City Guide 2016

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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2016-2017

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE by OFFICE

205 N. Dewey St. Eau Claire, WI 54701

CONTACT Phone: (715) 552-0457

Inter-web: www.volumeone.org

Email: mail@volumeone.org PUBLISHER / EDITOR / ETC Nick Meyer MANAGING EDITORS Eric Christenson • Tom Giffey CONTENT Mike Paulus • Eric Christenson • Tom Giffey DESIGN Serena Wagner • Janae Breunig ILLUSTRATIONS Luke Benson PHOTOS Andrea Paulseth + Luong Huynh + Zach Oliphant + Lee Butterworth + Kelsey Smith + Caitlyn Berlin + Marisa Wojcik + Nick Meyer ADVERTISING Brian Maki + Chase Kunkel + Neil Hodorowski BASIC INFO The Eau Claire City Guide is published by Volume One – a locally owned, locally operated, and locally focused magazine. © 2016 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.

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E F I L T N E D U T S LOCAL TABLE OF CONTENTS

GEtting around

history and facts 12

FAMOUS RESIDENTS

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TAX I S A N D OT H E R T R A N S P O RTAT I O N

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LOCAL POLITICS

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LO C A L B U S R O U T E S

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N E I G H B O R H O O DS

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BY THE NUMBERS

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WHAT’S HOT NOW

shopping and spending 32

WHERE DO I G E T. . .

• FO O D • MUSIC • GAMING • WO R KO U TS • & MORE

ALSO IN THIS GUIDE EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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OPENING LETTER

PLUS! it’s all available online

at:

volumeone.org/cityguide

food and drink 40

DATE NIGHT

42

CHEAP EATS

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OPEN LATE

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COFFEE SHOPS

arts and media

recreation and outdoors

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LO C A L MUSIC

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E AU C L A I R E ’ S PA R KS

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V I S UA L A RTS

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KU B B

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STAG E + SCREEN

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CYC L I N G C U LT U R E

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WINTER FUN

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SUMMER FUN

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ABOUT VO LU M E O N E

GREAT DEALS

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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! bie w e n , HEY 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.

something new and see something different.

Maybe “willing to get out” isn’t the right bunch of words. These are people who need to get out and really see what’s going on. And when seeing what’s happening around here just doesn’t cut it anymore, they starting making things happen.

Eau Claire is a sweet spot. Over the years, I’ve come to understand that it’s filled with the right kind of stuff to create almost anything you want. It’s big enough to offer you a variety of resources and a real audience, yet it’s small enough that you won’t get lost in the noise. People live here for their entire lives without ever really getting that concept.

For years, a lot of great individuals have worked very hard to build this place. We’ve got music and art and food and a huge pile of things to do outside. It’s always changing, and it’s not perfect, but how boring is “perfect?” A city’s imperfections usually provide a foundation for the really good stuff. This is where exciting new scenes flourish and thrive. And this is where you come in.

This town is a gift – it’s yours now. But like all gifts, it’s not much fun until you get up off your butt and use it.

So welcome to Eau Claire. We can’t wait to see what you make of it.

–Mike Paulus, Volume One

Some people around Eau Claire like to complain that college students never get off campus. They never really see the city. They never fully appreciate what’s going on here. They’re basically self-absorbed toddlers, and they just don’t care about the hard-working, creative people who build this town into something great.

But we know that’s not true.

OK, it’s kinda true. I mean, there’s always a few weird globs of unfinished Gummi Bear stuck to the bottom of every bag, right?

Nobody’s perfect. I’ve definitely come across a certain kind of person who just doesn’t know how to live in a city. You know the type – they stick to their routines.

They keep their heads down.

They rarely explore.

On the surface, these people might even seem to be outgoing and engaged, but at the end of the day, between the couch, classes, and bed, there’s only a handful of places they actually go. They might hit a certain restaurant a few times a month, a certain bar every week, a certain bike trail, but that’s about it.

But thankfully, these kinds of people are fewer and fewer.

I graduated from UW-Eau Claire and I’ve been living and working in this town ever since. In that time, some of the most passionate people I’ve ever met have been students – students willing to get out of the dorm room and out of their rental unit to try

“Eau Claire is filled with the right kind of stuff to create almost anything you want.

It’s big enough to offer you a variety of resources and a real audience, yet it’s small enough that you won’t get lost in the noise.”

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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:

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 Thursday around campus and at coffee shops, restaurants, stores, and bars around the area.

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 every August – now 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. It’s also the place to find local albums and CDs and local books.

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HISTORY

FACTS AND

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

NOTABLE LOCAL LOCALS POLITICS GUIDE 11 12 EAU CLAIRE CITY14

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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

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 Clairebased 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.

HENRY CLEVELAND PUTNAM

ADIN RANDALL 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.

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.

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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!

WHO YOU SHOULD KNOW:

KERRY KINCAID

DALE PETERS

DANA WACHS

KATHLEEN VINEHOUT

City Council President

City Manager

State Assembly

State Senate

GET INVOLVED! GO TO A MEETING: The Eau Claire City Council meets in the second and fourth weeks of each month. Meetings are over two days: Public hearings are Mondays at 7pm and legislative meetings are Tuesdays at 4pm. Throughout the week there are committee meetings, too. Find a full meeting schedule at EauClaireWi.gov/Government.

The city is always looking for people to lend their voices to discussions on specific issues. Committees range from zoning to environmental issues and usually meet monthly. Serving on one is a great way to take an active role on a specific issue you’re passionate about.

JOIN A COMMITTEE:

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VOTE!

2016-17 Elections Nov 8 - General / Presidential Election Feb. 21 - Spring Nonpartisan Primary Apr. 4 - Spring Election

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

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BY THE NUMBERS

67,778

1872 377

POPULATION OF THE CITY OF EAU CLAIRE

34.4 343

715 20

YEAR EAU CLAIRE WAS INCORPORATED

SQUARE MILEAGE OF THE CITY OF EAU CLAIRE

CHIPPEWA VALLEY’S AREA CODE

ACRES OF PARKS 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.

Student-oriented apartments in the Haymarket Landing building downtown feature river views and access to a spacious rooftop terrace.

NOW OPEN: HAYMARKET PLAZA

You may have heard about the Confluence Project, a huge joint effort by UW-Eau Claire, local arts groups, and the city. The project includes a sixstory multi-use building called Haymarket Plaza, which will open in the fall of 2016. The building will be home to UW-Eau Claire student housing, as well as a coffee shop, a fitness center, a restaurant, and more. The other half of the Confluence Project is a $45 million university-community performing arts center, set to open its doors in 2018.

BACK TO THE BRIDGE Right next to lower campus, the Water Street bridge spans the Chippewa River, offering an easy connection between Water Street and State Street. Soon that connection will be better than ever, as the bridge has undergone a complete replacement (starting in September 2015). The shiny new expanse is slated to be complete and open in the fall of 2016.

Time hearts Eau Claire

Last summer, Time Magazine ran a great profile on little ol’ Eau Claire. The national magazine covered the city’s recent economic and cultural developments in part of a series called “Reasons to Celebrate America,” and it credits music as a major spark in Eau Claire’s recent evolutions. The article states, “Therein lies the new paradigm for towns in turnaround mode. Instead of chasing smokestacks, why not build a place where young people want to live and work?” The piece was written by UWEC alumni and former Time editor Steve Koepp.

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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.

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An artist’s rendering shows a preliminary design concept for the Sonnentag Event and Recreation Complex.

ENTER THE Sonnentag CENTER

To be built on donated land between the Chippewa River and Menomonie Street, the Sonnentag Event and Recreation Complex will serve UW-Eau Claire and the community at large. Plans include a 130,000-square-foot major event center, which will seat 4,500 to 5,000 people, as well as a wellness, aquatics, and rec facility that would be shared by UWEC and the YMCA – and the latest talk involves the addition of a hotel and convention center. The university hopes to begin construction within the next five years.

BIG HUGE BREWERY BOOM

ON AIR: BLUGOLD RADIO

A microbrewery revolution is well underway here in the Chippewa Valley. In the past year, Lazy Monk Brewing in downtown Eau Claire opened an expansive new German-style taproom, while right down the road, the Brewing Projekt’s lineup of interesting brews has exploded in popularity (with big plans on the horizon). Also, K Point Brewing opened a Eau Claire Brewing Projekt taproom in Eau Claire, as did Brewster Bros. Brewing Co. over in Chippewa Falls – already home to the granddaddy of local beer, the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. Northwoods Brewpub moved and expanded its brewery, now located in Osseo. What’s more, Menomonie’s Lucette Brewing Company expanded its taproom to include an eatery featuring wood-fired pizza.

