SOME OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE BAYFIELD, WI AREA

Plan your getaway to Pinehurst Inn Bed & Breakfast with our list of recommended things to do in Wisconsin and the Apostle Islands area.

Located in northern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior, Bayfield provides a unique mix of beauty, history, and nature. It’s also one of the best places to escape and relax. The options of things to do near our inn are myriad, ranging from active outdoor activities to shopping and museums. Spend your day sightseeing and exploring, then come home to total peace and tranquility at the Pinehurst Inn Bed & Breakfast – one of the top-rated bed and breakfasts in Bayfield.

For those looking to explore nature, Bayfield offers miles of scenic hiking trails as well as many opportunities for kayaking. Take a cruise of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, take the ferry to Madeline Island, or enjoy shopping at various artisan shops in and around Bayfield. You may also enjoy visiting the local orchards, farms and wineries or bike riding the nearby CAMBA trails. Cap off your day at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua where you can listen to fantastic live music in a glorious setting. In the winter, the great outdoors awaits with the miles of cross-country ski and hiking trails, downhill skiing and tubing on Mt. Ashwabay, dogsledding and so much more. The fall colors and Bayfield Apple Festival are some of the autumn highlights. No matter what the season, Pinehurst Inn Bed & Breakfast and the Bayfield, WI area provides a wonderful backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who simply wants to take a break, relax and unwind.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? CONTACT THE PINEHURST INN BED & BREAKFAST TODAY!

Guest resources for good information about things to do in Bayfield, WI, start here! As innkeepers, we are ready to help you plan your getaway, just give us a call at 715-779-3676.

Dine at Some of the Best Bayfield Area Restaurants

When it comes time to refuel, there are endless types of cuisine to choose from, guaranteeing something for everyone to enjoy. The area restaurants are known for their delicious menus with fresh, and often locally sourced, ingredients. At check-in, we will provide you with an updated list of area Restaurants with days and hours. Make your stay with us even more enjoyable by checking out some of these Bayfield, WI and neighboring area restaurants:

BAYFIELD

Bayfield Inn (Lakeside Restaurant) 715-779-3363  20 Rittenhouse Avenue. Days and hours for dinner vary depending on the season. Located on the water with windows overlooking Lake Superior. Dinner menu options may include whitefish and trout, steaks, seafood, and pasta. Casual to business casual dining for dinner. Note: in the summer, there is a rooftop deck for drinks and casual dining.

Copper Trout   715-779-0293   250 Rittenhouse Avenue. Open seasonally for dinner. Casual dining. Menu includes sandwiches, pizza, pasta, as well as seafood and steak dinners.

ManyPenny Bistro   41 Manypenny Avenue. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Casual dining. Lunch and dinner menu includes pizza, gyros, sandwiches, as well as fresh fish entrees. Free delivery service offered. Days and hours vary depending on the season.

Morty’s Pub   715-779-3996   108 Rittenhouse Avenue. Serving drinks, appetizers and sandwiches. Open daily for lunch and dinner, and the kitchen is open late.

Old Rittenhouse Landmark Restaurant    715-779-5111    301 Rittenhouse Avenue. Upscale dining for dinner (although no dress code, looking “nice” is preferred). Menu generally includes steaks, chops, chicken and fish, but certain nights are special fixed course dinners, some with wine pairings. Days and hours vary by season. Reservations recommended.

Pier Plaza Restaurant and Pickled Herring Bar  715-779-3330  1 Rittenhouse Avenue. Casual dining for lunch and dinner with Lake Superior views. Dinner menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, and fish. Outdoor seating available in warmer weather. Days and hours vary by season.

Portside Restaurant   715-779-5380   34475 Port Superior Rd, Bayfield, WI. Open seasonally for dinner. Casual dining. Menu includes soup, salad, sandwiches, fish, and pasta. Days and hours vary.

The Creamery Bar   715-913-0180   31 South 1st Street. Serving drinks and pizza. Open 7 days a week, hours vary.

MADELINE ISLAND (LaPointe)

Café Seich 715-747-2033  794 Main St.  Farm to Table approach. Open seasonally. Limited days and hours.

