WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 136
Wisconsin · Couples · Two nights

Bayfield & the Apostle Islands

Sea caves, islands and a Lake Superior harbor town.

Bayfield is a tiny harbor town on Lake Superior, the gateway to the 21 Apostle Islands. Kayak or cruise past the sandstone sea caves, take the ferry to Madeline Island, pick apples in the hillside orchards and stay at the Victorian Old Rittenhouse Inn.

Sea cavesIsland ferryVictorian inn
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
Sandstone rock formations on Lake Superior in the Apostle Islands
Apostle Islands sandstone, Lake Superior
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KASX
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~946 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~6 hr 33 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Ashland.

KASX, John F. Kennedy Memorial in Ashland, is a non-towered field about 30 minutes from Bayfield.

The FBO

JFK Memorial Airport

John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, Ashland, WI

715-682-7070

Confirm FBO hours, fees and ground transportation. No live fuel price is shown.

Great Lakes weather: lake-effect clouds and snow from late fall through winter, summer thunderstorms and fog over cold water in spring. Lake Superior fog can roll in quickly. About 950 nm from Myrtle Beach: a long cross-country day with two fuel stops. Plan four or more nights, or break the trip with an overnight on the way.

02 / Where to stay

A Victorian inn by the lake.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Summer and Apple Festival weekends book early.

03 / Where to eat

Whitefish and orchard country.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

Islands, caves and orchards.

Get on the lake.

01

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Sea caves by boat or kayak.

Lakeshore
02

Madeline Island Ferry

A short ferry to a quiet island.

Ferry
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Winter

Ice caves (some years)

Only when the lake freezes safely.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Bayfield events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample long weekend: sea caves, an island and an inn. This is a long flight; plan four or more nights. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive

  1. Arrival

    Land at KASX, subject to weather, your fuel stop and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Walk the harbor.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at The Bayfield Inn.

DAY 2

Explore

  1. Morning

    A sea-cave cruise or kayak tour.

  2. Afternoon

    The ferry to Madeline Island.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at the Old Rittenhouse Inn.

DAY 3

Morning & home

  1. Morning

    The orchards.

  2. Before leaving

    Allow time at the airport.

  3. Fly home

    Lake-effect weather can build quickly; leave early.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging and boat tours first.

Long flight

About 950 nm. Plan two fuel stops and four nights.

Lake Superior

Cold water and fog; tours cancel in rough seas.

Best seasons

June to early October.

Reviewed · Destination 136

Reviewed November 4, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.