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Blugold Radio 99.9FM is a new Chippewa Valley radio presence dedicated to broadcasting local music of all kinds (along with a good dose of national indie favorites) to a rapidly growing niche of local people yearning for it. Donated to UWEC by Midwest Family Broadcasting, the commercial-free station can be heard across Eau Claire and beyond, with live streaming at blugoldradio.org

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GETTING

AROUND E AU 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.

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BUS ROUTES 24

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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 real-time 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

A-1 Eau Claire Taxi

(715) 831-8294 2600 Mercantile Dr., Eau Claire

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

(715) 835-1413 2619 E. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire

Rightway Shuttle Safe Ride (Blue Bus)

Eau Claire Bike Cab (715) 559-7327

(715) 210-6791

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

OTHER LOCAL TRANSIT OPTIONS:

The Blue Bus offers a cheap, safe ride to students on weekend nights, running Friday and Saturday, 8pm-2:30am for only $2.

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

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G R E E N P O I N T – S C H E P P K E P R O P E R T I E S

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TO THE MALL

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3/4

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8

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DOWNTOWN

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E

Most bus routes shown here, but find a full interactive map at: EauClaireWi.gov/departments/transit

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.

H ere ’ s a q uick rundown > >

Galloway St

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5

w Far e ll St

5th Ave

Lake St

Main St

Ha

1

r di

Water St

State St

uw-eau claire

ng

Av e

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Clairemont Ave

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Find yours through the City of Eau Claire’s website or on Facebook.

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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 GAMES & HOTELS & MUSIC FITNESS 31 VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE 32 CITY GUIDE 34 34 EAU CLAIRE

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

FESTIVAL FOODS 3007 Mall Dr., Eau Claire The Midwest chain offers a massive variety of food, including a huge organic section.

WOODMAN’S 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?

GORDY’S COUNTY MARKET Closest: 1031 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire This local chain boasts a handful of stores around Eau Claire, including the closest grocery store to upper campus.

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

REVIVAL RECORDS 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.

BONUS TOWNIE PICK: JUST LOCAL FOOD

1117 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire 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

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.

products.

TOWNIE TIP:

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

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WHERE DO I WORK OUT? EAU CLAIRE YMCA 700 Graham Ave., Eau Claire

GOLD’S GYM 3225 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire

HIGHLAND FITNESS 2221 Eastridge Center, Eau Claire

The District Co.

WHERE DO I GO TO GAME? THE DISTRICT CO. 315 Graham Ave., Eau Claire Recently expanded to a new location, this downtown 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.

Eau Claire YMCA

BONUS TOWNIE PICK:

GAMES BY JAMES Oakwood Mall, 4800 Golf Rd., Eau Claire The absolute widest selection of tabletop and card games for sale in the Chippewa Valley.

POP-UP YOGA

A number of locals host pop-up yoga sessions around the city, outdoors and in quirky locations – a great way to find your center while exploring the city. Get started at headwateryoga.com, latitude44yoga.com, and the Chippewa Valley Yoga Community group on Facebook.

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.

WHERE CAN MY FOLKS STAY WHILE VISITING? THE LISMORE

THE OXBOW

333 Gibson St., Eau Claire Eau Claire is home to some swanky new hotels your parents will love. The freshly renovated 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 locally sourced restaurant; Dive, a gorgeous 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.

516 Galloway St. Eau Claire Opening in the fall of 2016, 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 farm-to-table eatery with unique food, live music, and craft cocktails.

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WAY MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM 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.

DATE NIGHT 40

CHEAP EATS 42

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LATE NIGHT 46

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DATE NIGHT THE BEST UPSCALE, DATE-NIGHT RESTAURANTS ACCORDING TO YOU

from Volume One’s Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll

JOHNNY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE STEAK / ITALIAN 4751 Owen Ayres Ct., Eau Claire 9 Minute drive from UW-Eau Claire (715) 830-9779

JOHNNY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE IS A SUAVE CHOICE TO IMPRESS YOUR DATE. Inside this upscale, modern Italian eatery you’ll find a 50s era vibe complete with velvet curtains and Rat Pack music – making for one classy evening out. While famous for its award winning steaks, some other favorites at Johnny’s include the salmon, the bruschetta, and the Mounds Bar dessert to share (wink). If you’re of age, there’s an extensive wine list and cocktail menu from which you can choose your drinks. The atmosphere and the food are well worth the price and make the complete fine dining package for you and your date.

