Blog

The beautiful waterside city of La Crosse, WI, on the banks of the Mississippi River, has a variety of exciting and kid-friendly activities to enjoy. Here families can go on unique tours, breathtaking hiking, and biking trails and enjoy a day of fishing and boating at Onalaska Lake. more 1. Take a Cruise Take a magnificent Sightseeing Cruise on the Queen, a 19th-century replica of the grand riverboats that sailed down the Mississippi, and watch the paddlewheels working as the Queen glides over the water. Stand on the canopy-covered upper deck for scenic views of the river, landmarks on the banks, and learn more about the history of the Mississippi River. The company offers different cruises, but we think the Pizza Cruise and the Sightseeing Cruise are the most fun for kids. 2. Go Fishing and Boating Grab your fishing tackle and cast your line at Lake Onalaska, just 13 miles out of town. The 8391-mile lake offers anglers miles of shoreline to fish from and numerous boat landings. Panfish is plentiful, and largemouth bass and Northern pike are regularly hooked. Local Fishermen also reel in smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, and perch. You can fish around the lake throughout the year, and it's one of the most popular destinations in the region for ice fishing. 3. Enjoy a Day of Hiking and Cycling Get out in the fresh air and hike or cycle on the 22-mile multi-purpose River Trail. The trail surface consists of packed limestone screenings and offers a smooth ride. Between the city and West Salem, mileage markers are posted every half mile. Ride through prairies, farmlands, hardwood forest, past little streams, and over wooden bridges. In winter, the trail is open to snowmobiles. The trail forms part of the Bike 4 Trail, a bike trail system that connects to the 22-mile 400 State Trail and the 32-mile Elroy-Sparta State Trail. 4. Explore the City on a Segway Segway Tours offers guided tours of the city and along the Mississippi River. They guarantee that you will be able to balance and operate a Segway in less than 5 minutes and glide around, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. You will cover more ground than on foot and see famous landmarks, beautiful scenery, and tucked away places you can't reach by car. Segway Tours provides quick lessons, safety equipment, and an experienced guide on a tour that promises great fun and excitement for the whole family. 5. Visit the Dahl Auto Museum This automobile museum celebrates classic cars and is owned by the Dahl family, car dealers for five generations spanning over a century. The museum boasts a collection of beautifully restored classic cars from the turn of the century to the present day. One of the must-see features of the museum is the old Starlite Drive-in, which was the city's old drive-in theater between 1949 and 1978. Visitors to the museum can watch old classic films on the big screen. Bundle your kids in the car and experience all the fun and excitement the city has to offer. Visit Pischke Motors today for top-quality new and pre-owned vehicles, expert financial, maintenance, and services, and genuine OEM parts.

While temperatures might be chilly outside, the cold weather is no reason not to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Even in winter, you can enjoy several outdoor activities with friends and family. Discover some fun things to do when you want to get out and experience the best of La Crosse. more Explore Riverside International Friendship Gardens Riverside International Friendship Gardens is home to several gardens celebrating La Crosse's sister cities around the world. The Chinese Garden commemorates the town's relationship with Luoyang, China, and features two impressive stone dragons, rock formations, Chinese plants, and several water features. Even in winter, the landscape is striking. The French Garden serves as a showcase for a miniature replica of Le Pinau, a famous statue located in the sister city of Epinal, France. Stunning topiary surrounds the statue. Look for another notable figure, Mami Wata, in the Cameroon Garden. This mythical mermaid will delight visitors of all ages. Before you visit Riverside International Friendship Gardens, be sure to print out a scavenger hunt map for family fun and games. Take a Segway Tour A Segway tour is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while learning about La Crosse's history. It takes only a few minutes to master riding a Segway, and the helpful staff members at La Crosse Segway Tours are always happy to help. The Pettibone Park Tour is an excellent option if you want to see what riding a Segway is all about. The tour will take you across the Cass and Cameron Street bridges and into Pettibone Park, where you'll enjoy stunning views of the Mississippi, La Crosse, and Black rivers. A quick loop through the marsh will give you a glimpse of La Crosse wildlife. The River City Tour highlights La Crosse's architectural and historical treasures, including the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus, the Cass-King Street Residential Historic District, and downtown La Crosse. Along the way, you'll learn about notable events that took place at these popular La Crosse destinations. If riding a Segway through La Crosse and stopping by some of the town's best restaurants is your idea of the perfect day, you'll want to take the Taste of La Crosse Tour. You'll enjoy a beer and an appetizer from Bodega Brew Pub and a freshly baked waffle cone filled with delicious ice cream from The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor. Go Sledding or Snowshoeing The town of La Crosse offers several locations that are ideal for sledding and snowshoeing. The 21.5-mile La Crosse River State Trail is popular with snowshoers and cross-country skiers. The trail traverses hardwood forests, prairie remnants, and farmland while offering an excellent spot for viewing snowy owls. The 10 miles of trails that cross Hixon Forest will give you some of the area's best views of La Crosse and the river valley. For sledding, you'll want to hit the hills in Deer Wood Park and Van Riper State Park. You can rent equipment at Outdoor Connection Equipment Rental Center. As you can see, you don't have to stay indoors just because it's cold outside. Plan a winter outing and enjoy the best of La Crosse. Note: Please contact the attractions mentioned here to verify current operating hours and public health and safety guidelines in effect. Image by duffybrown from Pixabay | CC BY 0

