How Eau Claire native Bon Iver gradually (but radically) transformed his hometown
From cool hotels to art-oriented businesses, step into Eau Claire’s creative scene inspired by Justin Vernon (AKA Bon Iver).
Until Justin Vernon holed up in a Northern Wisconsin cabin during the winter of 2006-07 to write and produce the debut Bon Iver album “For Emma, Forever Ago,” his hometown of Eau Claire wasn’t exactly on the map as a destination for creatives to find their muse. While home to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, students were sticking around post-graduation, and few young people were moving here or scouting it out as a vacation spot.
Now, however, there’s an infusion of creatives flocking to Eau Claire, inspired by Vernon’s enthusiasm for his hometown. You can check into a boutique hotel themed around music and farm-to-table food, organize an art gallery hop, and see Broadway-style shows at a contemporary theater. Many shops are indie-owned and work hard to represent the local community.
On the heels of the Grammy Award-winning musician’s latest album release, titled “Sable, Fable,” consider this your handy guide to exploring Eau Claire, a community of 70,000 people.
1. The Oxbow Hotel & The Lakely
Vernon opened this downtown hotel in 2016. Its 30 rooms are divided between the Main House and The Flats. Each includes a record player and accompanying vinyl library to help customize listening sessions.
From the cozy lobby with its plaid armchairs and tufted-leather sofa, not to mention its gift shop selling artist-made wares, to The Lakely’s locally sourced menu, there’s a huge focus on supporting local creatives. The hotel is also a hub for events such as live music and writing retreats, and rents out bicycles to help guests further explore the city and yoga mats to help them find some inner calm.
2. The Lismore Hotel
Vernon partnered with others to open this 112-room hotel, which is part of the DoubleTree by Hilton collection, in 2016. Its amenities include a coffee shop on the ground level called ECDC, as well as a rooftop bar named Dive. Food at The Informalist spans from brunch to dinner, ensuring several plant-based and vegetarian options are on the menu, such as vegan huevos rancheros, while also serving wood-fired pizzas.
3. Pablo Center at the Confluence
This $60 million arts center debuted downtown in 2018 and features 130,000 square feet to host programming across performing and visual arts, whether that’s the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra or the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, or traveling acts like The Beach Boys, World Ballet Company, or Black Violin. Like these events, the center’s art exhibits also rotate through two different galleries.
4. Together Farms
A visit to Eau Claire wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the surrounding agritourism community—and that includes this family-owned organic farm. They are known for producing grass-fed beef, and Burger Night (Thursday through Sunday) is a festive time to check it out. Burgers are made to order and can be paired with beer and wine sold on-site. Veggie burgers are also available. Live music, trivia, and bingo are various forms of entertainment hosted during Burger Night.
5. Volume One & The Local Store
Across the street from The Oxbow Hotel, this fun and quirky shop—open since 2010—is operated by Volume One, a local arts-and-culture magazine. While all of its items are for sale, the store also functions like a gallery in that most everything is created by a local artist. This includes candles, books, culinary ingredients, apparel, art, and home décor.
Fun fact: the Chippewa Valley Trolley Company has its home base here, leading themed tours around Eau Claire, such as The Craft Cocktail Tour and The Urban Nature Adventure Tour.
6. Leona’s Pizzeria
In a recent article in Midwest Living, Vernon gave a shout-out to this downtown pizzeria, calling attention to its delicious pizza and live music. Dubbed Live at Leona’s, the occasion gives local musicians a chance to perform on stage. Its owner moved back to Eau Claire from Minneapolis in 2020. This place is more than a—pardon the pun—cheesy pizzeria: You can also order pizza fries, vegan pizza, and signature pies you won’t find anywhere else, like the Uecker, named for the late Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker, which is topped with beer brats.
7. SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar
Two favorite pastimes in Eau Claire (coffee and bicycling) come together at this business. This bike-friendly cafe serves bakery items and coffee drinks, from house-made syrups for lattes to organic ingredients whipped into pastries. Live music shows and craft nights are also hosted here on occasion.
Another way this café lends support to others in the Midwest is by rotating out its coffee beans, with recent selections from Wisconsin’s own Ruby Coffee Roasters and Chicago’s Onyx Coffee Lab.
8. Tangled Up in Hue
Every cool town needs a boutique to support the artists who reside there, and in Eau Claire, that’s Tangled Up in Hue. In addition to this art collective operating during business hours at its downtown location, the shop hosts an Artists Market every Saturday morning between May and October. The owners are proud to support about 150 artists, crafters, and makers selling jewelry, art, clothing, and more.
9. Hive + Hollow
This isn’t just a flower shop: Hive + Hollow also manages a flower farm, which is culled for the floral arrangements they sell. Everything the owner does on the farm is about sustainability, and when their own flowers can’t be harvested—like during the colder months—they buy from flower farms in the U.S. that practice Fair Trade principles, ensuring everyone is paid a fair wage.
In addition to flowers, the shop sells home goods, greeting cards, and other items, for either a pick-me-up for yourself or as a gift for a friend.
10. Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen
As the largest self-pour taproom in the Midwest, Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen‘s 72 taps (of beer, wine, ciders, and seltzers) are reason enough to head there. The restaurant also flaunts a patio along the Chippewa River. On Saturday nights during summer, that patio hosts live-music concerts, and on Tuesdays, it’s Bingo Night. On the food menu are pizzas, wings, signature tot dishes, and salads, providing many options for a group dining together.
11. Eau Claire Sculpture Tour
With 120 sculptures, the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour ranks as the country’s largest sculpture tour, with rotating works. It’s a great vehicle for exploring the city on foot. In May, installation for the 2025-2026 season added 30 new sculptures. This map allows for a self-guided tour at any time.
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