I had a nice dinner here with my parents and significant other a few weeks after they opened.

Although a bit dark, the atmosphere was very nice. Our waitress was pleasant and very knowledgeable about the menu. The prices were in line with what I would expect at a supper-club style steakhouse. We enjoyed our meal so much that we even ordered dessert, a rare occurrence!

– cabernetplease

from VolumeOne.org/restaurants

STAFF PICKS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

STELLA BLUES 306 E. Madison St., Eau Claire Stella’s has a killer seafood selection, with interesting cajun dishes and a great atmosphere (including a patio).

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MONA LISA’S RESTAURANT Italian / Seafood

428 Water St., Eau Claire 8 Minute walk from UW-Eau Claire

FLOWER SHOPS Want to make a good impression?

Bring a little something extra from one of these Eau Claire flower shops.

(715) 839-8969

The interior at M ona Lisa’s is mood lit

with deep reds and art lines the walls, but almost more impressive is the outdoor patio – a perfect place for drinks and appetizers for a casual summer date. Pasta and seafood options tend to land in the $12-$20 range, but are well worth the price both in taste and presentation. You can also split pizza. It’s more romantic that way (and a bit cheaper).

HOULIGANS STEAK & SEAFOOD PUB Steak / Seafood 415 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire 17 minute walk from UW-Eau Claire

4 SEASONS FLORIST, INC. 117 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire (715) 834-2017

AVALON EUROPEAN FLORAL 504 Water St., Eau Claire (715) 838-8880 • flowersbyavalon.com

BRENT DOUGLAS: 610 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire (715) 831-0997 • brent@brentdouglas.biz

CHIPPEWA VALLEY FLORAL 2734 Mall Dr., Eau Claire (715) 839-ROSE • chippewavalleyfloral.com

EAU CLAIRE FLORAL 1824 Brackett Ave., Eau Claire (715) 834-2901 • eauclairefloral.com

715-835-6621

FESTIVAL FOODS D OW N TOW N ’ S P R E M I E RE STEAK JOINT has

a classic Wisconsin supper club vibe, with a dark, moody atmosphere. If there’s any risk involved with a first date at Houligans, it’s probably that you’d disgust your companion by stuffing your gills with too much delicious, delicious meat. The steak and burger selection is to die for, but the downtown classic also offers seafood, pasta, other entrees and a full drink menu. The best part? It’s right downtown, so it’s an easy walk from campus and student housing. You’ll have two bridges to go in for that first kiss on. Don’t chicken out (or maybe eat too much of the garlic steak).

3007 Mall Dr., Eau Claire (715) 838-1000 • festfoods.com

GORDY’S MARKET 3310 E. Hamilton Ave., Eau Claire (715) 834-3993 • www.gordys.com 2717 Birch St., Eau Claire (715) 836-8246 • www.gordys.com 1031 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire (715) 839-0220 • www.gordys.com 2615 N. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire (715) 836-6342 • www.gordys.com

MAY’S FLORAL GARDEN 3424 Jeffers Rd., Eau Claire (715) 836-8220 • maysfloral.net

BIJOU BISTRO 2629 E. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire Bijou started as a catering business, but has expanded with a gorgeous small dining room with a rotating menu.

WILLOW RIDGE FLORAL 1925 N. 60th Ave., Eau Claire (715) 379-3925 • willowridgefloral.com

CHEAP EATS FAST FOOD CONVERSIONS

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.

Nelson Cheese Factory

IF YOU LIKE SUBWAY...

S M I L I N G MOOSE DELI:

The tastiest sandwiches this side of the Mississippi, and they even come with a snappy pickle!

I’ll sometimes even order their vegetarian sandwich, and I’m a meatatarian.

–prognition

Try Nelson Cheese Factory – with their huge, gorgeous, deli-fresh sandwiches featuring Wisconsin cheese, this little gem is a local favorite. Carry out- and lunchtime-only, Nelson’s also serves up delicious ice cream. You can also check out Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli, which let’s you walk down the line and choose from their plethora of toppings – or grab one of the biggest salads you’ve ever seen.

IF YOU LIKE QDOBA...

SAVE SOME MONEY:

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 new space on Water Street, Burrito Xpress serves up quick, $6 burritos all day, pumped full of flavor. Oh, and did we mention they deliver?