One of the best things about living in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is that even when it gets chilly outside, you can still find plenty of fun. Whether you want to explore the snow-covered landscape or stay toasty and warm indoors, you'll find an activity that's right for you. Here are some great ways to have winter fun in La Crosse. more Cross-Country Skiing The La Crosse area features many popular cross-country skiing trails, including the La Crosse River State Trail. This scenic trail stretches 21.5 miles and connects the Great River State Trail to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. The trail takes you through prairie remnants, farmlands, and hardwood forests. As you make your way along the trail, keep an eye out for the snowy owls that call the area home. Another excellent spot for cross-country skiing is the Hixon Forest. The forest's 10 miles of trails crisscross beautiful wooded bluffs and offer views of the city and the river valley, which look just as stunning in the winter as they do in the summer. Snowmobiling With more than 650 miles of interconnected and well-maintained trails, it's easy to enjoy a day of snowmobiling in the La Crosse area. If you're new to snowmobiling, consider joining one of the area's many clubs. Club members help maintain the snowmobile trails and organize group trips. They'll also share tips about which trails are suitable for beginners and what equipment you should buy. Winter Farmers Market While a trip to the farmers market is usually a summer activity, the La Crosse Farmers Market Association gives you the chance to shop locally in the winter by holding an indoor winter market. You'll find seasonal favorites such as locally produced maple syrup, homemade cookies, and meal kits. Items such as artisan candles, pottery, and bath and beauty boxes will make the perfect gift for winter birthdays and the holidays. Shopping at the Winter Farmers Market is a fun chance to come in from the cold while supporting small businesses. Sledding While Wisconsin doesn't have massive mountain ranges, plenty of hills in the La Crosse area are perfect for sledding. The hills in Deer Wood Park are a popular sledding destination. If you can't hit the slopes before the sun goes down, head to Van Riper Park. The sledding hills in this park feature lighting, which is perfect for when you're in the mood for night sledding. Local Breweries If you're not really the outdoors type, hit up one of La Crosse's excellent breweries. The Pearl Street Brewery's tasting room is the perfect place to enjoy a pale ale, coffee stout, or hard cider. You'll feel warm and cozy, thanks to the tasting room's interior, featuring 100-year-old wooden floors and counters.  Another great spot to grab a beer is the 608 Brewing Company. In the brewery's brick-walled taproom, you can enjoy unique brews such as the Caramel Apple Pops, Hazelnut Coconut Macaron Stout, and the Imperial Blueberry Coconut Crisp. As you can see, the La Crosse area offers plenty of ways to have some winter fun. No matter which activity you choose, you're sure to have a great time. Image by Grand Adventures from Pixabay | CC BY 0

