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. La Crosse is home to the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, Western Technical College, and Viterbo University. 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. 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.
La Crosse is full of hidden gems for people of all ages. The town is comprised of college students, young families, retirees, and professionals. There are always festivals going on, as well as plenty of restaurants, cafes, and quaint shops to keep you busy. It's also a great place for anyone who loves the outdoors as it's surrounded by bluffs with plenty of hiking and biking trails located on the Mississippi.
The brewing tradition in La Crosse is nearly as old as the state of Wisconsin, dating back to the 1858 founding of the G. Heileman Brewing Company and the iconic Old Style brand. Since Heileman’s doors closed in 1996, City Brewing Company has taken up the standard, and today you can see the World’s Largest Six-Pack dressed up as their popular La Crosse Lager.
If you like to support independent, local businesses, historic downtown La Crosse has a vibrant shopping district full of the region’s finest specialty shops. Bargain hunters have their work cut out for them, with dozens of thrift and consignment stores to choose from, not to mention one of the largest antique malls in the state.
Explore all the hidden gems for yourself when you visit La Crosse!