Bayfield’s Old Rittenhouse Inn began in 1973 when Mary and Jerry Phillips purchased a well-preserved 1890s Queen Anne Victorian. The young music teachers from Madison originally intended to use it as a summer home but fate had other plans. Before long they were hosting the first of many overnight guests.
Fast forward fifty years and the inn is still going strong under the leadership of Mary and Jerry’s son, Mark Phillips. With twenty guest rooms and a gourmet restaurant housed in two Victorian homes and a private cottage, Old Rittenhouse Inn is known as one of the Midwest’s premier B&B/Country Inns.
As they say, location is everything. The Ritt is situated in downtown Bayfield, just a few blocks from Lake Superior and the gateway to the Apostle Islands. The colorful and eclectic shops and restaurants are all within walking distance. A wide variety of activities and events are available year round in picturesque Bayfield and the surrounding area,
Lodging accommodations at Old Rittenhouse Inn include lovely lake-facing Queen bedrooms, King whirlpool rooms, and luxurious suites with Lake Superior views. A delicious full breakfast is included each morning of your stay.
The Inn’s restaurant, Landmark at Rittenhouse Inn, offers fine dining in relaxed, yet elegant atmosphere. Over the years, the Phillips family wrote and published two cookbooks, and many of those recipes are still in use today. Guests favorites include the Apple Glazed Pork Roast, the Steak Bercy, Champagne Chicken, Salmon with Lobster Ravioli and Ocean Sauce, and many more. Starters, soups, salads, sorbet, and homemade desserts are all part of the dining experience.
Bayfield is a popular summer destination, and we recommend making plans early for a stay during this time of year. You’ll find sailboats, fishing boats, kayaks, ferries, cruise ships and more making the most of summer in the Chequamegon Bay. The Big Top Chatauqua is nearby, offering music by national and regional touring artists. Hiking and biking trails are everywhere, and the “fruit loop” offers a wide variety of seasonal fruits and produce at the many farms and orchards that surround the city.
The other seasons are equally wonderful for a visit. Bayfield is known for its beautiful fall color in September and October. In November, Old Rittenhouse Inn offers Brew and Wine Weekends and is open for Thanksgiving dining and lodging.