Situated along the Mississippi River, La Crosse is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is the largest city on Wisconsin’s western border.
La Crosse is a beautiful waterside city. And there are many things to do in La Crosse such as regional festivals, arts, and visitors can also enjoy outdoor swimming.
La Crosse has many cultural and historical institutions that tell you the history of the city. And La Crosse is also known for its downhill and cross-country skiing.
The city has more than 30 active arts organizations. And it has been named one of Forbes’ Best Small Places for Business and Career.
In La Crosse, you can enjoy the river on the best riverboat cruise, which departs from Riverside Park. You can also enjoy various walking and hiking trails through Grandad Bluff Park.
So here are some top places to visit in La Crosse.
Top 11 things to do in La Crosse
1. Grandad Bluff Park
Grandad Bluff is a state park and also a cliff on the east side of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Grounded Bluff is approximately 590 feet (0.18 km) above the surrounding land and 1183 feet (0.36 km) above sea level.
The park was opened in 1912, and Grandad Bluff is the largest Bluff in the La Crosse area. Where you can explore several bluff-side hiking trails and the top of the cliff gives stunning panoramic views of the city.
Grandad Bluff is not only a tourist destination but also a symbol of the great Coulee region. And the park has a shelter home, picnic area, and the annual Skycrocker New Year’s Eve fireworks show.
2. Riverside Park
Riverside Park is a public park located on the banks of the Mississippi River in the middle of downtown La Crosse. And this park is the home of La Crosse Queen.
It was established in 1911 and was initially called Levee Park, Riverside Park is famous for hosting its favorite events throughout the year, such as the July fireworks display, Moon Tunes, River fest, Oktoberfest, and Rotor Lights.
There is also lush green space inside Riverside Park with walking, jogging trails, picnics, relaxing, and quiet shady places along the river.
At the north end of Riverside Park, visitors enjoy strolling through the Riverside International Friendship Gardens.
3. Dahl Auto Museum
The Dahl Auto Museum tells you about Dahl Automotive five generation history with Ford Motor Company.
It celebrates the rich history of classic cars, automobiles, and car manufacturing in the United States.
The museum has about 20 antique and classic cars to highlight each decade since the establishment of Dahl Automotive in 1911.
It is a great place in La Crosse to experience a classic car. That increased interest in your old car.
The museum is only open from Thursday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
4. Children’s Museum of La Crosse
Open since 1991, The Children’s Museum of La Crosse is an interactive and immersive museum for children of all ages that encourages learning through a variety of fun and educational performances.
The museum is a three-story building of interactive exhibits with children up to the age of 12 years, as well as their adult peers.
And it is a multipurpose theater with dances, music, readings, and more for the showcase, and hosts a climbing wall for adventurous souls.
The children are also encouraged to learn through play. The Children’s Museum of La Crosse is open from Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm And Friday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Ticket fee :
$7.50 per person
$1 off every Sunday
$1 off for member guests
$1 off upon request for senior citizens (age 60+)
Infants (under 12 months) and Members FREE
5. World’s Largest Six-Pack
In 1960, G. Heileman Brewery built six large storage tanks in La Crosse, Wisconsin. And now it is one of the important landmarks of La Crosse.
The world’s largest six-pack has a significant look featuring six colored beer tanks that are painted similar to six-pack beers.
The structures can be experienced on guided tours through the City Brewery, where guests can learn more about the history of the buildings and enjoy the smell of the beer being brewed.
Now, it becomes a hometown icon and popular tourist attraction. And It is a great place to visit for a beer lover.
6. Lake Onalaska
The Lake is a 4-mile-wide reservoir situated on the Black River and Mississippi River between Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
The lake spans 7,688 acres, is 43 feet (ca. 13 m) deep, and is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, windsurfing, and water skiing in the summer.
Lake’s shoreline is home to waterfowl and migratory bird species, which are well stocked with an abundance of fishing, such as bluegill, crappie, northern pike, small and largemouth bass, and walleye.
During the fall, Lake Onalaska and the Mississippi River explode into rich tones of reds and gold, drawing tourists from across the country, while the winter months give an opportunity for excellent ice fishing and ice sailing.