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

STAFF PICKS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

SINGHA THAI 203 N. Barstow St., Eau Claire Downtown Eau Claire has a lot of great Thai food, but Singha Thai is consistently at the top of our Best Of poll.

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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. Mogie’s Pub on Water St. offers great specialty burgers and they’re close to campus. Try the “Spuds o’ Plenty” appetizer.

G I R O L A M O’S COURT ‘N’ HOUS 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 from VolumeOne.org/restaurants

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. You can also satisfy your late-night (or dinner-time) cravings at Guppy’s Pizza, a laid back Water Street joint packed with cheesy greatness.

Guppy’s Pizza

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.

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

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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.

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.

WHEN YOU NEED THE FOOD TO COME TO YOU Late night delivery joints in Eau Claire: BUZZY’S PIZZA EMPORIUM (715) 552-1600 DOMINOS PIZZA (715) 833-3933, (715) 833-3930 ERBERT & GERBERT’S (715) 835-9995 GREEN MILL RESTAURANT & BAR (715) 839-8687 NEW YORK PIZZA & DELI (715) 835-5000 PIZZA HUT & WINGSTREET (715) 834-1004, (715) 834-5346 Burrito Xpress (715) 855-8590

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coffee shops 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.

RACY D’LENE’S COFFEE LOUNGE

RACY’S IS THE EPITOME OF T H E CO O L , H I P, CO L L EG E

The dark, moody vibe combines vintage, well-worn furniture, trinkets, antiques and art to give the place a comfortable feel that inspires good work. And that’s saying nothing about the coffee (rated the best in the Chippewa Valley for years). You can also snag a sandwich if you’re in for the long haul, which you can be since Racy’s is open as late as midnight most nights.

COFFEE SHOP.

404 Riverside Ave., Eau Claire 7 min. walk from UW-Eau Claire (715) 834-0000

Wow...what can I say? Traveling near and far for my job I can’t find a latte to die for like I can at Racy’s. I also buy the espresso beans and take them home and brew them myself and am never disappointed. I’m very spoiled now. love the atmosphere, love the coffee, love the food.

It’s like a “best kept secret”... and it’s all mine!

–lihy

from VolumeOne.org/restaurants

STAFF PICKS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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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ACOUSTIC CAFÉ 505 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire 15 min. walk from UW-Eau Claire (715) 832-9090

B R I G H T S UNSHINE FILTERS THROUGH THE W I N D OWS ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY AT

which makes it a perfect place to clear your mind and work – or attempt to. The full coffee bar will bring you in, but the baked goods keep you around and let you power through your essay/Powerpoint/diorama fueled by the power of muffins. Add in a full menu of hoagies, soups, and more and you can stick around all day – or all week.

ACO U ST I C CAFÉ,

The Coffee Grounds

4212 Southtowne Dr. Eau Claire 11 min. drive from UW-Eau Claire (715) 834-1733

The Coffee G rounds is a casual , Euro pean- style café 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. They roast their own beans, offer outdoor seating, vegetarian friendly foods, and breakfast is served all day.

A little out of the way from campus (closer to the mall), Coffee Grounds is still a great place for lunch, studying, or buying beans.

ECDC 205 S Barstow St., Eau Claire Open late and connected to the Lismore Hotel downtown, ECDC is the newest coffee shop in Eau Claire.

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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.

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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. Here’s just a sampling:

S. CAREY

VENUES

SCareyMusic.com For awhile Sean Carey (a UWEC grad) was known only as the drummer for Bon Iver, but he soon came out with his own releases under the moniker S. Carey. The gorgeously composed indie folk perfectly encapsulates Eau Claire, drawing on the natural beauty that surrounds us. While S. Carey has found success outside of our borders, the group (featuring a few Eau Clairians) still performs around Eau Claire on occassion, filling the place whenever they do. If you see this on the calendars, don’t miss it.

FO R FA N S O F :

WHERE TO START:

THE VOLUME ONE GALLERY 205 N. Dewey St. inside The Local Store VolumeOne.org/Store What you’ll see: Local bands, stripped down, musician interviews, book readings (space shown above) A L L AG E S • F R E E

Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, long “In The Dirt” from walks through the woods All We Grow (2011)

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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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.

FOR FANS OF:

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

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

IDLE EMPRESS

FOR FANS OF:

idleempress.bandcamp.com

Courtney Barnett, St. Vincent, camping with your best friends

This local trio combines pure rock and roll with sugary sweet folk stylings, bolstered by singer Lauren Anderson’s lovely and powerful voice.

