A Long-Weekend Itinerary
in the La Crosse Region

Day 1: Drive the Great River Road

Morning: Take the scenic route!

They say it’s about the journey not the destination, but in this case it’s about both. With sweeping views of fall colors changing the Mississippi River Valley and charming river towns along the way, the drive along the Great River Road from the Twin Cities to the La Crosse Region takes you along one of the most scenic routes in the country.

Great River Road

The Great River road is a National Scenic Byway, recently voted No. 1 of USA Today’s 10 Best Scenic Drives for the second year in a row. This All-American Road traverses ten states along the Mississippi River, providing a scenic drive on your way from the Twin Cities.

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Blue Moon Restaurant

Blue Moon is a local favorite in Onalaska, conveniently located along the Great River Road. They are open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour, but we recommend stopping here for lunch on your way into the La Crosse Region.

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Afternoon: Waterfront Exploring in Onalaska, WI

From your lunch stop at Blue Moon, you are conveniently located across the street from Sunny the Sunfish, and only a mile away from Great River Landing, the trailhead for the Great River State Trail. After you’ve explored through state trails, venture over to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge for more beautiful trails and views of Lake Onalaska.

Sunny the Sunfish

Across the street from Blue Moon is Sunny the Sunfish! Stop by to see Sunny, perched on a scenic overlook of Lake Onalaska, along the Great River Road and Great River State Trail. This is the perfect spot to stop for photo ops!

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Great River Landing & Great River State Trail

Less than a mile down the Great River State Trail from Blue Moon and Sunny the Sunfish you will find the Great River Landing. The Great River Landing serves as the trailhead for the Great River State Trail, connecting to 101 miles of state trails. A new visitor center allows for beautiful views of Lake Onalaska and the Black River.

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Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge La Crosse District Visitor Center

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge Visitor Center is located on Brice Prairie in Onalaska, WI, with paved and gravel trails throughout the refuge, an overlook of Lake Onalaska, and interactive activities for kids.

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Evening: Explore Downtown La Crosse

After spending an afternoon enjoying the Mississippi River views, swing by Turtle Stack Brewery for a locally-brewed beer and enjoy dinner at Pizzeria Dolorosa in downtown La Crosse. Stop by the Pearl for an after dinner ice cream treat before heading to your hotel to check-in, relax, and plan your route for tomorrow.

Turtle Stack Brewery

Turtle Stack Brewery is a small craft brewery and tasting room located in historic downtown La Crosse. With local favorites and flavorful seasonal beers, Turtle Stack is a locally loved brewery, and the perfect pre-dinner stop after a day of exploring.

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Pizzeria Dolorosa

A newer pizza joint that quickly became a local favorite, Pizzeria Dolorosa is a great dinner stop for your first night in town. Enjoy their delicious house-made sourdough crust, Neapolitan renditions, and cocktails.

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The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor

The Pearl is another can’t-miss La Crosse Region institution. This 1930’s-style ice cream parlor serves up over 20 homemade flavors of ice cream, plus hand-pressed waffle cones, classic malts, nostalgic candies, and handmade chocolates.

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Lodging

Whether you’re looking for a hotel with a river view, a charming B&B, a kid-friendly pool, or a cozy cabin, the La Crosse Region offers a variety of lodging options for every traveler. Find comfortable accommodations that fit your style and budget.

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Day 2: Hiking, Paddling, & Fine Dining in
the La Crosse Region

Morning: Hike the Bluffs

A visit to the La Crosse Region in the fall would be amiss without enjoying the colorful view from the bluffs. Stop for breakfast at JavaVino before exploring a multitude of hiking trail options. With many interconnected trails and a range of difficulty, there is something for everyone.

JavaVino

Fuel up for a day on the trails at JavaVino! JavaVino is a cozy restaurant on the eastside of La Crosse, offering gourmet coffee and delicious dining options. If you’re traveling with kids, they’ve even got a play area to keep kids entertained.

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Grandad Bluff

From Alpine Inn, pop over to Grandad Bluff Park for one of the most well-known views in the La Crosse Region. The 600-ft high bluff overlooks the city of La Crosse, with views of the Mississippi River Valley, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.

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Gateway Trails

Offering blufftop views, the Gateway Trails are a favorite for hikers and bikers alike. Multiple interconnected trails, ranging in difficulty can be accessed from Grandad Bluff Road, including a connection to the Lower Hixon Trail System.

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Lower Hixon Trails

With stunning views of the city of La Crosse, marshland, UW-La Crosse, and many forms of wildlife, the Lower Hixon trails are not to be missed. The Lower Hixon Trailhead off of Highway 16 offers access to multiple trails, but these trails can also be access from the Gateway Trail System.

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Afternoon: Fall Fun in the La Crosse Region

After a morning of hiking, head north to Onalaska for a waterfront lunch at Red Pines. From there, stop by Ferguson’s Orchard for an afternoon of apple picking and a pumpkin patch.

Red Pines Bar & Grill

For lunch, stop by Red Pines, nestled along the shores of Lake Onalaska. A casual restaurant serving made-from-scratch meals, they are known for their hand-prepared walleye, lake perch, in-house smoked catfish and burgers.

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Ferguson’s Orchards

Venture to Ferguson’s in Galesville for a pick-your-own apple orchard, u-pick pumpkin patch, and fall fun in Apple Blossom Park. Kids will love playing in their famous corn pit, and don’t miss their apple cider donuts!

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Evening: Drinks & Dinner

After a day exploring outdoors, unwind with drinks and dinner at two local favorites in downtown La Crosse. Stop for cocktails at The Starlite Lounge, a 1950’s style cocktail lounge, then enjoy dinner at Lovechild, a modern restaurant serving locally sourced, seasonal cuisines.

The Starlite Lounge

The Starlite Lounge, a 1950’s style cocktail lounge, is located above Buzzard Billy’s. Sip on a martini while you enjoy live music and their Rat Pack atmosphere.

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Lovechild

Lovechild serves big flavors, locally sourced and seasonal dishes in a romantic setting. Their chef and co-owner has been nominated for multiple James Beard awards, making Lovechild a can’t-miss stop on your La Crosse Region itinerary.

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Day 3: Coffee & Biking in La Crosse

Grab breakfast and coffee at Jules Coffee House, then enjoy a leisurely bike ride in the La Crosse Region to soak up the fall colors before you head home..

Jules Coffee House

Jules Coffee House is a cozy café located on the historic Pearl Street in downtown La Crosse. Serving expertly crafted coffee, freshly baked scones, and delicious crepes, Jules is a charming stop for breakfast.

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Drift Cycle Bike Share at Riverside Park

Drift Cycle has 15 bike docking stations in the area, so after breakfast at Jules, we recommend popping over to Riverside Park to rent bikes. You can bike through the Marsh Trails or across the bridge to Pettibone Park for a scenic ride before heading for home.

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