Places to Stay and Eat in Bayfield

Chic & Social  

Perfect for couples or very small groups, the St. James Social offers eight contemporary boutique rooms in Bayfield’s updated historic main street hotel. Welcome the day with hot drinks from the coffee & tea bar.  Rejuvenate yourselves in the Lakeview Sauna after a day of sightseeing. Rehash your adventures while taking in panoramic views on the guest-only rooftop lounge or hold an impromptu dance party in your room, complete with a record player. Finish your day connecting over dinner at the on-site restaurant and social lounge, which features seasonal local ingredients. 

Home Base  

Hale House is a charming anchor for your Bayfield family vacation. Rented to just one group at a time, it can be configured based on the size of your group and accommodates up to 16. Relax in separate bedrooms, then gather in larger spaces for board games and movies. A full kitchen makes it easy to feed your crew, or head out to Manypenny Bistro for breakfast and bakery items or pizza and pasta.

Classic Luxury  

A classic bed & breakfast, Old Rittenhouse Inn’s 20 guest rooms are spread across two Victorian-era buildings and a private cottage. For a romantic retreat, relax in the whirlpool tub in your luxury suite or snuggle by the fireplace. Traveling with kids? The Rittenhouse Cottage provides families a luxurious, centrally-located spot for exploring Bayfield. At breakfast, share gorgeous views of Lake Superior at the Landmark Restaurant. Complimentary for guests and open to the public, the meal includes beverages, baked goods, hot entrees and sides. For dinner, try a five-course tasting meal. Hours and availability fluctuate seasonally. 

Romantic Retreat 

For 100 years, couples have enjoyed The Bayfield Inn, which features lakeside and cityside rooms, some with hot tubs. Several onsite dining options let you indulge in local delicacies without ever leaving the property. For a special occasion dinner, the Lakeside Dining Room serves steak, seafood and salads with a Superior view, or head to what is billed as “Bayfield’s Only Cocktail Lounge” for shareable snacks, burgers and fries.

Natural Respite  

Escape with your friends to Wild Rice Retreat for a self-curated wellness getaway or an instructor-led retreat. Situated in 100 wooded acres a mile from downtown Bayfield, this contemporary Scandi-style resort has an on-site restaurant called Root that provides meals included with your stay. Take a complimentary class together—recent offerings include yoga, guided meditation and more. Unwind in the cedar sauna and refresh with a rain shower afterward. Explore the surrounding nature trails together before reconnecting by the fire pit. Going with your group? Stay in a Treehaus for an unforgettable experience. 

Explore Outdoors  

When outdoor adventure calls, Timber Baron Inn makes an excellent base camp for Bayfield-area expeditions. The four adult-only ensuite rooms have views of Lake Superior and the surrounding area and are all wheelchair accessible. Start with pastries and coffee or tea, then set out with your partner to explore. The inn has direct access to miles of mountain bike trails and the non-profit  Mount Ashwabay Ski and Recreation Area, where you can ski, snowboard, snowshoe, hike and more. After a day outdoors, recap and refuel at Good Thyme Restaurant & Catering. Their Friday Fish Fry is all-you-can-eat local whitefish, beer-battered and served with coleslaw, tartar sauce, choice of potato and a garlic chive drop biscuit.