Spousal Tours & Activities

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Tours

Each year, La Crosse attracts more than one million visitors as people across the globe are attracted by the natural beauty and splendor of the upper Mississippi River area – including the region’s rich history, unique attractions and variety of great shopping, dining and cultural offerings.  Centrally located between the states of Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, La Crosse is your regional destination.

Tours in La Crosse, WI

By boat, trolley, horse-drawn carriage, or on foot–there are so many ways to experience La Crosse, its people, and culture. Educational, entertaining, and enlightening guided and self-guided tours of the city’s architecture, historic districts, institutions, and waterways are here waiting for you. Come explore La Crosse.

Grandad Bluff

A destination point for thousands, but also a symbol of this great Coulee Region. La Crosse’s recent renovation (completed in April of 2012) showed the importance and grandeur of Grandad Bluff to all who visit!  The 600-ft high bluff overlooks the city of La Crosse. The view of the Mississippi River Valley includes the three states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Wisconsin Trails readers voted this “the most scenic view in the state”. The park features a shelter house, coin-operated binoculars, picnic areas and is the site of the annual Skyrocker`s New Year`s Eve Fireworks Show.

Shopping in La Crosse, WI

Whether you prefer big box and brand name or locally owned mom-and-pop shops, you’ll find all the shopping you need in the La Crosse area. All the largest commercial retailers can be found within a few miles of La Crosse, and downtown has some of the finest specialty shops in the region. Plus, antiquers and bargain hunters will love the antique shops and thrift stores waiting for them here.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Faithful to the message of the Blessed Virgin Mary through her appearances on the American continent in 1531, serves the spiritual needs of those who suffer poverty in body and soul. It is a place of ceaseless prayer for the corporal and spiritual welfare of God’s children, especially those in most need.

Apple Orchards

Have some down-on-the farm family fun while picking fresh apples and pumpkins at area apple orchards. Pick out your own jack-o’-lantern or find the perfect apple for your pies at the wide range of farms offered in and around the La Crosse area! Find the freshest fruit right off the tree or vine as you enjoy the outdoors, the fresh air, and the sunshine. Whether you want a hay ride, a cup of fresh-made cider, or a delicious caramel apple, there’s an orchard for you!

Wineries, Vineyards, & Breweries in La Crosse, WI

The rolling bluffs and riverlands make for some of the most beautiful vineyard settings imaginable, so don’t miss the chance for an unforgettable afternoon of sipping wine and enjoying the scenery. Oh, and in case you forgot, there’s beer here, too. Head down to Pearl Street Brewery for some award-winning microbrews!

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More to do!

Apple Orchards near La Crosse, WI

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Apple Orchards & Patches

by Mikayla Peters

Have some down-on-the farm family fun while picking fresh apples and pumpkins at area apple orchards. Pick out your own jack-o’-lantern or find the perfect apple for your pies at the wide range of farms offered in and around the La Crosse area! Find the freshest fruit right off the tree or vine as you enjoy the outdoors, the fresh air, and the sunshine. Whether you want a hay ride, a cup of fresh-made cider, or a delicious caramel apple, there’s an orchard for you!

Southwind Orchards / Dakota, MN

Southwind apples are grown on the choice hillsides of a broad, deep valley near the town of Dakota, which nestles on the banks of the Mississippi River. Here, their roots lie deep in the wind-driven loess soil that blankets a deep deposit of limestone rock. Kissed by the dew and mist from the Mississippi, they spend long hours bathing in the sun, gently ripening to full-bodied goodness.

Leidel’s Apples / La Crescent, MN

Near the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota is the wonderful La Crescent, Minnesota. Leidel has been in the family for 6 generation (since 1854). They offer a wonderful selection of caramel apples, locally grown apples, and sweet treats at their stand.

Hidden Trails Corn Maze

Located just five miles east of La Crosse, Wisconsin on Highway 16, Hidden Trails Corn Maze is just a short drive from anywhere in the tri-state area. Getting lost in the maze is fun, but there is also plenty of other activities that include pumpkin patches, wagon rides, farm animals, and more!

