Located on the shores of Lake Superior, Bayfield is a small coastal town that is one of the most charming destinations in Wisconsin and possibly the USA. This small town has the charm of a New England coastal town without the big crowds. Bayfield is not only a charming destination in itself but it is a gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and Madeline Island. Keep reading for our top list of things to do in Bayfield and how we put them together into our perfect weekend exploring the area.
Getting There And Around
Bayfield is located on the shores of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin. It is less than 4 hours from Minneapolis, less than 2 from Duluth, making it one of the most popular vacation destinations in northern Wisconsin. You’ll need a car to get to Bayfield. However, once there, you can choose to get around by car, bike or foot. While there are plenty of places farther away that you can drive to, there is also a ton to do within biking distance of Bayfield. So if you want to have an environmentally friendly vacation, you can plan on biking from destination to destination in our Bayfield itinerary below (though you will need to get a kayak tour with transportation to the launch point inlcuded).
Two Day Bayfield Itinerary
Day 1 – Bayfield
Morning – Apostle Island National Lakeshore
Take in the beauty of the Lake Superior shoreline from the water. Start your morning bright and early with a morning sea cave kayak trip. We used Trek and Trail, out of Bayfield, for a guided kayak tour.
Be warned that the waters of Lake Superior are not to be messed with. Going with a guided kayak tour will provide you a level of safety in both training and professionals looking out for your safety. Kayak tours will not go out if the conditions are poor. Plus, tour guides provide you with all of the proper safety equipment like wet suits, life jackets and helmets. You could kayak on your own, but I think these waters are best left to very experienced kayakers (and also people with sea kayaks – not the shorter lake kind).
The cave tour actually takes off from Meyers Beach along the shores of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. You get to look at the red cliffs of Lake Superior up close. Plus, you’ll even pass through a few sea caves and arches.
After your kayak tour, drive to Little Sand Bay for some sightseeing along the Lake Superior Coast. This section of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is farther east from where you will be kayaking. This stop on the way back to Bayfield gives you great views of the islands in the area.
Afternoon – Exploring Bayfield
Grab lunch in Bayfield at one of the beautiful patios overlooking Lake Superior like the Pickled Herring, the Pier Plaza or The Deck.
Next, head out of town and drive or bike the “fruit loop”. This “country block” (our term for a very long square-ish route) takes you around a loop of orchards and wineries. You can stop for shopping or tasting or both!
Consider taking an afternoon or evening cruise through the Apostle Islands. These one hour cruises will take you to different remote islands that are only accessible via private boats or kayaks.
In the evening, have a nice dinner at one of the gourmet Bayfield restaurants. The Old Rittenhouse Inn and The Copper Trout are some of the most popular and expensive options.
Day 2 – Madeline Island
Morning – Exploring Madeline Island
First, eat breakfast at Mannypenny Bistro in Bayfield. Wait times for this restaurant can be extensive on weekends so make sure to start your morning early. Then grab some picnic supplies from a local store, don’t forget the smoked fish – a specialty in the area. Pack your picnic for the day and head out.
Next, leave the mainland and take the ferry to Madeline Island. Check out the ferry schedule and prices here. You can choose to take your bikes or car to the island for transport. However, you can also rent bikes or mopeds on the island.
First, take your bike or moped for a drive around the island.
Afternoon – Park and Bars
Stop at Big Bay State Park for a bit of hiking. There are several miles of trails including shoreline and bog trails. Have lunch on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior in the park, which are calmer shores than the mainland.
Next, head back into town and explore the few charming shops. Don’t forget to follow the loud music and head to Tom’s Burned Down Cafe, a ramshackle bar that has been built from scraps after the previous cafe burned down.
Lastly, take the ferry back into town and head home.
Want To Adjust The Itinerary
If you have extra time, consider heading into Ashland or Duluth on a scenic drive along the coast of Lake Superior. These are great drives year round as the roads are scenic and the destinations are also on the lakeshore of Superior.
Where To Stay In Bayfield
Staying in Bayfield makes the most sense for this itinerary. However, prices are expensive in the summer. Staying in nearby small towns can save you some money. However, we like staying in the campsites around town. There are a few campgrounds north of Bayfield in the National Lakeshore in addition to the few private campgrounds in town.
We hope this has helped you to plan your own Bayfield vacation this year in northern Wisconsin. It’s one of our favorite weekend destinations and we hope you love it as much as we do. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the section below and we’d be happy to help.
I really enjoyed reading this article on the weekend in Bayfield and Madeline Island. You have written a very comprehensive and detailed guide that covers all the seasons and interests. I was amazed by the variety and beauty of Bayfield and Madeline Island’s attractions. Your photographs are equally spectacular, they beautifully capture the allure and magic of these locations.
Thanks so much for that thoughtful comment. We really love the area and it is even more beautiful in real life.