Top 15 Things To Do In La Crosse, Wisconsin

1. Learn about western Wisconsin's past at Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Are you curious about Mississippi’s history? Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center (MVAC) has been collecting, researching, and preserving upper Mississippi’s archeological resources since 1982. Through these artifacts, the center teaches about the culture and lives of past civilizations that had made western Wisconsin their home for the past 12,000 years. In line with this, the center hosts several events that each teaches about excavation, antiques, and many others. They even host online lectures over Google and make them available on Youtube.

Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center

Address: Archaeology Center and Laboratories, 1725 State St, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

Website: Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

2. Take in the wonderful views of Grandad Bluff

Grandad Bluff is a bluff located east of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The 600-foot (182-meter) bluff offers a plethora of trails and wonderful scenic views of the surrounding area and the Mississippi River Valley, where you’ll also have spectacular views of Iowa and Minnesota. Visitors have noted how lovely and serene the atmosphere of the place is throughout their visit. To make for a much better viewing experience, Grandad Bluff features coin-operated binoculars and picnic areas for your leisure and enjoyment.

Grandad Bluff

Address: 3020 Grandad Bluff Rd. La Crosse, WI 54601

3. Enjoy magnificent works of art at the Pump House Regional Arts Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Prepare for a wonderful on-stage spectacle at the Pump House Regional Arts Center. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, this center aims to enhance the Coulee Region’s quality of life through a wide range of visual, literary, and performing arts.

The center hosts several shows and events on a regular basis including exhibits that showcase wonderful artwork by various artists. You can also apply to have your work exhibited in the center via an online application on their website.

Pump House Regional Arts Center

Address: 119 King St, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

Website: Pump House Regional Arts Center

Opening hours: Mon: 9am - 5pm; Tue: 9am - 7pm; Wed - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Sun)

4. Cheer for your favorite racer at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Racing fans are in for a treat at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Located in West Salem, this racetrack has been hosting races since 1957 including short track racing events, Oktoberfest Race Weekend, and the annual ARCA Midwest Tour and Mid-American Stock Car Series. Visitors praised the speedway’s affordable food prices and amazing atmosphere that made watching all the races a loud, fun, and entertaining experience for them. Cheer for your favorite racer as your adrenaline pumps to these intense races!

La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway

Address: N4985 Co Rd M, West Salem, WI 54669, United States

Website: La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway

5. Learn about La Crosse's heritage at La Crosse Area Heritage Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you are curious about La Crosse and the various stories it holds throughout the years, La Crosse Area Heritage Center has you covered. This self-guided museum showcases a wonderful mix of stories from La Crosse’s past and present through its collections and exhibits including kid-friendly “minds-on” activities that inspire the children to think about the past and present while still having a lot of fun.

One visitor even notes that the museum is family-friendly and because it’s located at the heart of downtown, the museum is easy to find and is close to a lot of shops.

La Crosse Area Heritage Center

Address: 506 Main St, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

Website: La Crosse Area Heritage Center

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon - Thu)

Price: 4 - 5 USD

6. Spend a day at the Dahl Auto Museum

If you want a great automobile historical tour and you are interested in the very well-known history of the Dahl family in the auto business, Dahl Auto Museum is the place to go when you are in La Crosse! This museum has a tremendous collection of professionally maintained and beautifully restored classic automobiles, such as a small collection of vintage and new performance Mustangs, as well as older and more contemporary Ford automobiles. They have a really interesting selection of old hood ornaments. Their displays are clean and meticulously organized, and the facilities are immaculate, from the museum floor to the coffee area!

Dahl Auto Museum

Address: 711 3rd St S, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

Website: Dahl Auto Museum

7. Enjoy a cup of coffee at Grounded Specialty Coffee

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Craving a cup of your favorite coffee while on a vacation in La Crosse? Grounded Specialty Coffee has got you covered! The café serves food that is both mouthwatering and affordable because they offer low-fat and gluten-free plates to make you feel better and healthy at the same time. While waiting can feel like forever, most especially when you’re hungry, the wireless internet connection in the shop is just a click away! It really is a go-to destination when you need an energy boost because they offer foods for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! So what are you still waiting for? Head on over to Grounded Specialty Coffee and enjoy savory food and a delicious cup of coffee.

Grounded Specialty Coffee

Address: 308 Main St, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

Website: Grounded Specialty Coffee

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 7am - 4pm (closed on Mon)

8. Visit the picturesque St. Rose of Viterbo Convent

Right on the western side of Wisconsin, within the city of La Crosse, rises the magnificent St. Rose of Viterbo Convent. This chapel stands out and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places of the United States! Also, the Adoration Chapel, which is the site of perpetual adoration of Blessed Sacrament, has lots of historical value in it. The spectacular convent has been a historical destination for religious tourists or even those who appreciate its stunning architecture! Make sure to drop by and see the calm and beautiful St. Rose of Viterbo Convent with your own eyes.