Shefelbine Orchards and Pumpkin / Holmen, WI

Home of the RiverBelle and Pazazz apples with plenty more kinds of apples and pumpkins, Shefelbine is a family-owned pick-your-own operation located in the beautiful Holmen Countryside.

Van Lin Orchards / La Crescent, MN

For over 20 years, Van Lin has served the wonderful La Crescent community with their wide variety of apples. During Apple Fest in La Crescent, Van Lin offers apple orchard tours. In September, you can see how they pick, package, and store their apples.

Hoch Orchard and Gardens / La Crescent, MN

With over 30 types of apples, including the newest developments from the University of Minnesota, Hoch Orchard is well worth the drive! While there, you could take a tour of the organic pollinator planting. Hoch Orchard and Gardens is open for strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, apricots, plums, and blackberries. With a certification as organic, this family farm is the place to go! Just a short drive over to La Crescent for a juicy apple!

Ecker’s Apple Farm / Trempealeau, WI

For apples and blueberries, it’s Ecker’s Farm, located in gorgeous Trempealeau, Wisconsin. With over 20 kinds of apples, a John Deere train, a Honeycrisp Express, bee hive, and peaches, there’s something for everyone! Stop by to pick up a scratch-made apple pie at their market, or walk the orchard rows and pick your own.

Sacia Orchards Inc / Galesville, WI

For over 100 years, Sacia has been in Galesville, Wisconsin. With their own Amrket and Bakery serving the sweetest treats made from their apples, local honey, maple syrup, salsa, penny candy and more, there’s something for everyone at Wisconsin’s oldest and second-largets apple orchard!

Ferguson’s Morningside Orchard / Galesville, WI

This family-owned and operated farm allows people to pick their own apples. Whether you’re looking for delicious baked goods, a wagon ride up into the orchard, a play area for the kids, or a visit with farm animals, Ferguson’s Orchard is the place for you!

Maple Ridge Orchard / Cashton, WI

From a 40-foot observation tower, you can see the beautiful scenery of the apple orchard spread before you. For the kids, there’s a hay mountain and tire gym slide. In the store, you can find apples, homemade apple cider donuts, caramel apples, cider, and more! Located along the “Amish-Country” trail in Cashton (between Sparta and Viroqua), the drive is less than a half hour from La Crosse!

Top 5 Ways To Beat the Heat in La Crosse, WI

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It’s summer in Wisconsin, which means you’re still on your first cup of coffee and the thermometer’s sailing past 80 on its way to 90. Don’t hide away in your a/c all day long–remember when it was still freezing in March and you were dreaming of these days? Here are a few of our favorite ways to beat the heat and enjoy all that summer has to offer:

1. Swim

Spend the day at one of the area’s numerous indoor and outdoor pools. Or if you prefer, we have a few rivers and lakes nearby you might have heard about, too. Does anything say summer more than a day at the beach?

 

A photo posted by Hannah Fernandes (@hlfernandes) on

2. See a Show

A matinee is always a great way to escape the afternoon heat for a couple hours, and you’ll find plenty of showtimes at the historic Rivoli Theatre in downtown La Crosse or Marcus Cinemas on Ward Avenue. La Crosse offers plenty of excellent live theatre, too, so be sure to see what the La Crosse Community Theatre and other performing arts groups in the area are up to. 

3. Eat Ice Cream!

Is there anything better than two scoops of your favorite flavor on a hot summer’s day? The ice cream parlors in La Crosse have nearly as much history as the city itself, not to mention coffee, candy, and lots of other sweet treats:

4. Get on the River

Even if you don’t want to get in the water, you can still get on it. A day of paddling, waterskiing, fishing, or just relaxing with a cold drink on the deck of a pontoon is the perfect way to see the beautiful waterways that have shaped this area, and to experience summer in La Crosse at its finest.