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 lyrics, sweltering guitar licks, and an unextinguishable DIY spirit to boot.

PIT WAGON pitwagon.bandcamp.com

This boozy folk group brings an eclectic repertoire of old school folk and blues songs about being lovesick in Wisconsin, the countryside, and beer.

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.”

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WHERE TO START:

“Woods” from Idle Empress EP (2016)

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, getting sweaty with a Sharpied ‘X’ on your hand WHERE TO START:

“Skinny Love” from Sawdust City (2012)

FOR FANS OF:

Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, townie bars WHERE TO START:

“Bar Smoke” from Pit Wagon(2014)

E AUX C L AIRE S MUSIC & ARTS F E ST I VA L

MUSIC FESTIVALS

The Eau Claire area loves a big music festival – especially in the summertime. Between our long-running country and rock festivals and a pair of newcomers - Eaux Claires and Blue Ox – there’s a lot in store for every music lover.

EAUX CLAIRES

Lo c at i o n : Foster Farm, Eau Claire W h e n : August Y e a r fo u nded: 2015 Av e rag e attendance : 20,000 M u s i c : Everything from indie to hip-hop to coun-

Carrie Underwood at Country Fest 2016

try and folk. Recent headliners include Bon Iver, James Blake, Beach House, and Erykah Badu.

W e b : eauxclaires.com

COUNTRY JAM

COUNTRY FEST

Location: Foster Farm, Eau Claire When: July Year founded : 1990 Average atten da n c e : 24,000 Music: Modern country. Recent headliners

Lo c at i o n : Festival grounds, Cadott W h e n : June Y e a r fo u nded: 1987 Av e rag e attendance: 20,000 M u s i c : Modern country. Recent headliners

include Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney.

W e b : countryfest.com

include Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, and The Band Perry Web: countryjamwi.com

ROCK FEST

BLUE OX

headliners include Slipknot, Hollywood Vampires, Alice In Chains, Marilyn Manson W e b : rock-fest.com

headliners include Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Blitzen Trapper, Sam Bush, and Del McCoury, Web: blueoxmusicfestival.com

Lo c at i o n : Festival grounds, Cadott W h e n : July Y e a r fo u nded: 1994 Av e rag e attendance: 20,000 M u s i c : Metal, hard rock, and classic rock. Recent

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Location: Whispering Pines, Eau Claire When: Usually June Year founded : 2015 Average atten da n c e : 4,000 Music: Modern and tradtitional bluegrass. Recent

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MORE VENUES

HOUSE + BASEMENT SHOWS

sity and The plethora of musicians surrounding the univer Randall the hout throug s venue house breeds own downt ized on public often Park and Eastside Hill neighborhoods, in shows house The town. around s Facebook and poster see to place s all-age te, intima t, perfec the are Eau Claire new. your favorite local bands, or discover something

ACOUSTIC CAFE 505 S. Barstow St. TheAcoustic.com What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, singer-songwriters, jazz, bluegrass A L L AG E S • FREE

THE MOUSETRAP 311 S. Barstow St.

HOUSE OF ROCK 422 Water St.

THE CABIN Davies Center

House-Of-Rock.com

Facebook.com/Mouse-Trap

What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, indie rock, jazz, small touring acts

What you’ll see: Local bands, metal, indie rock, alt rock, hip hop, improv comedy, small to mid-sized touring acts

What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, bluegrass, indie rock, funk, open mics, small to midsized touring acts

A L L AG E S • F R E E

21+ • FREE-$10

2 1 + • FREE

UWEC.edu/StuSen/UAC

THE PLUS 208 S. Barstow St.

128 S. Barstow St. Revival Records.com

EauClaireArts.com

THE STATE THEATRE 316 Eau Claire St.

REVIVAL RECORDS

PizzaPlusEauClaire.com What you’ll see: Local bands, jazz, funk, open mics, comedy, hip-hop Ages depend on show • F R E E- $1 0

What you’ll see: National touring acts, folk, bluegrass, country, comedy

What you’ll see: Local bands, stripped down, indie rock, folk, small touring acts

A L L AG E S • $20 -$50

ALL AGES • FREE

ALL THAT JAZZ

EAU CLAIRE JAZZ FESTIVAL & 52ND Street, 2016

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UW-Eau Claire and Eau Claire’s high schools have extensive and successful jazz programs, creating a great scene of jazz in the area. Look out for Eau Claire’s Jazz Fest in spring of 2017, where an entire stretch of downtown turns into a collection of historically themed jazz venues. Jazz players take to the downtown streets for 52nd Street, a street festival with outdoor performances and tons of jazzy energy.

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JUSTIN VERNON & FRIENDS BO N IVE R

The Eau Claire powerhouse is Bon Iver.

Fronted by local resident (and UWEC grad) Justin Vernon, the band has found international fame, winning two Grammys and selling out some of the most revered venues and festivals in the world.

VO LCA NO CH OIR

Volcano Choir pairs Justin Vernon with Milwaukee post-rockers Collections Of Colon ies Of Bees for epic, full rock music.

AP RIL BA SE

Justin Vernon’s studio just east of Eau Claire is host to scores of musicians every year, including local favorites and national names like Sylvan Esso, Sufjan Stevens, and The Natio nal.

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VISUAL ARTS SOME PEOPLE SEE ART EVERYWHERE, and in Eau Claire that’s actually not that hard. The city is littered 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:

THE INK & PAPER SALE AT THE VOLUME ONE GALLERY November-December every year

Galaudet Gallery 618 S. Farwell St.

JANET CARSON GALLERY 316 Eau Claire St.

GalaudetGallery.yolasite.com

EauClaireArts.com

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

What you’ll see: Regional fine and modern art

Foster Gallery 121 Water St. (Haas Fine Arts)

TANGLED UP IN HUE 416 S. Barstow St.

uwec.edu/art

TangledUpInHue.com

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

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

EC PUBLIC LIBRARY 400 Eau Claire St.

VOLUME ONE GALLERY 205 N. Dewey St.

ECPublicLibrary.info

VolumeOne.org/store

What you’ll see: Local artists, collaborative shows

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

The Sculpture Tour Eau Claire brings a new set of sculptures to Eau Claire every year, 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.

Every year the Banbury Art Crawl features scores of local artists who gather in the old tire factory to show off their goods.

The artisans bring everything from paintings and sculptures to furniture and home goods. Usually the event takes place in February. Learn more at BanburyArtCrawl.com.

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.

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STAGE + SCREEN A special black box-style show at the State Theatre.

CLEAR WATER COMEDY Eau Claire is home to an exploding 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 throughout the year featuring our homegrown comedians.

EAU CLAIRE HAS A VAST 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 of all sizes for audiences of all ages. Interested in participating? Throw ‘em a name and keep an eye out for local auditions.

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

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.

DID YOU KNOW? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

UNIQUE THEATERS Downtown Cinema 315 S. Barstow St. (715) 874-7000 (movie hotline) (715) 832-3355 (box office)

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

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

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recreation

outdoors AND

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.

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KUBB CITY

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EAU CLAIRE PARKS IF YOU’RE A LAY-IN-THE-GRASS STUDIER OR A THROW-THEFRISBEE-AROUND KINDA PERSON, Eau Claire’s parks should have

chippew

3rd St

7th St

N. Eddy St

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.

Dells Pond

5

t Forest S

a river

Birch St

Main St w Far

4 Lake St

e ll St

5th Ave

half moon lake

Galloway St

3

Ha

2 1

Water St

ng

Av e

State St

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rdi

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Clairemont Ave

But wait, there’s more EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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

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1 Owen Park

4

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 even a healthy scene of live action role play (LARPing). 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.

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5

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.

Phoenix Park

6

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

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.

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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.

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

W H AT W E K N OW F O R S URE IS THAT KU B B ( P R O N O U N C E D “ KOOB”) IS AN IN D I E L AW N S P O R T – 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

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, WI

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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?

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

Every Thursday throughout the winter, the Eau Claire Parks & Rec Deparment and Volume One host a winter gathering at Boyd Park with ice skating, snowshoeing, kubb, hot chocolate, huge snow sculptures, and more. You can find more info at VolumeOne.org/winter.

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

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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.

TUBING DOWN THE RIVER 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 MUSIC. AND LOTS MORE MUSIC. Between weekly outdoor music series like Tuesday Night Blues, Municipal Band Wednesdays, Volume 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.

1 Buy tubes early

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

2

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

3 T H E EAU CLAIRE

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.

E X PRESS play all sum-

mer right in Carson Park, featuring advanced college ball players from around the country – including some future pros. Games are dirt cheap and tons of fun.

Wear some kind of shoes

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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.

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