Why La Crosse Is the Perfect Fall Weekend Getaway
If you’re looking for things to do in La Crosse, WI, let me convince you to make it a whole weekend. This little river town on the Wisconsin/Minnesota border is about 2.5 hours from the Twin Cities, and it has everything: bluffs, the Mississippi River, an adorable historic downtown, a great food and drinks scene, and lots to do for kids.
We’ve visited twice now in the fall with kids (one time we brought grandparents to babysit, one time we didn’t). Between the children’s museum, a sunset at Grandad Bluff, a river cruise, and a retro martini bar, there’s so many things to do in La Crosse, WI for both families and adults. Below I’m sharing everything we did, where we stayed, and a few easy side trips into the neighboring areas of Onalaska, West Salem, Trempealeau, and across the river in Minnesota.
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Quick hits if you’re skimming:
- Best view: Grandad Bluff at sunset
- Best fall activity: a La Crosse Queen river cruise when the bluffs are peaking
- Best eats: La Crosse Distilling Co. and Winghaven Pizza Farm
- Best date-night drink: Starlite Lounge
- Best with kids: Children’s Museum and the fall orchards
Related Post: Best Wisconsin Fall Road Trips
Where to Stay in La Crosse, WI
We’ve stayed at two spots on different trips, and both are easy home bases for a weekend: one is a fun lodge-style hotel and one is perfect for families who want more space.
Stoney Creek Hotel La Crosse – Onalaska
This one has that cozy, northwoods-lodge feel, and it’s right in Onalaska, so you’re about 10 minutes from downtown La Crosse with amazing views of the bluffs. Great pick if you want a hotel that feels like part of the getaway.
Check rates at Stoney Creek Hotel here
Candlewood Suites La Crosse
If you’re traveling with kids or staying a few nights, an extended-stay hotel is SO nice. You get more room to spread out plus a kitchen, which is great for breakfast-in-the-room mornings and snacks. Plus the staff were so kind! A great spot that won’t break the budget.
Check rates at Candlewood Suites La Crosse here
More La Crosse Hotels We Love
The Charmant Hotel
This 1898 candy factory turned MICHELIN Key boutique hotel has been on my list forever, with its exposed brick, river-view balconies and a Sweets Bar for chocolates and pastries. I’m dying to try the rooftop terrace for wood-fired pizza and cocktails at sunset, and it’s an easy walk to Pearl Street. Book early in the fall as it books up fast!
Check rates at The Charmant here
Hatchery Riverside
This 1925 fish hatchery is now a tiny six-room boutique hotel right in Riverside Park, and I’m obsessed with how unique it is. It has a rooftop balcony overlooking the spot where the rivers meet and a lounge with river views, plus it’s steps from the La Crosse Queen dock. This one books up fast too, so book early!
Check rates at Hatchery Riverside here
Best Places to Eat & Drink in La Crosse
La Crosse is a good food town for its size. Here’s where we ate, from breakfast to a nightcap.
Breakfast & Coffee
Free Range Exchange
The homemade pretzels here are UNREAL. I would seriously come back to La Crosse just for these. It’s a cozy farm-to-table café with a full coffee bar, so grab a latte for you and a pretzel for the kids.
Hollandberry Pannekoeken
This was SUCH a fun breakfast. They do Dutch pannekoeken, which are baked in a Dutch oven and are more like a giant crepe than a regular pancake. When yours comes out, they shout it out as they bring it to the table, and it’s honestly the best kind of breakfast chaos. Get the fresh-squeezed mimosas, too. Trust me.
Related Post: Things to do in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Global Grounds Coffee
The cutest little locally owned coffee and tea house near the UW La Crosse campus. We loved the vibe here. They’ve got baked goods, smoothies, loose-leaf and boba teas, and their motto is “Think global, drink local,” which, same.
Lunch & Dinner
La Crosse Distilling Co.
A distillery, brewery, and restaurant all in one, and a great spot for lunch or dinner. The cocktails are seasonal and made with their own spirits, and the food is from-scratch and locally sourced when possible. We LOVED the wings and the Brussels sprouts. Order both.
Buzzard Billy’s
Never thought I’d see New Orleans-style food in downtown La Crosse, but here we are! We got some really great fish and meats, and a lot of their seafood is flown in fresh. It’s a fun, lively spot, and bonus: there’s a martini bar hiding upstairs (keep reading).
Drinks
Starlite Lounge
This was one of my favorite finds of the trip. It’s a little retro martini lounge on the second floor above Buzzard Billy’s, with Rat Pack-era vibes, plush couches, and vintage swivel chairs. Go after dinner for a martini and pretend it’s 1962 while overlooking the street below!
Something Sweet
The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor & Confectionery
An old-timey, 1930s-style soda fountain with homemade ice cream, fresh waffle cones, and malts spun on a vintage-style mixer. Pop next door into the little confectionery for handmade chocolates and candy. Super adorable and a must with kids.
Fun Things to Do in La Crosse, WI in the Fall
Catch Sunset at Grandad Bluff
If you do ONE thing in La Crosse, make it this, plus it’s free! Grandad Bluff rises about 590 feet over the city, and from the top you can see all of La Crosse, the Mississippi River, and the bluffs rolling off into Minnesota. You can hike up on the trails or just drive to the top and walk a few steps to the overlook. Go at sunset, especially in the fall when the whole valley is glowing.