5. Go Shopping

From big box and brand name to local mom-and-pop shops, the La Crosse area has all the shopping options you need and more. And they’re all air conditioned!

Top 5(ish) Happy Hours in La Crosse

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Happy Hour!!! Bars and taverns have never been in short supply in and around La Crosse, and this surplus of watering holes has led to some excellent friendly competition for customers among these businesses, resulting in some truly great happy hour specials. Here are our favorites:

1. Starlite Lounge

  • Voted area’s #1 Happy Hour (Best of La Crosse County 2014)
  • Tue – Fri: 4 – 7 pm, Sat: 4 – 6 pm
  • $3 off select martinis, half-price select appetizers, $1 off wines & taps
  • Live entertainment Thur 5 – 8 pm & Fri/Sat nights

A photo posted by Alex Hemmele (@alhemmele) on

2. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern

  • Voted area’s #2 Happy Hour (Best of La Crosse County 2014)
  • Mon – Fri: 3 – 6 pm
  • $3 taps, $6 specialty martinis, $3 rail cocktails, 2-for-1 house wines, $5 TWF burger (Mon – Thur, dine-in only)

3. Flipside Pub & Grill

  • Voted area’s #3 Happy Hour (Best of La Crosse County 2014)
  • Mon – Fri: 3 – 6 pm

Posted by FLIPSIDE PUB & GRILL on Sunday, January 27, 2013

A photo posted by Omega Hoeppner (@notorious_omega_) on

4. Howie’s on La Crosse

  • Mon – Fri: 2 – 6 pm
  • 2-for-1 taps & glasses of wine; $1 off bottles, rails, and calls

5. Dublin Square

  • Mon – Fri: 3 – 6 pm, Sun – Thur: 10 pm – close
  • 2-for-1 house wines, 50¢ off all drinks, buy-2-get-1 apps, FREE BACON!

“Charming Hour” begins today at 3pm!! Wine, Draft Beer & weekly wing specials until 6pm!

A photo posted by The Charmant Hotel (@thecharmantlc) on

6. “Charming Hour” @ The Charmant Hotel

  • Mon – Fri: 3 – 6 pm
  • Wine & Draft Beer specials as well weekly wing specials!

10 Places to Take Your Kids

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We’ve hand-selected some of the best options in town to entertain your whole entourage! Check out these epic places to make new memories with your kids this summer.

La Crosse

Loggers

The La Crosse Loggers are a summer, wooden-bat, collegiate baseball franchise based in Copeland Park. They are backed by their dedicated fan base and amazing community. Known for their impressive skills and exciting gameplay in the Northwoods League, The Loggers are the team to watch for a fun night out with family and friends! Their season typically runs from late May to mid August.

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Jump Start Adventure Park

Jump Start Adventure Park is an award winning, action-packed, multi-attraction indoor experience for youth and adults of all ages! Designed for the adventure enthusiast, Jump Start features a variety of innovative Trampoline Park attractions, Ninja Warrior Course, Extreme Nets Course, Parkour Area, Toddler Area, and much more! They are ready for you to come out and play!

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Island Outdoors

Island Outdoors’ rental services are fit to equip customers for any adventure imaginable! Grab a canoe, kayak, paddle board, water bike – you name it – and head out on the water directly from the parking lot! They are located right on the water, eliminating the hassle of transporting rental equipment and creating a stress-free experience! In the winter, they rent snowshoes, ice skates, and even have a skating rink!

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Inter-

national Owl Center

The International Owl Center is an amazing and unique educational experience that celebrates all things owl-related! Their programs and exhibits give visitors insight into the lives of these birds of prey! Touch owl feathers, learn to identify owls by the sounds they make, and get up close and personal to the live-owls on-site!

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Children’s Museum of La Crosse

Looking for a place where kids can learn, play, and explore until their hearts’ content? Look no further than the Children’s Museum of La Crosse! This vibrant museum, located in the heart of the city, brings together the best of science, art, and imaginative play to create a one-of-a-kind experience for children and families!

