|
CITY BREWERY: Enjoy a tour of the local brewery that encompasses a look into the history of this important part of La Crosse. 1111 S. 3rd St., La Crosse; 608-785-4283.
GALLERIES IN LA CROSSE: La Crosse has many art galleries that feature local, regional and national artists in all types of media. Call the Pump House at
608-785-1434 for more information.
GERTRUDE SALZER GORDON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: The Children’s Museum offers three floors of interactive hands-on exhibits. Call for group rates, birthday party and rental info. 207 5th Ave. S. Hours Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 (closed Mon. and major holidays). www.childmuseumlax.org.
GRANDAD BLUFF: Accessible from Hwy 33 and Hwy F. This 540 ft. bluff offers a panoramic view of our Mississippi River Valley and three states. It has been voted one of the most scenic views.
GREAT RIVER ROAD: The Great River Road in Wisconsin goes from Prescott south to Prairie Du Chien, Cassville, Tenneyson and the Illinois border. It is one of seven suggested American Drives to take according to Reader’s Digest, www.wigreatriverroad.org.
GREAT RIVER TRAIL: This 24-mile trail starts in Onalaska and continues to the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. There are 18 bridges. www.dnr.state.wi.us.
HERITAGE TOUR: “Village of North La Crosse Heritage Tour” and the south side “City of La Crosse Heritage Tour.” Self-guided, 608-782-2366.
HISTORIC BLUFF COUNTRY: in Southeastern Minnesota, easily accessible communities to enjoy biking and hiking trails, Root and Mississippi River activities, cultural, historic and Amish attractions, antiques and unique shopping, bluffs, valleys and caves. Relax in the many fine lodging establishments and restaurants. Drive the Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway Hwy 16, 1-800-428-2030, www.bluffcountry.com.
HISTORIC RIVERSIDE PARK, RIVER LEVEE AND RIVERWALK: Created by the world famous architect John Nolan, beautiful Riverside Park is located at the confluence of the 3 rivers, Mississippi, La Crosse & Black Rivers. View the paddlewheelers on the historic levee & enjoy a walk on the Riverwalk. At the park stroll through the International Friendship Gardens, La Crosse.
HIXON FOREST NATURE CENTER AND HIXON FOREST: Off Hwy. 16 just north of La Crosse St. & Losey Blvd. in La Crosse. Interactive exhibits the whole family can enjoy, wooded bluffs, 13 miles of free hiking and skiing trails, summer Butterfly Garden, naturalists available, 608-784-0303, www.hixonforest.org.
HIXON HOUSE: Tour an extravagant Victorian lumber baron’s home. On the National Register of Historic Places. Built in the 1800s by lumberman Gideon Hixon and preserved with the original furnishings, winter tours by reservation, 429 N. 7th St., La Crosse; 608-782-1980, www.lchsweb.org/hixon.html.
ISLAND GIRL CRUISES: NEW LOCATION FOR 2008! Sleek excursion yacht available for public and private charters. Cocktail cruises feature free pizza, free tap beer and free soda. Dinner and moonlight cruises offered. Specializing in weddings, rehearsal dinners, and corporate meetings. Docked late May-mid October at a new location at North Bay Marina on French Island off of I-90 exit #2 or take Clinton Street to French Island from La Crosse. 608-784-0556, www.islandgirlcruises.com.
JULIA BELLE SWAIN STEAMBOAT: River excursions on an authentic steam powered riverboat. Local or overnight cruises. Moored at Riverside Park, La Crosse. www.juliabelle.com, 608-784-4882. 
LA CROSSE FAIRGROUNDS SPEEDWAY: Wisconsin’s only NASCAR sanctioned race track, Races April through Oktoberfest weekend, West Salem, WI, 608-786-1525, www.lacrossespeedway.com.
LA CROSSE LOGGERS BASEBALL: Baseball, America’s favorite pastime, takes a firm hold in the La Crosse area over the summer months. The best upcoming young talent in the Midwest is showcased for softball and baseball during the popular “Stars of Tomorrow” tournaments. They play at the area’s many baseball diamonds in June and July (www.starsbaseball.com). La Crosse has its own semi-professional team, the
La Crosse Loggers, playing many home games over the summer at Copeland Park on La Crosse’s northside (www.lacrosseloggers.com). And, the American Legion is bringing The Wisconsin State AAA Baseball Tournament here for the first time this year to also play at the Copeland Park on August 2-6 (for more info call James at 608-788-6863). See you back here this summer!
LA CROSSE TROLLEY SERVICE: Tour Historic Downtown, Myrick Park, Old Towne North and La Crosse’s scenic riverfront on La Crosse’s trolley, Mid-June-Labor Day & Oct. Downtown Day, 608-789-7350, www.lacrossetrolley.com.
LA CROSSE QUEEN: New in 2008! Historic replica paddlewheeler boat for individual and group cruises on the Mississippi River from May-October. Sightseeing & meal cruises available. Stop in our gift shop for nautical apparel, gifts and souvenirs. Docked at the North end of Riverside Park in La Crosse, 608-784-2893, www.greatriver.com/laxqueen.
