORE 205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire The Local Store offers music from hundreds of local and former local musicians on CD, vinyl, and cassette. Plus lots of in-store performances of all kinds – concerts, readings, art openings, film screenings and more.

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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FESTIVAL FOODS

TOWNIE TIP:

The weekend after Thanksgiving is “Small Business Saturday,” and local shops roll out all kinds of great deals.

VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

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WHERE DO I WORK OUT?

EAU CLAIRE GAMES & ARCADE

EAU CLAIRE YMCA 700 Graham Ave., Eau Claire

GOLD’S GYM 3225 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire

HIGHLAND FITNESS

WHERE DO I GO TO GAME?

2221 Eastridge Center, Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE GAMES & ARCADE

WHERE CAN I DO YOGA?

2928 London Rd., Eau Claire

Recently expanded to a new location, this gaming stop features everything you’d need for card and tabletop games – from Magic: The Gathering to Pokémon – but also has a plethora of video game systems and tournaments. And if that’s not enough, they’ve added a pinball arcade complete with classic vintage arcade games too.

GAMES BY JAMES

LATITUDE 44 313 E. Madison St.., Eau Claire

THE YOGA ROOM 2839 Mall Dr., Eau Claire

DRAGONFLY DANCE & WELLNESS 308 N Barstow St., Eau Claire

Oakwood Mall, 4800 Golf Rd., Eau Claire

The absolute widest selection of tabletop and card games for sale in the Chippewa Valley.

GAMING GENERATIONS 4052 Commonwealth Ave., Eau Claire

Gaming Generations is now located in the Oakwood Mall area and can fill all your video game needs with systems, games, and repairs. They also offer cards, dice and other tabletop accessories.

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WHERE CAN MY FOLKS STAY WHILE VISITING? THE LISMORE HOTEL

THE OXBOW HOTEL

333 Gibson St., Eau Claire

516 Galloway St., Eau Claire

Eau Claire is home to some swanky downtown hotels your parents will love. The Lismore Hotel features 112 rooms bathed in natural light, offering great views of the downtown area. Inside, you’ll find The Informalist, a full service locallysourced restaurant; Dive, a cool cocktail bar with a rooftop lounge; and ECDC, a café and bakery offering fresh food, coffee, and after-hours drinks and desserts. Right in the heart of the city, you family will find plenty local action.

The Oxbow Hotel offers a unique stay with its woodsy “modern lodge” vibe, featuring funky amenities like in-room turntables and a vinyl library to check out records. Also located downtown, The Oxbow offers easy access to the Eau Claire River and Chippewa River recreation trail (which you can see up close with their bike and kayak rentals). It also houses The Lakely – a downtown eatery with unique farm-to-table offerings, live jazz, killer brunch, and craft cocktails.

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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FOOD DRINK AND

BRING ON THE FRESHMAN FIFTEEN. There’s some darn good food here and someone’s gotta eat it. Whether you’re looking for fancy or cheap, Eau Claire’s got exactly what you want to chow down on.

CHEAP EATS 34

LATE NIGHT 36

COFFEE SHOPS 38

CHEAP EATS LOVE YOUR HOMETOWN’S FAST FOOD? We’ve got that here, too, but you could also try these local joints with the same scrumptious results.

FAST FOOD CONVERSIONS

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EAU CLAIRE CHEESE & DELI

E AU CL AI RE CHE E SE & DELI :

IF YOU LIKE SUBWAY...

Great place to stop and get a fabulous sandwich, not to mention the wonderful cheese choices and the fantastic ice cream.

Try Eau Claire Cheese & Deli – with their huge, gorgeous, deli-fresh sandwiches featuring Wisconsin cheese, this little gem is a local favorite. Carry out- and lunchtime-only, this spot also serves up delicious ice cream. You can also check out the Acoustic Cafe for an excellent hoagie or a pita pocket alongside a cup of soup or a coffee.

-samlexsyd

SAVE A BUCK!

A lot of restaurants and business in Eau Claire offer student discounts with your Blugold ID. Doesn’t hurt to ask!

The loo furt piz cia step ‘zas

IF YOU LIKE QDOBA... Our own local burritos-as-big-as-your-head stop is Burrachos, which offers all the Baja fare you need right on Water Street (and up by Target and Walmart). Best part? They’re open ’til bar close on the weekends. Trust me, those burritos will save your life. From their space on Water Street, Burrito Xpress serves up quick, $7 burritos all day, pumped full of flavor. Oh, and did we mention they deliver?

