Bayfield Maritime Museum
Bayfield Maritime Museum
4.5
About
Open 10am to 4pm Seasonally; Weekends in June, Daily July Through Labor Day, Weekends in September Sharing stories and artifacts about Lake Superior commercial fishing, lighthouses, boats, ships, and the innovative people of Bayfield who made their living on this great inland sea. We operate strictly with volunteers and your support. After you've explored Bayfield's maritime stories, please consider donating what you can to keep these traditions alive. We operate strictly with volunteers and your support. After you've explored Bayfield's maritime stories, please consider donating what you can to keep these traditions alive.
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
25 within 3 miles
Attractions
26 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
135 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
42
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Eisme77
Janesville, WI1,844 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Extremely well-done local museum showcasing the nautical history of the Bayfield area. Not large and can be easily done within an hour. Free admission makes this a family friendly activity, and it is right across from a nice park area for a picnic if you are so inclined. This was an enjoyable visit with lots of interesting exhibits.
Written January 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lanita H
Madison, WI46 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Free maritime museum by the shore. Interesting to learn about the fishing techniques on Lake Superior. Good mix of different types of boats, how they are made, lighthouse history and some shipwreck history. For a free museum run by volunteers, it is very well done.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael H
Elk River, MN1,875 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This is well worth the visit to see alot of history of Bayfield and its relationship to Lake Superior. Fishing and shipping displays with knowledgeable volunteers. Free admission with donations appreciated. We loved the lighthouse displays.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zombienic
Minnesota2,014 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Located all in one building, in one room. A nice stop for anyone interested in shipping, boating, fish trapping, or even just to see the creepy sea lampreys! There is a lot to read if you enjoy that kind of thing. The employee was friendly and was there to answer any questions.
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reed S
349 contributions
Aug 2019
This local museum shows the maritime heritage of the community on the shores of Lake Superior. It is staffed by helpful volunteers, that like to engage all the visitors. It is free, however you can donate. There are local built boats and stories of their experiences. Children will enjoys this museum
Written September 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikethedog
Wisconsin49 contributions
Sep 2016
The history of fishing and the boats that worked the waters of Lake Superior is told with photos and antiques you can get up close and personal with. Walk around the nets, the boats, the fishing floats and imagine working the lake 100 years ago. Very little is behind glass. The volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable- you can ask them just about anything nautical.
Written September 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol B
9 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
Though the town of Bayfield has only about 500 year-round residents, it has a wonderful maritime museum showcasing its past commercial fishing enterprise. It is packed with lots of interesting maritime artifacts, including boats, from Bayfield's past. The displays are well done in an easily followed timeline documenting the maritime history in the area.
The museum is free. There was no pressure to make a donation, but donations were gratefully accepted. With a donation, no matter how small, one gets to ring the bell by the door.
The museum is free. There was no pressure to make a donation, but donations were gratefully accepted. With a donation, no matter how small, one gets to ring the bell by the door.
Written July 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrewFromMadison
Madison, WI5,466 contributions
Aug 2022
This is one of many museums on the Lake Superior dealing with maritime history and sailing and shipwrecks - and it's one of the best as well. If the weather is not good to go to Apostle Islands - you have things to do in town (Bayfield), and this is a good way to spend time indoors and learned a lot about the area.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dimondan
Dimondale, MI12 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
This is a great maritime museum that has well done videos and real boats and pieces of ship wreck from the area. There are even skiffs being built onsite by real boat builders. Great place - Donation only. Did I mention the full ship pilot house as well. Love it.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen M
Carlos, MN21 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
There were many interesting facts and displays at the museum that were specific to the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior. I would recommend taking the time to stop by and check it out. Free admission and very informative!
Written July 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim D
Eugene, Oregon
I WAS ON THE USS Bayfield APA33, I was wondering if you the the ship bell in you muesum?
my email is
Written March 18, 2021
Hay un barco Naval real ahà en un muelle que se pueda visitar?
Written February 17, 2018
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing