Guidebook for La Crosse
Parks & Nature
This is the location for beautiful views of Lake Onalaska any time of day, but especially at sunset. There are also walking trails to the south of the Spillway in the backwater woodlands. The Spillway is about 3/4 of mile long and about a twenty minute walk from the Cottage.
Spillway Drive Dike
This is the location for beautiful views of Lake Onalaska any time of day, but especially at sunset. There are also walking trails to the south of the Spillway in the backwater woodlands. The Spillway is about 3/4 of mile long and about a twenty minute walk from the Cottage.
Walking trails, ballpark, picnic area. The private La Crosse Sailboat Club is located on the north end of the park. Sailboat races and regattas on Lake Onalaska are held on weeknights and weekends. A public viewing platform is located at the end of Lakeshore Drive, which is the road leading to the park and Sailboat Club.
Louis Nelson County Park
Walking trails, ballpark, picnic area. The private La Crosse Sailboat Club is located on the north end of the park. Sailboat races and regattas on Lake Onalaska are held on weeknights and weekends. A public viewing platform is located at the end of Lakeshore Drive, which is the road leading to the park and Sailboat Club.
Beautiful lake created by Lock and Dam #7 on the Mississippi River surrounded by the beautiful bluffs in the heart of the Driftless Area that is a part of the Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge. Great for wildlife viewing, watersports, hunting and fishing all year long.
Lake Onalaska
Beautiful lake created by Lock and Dam #7 on the Mississippi River surrounded by the beautiful bluffs in the heart of the Driftless Area that is a part of the Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge. Great for wildlife viewing, watersports, hunting and fishing all year long.
The best place to for a spectacular view of La Crosse and the surrounding landscape from our iconic bluff.
64 recommandé par les habitants
Grandad Bluff Park
The best place to for a spectacular view of La Crosse and the surrounding landscape from our iconic bluff.
Mississippi River promenade Park with free concerts at the bandshell on Thursday nights during summer. Beautiful and lively.
33 recommandé par les habitants
Riverside Park
100 State StMississippi River promenade Park with free concerts at the bandshell on Thursday nights during summer. Beautiful and lively.
Gardens with international themes located at the north end Riverside Park. If you are gardener don't miss this.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Riverside International Friendship Gardens
405 E Veterans Memorial DrGardens with international themes located at the north end Riverside Park. If you are gardener don't miss this.
Great River Bluffs State Park
43605 Kipp DrFantastic views and hiking.
Great beach house architecture on the sand on Pettibone Island, which has great views of La Crosse from across the river.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Pettibone Beach
Great beach house architecture on the sand on Pettibone Island, which has great views of La Crosse from across the river.
Sightseeing
View the working part of the Mississippi River up close here. Huge barges, passenger boats, even paddlewheel boats can be seen as they pass through the locks.
Lock and Dam No. 7
View the working part of the Mississippi River up close here. Huge barges, passenger boats, even paddlewheel boats can be seen as they pass through the locks.
La Crosse Queen Cruises
405 E Veterans Memorial DrExperience the Mighty Mississippi!
Food Scene
Lakeside informal restaurant and bar with a friendly atmosphere drawing locals and boaters on the north shore of Lake Onalaska. Indoor/Outdoor seating.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Red Pines Bar & Grill
W7305 County Rd ZLakeside informal restaurant and bar with a friendly atmosphere drawing locals and boaters on the north shore of Lake Onalaska. Indoor/Outdoor seating.
Huck Finn's On the Water
129 Marina DrRestaurant and bar on the Black River overlooking marina.
Our special occasion place. Reliably great "supper club" food in a historic building.
20 recommandé par les habitants
The Freighthouse Restaurant
107 Vine StOur special occasion place. Reliably great "supper club" food in a historic building.
If you're not up for their finer fare stop by their cafe/bar for lunch or for jazz on the weekends.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Piggy's
501 Front St SIf you're not up for their finer fare stop by their cafe/bar for lunch or for jazz on the weekends.
Old-fashioned drive-in A and W restaurant with roller-skating waitstaff. Fun.
Rudy's Drive In Restaurant
1004 La Crosse StOld-fashioned drive-in A and W restaurant with roller-skating waitstaff. Fun.
Buzzard Billy's
222 Pearl StJules Coffee House
327 Pearl StThe Root Note
115 4th St SThe Pearl Ice Cream Parlor
207 Pearl StGreat ice cream.
The Charmant Hotel
101 State StFantastic architecture, fantastic food! Located in an early La Crosse's stone mansion, this place is special for special occasions. Be sure to explore the upper floors to see views from "the tower" and the exquisite original woodwork and decor. Le Cave cocktail bar located the basement.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Le Chateau
410 Cass StFantastic architecture, fantastic food! Located in an early La Crosse's stone mansion, this place is special for special occasions. Be sure to explore the upper floors to see views from "the tower" and the exquisite original woodwork and decor. Le Cave cocktail bar located the basement.
