About this city
Also known as: Gateway to the Apostle Islands
Perched on the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior, Bayfield is a picturesque harbor town and the ultimate gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Formally established in 1856, this tiny yet historically rich community evolved from a bustling lumbering, commercial fishing, and brownstone quarrying port into a premier maritime vacation destination. Celebrated for its beautifully preserved Queen Anne-style architecture, rolling berry orchards, and dynamic arts scene, Bayfield offers an authentic coastal experience characterized by pristine glacial waters and a slow-paced, nautical lifestyle.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 2–4 days
Board a wilderness cruise or rent a sea kayak to explore the dramatic sea caves of the Apostle Islands, pick fresh berries and apples along the historic Fruit Loop orchards, and take the car ferry over to explore Madeline Island.
