Overview
Ashland is at the top of Wisconsin, stretched out along Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay. Located at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 2 and Wisconsin Hwy. 13 just over an hour east of the Twin Ports of Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota, Ashland is perched as the major commercial center for the surrounding area. Though relatively small (7,800 in 2019), Ashland and the surrounding area are home to a vibrant community of thinkers, artists, musicians, and alternative farmers, due in part to the presence of environmental science leader Northland College.
4 sights · 1 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ashland
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
Visitor center off the highway with a museum on local maritime and area history
Ashland Ore Dock
The Soo Line Ore Dock formerly stood over Ashland's harbor. Today, visitors can walk out to the very tip over where the docks used to be.
Mural Walk
The many murals that Ashland's artists have painted on the side of landmark buildings can be found within the city.
Maslowski Beach Artesian Well
Site of the first house in Wisconsin built by white European settlers and home to a colorful Artesian Well.
Bay Theatre
6 screens, shows 7 days a week with matinees on Saturday and Sunday.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 2°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Duluth)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DLH Duluth International Airport, Duluth — 65 mi away. Directions
- RHI Rhinelander Oneida County Airport, Rhinelander — 95 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 163 mi away (major hub). Directions
The major routes to the city include:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $10–$15 a night (typical $15), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$90, comfortable ~$180.
Options are grouped as Campgrounds in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ashland Ore Dock, Mural Walk, Bay Theatre
- Lunch Deepwater Grille & South Shore Brewery
- Afternoon Maslowski Beach Artesian Well, Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
- Dinner Black Cat Coffeehouse
- Evening Blue Room Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Prior to European settlers, the area was home to eight Native American nations. French fur traders first made contact with the area in 1659, and they established the first house in Wisconsin by settlers along Maslowski Beach. The city began to industrialize by the 1870s and the first area railroads were constructed by 1877. The population peaked at 13,000 residents before continuously declining to around 7900.
Get in
The major routes to the city include:
- US Route 2 comes into Ashland from the west and leads to Iron River, WI, and Superior. Eastbound, US 2 heads east towards Ironwood and Iron River, MI.
- US Route 63 ends outside of Ashland at US 2, and connects travelers south towards Grand View and Hayward.
- WIS 13 enters Ashland from the south after passing through Mellen and Park Falls, and heads north towards Washburn and Bayfield before ultimately travelling along the Lake Superior coast towards the city of Superior.
Other routes that approach Ashland include:
- WIS 112 is an L-shaped highway running from WIS 13 near Marengo, and ending at both US 2 and WIS 13 along the bayfront in Ashland.
- WIS 118 is a short connector highway between US 63 and WIS 112.
- WIS 137 (signed as Alt. US 2/WIS 13) is a highway running between US 2 and WIS 112 near Ashland. This highway serves as the alternate route for US 2 and WIS 13 when the highway along the bayfront is closed.
Get around
Of course, if you're coming to Ashland from out of town, you'll have your own vehicle with you, but remember your walking shoes, a bicycle, or maybe a pair of roller blades. Ashland has a four-mile-long paved Lake Walk that is dog-friendly and a good vantage for sunsets. The rest of the town in easily accessible by foot or human-powered vehicle as well.
See
See Ashland Ore Dock
The Soo Line Ore Dock formerly stood over Ashland's harbor. Today, visitors can walk out to the very tip over where the docks used to be.
See Mural Walk
The many murals that Ashland's artists have painted on the side of landmark buildings can be found within the city.
Lake Superior - The biggest freshwater lake by surface area in the world has decent bayfronts that can be accessible at Bayview and Memorial parks
See Maslowski Beach Artesian Well
Site of the first house in Wisconsin built by white European settlers and home to a colorful Artesian Well.
See Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
Visitor center off the highway with a museum on local maritime and area history
Do
Ashland is a gateway to year-round outdoor recreation. There's inland and Great Lakes fishing and boating, hunting, hiking, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding, and more seasonal festivals in the area than you can shake a stick at.