This restaurant and bar have a sophisticated ambience with "uncomplicated food with intriguing ingredients and big flavors - locally sourced and seasonally driven." Romantic
9 recommandé par les habitants
Lovechild
300 3rd St SThis restaurant and bar have a sophisticated ambience with "uncomplicated food with intriguing ingredients and big flavors - locally sourced and seasonally driven." Romantic
Above a longtime food co-op, this chic eatery & bar offers a menu for various dietary restrictions
Hackberry's Bistro
315 5th Ave SAbove a longtime food co-op, this chic eatery & bar offers a menu for various dietary restrictions
Modern Diner + Tavern, specializes in modern comfort food and contemporary elixirs that brings people together for a great time.
David Reay's Modern Diner + Tavern
214 Main StModern Diner + Tavern, specializes in modern comfort food and contemporary elixirs that brings people together for a great time.
Spacious, easygoing hangout doling out hearty pub fare, plus various craft beers & bourbons.
9 recommandé par les habitants
The Crow
100 3rd St SSpacious, easygoing hangout doling out hearty pub fare, plus various craft beers & bourbons.
Our favorite! Award winning.
Take a road trip to Viroqua (about 35 miles) through beautiful country. Art & tree trunks accent this cozy cafe with a changing menu of locally sourced New American plates. Delicious! Explore Viroqua while you are there.
68 recommandé par les habitants
Driftless Cafe
118 W Court StOur favorite! Award winning.
Take a road trip to Viroqua (about 35 miles) through beautiful country. Art & tree trunks accent this cozy cafe with a changing menu of locally sourced New American plates. Delicious! Explore Viroqua while you are there.
Drinks & Nightlife
Funky smaller bar/restaurant with outside seating in summer with views of marina on the backwaters of the Mississippi River.
River Rats Bar and Grill
1311 La Cres PlFunky smaller bar/restaurant with outside seating in summer with views of marina on the backwaters of the Mississippi River.
Tom Sawyer's Bar & Grill
136 Clinton StRestaurant and bar on the Black River overlooking marina.
Gary recommends Downtown Brown, Pam likes Java Lava Stout. ...many more. Try a flight to find you bliss.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Pearl Street Brewery
1401 St Andrew StGary recommends Downtown Brown, Pam likes Java Lava Stout. ...many more. Try a flight to find you bliss.
Landmark historic downtown bar. Music, food, funky. Lotsa beer.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Bodega Brew Pub, Inc.
122 4th St SLandmark historic downtown bar. Music, food, funky. Lotsa beer.
We like the funky places and have been going to Del's since out college days in the seventies. It's been a here forever.
Great bloodies.
Del's Bar
229 3rd St NWe like the funky places and have been going to Del's since out college days in the seventies. It's been a here forever.
Great bloodies.
Cavalier Theater and Lounge
118 5th Ave NRobins Nest Bar and Grill
328 Goddard StFood, bar and music with a funky local atmosphere.
Really a distillery, not a brewery, but that was the closest category.
11 recommandé par les habitants
La Crosse Distilling Co.
129 Vine StReally a distillery, not a brewery, but that was the closest category.
La Cave
410 Cass StCocktail lounge located below Le Chateau Restaurant.
Sizable bar offering many Irish beers, specialty entrees & pub grub, plus patio seating & TVs.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery
103 3rd St NSizable bar offering many Irish beers, specialty entrees & pub grub, plus patio seating & TVs.
Arts & Culture
Regional art in 3 galleries and a performance space for music and theater.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Pump House Regional Arts Center
119 King StRegional art in 3 galleries and a performance space for music and theater.
New facility in a beautiful location featuring local and national performers.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Weber Center for the Performing Arts
428 Front St SNew facility in a beautiful location featuring local and national performers.
Hixon House
429 7th St NLa Crosse's origin is the lumber industry. Visit the lumber baron, Gidon Hixon's house.
Entertainment & Activities
The bluffs are us. Here is where you start. A network of trails for walking, skiing and biking all along the bluffs bordering the city.
14 recommandé par les habitants
Upper Hixon Forest
800 Milson CtThe bluffs are us. Here is where you start. A network of trails for walking, skiing and biking all along the bluffs bordering the city.
Children's Museum of La Crosse
207 5th Ave SRivoli Theatre
117 4th St NGreat River State Trail
Great River State TrailBike trail connected to all others in the area.
This park is located across the Black River side of French Island. Enjoy the views of the quaint boathouses here and take in a Loggers game.
Copeland Park
1130 Copeland Park DrThis park is located across the Black River side of French Island. Enjoy the views of the quaint boathouses here and take in a Loggers game.
Dahl Auto Museum
711 3rd St SShopping
Cameron Park Farmer's Market "The farmer's market takes place on Fridays 4pm-dusk and Saturdays 8am - 1pm. Local produce, crafts, and food trucks with live music at a park where families can hang out."
Cameron Park Farmers Market
4th Street SouthCameron Park Farmer's Market "The farmer's market takes place on Fridays 4pm-dusk and Saturdays 8am - 1pm. Local produce, crafts, and food trucks with live music at a park where families can hang out."
The Antique Center of La Crosse, Ltd.
110 3rd St SIsland Outdoors
1330 Bainbridge StBrand new fishing and other water recreation supplies. Kayak rental.