Everything To Do And See In La Crosse Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin is a picturesque city of 51,600 people located on the banks of the Mississippi River. The city is home to some of the most rewarding outdoor activities in western Wisconsin, with bird watching, hiking, and boating among its top attractions.
La Crosse is also a college town, with its culture enriched by art, music, and sports. The combination of outdoor and cultural activities makes La Crosse unique in the local area.
Vikki Nicolai, a local expert, shares a comprehensive guide to what is special about La Crosse, Wisconsin, and explores the various activities that draw locals and tourists to the area.
Bird Watching in La Crosse
Many people are drawn to the La Crosse area due to the prolific bird population. The area is rich in food for birds and places to rest in all seasons. Migratory birds flock to the shores of the Mississippi, providing bird watchers with unique opportunities to see species from different parts of the country in both the spring and fall. Bird watching is a popular activity in many area parks and along dedicated trails.
Special birds that may be seen in season include the tundra swan, the bald eagle, the sandhill crane, and the chestnut-sided warbler.
Outdoor Activities in La Crosse
La Crosse is surrounded by a beautiful natural setting along the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Many locals and tourists alike enjoy getting out in nature and experiencing the wide range of recreational activities that are available on its rivers, lakes, and trails.
Hiking Trails
The La Crosse area is known for well-cared-for hiking trails. Many of these trails crisscross gorgeous natural areas and wander through either the bluffs, the riverside, or the lakeside areas.
Locals and visitors can create plans for invigorating outdoor exercise and commune with nature. Local residents know that they are lucky to live in a place with such natural beauty.
Great River State Trail
The Great River State Trail is located along the Mississippi. It is a 24-mile rail-trail running between Onalaska and Marshland. It is a great place to run, bike, walk, and ride horseback. It features many picturesque bridges that cross streams that feed into the Mississippi.
Grandad Bluff Park
Grandad Bluff Park on the east side of the city reaches 590 feet above the landscape and has gorgeous views of downtown La Crosse. Visitors can drive to the top of the bluff and visit a park shelter and picnic areas while they take in the views.
La Crosse River State Trail
The La Crosse River State Trail runs between Onalaska and Sparta. It is part of the Bike 4 Trails network that connects many other trails in western Wisconsin. A variety of non-motorized recreational uses are available on the trail.
Boating and Fishing
The Mississippi River, its tributaries, and surrounding lakes are excellent places to fish. Local fish that attract anglers include the walleye, northern pike, bass, blue catfish, and gar. Walleye are known as a local delicacy and can be found in many of the region’s restaurants in season.
Goose Island County Park
This park is located on the edge of town, and it has a wide variety of wildlife trails and water areas for visitors to explore, including canoe trails. The park also has 400 campsites, if you are interested in seeing nature close at hand.
Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska is a large reservoir where swimming, boating, windsurfing, waterskiing, and fishing are popular recreational activities. It is a well-stocked fishing lake with bluegill, northern pike, crappie, and bass.
Along the shoreline of the lake, it is possible to see many migratory and local birds as well. Birds that frequently visit Lake Onalaska include the great blue heron, the bald eagle, and many species of ducks including the merganser and the bufflehead.
Winter Sports
Mount La Crosse Ski Area has 18 trails for beginners and experts to enjoy. It is home to the Damnation Trail, the steepest ski trail in Wisconsin. The ski area also has a terrain park for skiers and snowboarders who are looking for a more extreme challenge.
In addition, the local rail trails are excellent places to cross-country ski in the winter, though skiers should be prepared for non-groomed natural conditions.
Colleges and Universities
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse is the largest college in town. This satellite campus of the University of Wisconsin – Madison is the top-ranked public university in Wisconsin. Viterbo University is a private, non-profit college with thriving programs in the fine arts. Western Technical College provides an alternative to four-year institutions.
Downtown La Crosse
Not all of La Crosse’s many attractions are outdoors. The uniquely historic downtown area has many thriving local businesses in a charming setting. The community also puts on a variety of fun and exciting events throughout the year, including the Downtown Dining Festival, Spring Fever, and the Downtown Walk Around.
Shops
Locals and tourists enjoy a wide variety of shopping opportunities along the river in downtown La Crosse. Here is a small selection of the many retail shops that you can visit.
The Craft and Vendor Marketplace
This handicraft fair is located on Main Street and is open on the weekends. Local artisans come together to sell their best work, and shoppers enjoy browsing.
Drift Mercantile
Drift Mercantile is a locally-owned shop with gifts and mementos for your trip to western Wisconsin. It is located on Pearl Street and is open daily.
