The Ride is the Gallery

In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, you don’t bike to the art–it’s all around you as you ride.

It’s in the murals that stretch across downtown buildings, in sculptures along the sidewalks and trails, and even in the artwork that lines the town’s tunnels. What starts as a simple ride quickly becomes something more, where every turn reveals color, texture, and story that Eau Claire holds close. Here, the trails double as an art gallery, and the best way to experience it all isn’t by foot or by car, but on two wheels moving right through the middle of it.

Some of the most memorable moments happen when you don’t just pass the art—you ride straight through it. Along the Chippewa River State Trail, the Fifth Avenue tunnel comes alive with The River Above Us, a mural that transforms the space into a reflection of the region’s floodplain. A beaver anchors one end, a turtle the other, with woodpeckers and frogs woven throughout, inviting riders to slow down and see the natural world from a different perspective. Similarly, Lightscape turns the Boyd Park tunnel into an immersive experience, where color and pattern radiate outward like the center of a flower, shifting the feel of the ride entirely.

In downtown Eau Claire, Cascade, a bold, colorful piece near the intersection of Farwell and Galloway, has become an iconic stop, especially when paired with a scoop from a nearby ice cream shop. Located just steps from where several trails begin, it’s an easy addition to any ride through the city.

While some murals make a big, immediate impression, others are part of a broader collection. The ColorBlock program, a community-driven public art initiative, brings clusters of murals and creative installations to walls, corridors, and shared spaces across Eau Claire. Rather than a single large piece, these collections feature multiple works side by side, each with its own style and story.

Along the trail, riders pass through Banbury Place, once a sprawling industrial complex and now home to local businesses, artists, and makers. Today, its historic brick buildings are lined with colorful, playful murals that invite you to slow down and take it all in. ColorBlock murals also extend beyond downtown, appearing along the Chippewa River State Trail and into neighboring Altoona, adding new layers of creativity to the ride.

Each piece adds something new, turning everyday miles into a more immersive, ever-changing experience.

Beyond the murals, Eau Claire’s Sculpture Tour adds another layer to the ride—one that reveals itself gradually as you move through the city. This outdoor exhibit places sculptures throughout downtown, along riverfront paths, and near trail connections, turning everyday routes into something worth slowing down for.

As you bike, these pieces appear when you least expect them—on street corners, tucked into green spaces, or standing just off the trail, inviting you to pause, circle back, or take a closer look. The tour rotates each May, introducing a new collection of sculptures and ensuring that no two rides feel exactly the same. It’s also the largest rotating sculpture tour in the nation, adding a sense of scale to something you experience one piece at a time.

In Eau Claire, biking and art aren’t separate experiences—they’re part of the same story. The trails don’t just take you somewhere; they invite you to slow down, look around, and notice what’s been there all along. From murals and tunnels to sculptures tucked along the route, creativity is woven into every mile. So take your time, follow the path, and enjoy the ride—there’s more to see than what’s ahead.

To explore the full collection of murals and plan your route, visit the Visit Eau Claire murals page and the Sculpture Tour Eau Claire website for a complete look at what’s waiting along the way.

Feature Photo Credit: Megan Zabel Holmes/Visit Eau Claire