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Outdoor Recreation

The La Crosse Region is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, famous for their fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities that are perfect for the whole family! From hiking and biking to kayaking, the La Crosse Region provides ample opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the area! Outdoor family fun is never-ending in the Region!

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Hidden Hills

Hidden Hills is a family owned farm located in La Crosse County, that offers a variety of fun and educational activities for families. Guests can take guided tours of the farm to learn about some of their sustainable practices and to get up close to the animals! The farm also hosts seasonal events and educational programs that are designed to be engaging for the entire family! For the thrill seekers of the family, they offer paintball and an obstacle course!

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Rainbow Ridge

Rainbow Ridge is a charming-country style bed and breakfast located in Onalaska! It is situated on a working farm and offers a blend of rustic charm and modern amenities. Guests can enjoy many family-friendly activities, including interacting with the farm animals or taking a walk through the gardens. Rainbow Ridge also offers kid-friendly goat yoga every summer!

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All Glazed Up

All Glazed Up is a fun and family friendly paint-your-own pottery studio in La Crosse, WI. Visitors can choose from a variety of pottery pieces, paint them with their own designs and create unique works of art! The studio also offers special events and activities throughout the year, making it a great destination for a fun and creative day out for the whole family!

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Family Friendly Festivals

The La Crosse Region has MANY local festivals that are sure to be a hit with the whole family! Every area has its quirky small-town festivals, and the La Crosse Region is no exception; with butter, hoedowns, reggae, and cranberries providing a few of the many reasons to throw a party throughout the year. We can typically find a good excuse for a celebration year round. Also, don’t miss these kid-friendly treats after a fun day in the La Crosse Region. The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor will help cool you down after a day in the heat and Rudy’s Drive In Restaurant will take you back in time authentic 1950s drive-in restaurant with roller skating carhops. Come join the fun!

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La Crosse, WI Named #8 Most Relaxed Small City In America

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The 10 Most Relaxed Small Cities By Movoto Real Estate

With a cost of living 10 points lower than the national average, residents in La Crosse can rest easy savasana (they also have some of the most yoga studios per capita).

1. Richland, WA
2. Dubuque, IA
3. Manhattan, KS
4. Charleston, WV
5. Cedar Park, TX
6. Chapel Hill, NC
7. Georgetown, TX
8. La Crosse, WI
9. Normal, IL
10. San Marcos, TX

Historic Downtown La Crosse, WI

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Historic Downtown La Crosse, WI Much more than your ordinary, quaint small-town Main Street, historic downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin, has so much to offer: unique shopping opportunities, fine dining, great entertainment venues, and a vibrant nightlife. Spend your day browsing at some of the region’s finest specialty shops, get a bite at any of several fine-dining establishments, and relax beside the Mississippi at Riverside Park. Or just walk around and take in the sites of downtown’s historic architecture. It’s all here waiting for you.

Fishing in La Crosse, WI

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Fishing in La Crosse, WI Near La Crosse, the Upper Mississippi sprawls well beyond its main channel, creating hundreds of tiny islands, channels, and deep pools which harbor more species of fish than any other temperate-climate river in the world. Walleye is king in these waters, but you can catch just about anything here: sauger, northern pike, shovelhead sturgeon, large and smallmouth bass, perch, sunfish, bluegill, crappie, gar, channel and blue catfish, to name a few.
The La Crosse and Black Rivers, which join the Mississippi in the area, are home to many of the same species. A few miles north of La Crosse, the Mississippi opens into the 8,000+ acre Lake Onalaska, which features seven boat landings and is chock-full of panfish, northern, and bass, and the area also offers myriad cold-water streams rife with brown, rainbow, and brook trout.
The area features several boat landings, marinas, and beaches, as well as fishing floats and piers, guides, and numerous outfitters.

Fall into Fun! Driftless Style!