St. Rose Viterbo Convent

Address: 912 Market St, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

9. Go hiking on La Crosse River State Trail

If you are up for a hike or a bicycle ride, La Crosse River State Trail is the perfect trail to visit while you are in town! This trail consists of open meadows and wetlands where you will go through densely populated wooded areas. You will absolutely like the mix of farmland and small towns, and its surface, which is composed of crushed limestone, makes it straight and very easy to hike. And if you ever get hungry, you will also find a nice area to just relax in the town of West Salem and the small village of Bangor nearby.

La Crosse River State Trail

Address: W1049 Co Rd U, Bangor, WI 54614, United States

Website: La Crosse River State Trail

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

10. Experience serenity at Riverside International Friendship Gardens

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Welcome to Riverside Friendship Gardens where you will definitely experience the serenity of the walk along the river with its series of interconnected public gardens. Everybody is allowed to sit and rest in the calm and peaceful environment, where you can observe many beautiful plants, as well as some waterfalls. With each garden perfectly designed to resemble each of La Crosse’s sister cities, you will definitely experience a trip from one country to another. So stop by and explore the refreshing beauty of nature that this garden offers!

Riverside International Friendship Gardens

Address: 345-, 405 E Veterans Memorial Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

Website: Riverside International Friendship Gardens

Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)

11. Get a meal at Rudy's Drive-In

What’s not to like about a classic drive-in? La Crosse’s Rudy’s Drive-In is a very popular place because it reminds you of an old-style 50’s diner with great food and affordable prices. Being served in your comfortable car, or at their tables, by their rollerskating servers, is a fun experience that you probably won’t get anywhere else. You just have to push a button to order and they will bring it: be it root beer, special hotdogs, cheese curds, or butterscotch shake.

Rudy's Drive-In

Address: 4061 Page Ave, Michigan Center, MI 49254, United States

Opening hours: 11am - 8pm (daily)

12. Chill out at Pearl Ice Cream Parlor

Right next to Riverside Park, a downtown gem of a place that takes you back in time is waiting for you. Pearl Ice Cream Parlor is an old-fashioned ice cream and candy shop that smells heavenly and sells mouthwatering desserts! Once you visit this quintessential shop, you will absolutely love the nostalgic feeling of this place. It feels like stepping back in time, so for the old souls there or just people in the neighborhood, this is a perfect place to treat yourselves and enjoy the sweetness of their desserts! So, if nothing else, drop in and experience the nostalgia that this ice cream parlor has to offer.

Pearl Ice Cream Parlor

Address:207 Pearl St, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

Website: Pearl Ice Cream Parlor

Opening hours: 11am - 7pm (daily)

13. Go boating on Lake Onalaska

This is the best place in La Crosse to have a great time in nature and enjoy activities like fishing, boating and bird watching. Lake Onalaska is a popular upper Mississippi destination that will attract you! It is an attraction that receives a lot of visitors year-round. Tourists and locals usually visit the lake in summer to enjoy different kinds of activities, such as waterskiing, boating, fishing and windsurfing. During winter, when the water freezes over, the famous ice fishing season begins! So, don’t miss the fun and adventure that this interesting lake has to offer

Lake Onalaska

Address: La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

Website: Lake Onalaska

14. Watch a game at La Crosse Loggers Minor League Baseball

One of the many things that you need to do while you in La Crosse is to get to know about the well-known summer collegiate baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League, or at least watch one of their games! The Loggers, as they are often called, continue to be successful as a team, with its objective being to provide opportunities for college players to showcase their skills to professional scouts! Also, they play at Copeland Park, which can accommodate thousands of people per game, and serves inexpensive food and beverages. So, don’t miss your chance to watch the popular baseball league in the city!

La Crosse Loggers Minor League Baseball

Address: 1225 Caledonia Street, La Crosse, WI 54603

Website: Northwoods League

15. Bring your kids to the Children's Museum of La Crosse

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Geared for all ages, the Children’s Museum of La Crosse covers history and science, art, and the uniqueness of La Crosse and Mississippi River. But when you get there with the kids, just know that they are in charge and just have a wonderful time with them because there is so much to do in this place! The kids can play with learning toys, enjoy themselves at the interactive play stations, and observe very interesting exhibits! The place has three floors and each floor has displays geared for different ages.

Children's Museum of La Crosse

Address: 207 5th Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601, United States

Website: Children’s Museum of La Crosse

Enjoy your time in La Crosse

La Crosse is the largest city on Wisconsin’s western border, and it is one of the best places to spend time with your loved ones. If you are up for a lot of adventures, the city of La Crosse is a must-visit because it is full of fun and exciting opportunities for exploration, entertainment, and learning. So what are you waiting for? You better be packing your things and get ready to have the best vacation of your life!