Cruise the Mississippi on the La Crosse Queen
For fall colors, a river cruise is the move. The La Crosse Queen is a paddlewheel boat that cruises the Mississippi with views of the bluffs from the water. In the fall it’s especially beautiful. They have snacks and drinks on board too, which makes it feel extra special. Book ahead for peak color weekends!
Related post: Things to do in Winona, Minnesota
Spend a Morning at the Children’s Museum of La Crosse
This place was SUCH a hit. It has three floors of hands-on exhibits for kids ages 1 to 10 plus a giant multi-level climber, but the highlight for us was the kid-sized Kwik Trip. Peak Wisconsin. We ended up spending a whole morning here, and it’s a lifesaver on a rainy or chilly fall day.
Shop at Drift Mercantile
Downtown La Crosse is so adorable and Drift Mercantile was our favorite stop. It’s full of La Crosse and Driftless-region goodies: their own apparel, local art, and gear for hiking, biking, and fishing. Perfect for a Wisconsin souvenir that isn’t cheesy.
Let the Kids Loose at Kids Coulee Playground (Myrick Park)
This is a huge castle-style wooden playground (about 20,000 square feet!) with towers, walkways, and slides built into grassy hills. It was renovated and reopened in 2024. Our kids would have stayed all day.
Visit Sunny the Sunfish in Onalaska
I can’t resist a quirky roadside attraction, and Sunny delivers. Right next door in Onalaska (the “Sunfish Capital of the World”), this giant fish statue is 15 feet tall and 25 feet long and sits along Highway 35 overlooking Lake Onalaska and the Mississippi. It takes five minutes, and it’s the perfect silly photo op.
Easy Fall Side Trips Near La Crosse
Some of our favorite fall moments were just outside town, all within about a 30-minute drive.
Pick Apples at Ferguson’s Galesville Orchard
Ferguson’s in Galesville has it all: pick-your-own apples, farm-grown pumpkins, a corn pit, cow train, and lots more for the kids. Do NOT leave without apple cider donuts, and if you’re feeling extra, get the apple cider slushy topped with a donut. It’s AMAZING. There is a fee to enter the farm, but the country store and bakery are free to enter!
Grab Dinner at Winghaven Pizza Farm
We’ve been coming here for years! Pizza in a field with live music while the kids run wild? A dream. Winghaven serves stone-fired pizza plus local beer and wine on a working farm, and you just grab a spot on the grass. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs, and check their schedule before you go since it’s only open seasonally. It’s right down the road from Ferguson’s, so pair them for the perfect fall afternoon.
Hike to Apple Blossom Overlook (Minnesota side)
Cross the river into Minnesota and head about 3 miles north of La Crescent on the Apple Blossom Drive Scenic Byway. Apple Blossom Overlook Park has an easy 1.3-mile loop with a spur out to an overlook about 580 feet above the Mississippi River Valley. In the fall, the colors and river views are unreal. Definitely recommend.
Get Lost at Hidden Trails Corn Maze
For peak fall fun, Hidden Trails Corn Maze in West Salem (about 20 minutes from La Crosse) is so cute. There’s the corn maze, a Fun Park play area for kids, pumpkins, and a gift shop. It usually runs mid-September through October 31.
Sip Wine with a Bluff View at Elmaro Vineyard
Elmaro is a family-run vineyard in Trempealeau, overlooking the bluffs, with food and really great wine. This is a spot we’ve been to multiple times. I used to visit all the time when my sister went to college in nearby Winona, so it holds a special place for me. They offer complimentary tastings, and you can reserve a picnic on the grounds.
Sample La Crosse Fall Weekend Itinerary
Want it all mapped out? Here’s how I’d string it together.
Friday night
- Check in at your hotel
- Dinner at Buzzard Billy’s
- Martinis upstairs at Starlite Lounge
Saturday
- Coffee at Global Grounds or Free Range Exchange
- Play at the Children’s Museum of La Crosse
- Lunch and seasonal cocktails at La Crosse Distilling Co.
- Afternoon La Crosse Queen cruise
- Sunset at Grandad Bluff
Sunday
- Pannekoeken + mimosas at Hollandberry
- Shop downtown and get ice cream at The Pearl
- Pick apples and play at Ferguson’s Orchard
- Listen to live music at Winghaven Pizza Farm
La Crosse Travel FAQ
When is the best time to see fall colors in La Crosse? Usually early to mid-October, give or take a week depending on the year. Check the Travel Wisconsin fall color report before you go.
How far is La Crosse from Minneapolis? About 2.5 hours by car, which makes it an easy weekend trip from the Twin Cities.
Is La Crosse good for kids? Yes! The Children’s Museum of La Crosse, Kids Coulee playground, The Pearl, Sunny the Sunfish, apple orchards, and the riverboat cruise are all big kid wins.
Can you drive to the top of Grandad Bluff? Yep. You can drive and park at the top, or hike up the trails if you want the workout.
Do you need reservations for the La Crosse Queen? Yes, book online ahead. Reservations open four weeks before each cruise date.
