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Things to Do in Bayfield, WI: Bayfield Travel Guide
Your guide to exploring Bozeman like a local.
Timeless beauty, rich history, and wide-open adventure.
FOUNDED
1883
BEST TIME TO VISIT
May – Oct
TIME ZONE
MST
WALK SCORE
78
Overview
Things to Do
Itineraries
Free Things
Where to Stay
FAQs
overview
OVERVIEW
Things to Do in Bayfield, WI: Bayfield Travel Guide
Looking for things to do in Bayfield, WI?
This tiny harbor town sits at the very top of Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior, and it's the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Bayfield packs a lot into a few walkable blocks: Victorian inns, lake views, ferry rides to Madeline Island, sea caves, apple orchards on the hills above town, and more ghost stories than a town of fewer than 600 people has any right to own.
Summer and early fall are the busiest seasons, and the first weekend of October brings the famous Bayfield Apple Festival.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN BOZEMAN
THINGS TO DO
1. Ride the ferry to Madeline Island—A short ferry ride from downtown Bayfield takes you to the largest of the Apostle Islands, with beaches, trails, and the small town of La Pointe.
2. Cruise or kayak the Apostle Islands sea caves—See red sandstone cliffs and caves carved by Lake Superior waves, by boat tour, by kayak, or on foot from Meyers Beach.
3. Take Bayfield's Famous Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour—A self-guided audio walk past haunted inns, a 1926 stone jail, and the Iron Bridge, where locals report UFOs and a Bigfoot named Big Harry.
4. Go to the Bayfield Apple Festival—A huge October harvest party with a parade down Rittenhouse Avenue, more than 60 food and craft booths, and orchard tours.
5. Pick your own fruit at the orchards—Farms on the hills above town let you pick apples, berries, and cherries in season.
6. See a show at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua—A giant tent theater at the base of Mount Ashwabay with summer concerts and plays.
7. Stroll Rittenhouse Avenue—Bayfield's main street runs downhill to the lake, lined with shops, cafes, and Victorian homes.
8. Hike the Brownstone Trail—An easy, flat trail that follows the Lake Superior shoreline right from town.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Morning: Take the ferry to Madeline Island and explore La Pointe and Big Bay State Park.
Afternoon: Ferry back to Bayfield, have lunch downtown, then walk the Brownstone Trail or visit an orchard.
Evening: Dinner at Greunke's, then take Bayfield's Famous Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour at dusk.
2-DAY ITINERARY:
Day 2: Take an Apostle Islands sea caves cruise or a guided kayak trip, then shop Rittenhouse Avenue.
Extra Time: Catch an evening show at Big Top Chautauqua in summer, or plan your trip around the Bayfield Apple Festival in October.
Getting Around
Food
Greunke's First Street Inn
A historic restaurant and inn on the ghost tour, known for classic American food and Lake Superior fish—and for Irene, its resident ghost.
Maggie's
A bright, colorful local favorite known for burgers, sandwiches, and Lake Superior whitefish.
Manypenny Bistro
A casual spot known for gyros and wood-fired pizzas.
Free Things To Do
1. Washington Avenue Beach—Watch the sun go down over the lake where locals say the Trench Coat Man walks.
2. Memorial Park—Sit by the gazebo and look out at Madeline Island across the water.
3. Brownstone Trail—Walk or bike the shoreline trail with views of the islands.
4. Rittenhouse Avenue—Window-shop the main street and admire the Victorian homes uphill.
5. Bayfield Carnegie Library—Step inside a 1900s Carnegie library full of local history.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES:
1. Madeline Island Ferry—Round-trip tickets for walk-on passengers, bikes, and cars.
2. Apostle Islands boat cruises—Narrated sightseeing cruises to the sea caves and lighthouses.
3. Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua—Ticket prices vary by show.
4. Pick-your-own orchards—You pay for what you pick, usually by the pound.
5. Meyers Beach sea caves—A small daily parking fee applies at the trailhead.
Where To Stay?
Luxury
Old Rittenhouse Inn, Wild Rice Retreat—a grand 1890 Victorian inn on the ghost tour, and a modern lakeside retreat just outside town. Roughly 220-400/night.
Moderate
Pinehurst Inn Bed & Breakfast, Bayfield Inn—a cozy bed-and-breakfast just south of town, and a downtown hotel steps from the ferry. Roughly 150-250/night.
Budget
Seagull Bay Motel, Lucy's Place—simple rooms within an easy walk or short drive of downtown. Roughly 90-160/night.
FAQs
FAQS
1. What is Bayfield, WI best known for?
Bayfield is best known as the gateway to the Apostle Islands, its Victorian downtown, its apple orchards, and the Bayfield Apple Festival every October.
2. When is the best time to visit Bayfield?
June through early October is best. Summer is great for boats and kayaks, and fall brings colorful leaves and apple season.
3. Should I book anything ahead of time?
Yes. Book hotels early for summer weekends and Apple Festival weekend, since rooms sell out months ahead. Sea cave cruises, guided kayak trips, and Big Top Chautauqua shows can also sell out in peak season.
4. Where should I park?
Downtown Bayfield has street parking and small public lots near the ferry dock. On busy weekends, park once and explore on foot—everything downtown is within a few blocks.
5. What should I bring?
Bring layers, even in summer. Lake Superior keeps the air cool, especially near the water and after dark. Wear comfortable shoes, too—Bayfield's streets climb uphill from the lake.
6. Is downtown Bayfield walkable?
Yes. Most shops, restaurants, inns, and the ferry dock are within a few blocks of each other.
7. Can I see the Apostle Islands sea caves without a boat?
Yes. In summer, you can hike the trail from Meyers Beach, about a 30-minute drive west of Bayfield, to see the mainland sea caves from the cliffs above.
8. Are things open year-round?
Many shops, restaurants, and boat tours are seasonal and close or cut their hours from late fall through spring. Check hours ahead if you're visiting outside summer and fall.
9. Is Bayfield family-friendly?
Yes. Beaches, ferry rides, orchards, and easy trails all work well for kids, and the ghost tour is spooky fun without being scary.
10. How much time should I plan for Bayfield?
One full day covers downtown and Madeline Island. Two days lets you add the sea caves and a slower pace.
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