Up for a 24-road trip to the La Crosse Region? We’ve curated a list of epic sights sights, top things to do and more for your next overnight stay in the La Crosse Region!

1. Grandad Bluff Overlook

2. Apple Blossom Scenic Drive & River View Winery

Have you enjoyed the Apple Blossom Scenic Drive yet? Early to Mid-May is the peak season to experience the natural beauty of rolling hills covered in blossoming apple trees. However, the drive and overlooks are breathtaking year-round. At the top of the bluff near Apple Blossom Overlook, swing by River View Vineyard & Winery.  In 2003, River View Vineyard was started with cold hardy grapes, La Crosse (white), Frontenac (red), and Swenson Red (rose). This vineyard is open seasonally* and has an outdoor tasting venue with views of the Mississippi River Valley below. 

3. Riverside Park & The La Crosse Queen

Famous Riverside Park in La Crosse is the center of the charming community. At the confluence of three rivers, it’s an iconic location to stop and rest and take in the iconic and sparkling Mississippi River. It’s also home to the renowned La Crosse Queen paddle boat; a modern-day replica of the grand riverboats which used to ply the Mississippi in the early 1900s. Riverside Park is both a signature sight and prized jewel of the La Crosse Region!

4. Great River Landing & Hiking

The Great River Landing is an epic road-side stop along the Great River Road, perfect for stretching and gorgeous views! It is well known for its natural beauty, Welcome Center, and friendly atmosphere overlooking Lake Onalaska. Located in the vibrant city of Onalaska, it also serves as the trailhead for the Great River State Trail which connects over 100 miles of state bicycle trails and is a short walk from local cuisine and shops.

5. Mindoro Cut & The La Crosse Speedway

Thrill seekers, road trippers and motorcyclists… you’ve found your next bucket list item! Located in the West Salem area, journey through the Mindoro Cut. Specifically, the landmark resides in the town of Farmington, Wisconsin just off of Highway C; linking Mindoro with West Salem. The cut is 74 feet deep, 86 feet long, and 25 feet wide. It is the second deepest cut built by hand in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest functional cut which has not been improved! Looking for more to do in the West Salem area? Watch cars whip around the race track at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. It has NASCAR Racing every Saturday night April-September and the Oktoberfest Races in October.

6. Lake Onalaska & Red Pines Bar & Grill

This stop is legendary for sunset chasers! Make sure to bring your camera as you take in the picturesque scenery and incredible sunsets on the shores of Lake Onalaska. The lake lies in Onalaska, Wisconsin and is a reservoir located on the Black River and Mississippi River. Nestled on the shores of this lake resides Red Pines Bar & Grill. You’ll find a casual restaurant delivering high quality, made from scratch meals. The destination is known for a “Northwoods atmosphere”, delicious hand-prepared walleye, lake perch, in-house smoked catfish, and much more!

7. Island Outdoors & Paddling

The meandering waterways of the La Crosse area are an absolute paradise for paddlers of every stripe. Take the family on a gentle canoe ride through relaxing wetland courses, or enjoy moderate to strenuous kayaking adventures along the Mississippi, Black, or La Crosse Rivers. Canoe trails, launches, and outfitters abound in the area, making it one of the best paddling destinations in the region. Ready to hit the water? Check out Island Outdoors for your paddling needs! You can rent a canoe, kayak, paddle board, water bike etc. and launch onto the Black River from their parking lot. 

8. Halfway Creek Park & Live Music

There’s no place like Holmen for a good time and live music! Stop in to Halfway Creek park for a wonderful hike and live music. With a whopping 14.5 acres, it’s the largest park in Holmen, WI. The quaint spot is also the home to concerts in the park every Sunday from 5pm-7pm, June through August.

3 Road Trips to Take in 2024

Enjoy beautiful scenery, access to excellent hiking, fishing, scenic overlooks, and the picturesque vistas of the Mississippi River along the Wisconsin Great River Road. The National Scenic Byway sits on Highway 35 and covers 250 miles of adventure and river towns in Wisconsin.

Read More >

4 Charming Towns To Visit This Summer

Visit some of the best charming towns in the La Crosse Region! These local hidden gems are top-rated and bursting with delicious restaurants and things to do. Only a few minutes away La Crosse and Onalaska, you’ll fall in love with their charm, sights, food, and so much more!

Read More >

The post 24 Hours Getaway- Bucket List Sights in the La Crosse Region! appeared first on ExploreLaCrosse.

Welcome to the La Crosse Region, nestled in the heart of the Driftless. To ensure you make the most of your visit, we’ve compiled six indispensable travel tips that will help you navigate and savor the wonders of the La Crosse Region. From hidden gems to must-see attractions, let this guide be your passport to an unforgettable journey in this picturesque part of Wisconsin.

The post Top 6 Travel Tips for the La Crosse Region appeared first on ExploreLaCrosse.

Up for a road trip? Enjoy beautiful scenery, access to excellent hiking, fishing, and boating, rugged bluffs, and of course the picturesque Mississippi River along the Wisconsin Great River Road. U.S. Highway 35 covers 250 miles in the state of Wisconsin, from Prescott in the north to Kieler in the south.

1. Apple Blossom Scenic Drive

Have you enjoyed the Apple Blossom Scenic Drive yet? Early to Mid-May is the peak season to experience the natural beauty of rolling hills covered in blossoming apple trees. Plan to bike or drive the 17-mile route before the season ends!  Apple Blossom Scenic Overlook also offers a short path to a rocky overlook with vistas of the La Crosse Region and Mississippi River below. After exploring, descend into charming La Crescent, Minnesota for some savory food and drinks.

