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Our Story

Chippewa Valley Tours has been providing experiential tours in the Chippewa Valley since 2017. Born around passion for community, culture, small business and last but not least food.

The Downtown Eau Claire Food and History Tour is now entering its third season showing Eau Claire's rich history and recent revitalization along the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers.

In 2019 growth took us to Chippewa Falls to learn of their rich history in beer, shoes, lumber and ghosts.

This is only the beginning as we are already working on ideas for future tours (i.e. more locations, haunted tour, food excursions, private chefs and progressive dinners). Stay tuned to see how Chippewa Valley Tours develops into the front-runner in the area for unique experiences.

Click here to view our available tours!

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Meet the Guides

Meet Nick

Click here to view our available tours!

Meet Nick!

Hello, Nick here. I'm an Eau Claire native that has been involved in the hospitality industry most of my life. One of my passions is this community, so finding a way to show it off is a win-win. Food is another passion and the food scene in the Chippewa Valley has blossomed in the last few years. I'm excited to share some great tasting food from our local chefs! My day job is a Business Banker where I work with businesses to help them grow. In my free time I volunteer, officiate basketball, play golf and spend time with my daughter, Evelyn.

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FAQS

  • Where does the Downtown Eau Claire Food & History Tour begin and end?

    The tour begins at The Local Store on the corner of Galloway Street and N. Dewey Street. We will meet outside; however, if the weather is not cooperating, we will meet inside the store in the gallery. The tour will not start and end at the exact same location, but we will end only steps from our starting point.

  • Where does the Downtown Chippewa Falls Food & History Tour begin and end?

    The tour begins at the Chippewa Falls Visitors Center at 1 North Bridge Street. We will meet outside; however, if the weather is not cooperating, we will meet inside. The tour will not start and end at the exact same location. You can stroll back to the Visitors Center (about ½ mile) while you enjoy a treat from the final stop.

  • How long are the tours?

    The total distance walked is approximately 1.2 miles along mostly flat terrain for both of our tours, although there are some small inclines and declines on the sidewalks on the route. Guests are encouraged to come early and stay late and enjoy the many boutique shops, restaurants, and bars in Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls. Our tours are 3 hours.

  • Is there time for shopping?

    There are many unique shops along the Downtown Eau Claire Food & History Tour and the Downtown Chippewa Falls Food & History Tour. Your tour guide will take time to mention these shops along the way, but there is limited time during the tour. However, we encourage you to come back and visit the shops after your tour or on another visit to the area.

  • Are there bathrooms available during the tour?

    Yes, bathrooms are available at multiple stops throughout the tour.

  • What if it rains?

    The tour will go on – rain or shine. Please dress comfortably and for the weather. Umbrellas will be available.

  • How much food will I get?

    There will be multiple tastings on the tour, which most participants feel is enough for a meal. We do encourage you to have a light meal a few hours before taking the tour, because the tour is not intended to replace multiple meals. The tastings are designed to be the equivalent of a meal over the three hours.

  • What if I have dietary restrictions or food allergies?

    You are able to specify dietary restrictions and food allergies when you book your tickets. Please be as specific as possible so we can try to accommodate your needs. Please note that we take food allergies very seriously. If you specify a food allergy in the booking process, the tastings may not be the same as what is offered to everyone else.

  • Are there any beverages served on the tours?

    Water is served at each of the locations and at a few locations a sample-sized alcoholic beverage will be served to guests aged 21 and over. Guests may also purchase additional beverages at locations along the route.

  • Are the tours only about food?

    No way! You will learn the rich history of the city and surrounding area and how these thriving towns have become destinations for travelers from around the country. Our tour guides will also provide you with the backgrounds of our independent restaurants and their unique stories of why they began their business in the Chippewa Valley.

  • Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?

    Yes, tickets need to be purchased by 10 AM the day of the tour. Tickets are only available for purchase with a Credit or Debit card through our website. Cash is not accepted. Tickets often sell out, so tickets should be purchased in advance to guarantee your spot.

  • How will the charge appear on my credit card statement?

    The charge will appear on your statement as "Chippewa Valley Tours".

  • What is the cancellation policy? Can I get a refund or reschedule?

    Due to the attention and organization that goes into each tour, please take note of our refund and cancellation policies:

    • Tickets are non-refundable, but date changes are available on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Chippewa Valley Tours at info@chippewavalleytours.com to request a date change.
    • If you are unable to reschedule to another date, any tour canceled within 24 hours of the tour date will not be refunded.
    • All cancellations must be communicated by email to info@chippewavalleytours.com. No partial credits or rescheduling is allowed for partial attendance, no shows, or late arrivals. Be sure to show up at the right location, on time. Tours run regardless of weather conditions (unless the weather is deemed "unsafe").
  • What is the tour group size? Can a tour be cancelled if a minimum tour size is not met?