La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a picturesque city situated on the Mississippi River. With so many exciting things to do, it's no surprise the area has plenty of bed and breakfast destinations where you can stay. The next time you're looking for a cozy bed and breakfast near La Crosse, check out a few of these top spots. more 1. Castle La Crosse Bed and Breakfast Castle La Crosse Bed and Breakfast is a stunning home that offers a place to stay near the heart of the city. The bed and breakfast is housed in the historic Holway Mansion, which is known as the "Castle" because of its Queen Anne and Richardson Romanesque architectural details. Here you can stay in one of the four guest suites that all have private bathrooms. Other amenities at the bed and breakfast include complimentary Wi-Fi, a fresh breakfast, a gift shop, and a nice selection of books and games in the library. 2. Four Gables Bed & Breakfast Four Gables Bed & Breakfast is a Queen Anne Victorian home located just outside the city. While the home was originally a farmhouse, it's now furnished with unique antiques and decorations from the Victorian era. The bed and breakfast offers three guest bedrooms. During your stay, you can start your day enjoying a gourmet breakfast in the dining room. After that, you can relax in the parlor, find something to read in the library, or take a stroll on the grounds. 3. Westby House Inn Situated about 26 miles southeast of La Crosse in Westby, the Westby House Inn offers history and comfort in one charming place. Even though the historic home was originally built in 1886, you'll still be able to enjoy some of the latest amenities during your stay. The inn has three separate buildings with nine total guest rooms. Each room includes free wireless internet, a private bathroom with cozy bathrobes, a flat-screen television, and a gourmet breakfast served in the formal dining room every morning. 4. Rainbow Ridge Farms Rainbow Ridge Farms is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located just 9 miles north of La Crosse in Onalaska, this award-winning bed and breakfast and working hobby farm has something for everyone to enjoy. The four guest rooms overlook the pond, and all have private bathrooms. If you want to help out on the farm during your stay, you can collect eggs, milk goats, feed baby animals, or work in the garden. 5. Carriage House Bed & Breakfast Located 29 miles northwest of La Crosse and tucked away in the heart of historic Winona, Minnesota, Carriage House Bed & Breakfast is the oldest single-owner bed and breakfast in the state. Amenities at the six-bedroom inn include private bathrooms, free wireless internet, a complimentary bottle of wine, and an artisan breakfast served in the elegantly restored dining room. You can enjoy a memorable stay in La Crosse when you choose to spend the night at Image by Jill Wellington via Pixabay | Used under CC BY 2.0

Finding a place to watch the big game is easy in the La Crosse, Wisconsin, area. There are plenty of sports bars and restaurants to choose from, making it easy to find your perfect go-to spot. more Here are a few of the best sports bars around town to watch the big game: 1. The Sports Nut TV Bar & Grill If you're looking for a restaurant that dedicates itself to your sports fanaticism, head to the Sports Nut TV Bar & Grill. The restaurant has plenty of flat-screen televisions showing the most important games, as well as the ones only you care about if you ask one of the employees to change the channel. Whether you're into hockey, football, baseball, or basketball, this restaurant is more of a community than a dining institution. The Sports Nut's menu is full of daily specials and staple diner options to choose from. We like to go for their top-notch burgers, such as the Cowboy Burger with pepper jack cheese, onion rings, bacon, and barbecue sauce. But you'll also find a decent selection of sandwiches, steaks, Mexican food, and bar-style appetizers to try. 2. Howie's on La Crosse Howie's on La Crosse is one of the oldest restaurants in town, so you know they've discovered the key to what makes a good food-and-sports experience. Saddle up to the bar or find a table for your friends and family to watch your big game on one of the many screens around the restaurant. One of the reasons we love Howie's so much is the fantastic food items that lend themselves perfectly to Sunday Funday. Their extensive selection of signature burgers, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, salads, appetizers, and more will make you want to come back for every game in the season. 3. The Barrel Inn Bar & Grill For an old-school sports bar experience, head to the Barrel Inn Bar & Grill. Since they opened their doors in 1994, the Barrel has firmly established itself as a go-to sports destination for locals. No matter the sport, their televisions are playing the most popular games available. If you're looking for a place to watch the game with friends, the Barrell is a great choice. In addition to a full bar, they also offer plenty of bar snacks, such as cheese curds, tacos, wings, burgers, Phillies, and sandwiches. 4. Eagle's Nest Sports Bar & Grill The Eagle's Nest Sports Bar & Grill always offers a great time for those who want to split a pitcher with their friends as they watch the big game. In addition to plenty of bar games, such as darts, pool, and ping pong, they offer a full menu of top-notch sports bar staples. Find a table next to a television showing your game and order enough wings and appetizers to last your crew the whole game. For your team's next game, head out to any of these restaurants to take your game day to the next level. One of our favorite parts of watching sports in places like these is the sense of community that comes with them, as well as the nachos. Photo by Alex Knight from Pexels