Historic Community Along the Mississippi River
 Prairie du Chien is the oldest community on the Upper Mississippi River dating back to 1673. The community is the second to Green Bay as the oldest in Wisconsin. History enthusiast can enjoy historic attractions including the Villa Louis Historic Site built by Wisconsin's first millionaire and Fort Crawford Museum, which displays the area's history. Prairie du Chien history can also be explored by various educational sightseeing river cruises. Several historic re-enactment events such as the Prairie Villa Rendezvous, War of 1812, Carriage Classic, and Cannons and Redcoats, are held annually.
 Visitors who enjoy recreational activities will find an abundance of things to choose from, including golfing, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and more. Two state parks, Wyalusing State Park and Pikes Peak State Park, as well as Effigy Mounds National Monument, offer beautiful hiking trails with views of the Mississippi River. The area offers over 40 lodging establishments to choose from and numerous restaurants with a variety of tastes and styles. A riverboat casino is only a few miles away offering entertainment and gambling. Unique music events are also held annually with the Town and Country Jamboree and the Prairie Dog Blues Festival. Unique shopping is also available with a variety of interests, from antiques to specialty stores.
 If you enjoy watching Bald Eagles, visiting the Prairie du Chien area is a must! Prairie du Chien is along the migration route and, is a normal wintering area for these birds in the Mississippi River valley. Watch for eagles in the big cottonwoods along the Wisconsin shoreline, across the river in trees along the Iowa shoreline, and soaring overhead or over the open water caused by flowing water from the dam. Eagle watching begins in the morning about an hour after sunrise. The birds are most active from then until about 3:00PM, feeding in the open water areas.
 This portion of Southwest Wisconsin along the mighty Mississippi River is a great place to visit and a wonderful place to live. A wide variety of attractions and activities throughout the year make the Prairie du Chien Area one of the "choice" destinations in the Midwest. Local history dates back to the 17th century with many sites preserved and open for visits. The calendar of events is filled year-round with special events to intrigue and satisfy a variety of interests.
Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce
211 S. Main, PO Box 326 • Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Toll Free (800) 732-1673
www.prairieduchien.org • Email info@prairieduchien.org
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