La Crosse offers a refreshing change and many interesting attractions to discover. One of the most popular attractions is the paddle-driven river boats that cruise up and down the Mississippi River. Visitors can walk along brick-lined sidewalks beneath old-fashioned street lamps and venture into specialty shops, museums, galleries, candy shops and an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. The La Crosse Area also offers miles and miles of hiking and biking trails, well-groomed golf courses, an array of unique country settings, tasteful dining and cultural events to please any and all who visit.

The Great River Trail and the La Crosse Trail, where the rivers, plants, flowers, trees, birds and animals provide breathtaking scenery, comprises 105 miles of biking and hiking. The fishing’s great with 100’s of species of fish native to the area. Over 20,000 acres of land provides some of the most plentiful hunting habitats in the Midwest, especially white-tailed deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game. Camping, water activities, including swimming, boating, canoeing and kayaking, golfing, snowmobiling, down hill and cross-country skiing and snowboarding are all popular outdoor activities. Grandad’s Bluff, which rises 570 feet over the Mississippi, offers a spectacular view of three states: Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The La Crosse County bluffs, parks and shores, the Great River Road and the Great River State Bike Trail all offer unexcelled views of the river traffic on the mighty Mississippi River.

For over 45 years, the blending of the German Oktoberfest with Americanized style has been a happy and successful one. Parades, pageantry, royalty, brew, bratwurst, and world famous entertainment has made La Crosse’s very own Oktoberfest one of the finest in the nation. An ethnic German festival with parades, arts and crafts, music, sporting events, rides, food and beverage! La Crosse is host to dozens of ethnic festivals and celebrations, such as Irish Fest. Also there’s Riverfest, the city’s premier summer event featuring continuous entertainment, music, river activities, parade, food and beverage tents & more.