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Fall has arrived in the Driftless Region, and with it comes opportunities unique to this festive season!  Whether looking for outdoor excitement among the falling leaves, or seeking a perfect place to enjoy a pumpkin latte and cozy up with a good book, we’ve wrapped up some fun activities to explore before the snow falls.

  • Southwind Orchards Southwind-Orchards
    507.643.6255
    45440 County Rd 12
    Dakota, MN 55925
    Located off of scenic Apple Blossom Drive, Southwind Orchards is nestled among the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River valley, providing breathtaking views of the changing fall colors.  This orchard has a large shop connected to their factory, and guests can view the apples as they roll along the conveyor belts while enjoying a sample of the orchard’s products and browse the large variety of ciders, apples, salsas, and cheese curds for sale.  The orchard is open September through November annually.  Visitors are invited to shop and enjoy a free sample of the apples Monday – Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, or Sunday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.  Interested in taking a tour of the orchard?  Simply call in advance to reserve a tour for just $4 per person!  Learn about their history and get a glimpse at the orchard itself by visiting Southwind online at: southwindorchards.com.

 

  • Corn MazeCorn Maze at Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center
    608.452.3424
    N455 O. Ophus Road
    Coon Valley, WI 54623
    Nothing screams “fall” more than stomping through a field, attempting to steer your way out of a maze made of corn!  For the more daring, guests can test their directional skills in the corn maze at night during one of the Flashlight Nights!  The maze opens at the end of August and runs through October 27th on weekends only from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.  Admission is just $5 per person.   Special Flashlight Nights take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.  Located a scenic 20-minute drive outside of La Crosse, Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center offers a variety of unique fall activities in addition to the annual Corn Maze.  Visit them online at Norskedalen.org for information on Ghoulees in the Coulees and the annual Pumpkin Walk – fun for the whole family!

 

  • Oktoberfest USA Oktoberfest-2012
    608.784.3378
    #1 Oktoberfest Strasse
    La Crosse, WI 54601
    For the past 53 years, Oktoberfest has been providing guests and residents of the Coulee Region authentic German fun!  With two fest grounds, family can enjoy the carnival and children’s acts perfect for all ages at Copeland Park.  For the older generations, experience authentic German music, food, and a variety of regional entertainers at the Southside Festgrounds in historic downtown La Crosse.  Fest goers fill the streets for the annual Maple Leaf Parade, where thousands are greeted with floats, marching bands, and a plethora of candy!  If that parade doesn’t fill your candy craving, make sure to check out the Torchlight Parade in La Crosse’s Old Towne North District, where houses decorate for prizes and parade participants illuminate the night with glowing objects as they march through town.  The 2013 Oktoberfest is being held September 27th – October 5th.  Get the full schedule of events online at Oktoberfestusa.com.

 

  • Great-River-RoadFall Color Scenic Drive – Great River Road
    Highway 35 South of La Crosse
    The Great River Road was voted the “Most Scenic National Byway” by the Huffington Post in 2013, and those of us living in the Driftless Region know exactly why!  This route twists and turns along the Mississippi River, surrounded by towering limestone bluffs.  In the fall, the changing colors of the trees create a whimsical route of unmatched views from any other area in the country.  Passengers wind their way through sleepy river towns home to astounding restaurants known for Wisconsin delicacies (cheese curds!).  Hop in your car and check it out for yourself!

 

  • Fall Flavor – Cabin Coffee Company Cabin Coffee
    608.519.3055
    401 Jay Street
    La Crosse, WI 54601
    After all that activity, who wouldn’t want to relax and enjoy some fall flavors?  Cabin Coffee Company of La Crosse provides a quaint space in the heart of the historic downtown district where visitors can unwind.  Guests can sit back, relax and sip on their mouth-watering apple cider, or try the seasonal pumpkin latte – perfect after a day exploring the city!  This coffee shop offers a variety of breakfast and lunch menu items, and of course, amazing hospitality!  View their menu online at cabincoffeecompany.com.