Need a scenic escape along the Mississippi River? Head to Alma, Wisconsin! This charming river town boasts bluff-top views, historic architecture, eagle watching, and quiet small-town hospitality. Whether you're into outdoor adventure or relaxing by the water, Alma delivers unforgettable Mississippi River charm.
Alma, WI Highlights:
- For Nature Lovers: Take in panoramic views at Buena Vista Park – Drive or hike to the top for sweeping river valley scenery.
- For Birdwatchers: Spot bald eagles at Lock & Dam No. 4 – Bring your binoculars and watch eagles soar over the Mississippi River.
- For History Buffs: Tour Castlerock Museum – Explore medieval arms and armor in a striking bluffside setting.
- For Couples: Stroll historic Main Street – Browse antiques, art galleries, and charming shops with river views.
- For Families: Visit the Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center – Learn about local wildlife and enjoy interactive exhibits for all ages.
Best Time to Visit Alma, WI
The best time to visit Alma is from spring through fall (April through October). Warm weather makes it perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and riverfront festivals. Autumn brings stunning fall foliage along the Great River Road.
How to Get to Alma, WI
- If you are traveling by car: Alma is located along Wisconsin’s Great River Road (Highway 35), about 1 hour from Eau Claire or La Crosse, and 2 hours from Minneapolis-St. Paul.
- By Air: The closest airports are in Eau Claire (EAU) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP); car rentals are available for the scenic drive to Alma.
- By Motorcycle or RV: Alma is a popular stop on the scenic Mississippi River touring route, with pull-off overlooks and places to park along the bluffs.
Where to Stay in Alma, WI
- Recommended for Couples: Hotel de Ville – European-style boutique hotel with river views and charming décor.
- For Families: Alma Hotel – Historic 19th-century hotel with cozy rooms and walkable downtown location.
- For Scenic Seclusion: Riverside Vacation Rentals – Book a riverside cabin or bluff-top retreat for extra peace and privacy.
Best Things to Do in Alma, WI
⮕ Take in Sweeping Views at Buena Vista Park
Located on a large natural balcony 500 feet above Alma, Wisconsin, overlooking the Mississippi River, Buena Vista Park is a small city park where visitors can watch barges and riverboats slowly traveling on the river and passing through Lock & Dam #4, sand islands and backwaters. The park is a popular picnic area with picnic tables, a picnic shelter, grills, restrooms and a kids’ playground. The park is a favorite local wedding destination. It is also great for hiking, enjoying spectacular sunset and bird watching. Hiking trail leads to the viewing platform from Alma’s Main Street and is an easy walk for anyone.
Alma, WI 54610
⮕ Sip Wines with a View at Danzinger Vineyard
Danzinger Vineyard is a family-owned and operated vineyard and winery percied on top of the Alma Bluffs, overlooking the magnificent Mississippi River. The vineyard grows over 8000 plants on 18 acres. All Danziger wines are made exclusively from the estate grapes, which are processed and bottled on site. They grow Frontenac, Frontenac Blanc, Frontenac Gris, St Pepin, La Crosse, La Crescent, Brianna, St. Croix and Marquette, which are made into delicious wine blends.. Visitors are invited to take tour of the vineyard and enjoy a glass of wine from their charming tasting room or from the outside patio with spectacular views of the river and river valley. Danzinger Vineyard was voted the Wisconsin Grape Growers 2013 Winery of the Year.
S2015 Grapeview Ln, Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 608-685-6000
⮕ If You Love Medieval History, Explore Castlerock Museum
Castlerock Museum is a museum of arms and armor through history located in Alma, Wisconsin. The exhibits include arms and armor from different periods in European history. The museum’s purpose is to show how arms and armor develop and change through the centuries. The collection begins with pieces from ancient Greece, and ends with arms from the early modern period. The displays are enhanced by art prints which show the arms and armor in the historical context. Self-guided visits to the museum allow visitors to feel like they are walking with the warriors of the Western world from ancient Rome, the Dark Ages, the Vikings, the Crusader Knights and the Golden Age of the Renaissance. Some of the most interesting exhibits are a Roman helmet and sword, a Viking Chieftains sword, a sword carried in the First Crusade and much more.