2. Big Blue Bridge (Cass Street Bridge)

This iconic bridge lives on Cass Street in La Crosse, that bridges over the Mississippi River into La Crescent, MN. You can walk, bike or drive along the bridge and get gorgeous views of downtown La Crosse, Pettibone Park, and beyond. Klug and Smith Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was the superstructure contractor while Minneapolis Bridge Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota was the substructure contractor.

Riverside Park

The famous Riverside Park of La Crosse is the center of our active community. At the confluence of three rivers, Riverside Park is designed for active lifestyles and for those that want to relax and watch the river slowly pass by. The park is just blocks away from Historic Downtown La Crosse’s restaurants and shopping stops, the La Crosse Convention Center, a multitude of lodging options, and is home to the famed La Crosse Queen paddle boat and the International Friendship Gardens. Riverside Park is both a signature sight and prized jewel of the La Crosse Region.

Great River Landing

The Great River Landing is renowned for its natural beauty, Welcome Center, and friendly atmosphere overlooking Lake Onalaska. Located in lively Onalaska, it serves as the trailhead for the Great River State Trail which connects over 100 miles of state bicycle trails and is a short walk from local cuisine and shops.

Sunny The Sunfish

Onalaska is known as the “Sunfish Capital of the World!” To commemorate and to share the city’s love of the fish, head to another road-side stop and see Sunny the Sunfish. Sunny the Sunfish is a quick drive North of the Great River Landing on HWY 35 of the Great River Road. The massive and brightly colored sunfish sculpture is 15-feet high and 25-feet long perched on a scenic overlook of Lake Onalaska. Sunny provides memorable amusement from a massive sunfish statue for family photo ops, the Great River State Trail, and views of Lake Onalaska.

3 Road Trips to Take in 2024

Enjoy beautiful scenery, access to excellent hiking, fishing, scenic overlooks, and the picturesque vistas of the Mississippi River along the Wisconsin Great River Road. The National Scenic Byway sits on Highway 35 and covers 250 miles of adventure and river towns in Wisconsin.

Read More >

4 Charming Towns To Visit This Summer

Visit some of the best charming towns in the La Crosse Region! These local hidden gems are top-rated and bursting with delicious restaurants and things to do. Only a few minutes away La Crosse and Onalaska, you’ll fall in love with their charm, sights, food, and so much more!

Read More >

The post Top 5 Stops Along The Great River Road appeared first on ExploreLaCrosse.

Holmen, Wisconsin

With an awarding-winning local meat market and deli, festivals that celebrate their community’s history, and endless opportunities to see stunning views; we know you’ll find your own sense of home in Holmen! Holmen is also known for offering its residents, neighbors and visitors freshly picked ears of corn that are grilled to perfection during its annual Kornfest Celebration. Eating this corn is a sure sign that the heat of Wisconsin’s summer has arrived. This is also the perfect time to visit, and learn more about the area. Check out a great hike at McGilvray Seven Bridges or Halfway Creek Trail to enjoy the fresh air!

Learn More!

West Salem, Wisconsin

We’ve found a destination perfect for wandering travelers to call home. The Village of West Salem is a glowing surprise found in the scenic beauty of Coulee Region bluffs! Opportunities for boating on Lake Neshonoc, adrenaline rushes from racecar events at the La Crosse Speedway, and outstanding local dining at Features Sports Bar & Grill are all found within the wonders of West Salem, Wisconsin. There’s also a plethora of festivals for all ages from June Dairy Days to Country Boom and much more! The Mindoro Cut is a must for every traveler’s bucket list to explore when wandering in West Salem!

Learn More!

La Crescent, Minnesota

La Crescent, Minnesota is the perfect place to create new memories amidst its quaint charm and scenic sights! Your destination for extra quality time with friends and family is centered in the Apple Capital of southeastern Minnesota! Only a short drive from La Crosse, La Crescent’s bluff-top views can be seen from their charming local wineries, scenic byways, and miles of hiking trails for all levels, making this a prime location to visit! Take a day or two to explore the miles of apple blossoms in the spring or drop in for a weekend during the fall and see the fall peak colors with a tasting at River View Vineyard & Winery. No matter the season, savor award-winning wings and Minnesota specialty beers at Timeout Tavern!

Learn More!

Town of Campbell, Wisconsin

One of the best staycations around! The Town of Campbell is located on French Island, surrounded by shimmering blue waters from Lake Onalaska, Coleman Slough, and the mighty Mississippi River that stretches 3,000 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico! Excitement soars at Airport Beach during the summer months to catch the River City Water Ski Show performing free to the public on Wednesdays at 7 pm! One of the best ways to enjoys the renowned bluff-top views is from the water, and the Town of Campbell has various ways to leisurely travel these backwaters. With delicious food at Castaway’s to fun activities and gorgeous views, this is a prime location for a summer staycation!

Learn More!

Visually explore West Salem and the Town of Campbell:

Onalaska Getaway

There’s so much do in the La Crosse area! Onalaska is a community just north of La Crosse. In this Onalaska getaway, you’ll stay in a great hotel with so many amenities you may not want to leave much at all. I’ve given you some great stops for a meal and for shopping.

Learn More >

The Rustic & Relics of the Driftless Region

The La Crosse Region is the perfect place to shop local, family-owned businesses before the busy summer season. From antique treasures to relic junk and vintage, these stops are guaranteed to provide picturesque ambiances and great finds for a low price.

Learn More >

The post 4 Charming Towns To Visit This Summer appeared first on ExploreLaCrosse.