La Crosse WI – In The Driftless
Each year, La Crosse County attracts more than two million visitors as people across the globe are attracted by the
natural beauty and recreational opportunities offered by the upper Mississippi River area – including the region’s rich history, unique attractions and variety of great shopping, dining and cultural offerings. Whether you’re stopping over for a short trip or looking for the perfect spot for an extended getaway, La Crosse is the ideal destination, conveniently located between Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Chicago, Illinois there is something for everyone!
Arts & Culture
From the Pumphouse Regional Arts Center to the La Crosse Center and the Weber Center for the Performing Arts, La Crosse has some of the region’s finest venues for experiencing visual and performing arts. Home to the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, the La Crosse Community Theatre, and top-tier arts, music, and theatre programs at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University, there is no shortage of opportunities for a night of cultured entertainment.
Festivals
Everyone knows La Crosse has one of the nation’s premier Oktoberfest celebrations. Well, on top of that we also have Irishfest, Riverfest, the Deke Slayton Airfest, Artspire, the Between the Bluffs Beer, Wine, & Cheese Festival . . . the list goes on. You’d be hard-pressed to find a time of year when there’s not some kind of fest in the works. What can we say? We’re festive.
Recreation
Three majestic rivers and the beautiful bluffs surrounding them make La Crosse County the perfect outdoor recreation area. You can kayak, fish, or just cruise the Mississippi, and Hixon Forest is full of trails for hiking and biking. Work on your short game at any of our six area golf courses, or visit in winter for some of the region’s best downhill and cross-country skiing. If spectating is more your style, the La Crosse area is home to three semi-professional teams: the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods Baseball League, the River City Rough Riders of the Northern Elite Football League, and the Coulee Region Chill of the North American Hockey League, not to mention plenty of NCAA action at UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University. Whatever you’re into, any time of year, La Crosse County has something for you!
Vineyards & Breweries
La Crosse’s brewing tradition is nearly as old as the state of Wisconsin, dating back to the 1858 founding of the G. Heileman Brewing Company and the iconic Old Style brand. Since Heileman’s doors closed in 1996, City Brewing Company has taken up the standard, and today you can see the World’s Largest Six-Pack dressed up as their popular La Crosse Lager. Despite the tradition behind City Brewing, the darling of the local industry is undoubtedly Pearl Street Brewery, a craft brewery operating out of the historic La Crosse Footwear Building. Visit their tasting room to try any of their outstanding microbrews. Or if wine better suits your palette, Lost Island Wine has more than 30 varieties, and several more vineyards in our neighboring counties or across the river in Minnesota await your visit.
Shopping
If you like big-name shopping centers, you can find all the largest commercial retailers in La Crosse and Onalaska. Or if you prefer to support independent, local businesses, historic downtown La Crosse has a vibrant shopping district full of the region’s finest specialty shops. Bargain hunters have their work cut out for them, with dozens of thrift and consignment stores to choose from, not to mention one of the largest antique malls in the state.
