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.

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.

Travel Wisconsin asks fans to vote for their favorite scenic route in Wisconsin

In anticipation of the arrival of vibrant fall colors across the state, Travel Wisconsin is asking fall foliage fans to join the fun and help pick the this year’s best fall drive in the state in the Ultimate Fall Drive Showdown.
 

Wisconsin Great River Road National Scenic Byway

Enjoy history, bluff-top views, outstanding trails and charming river towns along the Wisconsin Great River Road—Wisconsin’s only designated National Scenic Byway.
 

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

HWY 33 from Baraboo to La Crosse

Highway 33 is one of Wisconsin’s “Coast to Coast” routes, reaching both Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. 200 miles, from Port Washington to La Crosse. The route of Highway 33 has remained essentially unchanged since 1934.
Cast your vote for Vote for Great River Road on TravelWisconsin.com during Sept. 8 – Oct. 1.

The post Travel Wisconsin Ultimate Fall Drive Showdown: Vote for the Wisconsin Great River Road! appeared first on ExploreLaCrosse.