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.
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
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