A Detour Worth Taking in the La Crosse Region

Coon Valley, Wisconsin
Norskedalen allows you to experience history as you step into the full-immersion museum known as the Bekkum Homestead. Enter the buildings that were actually built and lived in during the 1860s through the mid 1900s. These historic buildings are witnesses to the lives and stories of generations before us. The structures found at Norskedalen document the heritage, struggles, and traditions of Norwegian immigrants who came to the Coon Valley area.

Stoddard, Wisconsin
Located in rolling hills in Stoddard, you’ll find a family-friendly petting farm with all kinds of fun activities! Hidden Hills is the perfect location for making significant memories. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy their adventurous activities, quality produce, and scenic sites all fall long. There’s so much fun to be had between high-speed paintballing, their murder mystery challenge, and fun obstacle courses.

Trempealeau, Wisconsin
At Elmaro Vineyard, they focus on producing great wines and providing an unmatched setting in which to enjoy them. Their family works together to make sure you have the best experience possible, whether it’s enjoying a glass at the vineyard or in your own home.

Houston, Minnesota
Unravel the mysteries of owls as you meet the Center’s feathered ambassadors up close and personal. Touch owl feathers, learn to identify owls by the sounds they make, and take pictures of perfectly mounted specimens of nine species of owls illustrating typical owl behaviors.

Harmony, Minnesota
Niagara Cave is one of the most fascinating and unique geological attractions in the United States. In fact, it has been rated one of the top ten caves in the United States by many outdoor activity rating sites! During the one hour, one mile, guided tour, visitors will witness an underground stream leading to a waterfall nearly 60 feet high, stalactites both delicate and massive, calcite flowstone, several fossils that have been dated to over 400 million years.

Westby, Wisconsin
Branches Winery is a charming boutique winery located in the Driftless Region. They are known for their award-winning cold climate wines, produced from ten varieties of grapes, plus other local fruits. They are proud to be one of the first wineries in the Midwest to produce two unique wines using the French-Canadian practice of using winter’s frigid temperatures to naturally freeze and thaw apple cider, concentrating its flavor to its luscious best.

Dakota, Minnesota
Southwind Orchards’ apples are grown on the choice hillsides of Dakota, nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River. They are only 10 minutes from La Crosse! The destination invites you to come and enjoy the beauty of the ponds and their scenic location on Apple Blossom Drive.

Sparta, Wisconsin
Welcome to the 200-acre Driftless Region bed and breakfast where land is plentiful, and buildings are few. TripAdvisor rates them as one of the top Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts. They are family-owned and a farm resort which has been in the Justin family since 1916.