By Stacey Wittig
Late summer is the paw-fect time to travel with your pets. The stifling dog days of summer are in the rearview mirror, and now we’re pointing our noses towards some relaxation and water frolic. So then, who wouldn’t want to run off to the green countryside and clear waters of Eau Claire, Wisconsin?
Two rivers run through the town, becoming known for its independent spirit, music, and outdoor art. With so much riverfront on the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers, there are plenty of parks and natural areas where you and Rover can roam.
Explore Phoenix Park right downtown at the confluence for end-of-the-summer concerts, farmers markets, and a labyrinth. You and your sweet pup won’t want to miss River Prairie Park for more outdoor shows, a kayak launch, and plenty of hiking trails.
Or better yet, go off-leash downriver at Southwest Dog Park. You can also ditch the leash at Otter Creek Off-Leash Dog Park, away from the water but perfect for a romp just before leaving town on I-94.
Eau Claire, about the size of Flagstaff, offers a whopping three off-leash dog parks. Just so you know, dogs must be licensed and brought to the park on a leash, and daily passes may be purchased at the park.
With almost two dozen pet-friendly hotels in Eau Claire, deciding where to stay is challenging. RV and campgrounds that also accept Bowzer also make it difficult to choose. An easy solution is the ‘pet friendly’ filter on Booking.com.
Unleash Your Taste Buds, But Not Your Pup
You and your four-legged traveling companion may be surprised that so many restaurants in the area welcome and encourage dogs. One of those places is Acoustic Café, offering sidewalk seating for you and your furry friend. Check out the legendary waffles served with housemade syrups in the outdoor seating areas in front and behind SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar.
Head to Cowboy Jack’s outdoor seating after a River Prairie Park frolic for lunch or dinner. Locals know Dancing Yarrow + Farm to Fork Pizza in Chipewa Valley as ‘the hippie farm,’ because it’s an 18-acre farm turned into a fun retreat with local live music and farm-to-fork eats and drinks. Well-behaved dogs are welcome! Or hit the outdoor patio at Valley Burger Company, which uses local suppliers.
Many of the 19 restaurants participating in the Eau Claire Curd Crawl have dog-friendly spaces, so be sure to download the free app to earn prizes. Cheese curds—bite-sized chunks of unaged cheese—are top of the Wisconsin cuisine list (tinyurl.com/2p85bzh8).
Agritourism is big in these parts, so expect not only restaurants touting farm-fresh ingredients, but you’ll also discover wineries, pick-your-own orchards, and farmer’s markets.
Lap Up Some Refreshment
The Joynt, a classic Wisconsin tavern and downtown Eau Claire icon, allows dogs inside. For a Wisconsin brewski, The Brewing Projekt has a woof-worthy taproom and food trucks. K-Point Brewing and Lazy Monk Brewing also have great space for dogs on their patios in Eau Claire. Just north of town, in Chippewa Falls, the terrace outside the Leinie Lodge, part of the well-known Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, hosts dog-accompanied patrons.
No matter how you look at it, Eau Claire, WI, could be nicknamed ‘Dog City’ for its abundance of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, breweries, outdoor summer concerts and off-leash parks. It’s time to start planning an end-of-summer road trip to fun-filled Eau Claire. Eau yeah!
Stacey Wittig writes from her home near Flagstaff when she is not exploring other parts of the world. Follow her adventures at unstoppablestaceytravel.com.