Larson’s General
Larson’s General has a little bit of everything and also features eco-friendly items like natural alternatives to harsh cleaning products.
Willow Boutique
Willow Boutique is a popular women’s clothing store located on Pearl Street. The shop is open daily.
Restaurants
While you are shopping downtown, it’s likely that you will need to stop for a bite to eat. Fortunately, there are many excellent options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Buzzard Billy’s
Buzzard Billy’s is a casual Cajun-Creole restaurant that is widely regarded as one of the best in town. Dishes like the blackened catfish bring a wide variety of tourists and locals in for lunch and dinner.
Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery
Dublin Square is known for being one of the best places to have lunch in downtown La Crosse. The menu features Irish beer, pub food, and delicious entrees. The pub has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Grounded Specialty Coffee
This coffee shop is located downtown in the historic district. It has excellent coffee, sandwiches, and salads as well as offerings of craft beer and wine. Locals and tourists enjoy meeting in the vibrant cafe and sharing a refreshing break from their daily activities.
Rudy’s Drive-In
Rudy’s Drive-In is a classic 1950s-style root beer stand that serves a full menu. While Rudy’s Drive-In is closed in the winter, it provides a fun local meeting place where residents and tourists can have a taste of the past. The drive-in also hosts classic car cruise-ins where locals bring their beautifully restored cars for the public to admire.
Turtle Stack Brewery
This downtown brewery has a tasting room that is open each afternoon and evening. The local beers include New England IPAs, Porters, Irish Red Ale, and Foreign Extra Stout.
Lodging
If you find yourself as a tourist in La Crosse, WI, do not worry there are plenty of places for you to check into and rest. Two of our favorites are the following below.
Castle La Crosse Bed and Breakfast
This small bed and breakfast is located in a beautiful, turreted historic home. The bed and breakfast has four suites and receives excellent customer ratings.
The Charmant Hotel
Located in downtown La Crosse, the Charmant Hotel is a four-star establishment with a French restaurant and a rooftop terrace. Guests can enjoy the best in Wisconsin hospitality while staying in a luxurious setting.
Attractions
Vikki Nicolai provides a wide selection of fun and educational things to do in La Crosse, with choices both indoors and outdoors:
Children’s Museum of La Crosse
Built for children 12 and under and their families, the LINK https://www.funmuseum.org/ Children’s Museum of La Crosse features a wide variety of enriching and educational activities. The museum features science and technology exhibits in addition to exhibits that teach children about the world.
Dahl Auto Museum
The Dahl Auto Museum commemorates the contribution of the local Dahl family to the auto industry. The family has owned local dealerships for over 100 years. The museum features a wide-ranging exhibit on the history of Ford Motor Company’s products and a wide range of classic automobiles to enjoy.
La Crosse Loggers Minor League Baseball
The La Crosse Loggers are from the Northwoods League that features excellent NCAA players who are interested in joining the big leagues. They play 72 games in Copeland Park each summer, spanning from May through August.
The La Crosse Queen
The La Crosse Queen is a modern-day replica of a 19th-century riverboat. It can be boarded for a public cruise or chartered for a private cruise. The riverboat has two levels with a full bar, dining room, and modern restrooms.
Riverside International Friendship Gardens
The Riverside International Friendship Gardens cover a 1.2-acre site. They are well known as the most romantic location in town with many opportunities for photography and spending a relaxing afternoon. The gardens are beautifully manicured and represent a broad range of national styles, from Norwegian to French. Guided docent tours are available from local volunteers.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park is located in the heart of downtown La Crosse. As a classic Midwestern city park, it is close to shops and restaurants and provides a lovely backdrop to the downtown area with comfortable seating and views of the river.
Eco-Friendly Attributes of La Crosse
The City and County of La Crosse have adopted many eco-friendly resolutions. They participate in The Natural Step, a program that outlines the principles of sustainable development in the area. The area tries to steer away from sprawl and unnecessary development, focusing on residents’ quality of life and preserving the beauty of natural areas. You can also find sustainable community gardens and bird-watching groups.
Enjoying All That Western Wisconsin Has to Offer
La Crosse is an excellent home base for exploring western and southern Wisconsin as well as southeastern Minnesota. Vikki Nicolai recommends visiting her city and taking advantage of the wonderful natural setting and patronizing local businesses. If you are looking for a classic American vacation, visiting the Upper Midwest can be a wonderful way to connect with the country. La Crosse has a broad variety of natural areas, fun activities, and shops and restaurants that will keep you entertained for a long weekend or a longer stay..
