Island View Retreat Guidebook
Sightseeing
We highly recommend a visit to the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area. You can visit the Dave Obey Visitor Center to learn about the fascinating geological history of the area, then hike the expansive trails. This is part of the famous Ice Age Trail network of northern Wisconsin.
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Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area
13394 County Highway MWe highly recommend a visit to the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area. You can visit the Dave Obey Visitor Center to learn about the fascinating geological history of the area, then hike the expansive trails. This is part of the famous Ice Age Trail network of northern Wisconsin.
You're in Wisconsin, but sadly there are no cheese factories in the area! If you're willing to take a day trip, Marieke Gouda is well worth a drive. Owned by Dutch immigrants Marieke and Rolf Penterman, this 350-cow farmstead cheese factory is a delight. View the entire cheesemaking process, from milking to curing on aged hardwood boards imported from Holland. Then sample their award winning Goudas and pick up a souvenir at the store! There's a good on-site restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. You can find it to the southeast about an hour's drive from the cabin.
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Marieke Gouda
200 W. Liberty DriveYou're in Wisconsin, but sadly there are no cheese factories in the area! If you're willing to take a day trip, Marieke Gouda is well worth a drive. Owned by Dutch immigrants Marieke and Rolf Penterman, this 350-cow farmstead cheese factory is a delight. View the entire cheesemaking process, from milking to curing on aged hardwood boards imported from Holland. Then sample their award winning Goudas and pick up a souvenir at the store! There's a good on-site restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. You can find it to the southeast about an hour's drive from the cabin.
City/town information
Chetek is a worthwhile excursion. Classic Northwoods lakeside town. Some gift shops, bars, a nice little history museum, etc. You can rent a bike at Pelican Bike and Paddle, and bike around town and out to this little island. On Sundays in the summer be sure to check out the Hydroflites ski show.
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Chetek
Chetek is a worthwhile excursion. Classic Northwoods lakeside town. Some gift shops, bars, a nice little history museum, etc. You can rent a bike at Pelican Bike and Paddle, and bike around town and out to this little island. On Sundays in the summer be sure to check out the Hydroflites ski show.
Eau Claire is a great day trip! Recently revitalized, downtown Eau Claire is the best place to take a stroll, shop and eat. The downtown EC farmer's market is an active, busy market to pick up supplies on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer. Revival Records is a great record store with a wide selection of new and vintage vinyl. Pick up some records and play them on the record player at the cabin! For eats, we recommend Mona Lisa's (our favorite), the Lakely (owned by Grammy award winning artist Justin Vernon), and the Nucleus Cafe (best breakfast and brunch around).
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Eau Claire
Eau Claire is a great day trip! Recently revitalized, downtown Eau Claire is the best place to take a stroll, shop and eat. The downtown EC farmer's market is an active, busy market to pick up supplies on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer. Revival Records is a great record store with a wide selection of new and vintage vinyl. Pick up some records and play them on the record player at the cabin! For eats, we recommend Mona Lisa's (our favorite), the Lakely (owned by Grammy award winning artist Justin Vernon), and the Nucleus Cafe (best breakfast and brunch around).
Food scene
Our favorite place in the area. Classic and cozy lakeside tavern about 10 minutes from the cabin. Good pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and beer selection. They make a great brandy old fashioned.
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Max's Resort & Bar
28249 WI-40Our favorite place in the area. Classic and cozy lakeside tavern about 10 minutes from the cabin. Good pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and beer selection. They make a great brandy old fashioned.
Just northeast of the cabin across the lake, this lakeside bar and grill is a cozy place to rest up after a day out on the kayaks. You can pull up with the kayaks and dock at the bar. Hawk, the owner, is a friendly guy with great insights about the lakes and sights around the area.
Hawk's Resort
30994 122nd StreetJust northeast of the cabin across the lake, this lakeside bar and grill is a cozy place to rest up after a day out on the kayaks. You can pull up with the kayaks and dock at the bar. Hawk, the owner, is a friendly guy with great insights about the lakes and sights around the area.
We recommend this classic cafe in Bloomer (about 25 minutes away from the cabin) for breakfast or lunch. Best dang pies in the whole area. Pick up groceries at Shadick's nearby.
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Main Street Cafe
1418 Main StWe recommend this classic cafe in Bloomer (about 25 minutes away from the cabin) for breakfast or lunch. Best dang pies in the whole area. Pick up groceries at Shadick's nearby.
Tipps für Reisende
Was einpacken?
Buy groceries ahead of time
The area is remote and the selection of grocery stores and varied restaurants nearby is slim. The nearest grocery stores are Shadick’s in Bloomer and KJ’s in Chetek, both about 25 minutes away. We recommend stopping for supplies on the way out. For those "oh no, we forgot X" moments, there's Cenex River Country Cooperative, a gas station and convenience store, about 10 minutes south of the cabin.