Travel Destinations Wisconsin Bayfield, Wisconsin Top Things to Do Around Bayfield and the Apostle Islands The gateway to the Apostle Islands offers walking and biking tours, sailing outfitters and great ice cream. Check out our trip guide for what to do, where to eat and where to stay on Bayfield. By Midwest Living editors Midwest Living editors Midwest Living's experienced editors create best-in-class travel, lifestyle, food, home and garden content you won't find anywhere else. We're loudly, proudly Midwestern, and we're passionate about helping our audience explore and create through award-winning storytelling. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 11, 2023 Photo: Kevin J. Miyazaki/Redux At the edge of the largest of the Great Lakes, the small harbor town of Bayfield, Wisconsin, forms a gateway to music, art and the Northern wilderness of the Apostle Islands. About 85 miles east of Duluth, Minnesota, the town draws travelers yearning to kayak to the caves or the islands, to hike through the trees, or to simply enjoy an evening stroll down Bayfield's corridor of culture, Rittenhouse Avenue. What to Do John Noltner Apostle Islands by boat A 55-mile narrated cruise goes past highlights of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Other options: kayaking (Trek & Trail is a popular outfitter), sailing, island shuttles, private tours and glass-bottom boat tours. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore The nearly 70,000-acre preserve covers 12 miles of cave-studded shoreline along a peninsula jutting into Lake Superior and also includes 21 of the 22 Apostle Islands. (About 300 year-round residents inhabit archipelago member Madeline Island, not part of the national lakeshore.) Kevin J. Miyazaki/Redux Biking Hop on the Brownstone Trail or another area trail for a ride along Lake Superior. Bayfield Maritime Museum Nautical artifacts and demonstrations tell the story of life on an inland sea. Big Top Chautauqua. John Noltner Big Top Chautauqua Check the online schedule for concerts and other performances at the 900-seat canvas tent near the Lake Superior shore. Find Your Beat at One of These 10 Stellar Music Venues Madeline Island Boats with the Madeline Island Ferry Line deliver visitors to La Pointe, where they can visit artists studios, galleries and off-beat bars (like Tom's Burned Down Cafe). On the east side of the island, Big Bay State Park and nearby Big Bay Town Park offer hiking, swimming and picnic opportunities. Orchard tours Pick up a map at the visitors center and drive to local orchards, including Bayfield Apple Company, Hauser's Superior View Farm and Blue Vista Farm for fresh fruit, baked goods and locally made products. Rittenhouse Avenue Bayfield's main drag offers one-of-a-kind boutiques, beachy gift shops and upscale eateries, as well as great views of Lake Superior and Madeline Island. Get lost among the stacks at Honest Dog Books, which dedicates a section to local authors. Where to Eat and Drink Cafe Seiche Chef-owner Chris Wolfe's menu changes daily but might include almond-crusted lake trout over roasted red potatoes and asparagus at the seasonal Madeline Island spot. Aaron Peterson Copper Crow Distillery Copper Crow, the nation's first Native American distillery, makes a unique vodka and gin with whey sourced from a Wisconsin dairy. Sample their spirit offerings in cocktails in the taproom. Copper Trout This restaurant (formerly Ethel's at 250) features fresh fish and other locally sourced fare. Try the popular Big Lake whitefish pizza with whitefish, bell peppers, onions, mozzarella and lemon-garlic olive oil. DaLou's Bistro For cheap but authentic New York-style wood-fired pizzas, follow State-13 ten miles south to Washburn to DaLou's. Aaron Peterson Manypenny Bistro This bistro is the place to go for gyros and wood-fired pizza. Tom's Burned Down Cafe Take a ferry to Madeline Island and grab a drink at Tom's while listening to live music and touring the art gallery. The Fat Radish Artisan sandwiches and wraps make a terrific picnic lunch at The Fat Radish, or stop in for a smoked whitefish bagel or walleye tacos. Pier Plaza Restaurant A bayfront location makes for great views for guests eating burgers, sandwiches, wraps. Old Rittenhouse Inn. Kevin J. Miyazaki/Redux Where to Stay Bayfield Inn Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces enhance rooms with views of the Apostle Islands. Legendary Waters Resort and Casino Every room at Legendary Waters overlooks Lake Superior and the nearby Apostle Islands, as do the fitness center, indoor pool and hot tub. Old Rittenhouse Inn Suites with fireplaces, steam showers or whirlpool tubs promise indulgence, as do five-course dinners and gourmet breakfasts. Courtesy of Queen's View Queen's View Bed and Breakfast At Queen's View Bed and Breakfast, the most difficult decision might be whether to enjoy continental breakfast in the sunny yellow dining room or the wraparound porch of this lodging, which opened as a B&B in fall 2022. The striking seven-bedroom Victorian home belonged to the late Mary H. Rice. Known as the Queen of Bayfield, Rice was a philanthropist and business owner recognized for her "fabulous parties, entrepreneurial wizardry and extraordinary art," says her daughter, Katherine Hayes, who co-owns the B&B. Take a dip in the outdoor heated plunge pool after exploring the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Wild Rice Retreat. Aaron Peterson Wild Rice Retreat This sanctuary focuses on the arts and well-being, with activities like yoga, meditation, essential oil-blending classes and hikes. Stay in newly built lodging that includes Ricepods (small standalone cabins) and the Nest, with separate living and sleeping quarters. This Unique Way to Explore Bayfield Focuses on Wellness Pinehurst Inn Reuseable stainless-steel water bottles are just one of the ways this B&B gets its rep as a premiere eco-friendly stay. For more information bayfield.org Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit