- Where is La Crosse located?
- Set on the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin, La Crosse is a beautiful waterside city with a variety of fun things to see and do for the whole family.
- What educational institutions are in La Crosse?
- La Crosse is home to the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, Western Technical College, and Viterbo University and is a local technology and medical hub.
- What cultural and historical attractions can visitors explore in La Crosse?
- There are plenty of cultural and historical institutions to explore, from the Riverside Museum, which documents the city’s history, to the Dahl Auto Museum, which boasts beautiful classic cars.
- What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in La Crosse?
- The city can be enjoyed from the river on a riverboat cruise, which departs from Riverside Park, or on various walking and hiking trails through Grandad Bluff Park.
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1. Admire beautiful flowers at the Riverside International Friendship Gardens
The Riverside International Friendship Gardens are beautifully landscaped and maintained gardens and grounds in La Crosse in a spectacular setting where the Black, La Crosse, and Mississippi Rivers converge. Situated east of the Visitor’s Bureau at Riverside Park and the La Crosse Convention Center, the gardens span half an acre and feature unique country-themed gardens, including French, Chinese, Russian, Irish, German, and Norwegian gardens. Visitors can explore the gardens alone or enjoy guided tours led by docents and horticulturists, and the gardens are fully accessible for wheelchairs. The Riverside International Friendship Gardens is open every day of the week throughout the year.
345-405 E Veterans Memorial Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601, Phone: 608-789-7533
2. Ski at Mount La Crosse
Winter sport enthusiasts will find a varied winter wonderland at the Mount La Crosse Ski Area. The ski area has been a favorite winter haunt since 1959, offering beginners the gentle MIleway Trail, the longest nursery slope in Wisconsin. At the opposite end of the scale, daredevils will enjoy taking on the challenge of the Damnation Trail, the steepest ski trail in the state. Between the 2 extremes skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a total of 18 trials, serviced by a rope tow and 3 double chair lifts. Lessons are available on site and there is also a Terrain Park to explore. Everything you need to enjoy the snow is available at the on-site Pro Shop.
Mount La Crosse Ski Area, Old Town Hall Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601, 608 788 0044
3. Stroll along the picturesque Riverside Park
Riverside Park is a public park set on the banks of the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown La Crosse. Established in 1911 and initially called Levee Park, Riverside Park is renowned for hosting favorite events throughout the year, such as the Fourth of July fireworks display, Moon Tunes, Riverfest, Oktoberfest, and the Rotary Lights. The park is home to a docking station where the famous steamboats the La Crosse Queen, the Julia Belle Swain, and the American Queen make stops on their journeys up and down the river. Riverside Park also boasts a network of walking and jogging trails, open green spaces for picnicking and relaxing, and serene, shady spots along the banks of the river.
100 Block, State Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
4. Admire classic cars at the Dahl Auto Museum
The Dahl Auto Museum celebrates classic cars and automobiles and the rich history of car manufacturing in the United States. The family-owned and operated business also gives the nod to the century-long involvement of the Dahl family in the automobile industry, one that has spanned no less than five generations of Dahls. The museum features a comprehensive history of the automobile through the eyes of the world-renowned Ford Motor Company, a display of beautifully restored and maintained classic cars from the turn of the century to the present, and an extensive mascot collection.
711 3rd St S, La Crosse, WI 54601, Phone: 608-791-6494
5. Let kids learn through play at the Children's Museum of La Crosse
The Children's Museum of La Crosse is an interactive and immersive museum for children of all ages and features an array of fun and educational exhibits, displays, and programs that encourage learning through play. The museum boasts three floors of interactive exhibits for children up to the age of 12 as well as their adult companions, along with a multipurpose theatre that hosts performances, dance and music events, readings, and more, and a climbing wall for the adventurous spirits. Exhibits are based on educational themes such as rivers and bridges, banks, fire trucks, stores, and libraries, and children are encouraged to spend time exploring, discovering, and learning through play.
207 5th Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601, Phone: 608-784-2652
6. Enjoy breathtaking views at Grandad Bluff Park
Grandad Bluff Park is a state park with the famous Grandad Bluff cliff at its center. Situated on the east side of La Crosse, Grandad Bluff rests at 1,183 feet above sea level and reaches a height of 590 feet above the surrounding land with breathtaking views of the city. The bluff, which is seen as a symbol of the Coulee Region, can be accessed via Bliss Road, and a park shelter in a fenced-off area at the top of the cliff provides stunning panoramic views of the city, its landmarks, and the spectacular Mississippi River Valley. Grandad Bluff Park also features coin-operated binoculars, a shelter house, and picnic areas at the top of the bluff.
Grandad Bluff Park, La Crosse, Coulee Region, Wisconsin
7. Bike along the Great River State Trail
The Great River State Trail is a 24-mile rail trail that runs between Marshland and Onalaska that has been designed as a multiuse trail for recreational purposes. Named for its location of running alongside the Mississippi River, the Great River State Trail is open for walking, jogging, hiking, cycling, and horseback riding and is part of the Wisconsin bike trail system. The trail is constructed along the abandoned Chicago and North Western Railway line railroad bed and features 18 bridges that cross over streams feeding into the Mississippi River. The trail is one of four connecting bike trails in west-central Wisconsin known as the Bike 4 Trails, which run southeast to northwest and include the 400 State Trail (22 miles), the Elroy-Sparta State Trail (32 miles), and the La Crosse River Trail (22 miles). These four trails span approximately one-third of the state.
Between Marshland and Onalaska, Wisconsin
8. Canoe or kayak through the Goose Island County Park
Located on an island in the Mississippi backwaters, about 3 miles from La Crosse, the Goose Island County Park is a great outdoor space with good recreational activities. The park encompasses a large campground where you can pitch your tent and get back to nature for a day or two. A great way to see some resident wildlife is to hop in a canoe or kayak and paddle around the perimeter of the island – you could be lucky enough to see deer, mink and muskrat. Other activities include fishing and hiking in summer and snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Goose Island County Park, W6488 County Rd GI, Stoddard, WI 54658, 608 788 7018
9. Watch a La Crosse Loggers Minor League Baseball game
The La Crosse Loggers Minor League Baseball plays in the collegiate summer Northwoods League. Based at Copeland Park, the La Crosse Loggers are one of 20 teams in the Northwoods League and play 72 games per season, from late May through mid-August. The La Crosse Loggers joined the league in 2003, which is designed to provide minor league competition for NCAA players who want to continue into professional baseball. As a minor league baseball team, the La Crosse Loggers play nightly to fans in Copeland Park and play with wooden bats and minor league specification equipment.
1130 Copeland Park Dr, La Crosse, WI 54603
La Crosse Events:
- Oktoberfest USA - La Crosse, End of September-October
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Admire beautiful flowers at the Riverside International Friendship Gardens
- 2. Ski at Mount La Crosse
- 3. Stroll along the picturesque Riverside Park
- 4. Admire classic cars at the Dahl Auto Museum
- 5. Let kids learn through play at the Children's Museum of La Crosse
- 6. Enjoy breathtaking views at Grandad Bluff Park
- 7. Bike along the Great River State Trail
- 8. Canoe or kayak through the Goose Island County Park
- 9. Watch a La Crosse Loggers Minor League Baseball game