The Pub Restaurant (at the Inn on Madeline Island) 715-747-6315  641 Fort Rd. Days and hours vary depending on the season.

The Beach Club 715-747-3955 817 Fort Rd, LaPointe. Bar on the water, offering lunch and dinner. Days and hours vary depending on the season.

Tom’s Burned Down Café  715-747-6100   234 Middle Rd. Drinks and food available and live music on certain days. Call or check Facebook for hours and live music schedule. Open seasonally. Days and hours vary.

WASHBURN

Café Coco Artisan Bakery & Good Eats    715-373-2253  146 West Bayfield Street (Hwy 13). Serving breakfast and lunch. Deli-style menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches and bakery items. Days and hours vary depending on the season.

Dalou’s Bistro  715-373-1125  310 West Bayfield St (Hwy 13) (just past the IGA going south on 13) Dinner only. Casual dining. Menu includes wood-fired pizzas, salads, calzones & homemade gelato. Days and hours vary depending on the season.

Good Thyme Restaurant 715-373-5255  77180 State Hwy 13. Casual to business casual dining. Located in a beautifully renovated 100 year-old home, this restaurant is known for its steaks and seafood. Reservations encouraged. Days and hours vary depending on the season.

Patsy’s Bar & Grill  715-373-5792  328 West Bayfield Street. Open 7 days a week, serving lunch and dinner. Menu includes appetizers, soup, salads, hamburgers and other sandwiches. Hours vary.

The Snug Bar  715-373-0338    308 West Bayfield Street. Open Wednesday through Monday, hours vary. Serving appetizers, soup and sandwiches. Outdoor deck available in warmer weather, with live music at various times/days on the deck.

ASHLAND

Deep Water Grille / The Alley 715-682-4200   808 Main Street West. Days and hours vary depending on the season. Casual lunch and dinner. Menu includes soups, salads, hamburgers, and sandwiches, as well as seafood, steaks, and pasta dinners.

Second Street Bistro   715-682-6444   201 Main Street East. Casual dining, serving lunch and dinner. Menus include soup, salads and sandwiches, gnocchi and pasta dinners as well as whitefish, steaks and chops. Days and hours vary depending on the season.

El Charro Mexican Bar & Grill 715-292-6564 30580 US Highway 2. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Dining room looks over the lake and there is a seasonal outdoor patio to kick back and enjoy the cool lake breezes.

Have an Adventure in the Great Outdoors!

There are so many amazing adventures to be had in Northern Wisconsin. Take a look at some of the best options for outdoor recreation in and around Bayfield to start planning an unforgettable experience.

1. Riding the Madeline Island Ferry

The Madeline Island Ferry is located on the south shore of Lake Superior at the gateway to the Apostle Islands and offers daily passenger, bicycle, and car transportation between LaPointe and Bayfield. The trip lasts about 25 minutes and provides scenic views of Lake Superior and some of the 22 Apostle Islands, including the beautiful Madeline Island. Read our blog for a list of the best things to do in Madeline Island, WI.

2. Kayaking and Paddle Boarding with Lost Creek Adventure

A full or half day kayaking adventure with Lost Creek Adventure will take you out to the Mainland Sea Caves located along the mainland shoreline, part of the Apostle Island National Lakeshore. These amazing sandstone caves have formed over centuries of wave action, freezing, and thawing – nature’s way of artful carving. The full day trip includes all equipment, basic training, a knowledgeable guide, a picnic lunch, and lots of laughs. Lost Creek Adventures also has stand up paddle board tours, another great way to experience Lake Superior.

3. Sailing with Dreamcatcher Sailing

Get on the water and enjoy a 2 1/4 hour Afternoon Sail offered by Dreamcatcher Sailing, which departs out of Bayfield, WI every afternoon. Explore the beauty of Bayfield from the water, Madeline Island and beyond. Take the helm under the guidance of the boat’s captain or sit back and relax, enjoying a magnificently relaxing experience.  This is just one of many trips offered by Dreamcatcher Sailing.