    Our tours are intended to provide our guests with a small group experience. The maximum number of guests is typically 12. If only one or two guests have booked, Chippewa Valley Tours may reach out to see if you wish to change your booking to another date. We want our guests to have a full experience that includes good food, meeting new people and tons of fun!

  • Are children allowed on the tour?

    Children are certainly welcome on our tour; however, we do ask that you keep in mind that the tour is 3 hours long, involves periods of walking and standing, and does stop at busy restaurants. Parents know their children best and should assess the situation on an individual basis. Anyone who is older than 5 is required to purchase a ticket, even if they are not eating.

    If you will have an infant/toddler on the tour with you (under the age of 5) you do not need to purchase a ticket for them. Please just let us know when you purchase your ticket that you will be bringing them along with you.

  • Where can we park for the Downtown Eau Claire Food & History Tour?

    On weekends parking in Downtown Eau Claire is free, however it is limited to 2 hours. On weekends, you may park in the lot at 101 N. Farwell Street (Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce building), the lot behind 409 Galloway Street or the large lot on the corner of Barstow/Galloway. Parking is also allowed in some surface lots but read the signs to ensure you are able to park in a particular location. Some parking may require a short walk to where the tour begins. For more information and options, visit City of Eau Claire's website.

  • Where can we park for the Downtown Chippewa Falls Food & History Tour?

    Free parking is available at our meeting point, the Chippewa Falls Visitors Center at 1 North Bridge Street.

  • Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

    We understand that some of our guests may have differing mobility needs. We will do our best to accommodate all of our guests to ensure you enjoy our tours. You are able to specify accommodations when you book your tickets. Please be as specific as possible so we can try to accommodate your needs. Please contact us in advance of the tour if you have any questions or concerns.

  • How should I dress?

    In the Chippewa Valley we are laid back, we are casual, and love to have a good time. We don't let the weather stop us! For your enjoyment and comfort, we encourage you to look ahead at the forecast and dress for the weather conditions. Tours will take place rain, snow or shine. Please dress comfortably.

  • If I live in the Chippewa Valley, why should I take a tour?

    Our tours will offer you a look into the rich history of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, much of which many locals are not aware of. You will also have the opportunity to taste the food and beverage pairings at the multiple establishments to get a good overview of what they have to offer…all in one afternoon! Imagine having the opportunity to try items on a menu that you wouldn't normally try. You may find a new favorite! Also, it's a great opportunity to bring visiting family and friends to learn about how wonderful your city is!

  • If I live in the Chippewa Valley, why should I take this tour more than once?

    Our stops on the tour are locally owned and operated establishments and source local foods that change with the seasons and availability. When you join the tour in the spring, it will look different than in the fall. One thing will never change…our commitment to provide you not only tastings and history, but a memorable experience.

  • Are gratuities for the guide included in the price?

    If you had a great time while on tour and want to recognize your guide for great service, 15-20% is standard in the tourism industry.  Our guides work hard to provide a fun & informative atmosphere while on tour and we highly recommend a reward for their performance!

  • Do you allow for private groups or parties?

    Yes! We love accommodating corporate or private events. Our tours are a great way for a business group, club, family, birthday or bachelor/bachelorette party to experience downtown Eau Claire. Please contact us and we can reserve a date for your group.

  • How can I join the team and be a guide?

    If interested in becoming a guide with Chippewa Valley Tours, please contact us at info@chippewavalleytours.com.

Click here to view our available tours!

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Contact Us

It all started with a common love of food and community.

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Please include area code

Please include area code

Please choose your preferred method of contact

Thank you for contacting us!

Click here to view our available tours!

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Downtown Eau Claire Food and History Tour

Discover something unexpected with the downtown Eau Claire food and history tour.

THE TOUR

The Local Store Volume One

Stop 1 - The Local Store205 N. Dewey StreetPhone: 715-552-0457Mon-Sat: 9 am - 9 pm | Sun: 9 am - 4 pmTheLocalStore.org

The Lakely

Stop 2 - The Lakely516 Galloway StreetPhone: 715-839-0601Mon-Thur: 4 pm - 12 am | Fri: 4 pm - 1 am | Sat: 7 am - 1 am | Sun: 7 am - 12 am(See website for specific brunch, dinner and bar service times.)TheLakely.com

Pablo Center at the Confluence

Stop 3 - Pablo Center at the Confluence128 Graham AvenueMon-Fri: 10 am - 4 pmPabloCenter.org

