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!
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!
Features Sports Bar & 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!
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!
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.
Caffeine Connection: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!
Grounded Patio & Café
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
The La Crosse Queen Paddlewheeler
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.
Bluff To Bluff 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.
Autumn Adventures: Must-Do activities
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.
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!
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!
Fall Festivals
Fall festivals are in full swing! 
Local festivals are the perfect way to learn about the culture of a place; its people, traditions, and values. Every area has its quirky, small-town festivals, and the La Crosse Region is no exception!
There’s More to Explore!
Read these Top Travel Tips for the La Crosse Region!