4. Dog Sledding with Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing

Winter in the Bayfield Peninsula can be magical. Throw in a dog sledding adventure along with winter lodging at Pinehurst Inn Bed & Breakfast (think sauna, fireplace, whirlpool….) and you are good to go! Enjoy the Wolfsong Morning Adventure, a 4-hour dog sledding trek. You will learn from the best in handling, harnessing and running the dog through absolutely beautiful winter terrain.

Attend a Local Festival

Bayfield is well-known for their annual festivals and events that highlight the area’s colorful culture and welcoming community. Here are a few of the best annual events to attend while you’re here!

1. Bayfield in Bloom

This early-June celebration of spring draws both visitors and locals alike. You’re bound to be inspired when you attend the many activities of Bayfield in Bloom, such as garden tours, demonstrations, and other interactive programs related to gardening.

2. Bayfield Apple Festival

Celebrate the arrival of autumn when you attend the Bayfield Apple Festival! This beloved tradition offers food, games, vendors, and much more.

3. Bayfield Winter Festival

Winter is a beautiful season in Wisconsin! The Bayfield Winter Festival encourages visitors and locals alike to enjoy this winter wonderland through skiing, live music, food, candlelight walks, and even a polar plunge!

Take a Trip Back in Time

Explore the area’s fascinating history by visiting one of these museums in Northern Wisconsin! Each one has something unique to offer, so don’t miss out.

1. Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

This institution has a little of everything! Visit the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center for entertaining events, outdoor recreation, and intriguing exhibits.

2. Madeline Island Museum

Learn the history of Madeline Island and its people through the Museum’s permanent collection of artifacts and special exhibits highlighting the people and culture, which made Madeline Island what it is today.

3. Lake Superior Lighthouses

The nearby Lake Superior is filled with gorgeous, historic lighthouses that each tell a story about this area’s history. Visit some of these Lake Superior lighthouses for a memorable day around Bayfield, WI.

4. Bayfield Heritage Museum

Bayfield, Wisconsin, has an incredible history. If you want to learn all about this area’s origins and culture, visit the Bayfield Heritage Museum to hear the stories of this charming city on the banks of Lake Superior.

Explore the Bayfield Orchards and Farms

In the hills above Bayfield, there is this wonderful microclimate—a perfect place to grow fruits, flowers, and more. We have available for guests, farm and orchard maps that provide details on each grower and general timeframe for various fruits to help you decide which orchards and farms to visit. Or simply take a drive around the various farms and orchards for some incredible valley and lake views, particularly in the fall when colors are changing. One of our favorite times for the orchards is in the spring when everything starts to come alive, and we look forward to the bountiful harvest that we can share with our guests. Some of the orchards and farms we work with are:

1.   Erickson’s Orchard & Country Store for our apple cider and apples

2.    Highland Valley Farm for our blueberries

3.   North Wind Organic Farm for our strawberries and raspberries

4.   Hauser’s Superior View Farm for our flower boxes

Some of our other favorite orchards include Blue Vista Farm, Bayfield Apple Company, and Sunset Valley Orchards.

Shopping

While there is so much to do and see in Bayfield, don’t forget to set aside some time to check out some of the area shops featuring local art, jewelry, apparel, accessories, and outdoor gear, as well as scrumptious treats, food and beverages, among other things. Here is a list of some of the shops that may be of interest to you:

Art Galleries and Studios

Other Gift & Specialty Shops

  • Apostle Islands Booksellers in Bayfield
  • Bodin Fisheries in Bayfield for fresh and smoked lake trout, whitefish and herring in season
  • Brownstone Centre in Bayfield – check out their apparel and accessories
  • Harbor House Sweets in Washburn – handmade chocolates (and other treats)
  • Howl Clothing in Bayfield for a great selection of clothing and outdoor gear and accessories
  • Joanne’s Scandinavian in Bayfield offering items of simple elegance and functional beauty of classic Nordic Design
  • Keeper of the Light in Bayfield for lighthouse and nautical décor and souvenirs
  • Sweet Sailing in Bayfield – don’t forget the fudge and saltwater taffy!!!
  • Honest Dog Books in Bayfield for used books