It’s Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer. Axel and Ridge started school this past week. Axel began kindergarten, and Ridge is in 4k. Every year there’s a bit of sadness when our flip-flops change to closed-toe shoes. Despite this, I love the fall weather and enjoy a slower pace at Seagull Bay.

But to hold onto summer a little longer we would like to share some of our guests’ favorite things to do in Bayfield when they’re staying at Seagull Bay. We thank our guests for another fantastic summer season. And if you weren’t lucky enough to visit, we hope this entices you to come soon.

Top 6 Things to Do in Bayfield

Without further ado, here’s our summer recap of some of our favorite things to do in Bayfield from this summer. Spoiler alert: we also have some amazing events that we’re looking forward to this fall.

• Our Favorite Renovation

This June, we celebrated our 5th year as owners of Seagull Bay Lakeside Motel. In the last 5 years, we’ve worked hard updating our 1940s lakeside motel properties. This spring, we completed our favorite renovation to date. We completely renovated the second-story and garage of Bay West.

Our guests rave about the updates made, including the Family Ensuite. There are large east-facing windows perfect for watching the sun rise over Madeline Island. And the children’s nook with hand-crafted day beds is begging for late-night stories.

• Our Favorite Lake Superior Adventure

We could go on and on about all the things to do in Bayfield, especially when visiting Lake Superior. Here are two crowd-pleasers perfect for the sightseer and the adventurer.

Apostle Islands Cruises – Grand Tour

This is perfect for the sightseer, nature photographer, and anyone else who is looking to experience the Apostle Islands.

During this 55-mile tour, you’ll see:

• The historic lighthouses of Devils and Raspberry Islands.
• The waves crash against the magnificent sea caves.
• A glimpse of bears walking along the shoreline.

Worried you missed your chance to experience Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands of all the things to do in Bayfield? Or do you want to experience the fall colors Lake Superior style? No problem – the Grand Tour runs into mid-October.

Trek & Trail – Meyers Beach Sea Caves

It’s no wonder that Meyers Beach Mainland Sea Caves have made the list.

The sandstone sea caves tower several stories above the cool Lake Superior water. Crevasses, cliffs, and caves carved by centuries of wind and waves. Kayaking the Sea Caves is perfect for the adventurer who wants to get up close to these natural wonders.

• Our Favorite Land Adventure

Hiking in Bayfield – The Big Ravine Trail and Meyers Beach Hiking Trail

The trails our guests rave about are the Big Ravine Trails and the Meyers Beach Hiking Trail. These trails are a must on most guests’ lists of things to do in Bayfield.

The Big Ravine Trails start in downtown Bayfield under the historic iron bridge. These trails switch back up hillsides, go over streams, and past a sandstone waterfall. They are perfect for the hiker that wants to immerse themselves in nature.

The Meyers Beach Hiking Trail is perfect for the hiker who doesn’t want to leave the views of Lake Superior. The Meyers Beach Trail offers several destination points along the trail. The most popular destination is the Mainland Sea Caves.

Above the Sea Caves, you can watch kayakers paddle through the crevasse. And take in unobstructed views of Lake Superior.

Enjoy a picnic on top of the sea caves or back at Meyers Beach. Meyers Beach is also a stunning place to witness cotton candy sunsets.

Mount Ashwabay CAMBA Mountain Biking Trails

Mountain bikers love the single track at Mount Ashwabay.

With 20 miles of trails ranging from green to black the variety of trails is sure to please any ripper. The terrain of the Mount Ashwabay single track includes:

• Epic climbs with Lake Superior views.
• Swooping downhills.
• Rock gardens.
• Fun and flowy trails.

It’s not hard to see why mountain biking is one of the favorite things to do in Bayfield.

• Our Favorite Resturant

Dalou’s Bistro

If local restaurants aren’t on your “things to do in Bayfield” list, after hearing about this one, they will be. Hands down the restaurant we recommend most to our guests is DaLou’s Bistro. This local favorite is famous for its wood-fired pizzas and homemade “dalectable” desserts.

Don’t let their simple menu of pizza, pasta, paninis, salads, and desserts fool you.

Husband and wife team, Dale Hansen and Lois Stensvad have combined their extensive experience of culinary skills, baking, and artistry to create a true food destination.

Fresh and local ingredients and mouth-watering desserts are a few of the reasons we keep recommending Da Lou’s as the best place to eat in the area. “Dalectable, dalightful, dalicious, Dalou’s.”

• Our Favorite Big Top Live Events

Big Top Chautauqua has provided our area with “culture under canvas” for almost 40 years.

For anyone:

• Looking for live music.
• Wanting to learn the area’s rich history.
• Or engage in an educational lecture series, Big Top offers it all.

Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua is a must when you’re finding things to do in Bayfield. Some of our favorite shows of this past summer season include:

• A special solo performance by Brandi Carlile.
• The upbeat sound of Michael Franti.
• The Bayfield Heritage Association’s premiere documentary, “The Bayfield Flood of 42.”

There are a few shows scheduled into the fall if you missed out this summer. The Big Top shuttle also stops at Seagull Bay providing easy transportation to and from the tent. So the question now is which show are you going to see?

• Our Favorite Fall Events Still to Come

Yes, it’s true that our summer season in Bayfield is short, but that doesn’t mean that all the fun is gone. Here are some events that you’ll love because there are always things to do in Bayfield.

• Apostle Islands Cruises – the Grand Tour provides sightseeing tours of the Apostle Islands into mid-October.
• Whistle Stop Marathon & Half-Marathon – held on Saturday, October 15th. This course follows an old railroad grade from Iron River, WI. into Ashland with the beautiful backdrop of the Northwoods displaying their fall colors.
• Big Tap ChautaquaFest – Saturday, October 1st. This adult-only event features live music, local food, and a sampling of microbrews with Lake Superior views.
• Bayfield Apple Festival and Orchard Tours – Bayfield is famous for its apple and fruit orchards. Apple picking starts in mid to late September. Or come celebrate the 60th Bayfield Apple Festival, October 7th-9th.
• Take a Break and Unwind – simply enjoy a weekend away from it all. Come savor the outdoors. Sip your favorite fall latte at Wonderstate Bayfield Cafe, and get lost in the pages of a novel from Apostle Island Book Sellers.

The list of things to do in Bayfield never falls short. Visit us any time of the year, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy hiking, falling asleep to the sounds of waves crashing on the shore, adventuring, and creating new memories.

Seagull Bay Is the Place Where All Your Bayfield Adventures Start

Summer is short, and it’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season. We often run ourselves ragged filling our summer schedules.

At Seagull Bay, we don’t want you to feel like you’ve missed out when there’s still plenty to enjoy and things to do in Bayfield.

We’ve said it before, fall is the best time to visit Bayfield. The scenery is more vibrant, the weather is pleasant, and the energy in the air is more relaxed.

At Seagull Bay, we have accommodations that fit any group size. A room for two or family ensuites are available.

Lake Superior views are calling you to spend time enjoying all the things to do in Bayfield.

BOOK NOW to reserve your room and start planning your visit to Bayfield.

Your room is ready!

Mollie, Isaac, Axel, Ridge, and Banks

QUICK LINKS:

Apostle Islands Cruises

Apostle Islands Kayaking

Bayfield Area Trails

CAMBA – Mount Ashwabay Cluster

DaLou’s Bistro

Calendar – BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA

Bayfield Apple Festival – Bayfield

WhistleStop Marathon & Half-Marathon

Bayfield Cafe – Wonderstate Coffee

Apostle Islands Booksellers