STAFF PICKS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

EGG ROLL PLUS 1611 Bellinger St., Eau Claire Consistently at the top of our Best Of poll for its wonderful Vietnamese flavors, giant egg rolls, and delicious pho.

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GIROLAMO’S COURT ’N’ HOUSE

IF YOU LIKE FIVE GUYS... Girolamo’s Court ’n’ House is the quintessential Wisconsin bar and burger place, just about a mile walk from campus. You don’t need to add much to their beautifully juicy patties, which are 2-for-1 on Thursdays. Dooley’s Pub on Water St. offers great specialty burgers, Irish fare, and they’re close to campus. We implore you to try their massive cheese curds. G I R OL AM O ’ S COU RT ‘ N ’ H OU S E:

THE BEST BURGERS! This is my first choice for a burger joint. The vegetarian burger and the pepper jack burger are favs. Keep on keepin’ on, Court ‘n House!

–rebekah

FOOD TRUCK CINEMA AT RIVER PRAIRIE PARK

IF YOU LIKE DOMINOS... There’s plenty of great pizza in this town, but if you’re looking for something fast, cheap, and nearby look no further than Buzzy’s. Known for their mac & cheese pizza, you really can’t go wrong with anything, especially when they sell by the slice in the evenings. For a step up on your slice, try The Informalist’s specialty ‘zas with unique flavors and local ingredients. THE INFORMALIST

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food trucks

CHICK-A-DEES

1928 3rd St., Eau Claire A classic greasy spoon diner, perfect for getting a cheap breakfast or lunch when you need some comfort food.

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT? Embrace the mobile food revolution Over the past few years, the national food truck trend has been easing into Eau Claire, but it recently kicked into a higher gear. In 2018, the Eau Claire City Council expanded the number of parks where licensed food trucks can serve up mobile munchies. They’ve also made special allowances for smaller neighborhood parks in an effort to bring those communities closer together. The new ordinances, combined with an ever-increasing presence at local events and private businesses (like breweries) seems to be convincing Eau Claire restaurateurs that a food truck or trailer is worth a try. On top of all that, Volume One hosts Food Truck Friday in the summer, where once a month, a tasty lineup of trucks parks in Phoenix Park for lunch and dinner Looking for info on local trucks? Check out tinyurl.com/EauClaireFoodTrucks for listings. VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

LATE NIGHT SOMETIMES YOU’RE UP WAY TOO LATE INTO THE NIGHT, UM ... STUDYING. There’s nothing that keeps you going like a little grub, and being a college town, Eau Claire has plenty to offer.

THE PLUS

208 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire

The downtown pizza spot is a great all-ages venue, but also serves pizza and appetizers late into the night, like at their Thursday night comedy shows. Try their Bacon Smoked Gouda Pizza if you’re looking for something unique.

NINJA

405 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire

This swanky sushi spot has awesome Japanese and Chinese eats and they serve ‘em til midnight on Friday and Saturday. Get a few rolls to cap off your night or try their great lunch specials when the sun is out.

Top to t

THE DISTRICT PUB & GRILL

101 Graham Ave., Eau Claire

The District is a great spot to grab some late night grub. Between their killer fish fry on Thursdays and Fridays and a big menu with stellar pub food, you won’t have to go to bed with a empty stomach. EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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'ROUND THE CLOCK

PERKINS RESTAURANT

2025 Highland Ave., Eau Claire

The 24-hour breakfast and comfort food will be there whenever you need it most, just a quick drive from campus.

WHEN YOU NEED THE FOOD TO COME TO YOU — Late night delivery joints —

TOPPERS PIZZA

toppers.com (multiple Eau Claire locations)

Toppers has a crazy array of specialty pizzas sure to tickle your late night fancy. Their Topperstix are usually what your party needs. —

BUZZY’S PIZZA EMPORIUM (715) 552-1600

DOMINO’S PIZZA (715) 833-3933, (715) 833-3930

ERBERT & GERBERT’S (715) 835-9995

QUICK WOK (715) 832-4545

PIZZA HUT & WINGSTREET (715) 834-1004, (715) 834-5346

BURRITO XPRESS (715) 855-8590 EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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coffee shops

SH CO

YOU CAN GET A LOT DONE in the library or holed up in your room, but sometimes you just need to get out and work in the quiet bustle of a coffee shop. Luckily, Eau Claire has you covered with plenty of the glorious java right near campus.

TUCKED INSIDE TH E L I S M O R E H OT E L I N D OW N TOW N

EAU CLAIRE DOWNTOWN COFFEE (ECDC)

EAU CLAI RE you’ll find ECDC (Eau Claire Downtown Coffee). Expect high-quality coffee drinks and food in a swanky space, including a fireplace lounge. The menu includes grab-and-go breakfasts and salads, made-to-order paninis, and fresh baked goods. A great late night venue with drinks, desserts, and baked goods. There’s lots to love and it’s a really great study spot too.

333 Gibson Street Eau Claire

Lovely carmel pecan rolls and breakfast kolache. Fun atmosphere. Look for local celebrity sightings!

5 min. drive from UW-Eau Claire (715) 318-6461

from VolumeOne.org/restaurants

STAFF PICKS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

–gena

THE GOAT COFFEE HOUSE 336 Water St., Eau Claire The Goat is a prime place to hunker down with a latte, throw some headphones on, and take care of business.

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SHIFT CYCLERY + COFFEE BAR NESTLED RIGHT ON THE E D GE OF DOWNTOWN EAU CLAIRE

615 Graham Ave, Eau Claire 10 min. walk from UW-Eau Claire

is one of the (715) 514-5060 coolest and most unique cafés this side of the Chippewa River. SHIFT Cyclery + Coffee Bar is half coffeeshop, half bike shop, and it’s got a warm, welcoming vibe whether you’re getting some work done, tuning up your bike, or hanging out with pals. They’ve got kombucha on tap, tons of coffee options, and delicious waffles to keep you going. Check out their calendar for live music, art shows, social bike rides, and food truck appearances.

THE COFFEE GROUNDS T H E CO F F EE G R O U N DS I S A CAS UA L , EU RO PEA N ST YLE CA F É

4212 Southtowne Dr. Eau Claire 10 min. drive from UW-Eau Claire (715) 834-1733

plopped into the middle of a gourmet food/coffee/beer/wine/ cigar giftshop. They offer a variety of baked goods, homemade soups, and fresh unique sandwiches. Their menu is always evolving and you can order lunch online. There’s a ton of great coffee, but also some cool events – not to mention K Point Brewing is built in, serving excellent brews. Whatever it is you’re craving, the Coffee Grounds has got you.

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ACOUSTIC CAFÉ 505 S Barstow St.

STAFF PICKS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Acoustic Cafe is a mainstay of downtown Eau Claire with great coffee, baked goods, live music, and delicious hoagies.

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arts AND

ENTERTAINMENT YOU LOOK LIKE YOU NEED A BREAK FROM STUDYING. Or at least a new soundtrack to get you through the night. Check here for info on what bands to listen to, where to see movies, and where to find inspiration.

LOCAL MUSIC 44

VISUAL ARTS 48

STAGE + SCREEN 49

LOCAL MUSIC WHO TO LISTEN FOR

Eau Claire does pretty well on the music front. Beyond the worldwide acclaim of some of our indie bands and jazz musicians, this city has a little something for everyone.

THEM COULEE BOYS themcouleeboys.com For a group of down-to-earth Wisconsin kids, Them Coulee Boys are takin’ their high energy folk tunes all over the country, and blowing up big time. Their latest album Die Happy came together with the help of Dave Simonett from Trampled By Turtles, and they’ve been touring every nook and cranny of the U.S. near constantly for the last few years. There’s plenty to be excited about for the future of Them Coulee Boys, and their songs are rich with foot-stompin’ energy and poignant emotional turns as well. Don’t sleep on ‘em. F O R FA N S O F : The Avett Brothers, Trampled By Turtles, cowboy boots

VENUES THE METRO 201 E. Lake St. What you’ll see: National touring acts, regional headliners, local bands across genres ALL AGES • PRICE VARIES

WHERE TO START: “Midnight Manifestos” from Die Happy (2019)

DID YOU KNOW? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Every other year, Eau Claire is host to the World Flute Society Convention, which is actually a pretty big deal, with hundreds flocking here to participate.

