Spend a Winter Weekend in Bayfield

Lodging Where You’ll Be Well Taken Care Of 

Bayfield wrote the book on concierge-style bed and breakfasts, starting with Wisconsin’s first B&B, Old Rittenhouse Inn. This 1890 gem is also known for its five-course dinners, a favorite for couples celebrating anniversaries. Another historic inn, Queen’s View, delivers sweeping panoramas of the Apostle Islands, plus there’s a sauna and outdoor plunge pool heated year-round – hello girlfriends’ getaway weekend. For eco-lodging in tune with the environmentally sensitive nature of the area, stay the night at Pinehurst Inn. And for a more contemporary take on B&B-ing, consider Artesian House. 

Generating lots of national buzz in the few short years it’s been open is Wild Rice Retreat, an off-the-beaten-path haven for wellness seekers. Park your car and settle in, with meals, movement classes and recently added massages all on the menu. Don’t miss the windowed sauna and rain shower experience. Book a guided retreat for you and your friends to really winter well.  

Foodie Experiences Built Around a Sense of Community 

St. James Social, located on the city’s main thoroughfare, is housed in the original home of the St. James Hotel circa 1884. A massive renovation transformed the property into part boutique hotel and part social space for dining and drinks. The restaurant’s lounge-y feel, complete with vinyl cave, is perfect for swapping stories and making connections sans tech devices. As for what’s on the menu, the chef rewrites it every week.  

Insider Tip: Try the St. James Spritz mocktail infused with lavender plucked from the owners’ own backyard farm. Extend the weekend with their new Sunday brunch. 

While Howl Adventure Center is known for outfitting winter adventurers, did you know it now has a coffee shop and small-batch brewery, too? The owners have a gift for reassuring visitors that you needn’t be a Birkie-level skier to enjoy the outdoors.    

Copper Crow Distillery is the first Native American distillery in North America. Try the flight of four to get a taste of the craftsmanship that goes into creating these spirits. 

Two other notable choices for foodies, both in nearby Washburn, are Good Thyme (saffron and salmon, anyone) and Coco Café (leave with a loaf of cranberry wild rice bread baked fresh daily). 

Couples Idea: Book a class at Cooking with Lars, and you’ll wow your friends next time you host. 

Spa Your Way 

It should come as no surprise that Bayfield has an intriguing mix of spa experiences, starting with Crystalline Healing, where you can book a chakra balancing or an oracle card reading. In the winter, a hot stone or hot bamboo massage at Superior Body sounds heavenly. BLU offers holistic facials and a full schedule of yoga and meditation. Plan a stop at Sweet Fern Apothecary in Washburn to stock up on natural remedies.

The Art of Shopping 

That a town of 600 has not one but two independent booksellers tells you a lot about the values of Bayfield. Tuck into a good book, preferably in front of the fireplace in your suite, from the well-curated selections at Honest Dog Books or Apostle Islands Booksellers.  

A must-stop for art lovers is Rabbit, Bird & Bear, new to Bayfield, with a strong focus on regional art by Indigenous and BIPOC artists. The Ojibwe creation stories depicted in the paintings of Rabbett Before Horses Strickland of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa are breathtaking.  

Pick up art pottery at Eckels. Support Bayfield artists with a piece from Bell Street Collective that will remind you of your stay. Create your own jewelry at a workshop at Silverwaves Jewelry. Artsy types can find supplies at Ghost Ship Gallery in Washburn. While in Washburn, warm up at the woman-owned glassblowing studio Scarlet Fire Glassworks, where the owner leads you in pulling and manipulating glass to make your own art piece.  

Winter Music Venue, Who Knew 

Big Top Chautauqua’s famous tent-show music venue becomes a more intimate winter hangout as The Backstage opens its doors to intimate performances from local musicians and traveling acts. The soft glow of stage lights and the easy camaraderie inside are a striking contrast to the quiet, snowy shoreline just outside. It’s the kind of unexpected find that rounds out a winter weekend leaving you with a newfound appreciation for this small town’s big personality.