5 Bayfield WI Attractions to Check Out on Vacation

View of the historic Bayfield Courthouse, a popular local attractionThere are endless ways to stay busy in Bayfield during your getaway with the Old Rittenhouse Inn. Check into your guest room and discover several Bayfield, WI attractions near our bed and breakfast. Explore the great outdoors along Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, catch live performances at Big Top Chautauqua, enjoy winter skiing at Mt. Ashwabay, and learn local history at Bayfield Maritime Museum. Whether you’re seeking outdoor fun, live entertainment, or cultural experiences, we offer something for everyone!

1. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Bayfield is best known as the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a collection of 21 islands along Lake Superior. Take a tour of the islands via the Apostles Islands Cruises or set out on a kayaking adventure and paddle the popular sea caves. Take the ferry to Madeline Island and spend an afternoon swimming, sailing, kayaking, hiking, and fishing.

2. Big Top Chautauqua

Big Top Chautauqua has provided world-class entertainment in Bayfield for nearly four decades. Visit during summer and enjoy over 60 shows, concerts, and events under a 900-seat canvas tent. Or plan a spring, fall, or winter visit and check out The Backstage for live entertainment, food, and drinks.

3. Copper Crow Distillery

Visit the first indigenous-owned distillery in the United States during your Bayfield getaway: Copper Crow Distillery. Sip on handcrafted spirits and cocktails while enjoying views of the towering pines and Lake Superior. This is the perfect place to grab a drink after a day of adventures!

4. Bayfield Maritime Museum

Learn all about the nautical history of Bayfield and the Apostle Islands at the Bayfield Maritime Museum, open seasonally from June to September. Enjoy free admission and explore the exhibits highlighting artifacts and stories on Lake Superior, fishing, and lighthouses. 

5. Mt. Ashwabay

If you visit Bayfield during winter, we recommend heading to Mt. Ashwabay. Enjoy a wide array of recreational activities, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, skijoring, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. The versatile trails offer year-round adventure, transforming from a summer mountain biking mecca to spooky haunted paths in the fall. 

Book Your Stay at Our Bayfield Bed and Breakfast

Book your getaway with Old Rittenhouse Inn and check out these Bayfield, WI, attractions during your stay. Browse our Bayfield accommodations and stay in an 1890s Queen Anne Victorian mansion offering 12 guest rooms and luxury suites. Or book one of our seven guest rooms at Le Chateau overlooking Lake Superior. Book with us today and save on your upcoming getaway with our vacation specials!