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Pro time Hea

SLOSLYLOVE sloslylove.bandcamp.com

Eau Claire producer Sloslylove uses hardware to make complex and infectious beats, over catchy ‘80s synthwave vibes, perfect for dance functions.

NAALIA naalia.bandcamp.com

This sister/brother group formed in 2019 and makes songs chock full of lush R&B vibes that blend old school with modern feelings.

SNIFFLE PARTY sniffleparty.bandcamp.com

Sniffle Party’s dreamy synthpop tunes combine experimental sounds with catchy synths, moody ‘80s inspired beats, and stadium pop hooks.

ARMS ALOFT armsaloft.bandcamp.com

Arms Aloft are the definitive punk band in Eau Claire with hard-hitting songs, empassioned lyrics, and an unextinguishable DIY spirit to boot.

FOR FANS OF:

Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, lasers, the beach WHERE TO START:

“Can’t Let Go” from The Haunted (2014)

FOR FANS OF:

Alicia Keys, Solange, getting the chills WHERE TO START:

“No One But You” a single from 2019

FOR FANS OF:

Sylvan Esso, Grimes, the Drive soundtrack, crying WHERE TO START:

“Peach Dream” from Peach Dream EP (2016)

FOR FANS OF:

The Gaslight Anthem, Billy Bragg, basement shows WHERE TO START:

“The Truth Is Out There” from What A Time To Be Barely Alive (2016)

TEAWHYB

FOR FANS OF:

soundcloud.com/teawhyb

Travis Scott, Post Malone, hugs, doing the woah

Rapper TeawhYB makes infectious poppy trap music with positive affirmations and tons of energy. Catch a live show or some of his unique videos.

Prolific songwriter Will Jennings was a UW-Eau Claire professor for a short time. The lyricist penned some Grammy-nominated tunes, including “My Heart Will Go On,” “Higher Love,” and “Tears In Heaven.” EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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WHERE TO START:

“Far Away” from Letters Inbetween EP (2019)

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The Eau Claire area loves a big music festival – especially in the summertime. Between our long-running country and rock festivals and some other unique options, there’s a lot in store for every music lover in the great outdoors.

MUSIC FESTIVALS EAUX CLAIRES

COUNTRY JAM

LOCATION:

WHEN:

Downtown Eau Claire TBD YEAR FOUNDED : 2015 MUSIC: Eaux Claires and its eclectic musical acts and art installations have plans to take over downtown Eau Claire each summer, curated by Bon Iver and The National. Recent headliners include Chance The Rapper, James Blake, Pussy Riot, and Sylvan Esso. WEB: eauxclaires.com

Foster Farm, Eau Claire

July

1990 Modern country. Recent headliners include Toby Keith, Maren Morris, Chris Kroeze, Keith Urban WEB: countryjamwi.com YEAR FOUNDED: MUSIC:

BLUE OX

Festival grounds, Cadott June YEAR FOUNDED: 1987 MUSIC: Modern country. Recent headliners include Sugarland, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town WEB: countryfest.com

Whispering Pines, Eau Claire June YEAR FOUNDED: 2015 MUSIC: Modern and tradtitional bluegrass, roots, and Americana. Recent headliners include the Trampled By Turtles, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Pert Near Sandstone WEB: blueoxmusicfestival.com

ROCK FEST

ONEFEST

LOCATION:

COUNTRY FEST

WHEN:

LOCATION: WHEN:

Festival grounds, Cadott

LOCATION:

July

WHEN:

1994 Metal, modern rock, and classic rock. Recent headliners include Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Breaking Benjamin WEB: rock-fest.com YEAR FOUNDED: MUSIC:

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

N.W. State Fairgrounds, Chippewa Falls

July

2018 Contemporary Christian rock, pop, singer/ songwriter. Recent headliners include Newsboys, Francesca Battistelli, Building 429 WEB: one-fest.com YEAR FOUNDED: MUSIC:

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HOUSE + BASEMENT SHOWS

univerThe plethora of musicians surrounding the hthroug s venue house sity and downtown breeds borneigh Hill de Eastsi and Park ll Randa out the rs hoods, often publicized on Facebook and poste are Claire Eau in shows house The town. d aroun your the perfect, intimate, all-ages place to see new. hing somet er discov or , bands local te favori

ACOUSTIC CAFE 505 S. Barstow St.