402 S 2nd St, Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 608-685-4231
If you are a photographer, don't miss:
⮕ Spot Eagles and Scenic Beauty at Wings Over Alma
Wings Over Alma is a Nature and Art Center located right on the Main Street of Alma, Wisconsin. Located in the heart of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge, the area provides home to hundreds of bald eagles, with many active nests. The center offers great outdoor viewing deck overlooking the Mississippi River with spotting scopes and binoculars. The Mississippi Flyway brings hundreds of migrating birds that fly right past the Center. During the winter, eagles can be spotted feeding in the open water below Lock and Dam #4. Inside the Center, there is a display where local area artists show their work inspired by the majesty of the surrounding nature in rotating exhibits. Local historical societies and museums also provide occasional displays.
110 N Main St, Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 608-685-3303
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
⮕ If You Crave Lakeside Relaxation, Stroll Through Rieck’s Lake Park
Located just north of downtown Alma, Wisconsin, Rieck's Lake Park is a popular local recreation area and a migratory spring and autumn stop for hundreds of Tundra Swans, ducks and cranes. There is an information kiosk that provides information on the history and nature of the park. The park also has a wildlife observation platform, camping and picnic area, restrooms, a ball diamond, playground equipment, a pavilion, and grills. The park is famous for its Tundra Swan Watch, in spring and fall, when thousands of people come to watch swans as they pass through the park on their annual migration south from northern Canada and Alaska. There was time when the peak population of swans reached 6,000, but their number greatly declined since.
Great River Rd, Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 888-936-7463
Where to Eat in Alma, WI
- Recommended for Families: Pier 4 Café & Smokehouse – Riverfront restaurant known for hearty comfort food and scenic views.
- For a Romantic Meal: The Empire Room at Hotel de Ville – Elegant dining with French-inspired cuisine and a refined atmosphere.
- For Casual Dining: Alma Hotel Bar & Grill – Classic pub fare in a cozy, historic setting with local charm.
If you are interested in local events:
- For Art Lovers: Alma Music & Arts Festival (September) – Celebrate local creativity with music, food, and art in the park.
- For Nature Fans: Bald Eagle Watching Season (Winter) – Visit in January or February for prime eagle sightings along the river bluffs.
- For a Summer Outing: Alma’s Swiss Heritage Days (June) – Experience food, crafts, and performances celebrating the town’s Swiss roots.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30 Minutes of Alma, WI:
- For Scenic Drives: Nelson (10–15 min) – Drive the Great River Road and grab pie at the famous Nelson Cheese Factory.
- For Winery Fans: Danzinger Vineyards (5 min) – Sip local wine on a blufftop patio with sweeping Mississippi views.
- For Birdwatchers: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (30 min) – Explore birding trails and wetlands near the river’s edge.
- For History Lovers: Pepin (25–30 min) – Visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and enjoy views of Lake Pepin.
- For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Perrot State Park (30 min) – Hike scenic trails, paddle the backwaters, or climb the Brady’s Bluff overlook.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Where is Historic Alma located?
- Historic Alma is a small, charming Wisconsin town on the Great River Road/National Scenic Byway, perched high on a narrow piece of land between the Mississippi River and 500-foot high limestone bluffs.
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What makes Alma unique?
- With less than 1,000 inhabitants and only two streets wide, Alma has a rich history and much to offer to visitors.
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Why is Alma listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
- It is listed on America's National Register of Historic Places because of its beautifully preserved waterfront nineteenth-century buildings.
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What is unique about Alma’s architecture?
- These structures were built into the river bluffs in the style typical of a historic European village, brought by the town's original Swiss and German settlers.
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What can visitors find in Downtown Alma?
- Downtown Alma has several shops, galleries, gift shops, and the Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center.
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Where can visitors enjoy scenic views in Alma?
- Nearby is the Buena Vista Park with spectacular views of the Mississippi River and the barges going through the river lock.
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What historical museum can visitors explore in Alma?
- Castlerock Museum is a fascinating museum of arms and armor through history.
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