Elmwood WisconsinATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Elmwood, Wisconsin.
1. Crystal Cave
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Crystal Cave is Wisconsin's longest cave, offering visitors a fascinating underground tour through rooms filled with stunning crystal formations. Visitors can explore the geological history of the area while descending 70 feet below the surface to witness stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations that formed over millions of years. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 50 degrees year-round, making it a perfect destination regardless of outside weather conditions.
2. Cady Cheese Factory and Shop
ARTISAN CHEESE EXPERIENCE
Cady Cheese Factory and Shop offers visitors a glimpse into Wisconsin's famous cheese-making traditions since 1908. Visitors can observe the cheese-making process through viewing windows and sample from over 150 varieties of artisanal cheeses made on-site. The shop provides an opportunity to purchase freshly made cheese curds, aged cheddars, and unique flavored varieties that represent the best of Wisconsin's dairy heritage.
3. Eau Galle Lake & Recreational Area
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Eau Galle Lake & Recreational Area offers visitors a serene 150-acre lake surrounded by beautiful forest landscapes for various outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and picnicking during summer months or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. The area features well-maintained hiking trails that wind through the surrounding woodlands, providing opportunities to observe local wildlife and natural beauty throughout all seasons.
4. Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area
PANORAMIC HILLTOP VIEWS
Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area features over 700 acres of rolling hills, prairie grasslands, and woodlands with a 60-foot observation tower offering panoramic views. Visitors can explore 9 miles of hiking trails that vary in difficulty, perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to observe native plants and wildlife in their natural habitat. During winter months, the area transforms into a cross-country skiing destination with groomed trails for both beginners and experienced skiers.
5. UFO Days Festival
EXTRATERRESTRIAL CELEBRATION EVENT
UFO Days Festival is Elmwood's signature annual event held on the final weekend of July, celebrating the town's status as one of Wisconsin's UFO Capitals. Visitors can enjoy a parade, craft vendors, food stalls, live music, and special presentations related to the numerous unexplained phenomena reported in the area since the 1970s. The festival commemorates notable sightings including police veteran George Wheeler's encounter with a hovering craft above Tuttle Hill's limestone quarry, drawing both believers and curious tourists alike.
6. Sailer's Food Market & Meat Processing
LOCAL CULINARY TREASURE
Sailer's Food Market & Meat Processing is a beloved local establishment offering exceptional meats and specialty food items in downtown Elmwood. Visitors can discover award-winning sausages, smoked meats, and traditional Wisconsin food products made with time-honored recipes and techniques. The market provides a taste of authentic Wisconsin culinary traditions and serves as a gathering spot for locals and tourists seeking quality food products from the region.
7. Sandbar Bar and Grill
RIVERSIDE DINING EXPERIENCE
Sandbar Bar and Grill offers visitors a charming riverside dining experience with views of the Eau Galle River in Elmwood. Guests can enjoy classic Wisconsin comfort food including cheese curds, fish fry, and homestyle entrees in a relaxed atmosphere popular with both locals and tourists. The establishment features outdoor seating during warmer months, making it an ideal spot to unwind after exploring the area's attractions.
8. Renae's Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
RELAXATION AND WELLNESS
Renae's Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork provides visitors with professional relaxation and wellness services in the heart of Elmwood. Travelers can rejuvenate with customized massage therapy treatments designed to relieve tension from long drives or outdoor adventures in the region. The establishment offers a tranquil environment where guests can prioritize self-care while exploring Wisconsin's countryside.
9. National Eagle Center
RAPTOR CONSERVATION SHOWCASE
The National Eagle Center is an interpretive center dedicated to eagles and their conservation, located just across the Wisconsin border in nearby Wabasha, Minnesota. Visitors can observe live bald and golden eagles up close while learning about these magnificent birds through interactive exhibits and educational programs. The center's riverside location along the Mississippi Flyway offers opportunities to spot wild eagles in their natural habitat, particularly during winter months when hundreds gather in the area.
10. Children's Museum of Eau Claire
INTERACTIVE LEARNING PLAYGROUND
The Children's Museum of Eau Claire offers families a vibrant, hands-on environment where children can explore, create, and learn through play. Visitors can engage with numerous interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in a colorful, energetic atmosphere. The museum provides a perfect indoor activity for families looking to combine education with entertainment during their trip to the region.
11. Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
PIONEER AUTHOR HERITAGE
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum commemorates the birthplace of the beloved author of the "Little House" series in nearby Pepin, Wisconsin. Visitors can explore a replica of the little house in the big woods described in her famous books, along with artifacts and exhibits detailing pioneer life in the 1870s. The site includes the Laura Ingalls Wilder Wayside and cabin that marks the location where the Ingalls family lived, offering literary enthusiasts and history buffs a glimpse into early Wisconsin pioneer life.
12. Red Wing
HISTORIC RIVER TOWN
Red Wing is a charming historic town situated on the Mississippi River just across the border from Wisconsin, known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture and pottery heritage. Visitors can explore the downtown district with its distinctive red brick buildings housing boutique shops, art galleries, and restaurants that showcase the area's rich cultural heritage. The town offers spectacular views of the Mississippi River valley and bluffs, particularly from Barn Bluff which provides hikers with panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.
13. Spring Valley Stairstep Falls
HIDDEN NATURAL CASCADE
Spring Valley Stairstep Falls is a picturesque waterfall tucked away along the Eau Galle River, offering a peaceful natural retreat near Elmwood. Visitors can enjoy the unique stepped limestone formation where water cascades down multiple levels, creating a serene soundtrack of flowing water surrounded by lush vegetation. The falls are most impressive during spring thaw or after heavy rains, making them a perfect destination for photographers and nature lovers seeking hidden gems in the Wisconsin countryside.
14. Rush River Brewery
CRAFT BEER DESTINATION
Rush River Brewery crafts award-winning ales using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients in nearby River Falls. Visitors can tour the brewing facilities to learn about the beer-making process before sampling a flight of handcrafted brews in the rustic taproom. The brewery's scenic location and commitment to sustainable practices make it a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts exploring western Wisconsin.
15. Pierce County Historical Society
REGIONAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Pierce County Historical Society preserves and showcases the rich history of the region through exhibits housed in historic buildings in the county seat of Ellsworth. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of early settlers, agricultural development, and cultural evolution in western Wisconsin. The society maintains several historic structures including the 1869 Courthouse, providing an immersive journey through Pierce County's past from Native American inhabitants through European settlement and beyond.