What you’ll see: Folk, singer-songwriters, jazz, bluegrass ALL AGES • FREE —

THE MOUSETRAP

THE LAKELY

THE CABIN

311 S. Barstow St.

516 Galloway St.

Davies Center, UW-Eau Claire What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, indie rock, jazz, small touring acts

What you’ll see: Jazz several nights a week, local and touring bands on gallery nights, bluegrass during brunch

ALL AGES • FREE

ALL AGES • PRICE VARIES

—

THE PLUS

PABLO CENTER

208 S. Barstow St.

128 Graham Ave.

What you’ll see: Local bands, jazz, funk, open mics, comedy, hip-hop

What you’ll see: National touring acts, classical, jazz, indie, country, theater, comedy.

ALL AGES • PRICE VARIES

What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, bluegrass, jam bands, indie rock, funk, open mics, touring acts 21+ • FREE —

VOLUME ONE GALLERY 205 N. Dewey St.

What you’ll see: Local bands, stripped down, musician interviews, book readings ALL AGES • FREE

ALL THAT JAZZ

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EAU CLAIRE JAZZ FESTIVAL & JAZZ CRAWL

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

UW-Eau Claire and Eau Claire’s high schools have extensive and successful jazz programs, creating a great jazz scene in the area. Look out for Eau Claire’s annual Jazz Fest in April, when an entire stretch of downtown will turn into a collection of historically themed jazz venues. Jazz players take to the downtown streets for Jazz Crawl, a street festival with outdoor performances and tons of jazzy energy.

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VISUAL ARTS SOME PEOPLE SEE ART EVERYWHERE, and in Eau Claire that’s actually not that hard. The city is covered with public art on city streets, in parks, and in local galleries and businesses. Whether you’re looking to expand your mind or just get a little inspiration, here’s where to go:

JAMES W. HANSEN GALLERY 128 Graham Ave.. (part of the Pablo Center at the Confluence) pablocenter.org What you’ll see: Variety of regional and national artists THE ANNUAL INK & PAPER SALE AT THE VOLUME ONE GALLERY

GRAHAM AVENUE WALKING GALLERY

200 Main Gallery

Galaudet Gallery

128 Graham Ave.. (part of the Pablo Center at the Confluence) pablocenter.org

What you’ll see: Locally produced fine art, home decor

What you’ll see: Touring fine art, local artists

What you’ll see: Variety of regional and national artists

Foster Gallery

EC PUBLIC LIBRARY

ARTISAN FORGE

200 Main St. facebook.com/200Maineauclaire

121 Water St. (Haas Fine Arts) uwec.edu/art

618 S. Farwell St. GalaudetGallery.yolasite.com

400 Eau Claire St. ECPublicLibrary.info

1106 Mondovi Rd. artisanforgestudios.com

What you’ll see: Touring shows, student & faculty art

What you’ll see: Local artists, collaborative shows

What you’ll see: Local artists, outdoor large-scale 3D art

STONE SPACE GALLERY

TANGLED UP IN HUE

VOLUME ONE GALLERY

431 Water St. facebook.com/stonespacegallery

505 S. Barstow St. TangledUpInHue.com

205 N. Dewey St. VolumeOne.org/store

What you’ll see: Locally created stone and space art.

What you’ll see: Local arts/ crafts, usable art

What you’ll see: Local prints, posters, & fine art

The Sculpture Tour Eau Claire brings a new set of sculptures to Eau Claire each spring, with dozens lining Water Street, Barstow Street, and other locations downtown. The tour generally runs year-round and favorite sculptures are purchased by the city or local businesses to stay here in town. Find out more at SculptureTour.org.

TOWNIE TIP:

There’s a small, hidden art gallery on Water Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. You can get the key by asking at The Joynt, 322 Water St.

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

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STAGE + SCREEN AVENUE Q AT THE OXFORD

CLEAR WATER COMEDY Eau Claire is home to an awesome independent standup comedy scene, happening at The Plus on Barstow Street. The Tuesday night open mic is a great place to see up and comers (or try some bits yourself), and on Thursday nights you can check out touring and local comic showcases presented by Clear Water Comedy. You’ll also find a couple of super fun annual events where you can catch the funnies throughout the year featuring our homegrown comedians.