Buy
The city government has been working with local merchants for the last decade to revitalize Main Street businesses, and there are positive steps forward. Many interesting small boutiques crowd shoulder to shoulder along West Main. East Main street is still behind in the aesthetic department, but may take the cake for utility with a hardware store, electronics shop, several restaurants, and more bars than you can shake a stick at.
Eat
Eat 2nd Street Bistro
Serving fresh, local fish; bacon & burgers from the Sixth Street Market; organic salad greens; and featuring live local musicians on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Supports local family farms to enhance their seasonal menus. Also displays works of local artists on its walls. Famous for their incredible sweet potato fries - they're out-of-this-world. Also has a good selection of craft beers, including a wide variety of New Glarus brews (including Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel, and Organic Revolution).
Eat Black Cat Coffeehouse
A locally-owned coffee shop and restaurant featuring fair trade certified coffees, chais, and teas, as well as a diverse food menu. Great vibe and atmosphere, and THE place to catch up on area happenings and gossip. Good selection of books and board games available for whiling the time away as well. Certainly a favorite of the Northland College community.
Eat Deepwater Grille & South Shore Brewery
Located in the historic LC Wilmarth building, and home to two restaurants, three bars, a second-floor outdoor patio open during the summer months and overlooking Chequamegon Bay, and a large list of their own on-site brewed beverages. Extensive menu featuring everything from Raspberry Chicken to South Shore Stew to Brewery Malt-Crusted Pork Tenderloin. South Shore Brewery beers available include Red Lager, Cream Ale, American Pale Ale, Honey Pilsner, Belgian Trippel, and Maple Amber. Other popular beers produced throughout the year include Nut Brown Ale and Rhodes Scholar Stout.
Eat Frankie's Pizza
Eat in or take out available. If you're looking for a gut-busting delight of goodness-soaked pizza and a few classic arcade games, this family-owned beloved area icon is your place. Walk it off afterward on Ashland's lakeshore path, located just behind the restaurant.
Eat Pizza Pub
Free Delivery. Great homemade pizza and appetizers. Also has banquet room available.
Eat Copper Pasty
Upper Peninsula themed restaurant serving delicious pasties.
Drink
- .
Sleep
Stay Crest Motel
Single story, modest, drive-up rooms, free wi-fi, view of lake, family owned, moderately priced.
Campgrounds
The city of Ashland has 2 campgrounds. These campgrounds are on a first come first serve basis.
Stay Kreher Park
Located on Lake Superior, this is an RV only campsite. Kreher Park has bathrooms, showers, water & electricity hook-ups and a pumping station.
Stay Prentice Park
Offers tent camping as well as pop-up camp sites. Prentice Park has restrooms, electricity hook-up and an artesian well.
Go next
- Superior, located 58 miles to the west, is on Lake Superior's western end, and offers more maritime history, especially with bordering the larger city of Duluth.
- Hayward is a popular fishing destination about 57 miles southwest of Ashland. The city is also a gateway to the Chequamegon portion of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
- Like Hayward, Park Falls is also a gateway to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, being 50 miles south of Ashland.
- The two cities of Washburn and Bayfield lie on the scenic Bayfield Peninsula in neighboring Bayfield County, and are gateways to the Apostle Islands.
- Ironwood & Gogebic Range to the east offer skiing and hiking opportunities on US 2. Lake Gogebic, is not that far away from Ironwood.
- Porcupine Mountains is located outside of Ironwood, specifically northwest of Michigan highway M-64.
- Houghton, the largest city on the Keweenaw Peninsula, is located 145 miles away by road, and is a gateway to the scenic peninsula.
Nearby
Washburn
City / town · 12 listings · 6 mi away
Bayfield
City / town · 1 listings · 16 mi away
Madeline Island
City / town · 18 mi away
Cornucopia
City / town · 2 listings · 21 mi away
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Park · 3 listings · 28 mi away
Ironwood and Gogebic Range
Rural area · 19 listings · 35 mi away
Two Harbors
City / town · 6 listings · 48 mi away
Porcupine Mountains
Park · 55 mi away
My experience
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