American poet and author, Sara Barnard, once said, "I've never seen a sunset I didn't love," and we couldn't agree more as we chase those final moments of daylight in Eau Claire. Whether it be a romantic date night, a moment for health & wellness, or it's a flawless summer evening, Eau Claire has top-notch sunset viewing spots scattered around town with perfect atmospheres to capture golden hour. Discover the best places to watch the sunset in Eau Claire below!
Carson Park
When you book a fan-deck seat at an Eau Claire Express game, you've got a front-row seat to see the sun go down in Carson Park. The fan-deck sits in right field facing west granting viewers guaranteed sunshine all game long. You can also catch the sunset while kayaking, fishing, or paddle boarding at Half Moon Lake, playing a game of tennis or softball, hammocking, or exploring the trails around Half Moon Lake. Discover all the attractions to experience in Carson Park like the Chippewa Valley Museum, Chippewa Valley Railroad, Carson Park's playground, the U.S. Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championships, and more!
Mt. Simon
It's a short hike, but the views are worth it! The top of Mt. Simon, also known as the "Top of the World," grants you some of the best views of Eau Claire, the Chippewa River, and the surrounding area. Once you're at the top, you won't have any obstructions in your view of the sunset, and the rocks are a perfect place to snap some photos to show your adventures in Eau Claire. While this hike is usually attempted in the summer, the views in the fall are even more spectacular. Orange, red, & yellow leaves, a cool breeze, and comfortable hiking temperatures– it doesn't get any more perfect!
Dive
Looking for a place to catch the sunset while sipping on cocktails? Stop right here! Dive is located on the second floor of The Lismore Hotel in downtown Eau Claire and includes indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Barstow Street. In the summer months, sip of signature cocktails on the patio and snack on sharable platters from The Informalist. In the winter, catch the sunset with a special experience in cozy igloos on the patio. The sunsets are equally as magical in the sweet summertime or during sparkly snowfalls during Eau Claire's winters. Check into your room at The Lismore Hotel, enjoy a fine dinner at The Informalist, and then head upstairs to end the night with drinks while the sun sets!
River Bend Winery & Distillery
For a countryside sunset viewing experience, head to Wheaton, WI to watch the sunset at River Bend Winery & Distillery! Pack your lawn chairs & blankets, and claim a spot on the lawn for live music, food trucks, and, of course, River Bend wine. The winery invites you to stroll through the vineyards, tune into music performances, attend workshops, and spend your evenings with cocktails in the distillery or their selection of dry, sweet, or semi-sweet wine. River Bend even creates their own sweet wine named "Sunset!" Pairing a few glasses of Sunset red wine with a charcuterie board is the ultimate way to watch the sunset in Wheaton; see more ways to explore Wheaton here!
Phoenix Park
One of the best seats in Eau Claire to catch the sunset is undoubtedly in Phoenix Park, and oftentimes, you can see the sunset while attending events in the park! Whether you're visiting the park for Sounds Like Summer on Thursday nights, Food Truck Friday, or you're fishing on the Chippewa River, you'll be treated to some of the best sunsets in Eau Claire over the river. If you head across the Eau Claire River to Haymarket Plaza outside the Pablo Center, you'll see the best views of the sun setting behind the lit Phoenix Park pedestrian bridge. Tune into our event calendar to see more events coming to Phoenix Park this summer, and plan your next sunset watch party in the park!
Helix
Sit back, relax, and drink on the patio at Helix while watching the sunset in River Prairie. The outdoor lounge area or rooftop bar serves as a place to listen to weekly concert series, look for birds, or just catch up with friends over cocktails. During your next visit to River Prairie for Kickin' It Country or Rock'n On The River, snag a seat on the outdoor couches, order a drink, and watch the sunset to some live tunes in Altoona!
Bonus! Stoney Creek RV Resort
End a summer day of swimming at Stoney Creek by watching a colorful sunset over the city of Osseo! Stoney Creek is an RV and camping resort with a mini-golf course and Morey's Oasis swimming area. While you can watch the sun go down right from your campsite, it's even more magical to see the sky explode with pink, orange, and blue colors over the one-acre swimming lake! Visit the link to book your camping getaway at Stoney Creek and discover your next sunset viewing spot!