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EAU CLAIRE HAS A ROBUST THEATER SCENE, supported by both the university and local community theater groups. The two major community groups in town are the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild and the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre. Both produce shows at their own venues as well as at the Pablo Center at the Confluence downtown. Interested in participating? Keep an eye out for auditions!

MARY MACK

CHIPPEWA VALLEY THEATRE GUILD

EAU CLAIRE CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Main theater: Grand Theatre 102 W. Grand St., Eau Claire www.cvtg.org

Main theater: The Oxford 1814 N. Oxford Ave., Eau Claire www.ecct.org

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The Eau Claire Downtown Cinema releases movies a little after everyone else in town, but at a greatly reduced price which gives you a little more flexibility. They’ve also just recently renovated the place to accomodate more seating, and they serve pizza and other food to enjoy with your film.

One of the area’s greatest little movie theaters is right on campus. Located on the third level of W. R. Davies Student Center, Woodland Theater is a 202-seat auditorium with all-digital projection and a state-of-the-art surround sound system, showing a wide array of mainstream and indie films.

Downtown Cinema 315 S. Barstow St. (715) 832-3355

WOODLAND THEATER UW-Eau Claire Davies Center (715) 836-INFO

UW-Eau Claire hosts an outdoor free movie series all summer long on the lawn by Haas Fine Arts, featuring new and old films.

DID YOU KNOW? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

UNIQUE THEATERS

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o EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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recreation AND

outdoors THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE GREAT OUTDOORS. And Eau Claire’s outdoors are really great. Whether you just want a place to sit out and tan or you’re looking for your next centennial trail ride, check out the ammenities here.

EAU CLAIRE PARKS 54

KUBB CITY 56

CYCLING CULTURE 59

WINTER FUN 60

SUMMER FUN 61

EAU CLAIRE PARKS

chippew

3rd St

7th St

N. Eddy St

IF YOU’RE A LAY-IN-THE-GRASS STUDIER OR A THROW-THEFRISBEE-AROUND KINDA PERSON, Eau Claire’s parks should have what you’re looking for. A bunch of parks right around campus offer a variety of amenities and spaces that show off Eau Claire’s natural beauty.

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But wait, there’s more EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

For more information on city parks, check out the City Of Eau Claire’s website, eauclairewi.gov.

VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

PHOENIX PARK

e i-

1 Owen Park

The strip of land along First Avenue has tennis courts, a bandshell with live music, and a playground. Among the trees you’ll find plenty of space for yoga, frisbee, and hammocking. Conveniently enough, the Chippewa Valley State Trail cuts right through as well.

The large forest in the middle of the city is best known by students as the place where the Blugolds play football, but it has much more than that. Half Moon Lake is a quiet place for boating and fishing, and there are multiple trail systems that let you get out of civilization for a bit. It’s also home to a gorgeous baseball stadium, home of the Eau Claire Express.

2 Randall Park

Named after city forefather Adin Randall, Randall Park (which is also the namesake of the neighborhood it sits in) occupies a square block between Third and Fourth Streets. It’s a small, quiet space with lots of shade, perfect for reading or studying.

Phoenix Park

The relatively new park in downtown Eau Claire sits at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers and is home to the weekly Downtown Farmers Market. The park offers gorgeous views of the rivers, a labyrinth with occasional live music and the best place to kick off a tubing expedition. EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Carson Park

Mt. Simon Park

Another park that feels like it’s much further out of the city, the hike up Mt. Simon gives the premiere view of the city. Mt. Simon is also host to one of Eau Claire’s disc golf courses and probably some of the best cliff jumping in the region.

Putnam Trail

The trail kicks off right behind the Davies Center parking lot and continues roughly a mile into the heart of the Third Ward Neighborhood. The wooded area is perfect for a secluded romantic walk and ends right next to Demmler Park. VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

kubb AS LEGEND TELLS IT, the friendly and strategic game of “kubb” originated thousands of years ago when surly Vikings played it with the skulls and femurs of their enemies. This can’t be proved, but it adds a certain mystique to a game most often played at barbecues and picnics.

WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT KUBB (PRONOUNCED “KOOB”) IS AN INDIE LAWN SPORT – huge in Sweden and other parts of Europe – played with batons and blocks of wood instead of bone. Over the past decade, kubb has taken root in Eau Claire, which is the official “Kubb Capital of North America.” All year long it’s played in backyards and at schools across the city, but things really heat up in July when the U.S. National Kubb Championship sprawls across the Eau Claire Soccer Park – a two-day battle attracting hundreds of players from around the country. And there’s no experience necessary – every year novices have a blast competing at the Championship, learning on the fly as they dive into the kubb community. Fun fact: an Eau Claire team took second place in the World Championships held in Sweden in summer 2014. We live and breathe kubb around here, so get to know it! Learn more and find official rules at USAKubb.org and WisconsinKubb.com

Put simply, it’s an addictive outdoor game perfect for casual and competitve players alike.

WHERE CAN I BUY A KUBB SET? Kubb sets can be purchased in Eau Claire at The Local Store (205 N. Dewey Street). Or if you don’t mind paying hefy shipping, go online at jpsbackyardgames.com and oldtimegames.com

THE US NATIONAL KUBB CHAMPIONSHIP, EAU CLAIRE

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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CYCLING CULTURE BIKES ARE PERFECT FOR GETTING AROUND TOWN, and biking also one of the best ways to relax around the Chippewa Valley. With miles of trails, take the ol’ two-wheeler out for a nice leisurely ride around town ... or a race!

THE VALLEYCAT Every year, cyclists from around the area gather in Eau Claire for a race that doesn’t take place on trails or a track, but on the actual streets of the city. The scavenger hunt style trek takes you all over, picking up clues at checkpoints and finding your own way to the finish line. Check out more details at ValleyCat.org.

IT’S THE LAW BIKE LAWS VARY BY STATE AND CITY, SO HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO RIDE SAFELY IN EAU CLAIRE:

THE CHIPPEWA RIVER STATE TRAIL cuts right through Eau Claire, connecting to campus by Haas Fine Arts and the footbridge. It stretches toward Owen Park, or behind Water Street. Take the Owen Park direction for a more urban, city bike ride that takes you through neighborhoods and past shops and old factories. Take the route down Water Street to get out of town fast and into some gorgeous terrain along the Chippewa River.

Did you know? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Cyclists must obey all traffic laws, including stoplights and stop signs • At night, bikers should have a forward-facing head lamp • Cyclists should never be attached to a motor vehicle to hitch a free ride • Don’t be an idiot. Wear a helmet.

Many trails around the Chippewa Valley are the result of the Rails to Trails program, which converts unused rail tracks into multipurpose trails.

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WINTER FUN THE WISCONSIN WINTER CAN BE BRUTAL, but we’re ready for

it. Eau Claire’s winters are chock-full of awesome stuff to do – inside and outside. Here’s just a few ideas of how to beat cabin fever and keep your energy up all winter long.

THE EAU CLAIRE CURLING CLUB Curling is a perfect sport for winter. You’re inside, but still have a bit of the winter chill out on the ice. Eau Claire’s Curling Club has been around for over 100 years and offers leagues that range from newbie to advanced – and they provide everything you need. Check out Facebook.com/ECCurlingClub for more info.

SILVER MINE SKI JUMPING

WINTER AFTER HOURS

World-class ski jumpers gather in Eau Claire every year for the Silver Mine Invitational,

Claire Every Thursday throughout the winter, the Eau winter a host One Volume and ent Parks & Rec Deparm eing, gathering at Pinehurst Park with ice skating, snowsho es, and sculptur snow huge te, chocola hot arding, snowbo g/winter. more. You can find more info at VolumeOne.or

which has expanded into a full blown winter festival with pond hockey, live music, bon fires, and of course plenty of ski jumping. It’s usually held in January, so look for more details at ECSkiClub.com.

TOWNIE TIP

The Pinehurst Park Project is actively converting an old sledding hill into a legit winter park for snowboarding, tubing, downhill skiing, and cross-country skiing. More: PinehurstPark.org

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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TUBING DOWN THE RIVER

SUMMER FUN SOME STUDENTS BAIL IN THE SUMMER, heading home around the

state and region. Those students must not know what they’re missing out on.

THE EAU CLAIRE SUMMER CAN BE A HOT ONE and there’s no better way to cool off than to hit the cool river on an inflatable inner tube. The lackadaisical jaunt from Phoenix Park to Putnam Rock takes at most a couple hours, perfect time to get some tan and catch up with friends.