Lake Onalaska is a popular Mississippi destination that attracts thousands of visitors year-round.
7. The La Crosse Queen Cruises
La Crosse Queen is one of several modern-day replicas of the 19th century that have operated out of La Crosse, Wisconsin. La Crosse Queen VII was made in 2008 on French Island, Wisconsin.
It gives you both public and private cruises from its port in Riverside Park. And the vessel is divided into two levels, upper deck, and lower deck.
The lower deck features such as a dining room, gallery, full-service bar, and a modern-day restroom, while the upper deck is open-sided with a canopy cover, allowing visitors to enjoy the magnificent views while cruising.
The La Crosse Queen gives several varieties of day and evening cruises, some just sightseeing, while others feature pizza, appetizers, and full dinners. And it is also available for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events.
8. Mount La Crosse
Opened in 1959, Mount La Crosse was found just outside the city in Stoddard, with one lift and a single A-frame chalet with a small warming area and repair shops.
It is one of the Midwest’s first ski hills, which is constructed with the ability to produce artificial snow.
Now, Mount La Crosse features 19 trails, a terrain park, three double chairlifts, a surface rope tow, and expanded snowmaking capabilities.
Each February, ski hill hosts the Wisconsin Alpine Ski and Board State Championship, which brings 500 athletes and their families to the La Crosse area.
During each season, There are more than 40,000 visitors come across the world to see the natural beauty of Mount La Crosse.
9. Riverside Museum
Riverside museum lies in Riverside Park, at the west end of State Street La Crosse, Wisconsin. It tells about the importance of the Mississippi River to the area’s growth and development.
The museum presents the history of La Crosse County, through an excellent variety of industrial and cultural exhibits and displays, artifacts, objects, and educational programs.
It also provides a small video, which gives you a brief description of the history of the area.
The museum is also popular for the prehistory of the area: archaeology, steamboats, logging, fur trading, and pearl button making.
And one room is filled with the largest collection of artifacts brought up from the wreck of the War Eagle steamboat.
10. The Shrine Of Our Lady Guadalupe
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Catholic shrine, which lies in La Crosse, Wisconsin. And the copper dome on its church has become a beacon on a hill in South La Crosse that attracts about 70,000 pilgrims a year.
The ornate Shrine Church, built at a cost of $29 million, opened in July 2008. And it is 450 seats, in which the copper dome is 45 feet (ca. 14 m).
Since the opening of the pilgrimage center and the Mother of Good Council vote candle chapel in 2002, the shrine has attracted 50 pilgrims and visitors from over 75 countries around the world.
Apart from the church, its main features are the Viot Chapel, the Pilgrim Center a memorial to the Unborn, the Floors Maria Gift Shop, the Culina Mariana Café, the devotional area, the Stations of the Cross, and a rosary walk.
Skiing at Mount La Crosse
Mount La Crosse is a ski resort located in the Mississippi River Valley, just south of La Crosse, Wisconsin. It offers skiing and snowboarding opportunities for people of all skill levels.
The resort features 18 runs, ranging from beginner to expert, spread across 100 acres of terrain. The runs are served by four chairlifts and two surface lifts, providing easy access to the slopes. The resort also has a terrain park for snowboarders and freestyle skiers, with rails, boxes, and jumps.
Mount La Crosse has a full-service ski school that offers lessons for both adults and children. The ski school has experienced instructors who can help beginners learn the basics of skiing or snowboarding, and also offer tips and advice to advanced skiers looking to improve their skills.
The resort has a variety of amenities, including a restaurant, bar, and rental shop. The rental shop offers a wide selection of ski and snowboard equipment, including boots, skis, snowboards, and helmets. The restaurant serves a variety of food and drinks, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and soups.
Conclusion
In this post, you will get to know about the best places in La Crosse, which will give you the best idea about how to enjoy your vacation in La Crosse.
There are plenty of things to do in La Crosse such as regional festivals, arts, cross-country skiing, and outdoor swimming You can also enjoy various walking and hiking trails.
La Crosse is a beautiful waterside city. And I have put here for you the top 10 most beautiful places in La Crosse where you can visit and enjoy your family vacation.
