19 Things To Do In The La Crosse Region This October

As the crisp autumn air settles into the La Crosse Region and leaves begin to changing to their vibrant hues along the ancient bluffs, there’s no better time to explore our Region than this autumn! Get ready to embrace the magic of October in the La Crosse Region!

Tasty Fall Eats: Bloody Marys, Soup Season, and Cozy Spices

Alpine Inn

Visit the Alpine Inn, a historic bar & grill seated atop Grandad Bluff in La Crosse, WI. You’ll find the best views of fall colors here! They’re known for great Bloody Mary’s, burgers and all around good food. The Alpine Inn is a fun and great destination for those wanting to enjoy a great view and bursting fall foliage!

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Red Pines Bar and Grill

Nestled on the water of Lake Onalaska, Red Pines Bar and Grill, is known for its cozy, rustic atmosphere, fresh fish, half pound burgers and brisket as well as delicious homemade pizzas, soups, sides, dressings, and sauces. If you’re looking for fall colors with a waterfront view and a Northwood atmosphere, look no further!

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Features Sports Bar and Grill – West Salem

Looking for great bar food, and a fun atmosphere? Features Sports Bar & Grill in West Salem is your go-to for inside fun. With the temperature cooling down, turn up the heat with a game of bowling! If knocking some pins back isn’t your style, they’re equipped with a 14ft HD Screen to watch you favorite team!

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Su Casa Pub & Grill

As the weather gets cooler, taste cozy spices and warm up your belly at Su Casa Pub & Grill in Holmen! Su Casa meaning, “Your House” in Spanish, offers authentic Mexican food and traditional American favorites. In this Mexican restaurant you can find a whole menu dedicated to authentic Mexican food like their Big Burrito Verde; a large four tortilla filled with pork carnitas, beans, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, and lettuce. You will also find a full menu dedicated to American favorites!

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Pickerman’s Soups & Sandwiches

Fall is the unofficial beginning of soup season! Pickerman’s Soups & Sandwiches is located in Historic Downtown, La Crosse and offers a wide variety of delicious gourmet soups. It doesn’t stop there! They also have some of the best sandwiches in the market. Their signature bread is baked fresh every day from a secret family recipe and they use the finest meats, savory cheeses and fresh, crunchy vegetables to create everything on their menu. Vegetarian options are available.

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Caffeine Connection: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

Grounded Patio Cafe

Have you spotted the iconic coffee mural on the side of a brick building in Historic Downtown La Crosse? Grounded Patio Café is a one-of-a-kind local coffee shop. They have a mix of hot and cold coffees, teas, teas, and grub. Stop by for a one-of-a-kind experience!

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Bean Juice

Curve your caffeine addiction by stopping in Bean Juice! They fresh roast their coffee in-house along with baked goods created by an award-winning baker! A beautiful view of the bluffs makes this coffee house the perfect stop for your caffeine fix.

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Incredible Fall Attractions: Beauty of the Driftless Region

Grandad Bluff

At Grandad Bluff, this 600-ft high bluff overlooks the city of La Crosse, the Mississippi River Valley, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Just a short 10-minute drive up a winding bluff road are legendary sights bursting with vibrant fall colors. Voted as “the most scenic view in the state” by Wisconsin Trails readers, this signature sight is a bucketlist must when visiting the La Crosse Region.

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Sunny The Sunfish

Onalaska is also known as the “Sunfish Capital of the World” to commemorate and to share the city’s love of the fish, stop by their road-side stop and meet Sunny the Sunfish. Sunny is a quick drive North of the Great River Landing on HWY 35. The massive and brightly colored sunfish sculpture is 15 feet high and 25 feet long perched on a scenic overlook of Lake Onalaska.

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Riverside Park

The famous Riverside Park of La Crosse is the center of an active community. At the confluence of three rivers, the park is just blocks away from Historic Downtown La Crosse’s restaurants and shopping stops, the La Crosse Convention Center, and a multitude of lodging options. Riverside Park is both a signature sight and prized jewel of the La Crosse Region. PC: @karengenzphotography

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La Crosse Queen

Hop on the Mississippi River for a one-of-a-kind cruise before the season ends on the La Crosse Queen Paddlewheeler. It’s a is a modern-day replica of the grand riverboats which used to ply the Mississippi in the early 1900s. It is one of the few “true” paddlewheelers still in operation in the country today. In keeping with early traditions, it was built with stern wheels which are the only means of propulsion.

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Bluff to Bluff Trolley Tour Experience

Explore between the bluffs of La Crescent, MN and La Crosse on an epic trolley tour experience! Ride on this four-hour long trolley tour with unique, epic stops at a local orchards and learn legendary history to breathtaking views atop ancient bluffs. Get ready to experience the wonder of the La Crosse Region with marvelous leaf peeping views.

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Autumn Adventures: Must-Do activities

Hidden Trails Corn Maze

Growing family memories for over 20 years, Hidden Trails is one of the original fall tourism destinations in the La Crosse Region. Be sure to put this corn maze on your fall to-do list! They offer four corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, weekend wagon rides, farm animal petting, fall décor, and more! Get lost in over five miles of paths in a 12-acre corn maze.

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Southwind Orchards

Southwind Orchards apples are grown on the choice hillsides of Dakota, MN and are nestled above the banks of the Mississippi River. Find this orchard along Apple Blossom Drive, a short drive full of gorgeous views, colorful trees and captivating overlooks! It’s a great stop for purchasing your seasonal apples, jam, caramel apples, and more!

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Hidden Hills WI LLC

Get spooky and channel the flannel this autumn at Hidden Hills! Are you looking for a local, family-friendly petting farm with all kinds of fun activities? How about a day with your buddies playing some high-speed paintball? Or do you want to challenge your mind competing against your friends in their Murder Mystery? Hidden Hills is definitely the place for you!

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Pumpkin Hill LLC

Soak up the season at Pumpkin Hill, a cozy family-run farm filled with autumn charm! Pick the perfect pumpkin, meet friendly animals, play in the corn pit, and enjoy a scenic wagon ride through the countryside. Don’t forget to browse local crafts and take home a little fall magic!

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Van Lin Orchards

Just three miles west of La Crescent, Van Lin Orchards is the perfect fall stop. Pick your own apples and pumpkins, explore the corn and sunflower maze, and let the kids enjoy fun activities like the climbing wall. Stop by on Sundays for hayrides, and don’t miss the baked goods and local crafts in the sales shed!

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Fall Festivals

La Crescent Apple Festival

Since 1949, La Crescent Applefest has celebrated the city and its famous apples. Held every third weekend in September, the festival is packed with entertainment, carnival rides, food, kids’ games, a car show, flea market, and the King Apple Parade. Fun for the whole family, come join the celebration!

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Oktoberfest USA

Celebrate German culture at Oktoberfest USA in La Crosse, Wisconsin! Running for four days each fall, this longtime favorite features parades, traditional music, German food and beer, carnival rides, and the Tapping of the Golden Keg. Fun for all ages, it’s a festive way to enjoy family, friends, and Wisconsin’s beautiful autumn scenery.

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There’s More to Explore!