TUBING TIPS 1 Buy tubes early

MUSIC. AND LOTS MORE MUSIC. Between weekly outdoor music series like Tuesday

ume One’s Sounds Like Summer Series on Thursdays (above), and major festivals like Eaux Claires, Blue Ox, Country Jam, Rock Fest, and Country Fest, there are

plenty of tunes to be heard in an Eau Claire summer.

THE EAU CLAIRE EX PR ESS play all

summer right in Carson Park, featuring advanced college ball players from around the country – including some future pros. Games are affordable and tons of fun. EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Wear some kind of shoes Whether they’re old sneakers, wet socks, or something else. The bottom of the river can be sharp with rocks and debris.

Night Blues, Rock’n On The River on Wednesdays, Vol-

ding nhill

Many places around campus sell out or drive up the price closer to good weather.

Avoid high water

After the snow melts the river usually floods a bit, so beware of river conditions and check the City of Eau Claire’s Facebook page or website for warnings.

Don’t be stupid

Yes, you absolutely can get an underage while tubing on the river. Yes, the rivers can be dangerous if you’re not paying attention. And no, you shouldn’t just litter. VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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toppers pizza

$14.99 LARGE 2-TOPPING PIZZA + SINGLE ORDER OF TOPPERSTIX®

FREE

Original Topperstix® only. Not valid with any other coupon or discount. One coupon per person. Expires Sept. 1, 2021.

Large pizza must be regularly priced. Not valid with any other coupon or discount. One coupon per person. Expires Sept. 1, 2021.

MONKEY BREAD WITH ANY LARGE PIZZA

715-833-1111 | 2159 Eastridge Center St, Eau Claire 715-552-1111 | 1616 N Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire

Hope Gospel Mission Bargain Center

20% OFF

Not valid with any other coupon or discount. One coupon per person. Expires Sept. 1, 2021.

ANY ONE ITEM

715-552-5566 | 2511 Moholt Drive, Eau Claire

burrito xpress

BUY ONE COMBINATION MEAL, GET ONE HALF OFF

Not valid with any other coupon or discount. One coupon per person. Expires Sept. 1, 2021.

715-855-8590 | 408 Water St, Eau Claire

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715-855-8590 | 408 Water St, Eau Claire

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The Local Store

15% OFF

ANY PURCHASE

BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF ALL APPAREL

Not valid with any other coupon or discount. One coupon per person. Expires Sept. 1, 2021.

715-552-0457 | 205 N Dewey St, Eau Claire

Trucker’s Union

Ironside Axe Club

$5 OFF

20% OFF

Not valid with any other coupon or discount. One coupon per person. Expires Sept. 1, 2021.

ANY PURCHASE OVER $30

ONE HOUR OF AXE THROWING

715-834-6885 | 413 Water St, Eau Claire

715-514-5845 | 2930 London Road, Eau Claire

LSI Property Management

apple pregnancy

$100 OFF

FREE

SECURITY DEPOSIT

PREGNANCY TEST

Not valid with any other coupon or discount. One coupon per person. Expires Sept. 1, 2021.

715-233-2081 | 300 Wilson Ave W, Eau Claire

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715-834-7734 | 2600 Stein Blvd # 2, Eau Claire

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C ATHO LIC CHARITIES

C ATHO LIC CHARITIES – S O JO U RN E R H O U S E

C HIPPEWA VALLEY EYE C LI N I C

C HIPPEWA VALLEY REG I O N A L A I RP O RT

C HIPPEWA VALLEY TECH N I C A L C O LLE G E

C LE AR WATER RE AL ESTAT E

E AT STREET

E AU CL AIRE CITY-COUN T Y H E A LT H D E P T .

E AU CL AIRE TRANSIT

2 3, 37

HO PE GO SPEL MISSIO N

IRO NSIDE AX CLUB

LITERACY CHIPPEWA VALLE Y

LSI PRO PERTY MANAGEM E N T

MENARDS

RAMO NE’S ICE CRE AM P A RLO R

THE LO CAL STO RE

TO PPERS

TRUCKERS UNIO N

VO LUME O NE W ILLO W CREEK WO MEN’ S C LI N I C

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