LOCK & DAM NO. 7: Just off I-90 and Hwys. 14-61, near La Crescent, MN. Navigation season, mid-March thru mid-December. No charge. One of 29 locks which provide a water stairway on the Mississippi River. For locks 6, 7 & 8: www.recreation.gov, click on Mississippi River.
MINNESOTA MARINE ART MUSEUM: World-class marine paintings, photos, folk art, maps & more. Riverwalk view of Mississippi, gift shop & guided tours, Tues-Sun, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona, MN, 507-474-6626, www.minnesotamarineart.org.
MISSISSIPPI EXPLORER CRUISES: Escape the ordinary and Eco-Tour the Mississippi River and backwaters on an Eco-Boat. Scheduled and charter cruises from the port of Best Western Midway Hotel, 1905 Rose St., La Crosse, 877-688-9260, www.mississippiexplorer.com.
NIAGARA CAVE: Located about 1 hour West of La Crosse, near Harmony, Minnesota. Open April to Oct. Take a guided 1 hour tour underground to see stalactites, fossils &
60-foot waterfall! Well worth a visit. Rated Top 10 in US! 1-800-837-6606, www.niagaracave.com.
NORSKEDALEN: “The Norwegian Valley”, an authentic Norwegian Homestead, over 6 miles of nature trails, an arboretum, exhibits, and Thrune Visitors Center. Many special events. Located between La Crosse & Westby, WI, off Hwy 14, 608-452-3424, www.norskedalen.org.
OLD COUNTRY CHEESE & PASTURE PRIDE: Watch cheese made fresh at this factory outlet, on Hwy D just 7 miles from Westby. Cheese gift boxes, Amish crafts, candy, & maple syrup. www.oldcountrycheese.com,
1-888-320-9469.
ONALASKA AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM: No charge, donations appreciated. Permanent & changing exhibits. 741 Oak Avenue South (Onalaska Library), 608-781-9568.
PEARL STREET BREWERY: Fresh beer crafted with Wisconsin malted grains, tours & shop, 1401 St. Andrew St., 608-784-4832, www.pearlstreetbrewery.com.
PEARL STREET WEST: Historic walking mall featuring quaint shops & eateries, Pearl Street between 2nd & 3rd, Downtown
La Crosse. 
PHONECO INC.: Phones of every description in the showrooms and museum and for sale; antiques, reproductions and novelty phones. Make an appointment for a tour! Hours Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm. In Galesville just off Hwy. 53 north of La Crosse; 19813 E. Mill Rd.; 608-582-4124, www.phonecoinc.com.
PLEASONING SEASONING PLANT & OUTLET STORE: Sample 30 different Gourmet Seasoning blends. Spice racks, aprons, hats, t-shirts & cookbooks. Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm, 2418 South Ave. (corner South &
PUMP HOUSE REGIONAL CENTER FOR THE ARTSWest Ave.). Plant tours for groups of 20 or more by appt.; 608-787-1030, www.pleasoning.com.: Features exhibits of local artists and performances on many weekends. 119 King St., La Crosse;
608-785-1434; www.thepumphouse.org.
RIVERSIDE MUSEUM: Located in Riverside Park near downtown La Crosse. Open Memorial Day–Labor Day & weekends in Sept. & Oct., Monday-Friday 10:30am-5pm and admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children, and $5 for families. The museum focuses on local history and the steamboat War Eagle, 608-782-1980.
SCHAFER'S BOAT AND BAIT: Boat rentals including pontoons, fishing boats, canoes & kayaks on Lake Onalaska. Convenient on-site bait shop with tackle, live bait & licenses. West of Hwy. 35 at Hwy Z, W7221 North Shore Lane, Onalaska, 608-781-9822, www.schafersboats.com.
ROTARY LIGHTS: Driving or walking tour through Riverside Park on La Crosse's Riverfront, over 2 million lights and a winter wonderland experience for entire family,
5-10 pm nightly. After Thanksgiving through December 31st. Donation for local charities suggested. 608-784-9993, www.rotarylights.org.
SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE: See the Shrine and visit the Votive Chapel, gift shop and restaurant, and devotional areas throughout, walk a 1/2 mile meditation trail with a breathtaking view of bluffs, Southside La Crosse, www.guadalupeshrine.org,
608-782-5440.
ST. ROSE CONVENT CHAPEL: Experience a taste of Europe in this beautiful chapel which is over 100 years old. Tours year-round. 701 Franciscan Way, La Crosse; 608-784-2288, www.fspa.org.
SWARTHOUT MUSEUM: Continually changing exhibits. Open year round Tues-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 1pm-5pm. Admission is $1, children 5 and under are free. 112 S. 9th St., downtown Lacrosse; 608-782-1980.
WALKING TOUR OF THE LA CROSSE DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT: Self-guided Historic Walking Tour. Maps available at the La Crosse Visitor’s Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, hotels, and various businesses. Tour map includes historic descriptions of 20 buildings in the District.
Photos Courtesy Forte Design
|
