7 Great Things to Do in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Plan Your Trip to La Crosse, Wisconsin

La Crosse, Wisconsin is a cute river town just over one hour from Rochester, Minnesota. Known for its golden bluffs in the fall, paddle boarding on Lake Onalaska in the summer, and great restaurants, a brewery, distillery, and cute shops year-round, La Crosse is a great place to visit!

1. Start Your Day with Coffee

To kick off your trip, stop by Grounded Patio Cafe. This coffee shop has a small indoor space and a large patio that gets great sunshine! Their menu includes egg sandwiches, wraps, paninis, flatbreads, lattes, and even boozy smoothies.

2. Walk Along the Riverside Park

The Riverside Park runs adjacent to the Mississippi River. It’s a large grassy park with pretty fountains, sculptures, trees, and benches. It’s a great place to set up a picnic on the grass, or grab an iced coffee in town and sip it from a park bench.

3. Sip Cocktails at a Distillery

La Crosse Distilling Co. is a great place to grab a fancy cocktail! Try the Tom Collins with a fresh lemon wedge, the Wisco Old Fashioned, or the La Crosse Mule. They also have a great food menu; I recommend the walleye tacos, fried chicken sandwich, or the Cubano. Enjoy the bright and sunny indoor space, or grab a spot on the outdoor patio.

4. Enjoy Beers at Turtle Stack

Turtle Stack Brewery is a small independent craft brewery and tasting room in the heart of La Crosse. This small, yet inviting space has a great selection of beers including a hoppy Saison, Irish Red Ale, Oat Brown Ale, IPA, Milk Stout, and more. Grab a drink at the brewery, or pick up a crowler or growler to bring home.

5. Hike Grandad Bluff

Checking out the overlook at Grandad Bluff is one of the most popular things to do in La Crosse, and for good reason. It’s especially stunning in the fall with yellow and gold leaves bursting along the Mississippi River as far as the eye can see. But it’s really beautiful any time of the year! You can hike up to the overlook, or drive right to the top.

6. Shop at Drift Mercantile

Drift Mercantile is a cute gift shop where you’ll find a lot of Wisconsin-themed items like gift cards, mugs, baseball caps, and stickers. It’s a great place to pick out a cute gift while supporting a local business.

7. Cruise Along the Mississippi River

If you’d like to get on the water, check out La Crosse Queen Cruises. These riverboat tours range from 1.5 hours to 3 hours. You’ll ride along the Mississippi River and check out the sights while enjoying a pizza dinner, or brunch.

Plan Your Trip to La Crosse

We loved our trip to La Crosse and can’t wait to go back. It’s a cute and lively town right on the Mississippi River. And there is so much to do! Looking for more midwest inspiration? Check out my blog posts on Rochester, Minnesota, Vilas County, Wisconsin, and Stillwater, Minnesota.