The Informalist

Stop 4 - The Informalist205 S. Barstow StreetPhone: 715-318-7399Mon-Fri: 6 am - 11 pm | Sat-Sun: 8 am - 11 pmTheInformalist.com

The Rev

Stop 5 - The Rev204 S. Barstow StreetPhone: 715-833-9950Tues-Fri: 3 pm - 12 am | Sat: 12 pm - 12 amTheRevEauClaire.com

Houligans

Stop 6 - Houligans415 S. Barstow StreetPhone: 715-835-6621Tues-Thurs: 4 pm - 9 pm | Fri-Sat: 4 pm - 10 pmHouligans.net

Ramone's Ice Cream

Stop 7 - Ramone's Ice Cream503 Galloway StreetPhone: 715-895-8186Mon-Wed: 11 am - 10 pm | Thurs-Fri: 11 am - 11 pm | Sat: 10 am - 11 pm | Sun: 10 am - 9 pmRamonesIceCream.com

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Downtown Chippewa Falls Food and History Tour

Discover something unexpected with the Chippewa Falls food and history tour.

THE TOUR

Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Stop 1 - Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce1 North Bridge StreetPhone: 715-723-0331Mon-Fri: 8 am - 5 pm
Summer Hours: Sat: 10 am - 2 pm | Sun: 11 am - 2 pm
ChippewaChamber.org

Brewster Bros. Brewing Co

Stop 2 - Brewster Bros. Brewing Co. & Chippewa River Distillery402 West River StreetPhone: 715-861-5100Sun-Tues: Closed | Wed-Thurs: 4 pm - 10 pm | Fri: 3 pm - 12 am | Sat: 12 pm - 12 amChippewaRiverDistillery.com

Lucy's Delicatessen

Stop 3 - Lucy's Delicatessen117 North Bridge StreetPhone: 715-720-9800Mon-Fri: 7 am - 5 pm | Sat: 7 am - 4 pm | Sun: ClosedForeign5.com/Lucys-Deli

Max's Bistro and Bar

Stop 4 - Max's Bistro & Bar213 North Bridge StreetPhone: 715-861-2500Mon-Thurs: 11 am - 9 pm | Fri-Sat: 11 am - 10 pm | Sun: ClosedMaxs-Bistro-Bar.business.site

Wissota Chophouse

Stop 5 - Wissota Chophouse100 North Bridge StreetPhone: 715-720-0550Sun-Thurs: 4 pm - 9 pm | Fri-Sat: 4 pm - 10 pm | Sun: ClosedWissotaChophouse.com

Olson's Ice Cream

Stop 6 - Olson's Ice Cream611 North Bridge StreetPhone: 715-723-4331Sun-Sat: 10 am - 9 pmOlsonsIceCream.com

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Book A Private Tour

It all started with a common love of food and community.

Private tours are great for all occasions including groups of friends, bachelor/bachelorette parties, team building activities, family reunions, and much more! You can enjoy a private tour with a professional guide of your own, personalizing the experience for your group!

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

Please include area code

Please include area code

Please choose your preferred method of contact

Thank you for booking a private tour!

We will contact you as soon as we are able.

Click here to view our available tours!

Food & History Tour

Downtown Eau Claire Food and History Tour

Discover Eau Claire's downtown confluence district as you taste foods and beverages from independently owned and operated establishments and learn about Eau Claire's rich history.

Learn More
Buy Tickets
Book A Private Tour

Food & History Tour

Downtown Chippewa Falls Food and History Tour

Discover Chippewa Falls's downtown as you taste foods and beverages from independently owned and operated establishments and learn about Chippewa Falls's rich history.

Learn More
Buy Tickets
Book A Private Tour
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, THREE FOODIES LLC, D/B/A CHIPPEWA VALLEY TOURS

The undersigned "Participant", by purchasing a ticket and in consideration of being permitted to participate in the Three Foodies, LLC dba Chippewa Valley Tours (hereinafter "Company") food tasting, cultural walking tour, and related activities in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on the specific date of tour selected by the Participant (the "Tour"), and for other valuable consideration, including the bargained for enjoyment and excitement of the proposed Tour, understands the food sampling and walking nature of the Tour, and warrants that he/she suffers from no minor or serious physical or mental injury, illness or disability that would prevent Participant from participating or make Participant especially susceptible to injury or disability while on the Tour. Participant's participation in the Tour is purely voluntary, and Participant has disclosed all known allergies to the Company prior to the Tour date. Participant chooses to participate with full knowledge and understanding of the potential risks associated with the Tour.

Participant acknowledges, understands and hereby assumes all risk associated with his/her participation in the Tour, including without limitation food sickness, food poisoning, food allergies, Participant health issues, theft or damage to Participant's personal property, physical injury during the Tour, unfavorable weather conditions, transportation delays, and traffic dangers (collectively, the "Risks"). Participant acknowledges that the Tour visits public locations and/or locations that are not owned or controlled in any way by the Company and therefore the Company does NOT guarantee or insure the performance or actions of those third parties or any Risks. Participant further agrees at all times during the Tour to abide by and comply with instructions given by the Company, its owners, employees, agents and tour guides. Participant's non-compliance with such instructions may result in injury, death or other losses, and Participant may be removed from the Tour.

Participant hereby forever RELEASES and agrees to HOLD HARMLESS the Company, along with its owners, employees, agents, tour guides and host locations, from all claims, including without limitation food sickness, food poisoning, food allergies, personal injury, death, permanent disability, property damage or theft, or other loss, related to his/her participation in the Tour resulting from the Company's, its owners, employees, agents, and/or host location's negligence. PARTICIPANT DOES NOT RELEASE OR WAIVE ANY LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY FOR INTENTIONAL OR RECKLESS ACTS ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY.

If alcohol is served during the Tour, Participant accepts full responsibility for complying with all applicable laws regarding the consumption of alcohol. By consuming alcohol during the Tour, Participant represents that he/she is at least 21 year of age. The Company may, in its sole discretion, require proof of Participant's age. Participant may be removed from the Tour by the Company for refusing to provide proof of his/her age.

This Release and Waiver of Liability constitutes the entire agreement between Participant and the Company, and no modification of it shall be made or be enforceable except by written agreement signed by both parties. This Release and Waiver of Liability shall be construed in accordance with Wisconsin law, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions, with exclusive jurisdiction in the State of Wisconsin, venued in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.

Participant has read, understands, and hereby consents to this Release and Waiver. Participant further warrants that he/she is at least 18 years of age, or if under 18 years old, the person consenting on behalf of the Participant is Participant's parent or legal guardian.

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Testimonials

"Fun afternoon of good food, good drink and good company with a mix of interesting local history. Very enjoyable!"
-Barbara M

"For my wife and I, having just moved to Eau Claire a few months ago, this was a perfect introduction to the local food scene, a bit of local history, and it gave us great ideas for where we'd like to explore more. Thanks to all the local entrepreneurs who shared their stories along the way, it's clear that downtown Eau Claire is growing and evolving and building on its dynamic history and culture."
-Doug

"So much fun! It was great to learn about new and established places. Enjoyed getting to show off what makes Eau Claire so wonderful to our out of town friends."
-Rhiannon R.

"This was my first food tour and I LOVED it. I have raved about it to my friends and family."
-Amy M.

Click here to view our available tours!

General Photography/Media/Testimonial Consent & Release

I hereby grant express consent to Three Foodies, LLC dba Chippewa Valley Tours, its representatives, employees and agents (collectively "CVT"), to use my image, likeness, portrait, picture, name, testimonial, and/or voice (collectively "Privacy Rights") in promotional or training materials or any other products or media. The foregoing consent includes the right of CVT to take, capture or receive my Privacy Rights through statements, photographs, videos, and/or other captured media.

I agree that CVT shall be the sole owner with full rights and may use such statements, photographs, and/or videos or other media, including composite and modified representations thereof, for any lawful purpose. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights and ownership include advertising or trade purposes as articulated by Wis. Stat. § 995.50(2)(b), as well as the irrevocable right and unrestricted permission and license to use, re-use, display, distribute, transmit, publish, re-publish, sell, copy, make derivative works or otherwise use the statements, photographs, and/or videos, and/or media.

I expressly waive the right to inspect or approve versions of any statements, photographs, or other media that may be used in connection with my Privacy Rights, and I agree that this agreement shall be considered "written consent" under right of privacy laws, including under Wis. Stat. § 995.50(2)(b).

I hereby release and hold CVT harmless from any and all rights or claims or demands which may arise regarding CVT's use of my Privacy Rights, including any claims of defamation, invasion of privacy or infringement of rights, rights of publicity, or copyrights. This agreement shall be binding upon me, my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, assigns, and employer.

This agreement shall be construed in accordance with Wisconsin law, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions, with exclusive jurisdiction in the State of Wisconsin, venued in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.

I represent that I am over the age of eighteen (18) years and that I have read the foregoing and fully understand its contents. In the case the individual is a minor, I, the undersigned parent or legal guardian of the minor, hereby authorize and consent to all the provisions of this agreement on my behalf and on behalf of the minor.

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