Nestled along the confluence
of the Mississippi black
and La Crosse rivers
bordered by the dolomite
bluffs
of the driftless
area, the la crosse region,
is geographically stunning
and historically rich.
An area
that once drew explorers
and traders
because of
its prime location
today thrives as a
vibrant collective
of communities
along the Wisconsin
Minnesota border.
The communities that
make up the la crosse region
include La Crosse, Onalaska,
Hollman, West Salem,
the town of Campbell
and just across the
Mississippi River.
La Crescent, Minnesota
communities
that have nurtured
a cultural
and recreational reputation
as impressive
as the landscape
that surrounds it
and as wild as the river
that runs through it.
Hello and welcome
to Discover Wisconsin.
So Mike,
I mean, this is cool
with being a river town.
You have the black
and La Crosse rivers
flowing into the
Mississippi here.
What's the fishing scene
like?
You never know what
you're going to catch.
You don't know if it's
gonna be a catfish, walleye,
smallmouth, largemouth
bluegill, crappie,
perch, whatever.
I mean, you don't know
what you're going
to catch out here.
What is the biggest fish
you ever caught out here?
I've had a 32 and a half
inch walleye
on a tournament day.
That was 11 nine four.
Wow.
The history of the la
crosse region is tied in
with its geography,
with the merging
of multiple rivers.
Today, it's
an angler's paradise
with more species of fish
than any other
temperate climate
river in the world.
It's never stops
here on the river.
There's no there's no closed
season or anything.
So it's a four season
fishery around here,
for sure.
Oh, there you go.
Oh, here we go.
Nice.
Oh, beauty.
There we go.
Mississippi River fishing.
All right, buddy.
Have a good rest of the day.
So when you're on the river
here in the La Crosse
region,
especially here
on French Island,
in the town of Campbell,
if you get hungry,
you can just pull right up
along the river.
There are
so many great options
for dining
and some good beverages,
including right here, Huck
Finn's on the water.
It's been voted
the lacrosse region's
best outdoor dining.
Of course
they have fish right.
I'm gonna see what else
they have, too.
What do customers love
most when they come here?
I think they just love
the panoramic river views
that you can enjoy
from inside and out
of the building.
They love the great food.
Being on pool
eight of the Mississippi,
we decided to
come up with a burger.
That's we call it
our pool eight burger.
So it's got a figure
eight onion ring on the top.
We smoke our own
salmon in-house,
so we have a smoked
citrus salmon salad.
We have our signature
shrimp.
I think that'll
be my appetizer. Yeah.
Spring in the la crosse
region revives the soul.
It's a season of life.
Plants emerge, leaves
bud, flowers bloom.
And the perfect location
to appreciate
the season of Rebirth
is at the shrine of
Our Lady of Guadalupe,
a place of prayer
and pilgrimage.
So the people who come here
to the shrine of Our
Lady of Guadalupe,
we could call them visitors,
but really
we think about them
as pilgrims.
Even if they're not
motivated by
strictly religious purposes.
But they have
those questions. Who am I?
What am I? Why am I?
How is my heart fulfilled?
And the purpose of
the shrine is to give them
a beautiful setting.
A location on the ground
where they can move away
from their daily life,
from the concerns
and the challenges,
joys and sorrows and pains
that people have,
and come away
and reflect on those
deepest questions. Questions
that are universal
and not
just particular questions.
And we certainly
welcome people of
any religious background
just to come and to spend
some time on the grounds.
There are four
seasons in nature,
but the soul has seasons too
and there are times
of activity when we're busy
and we're doing things.
There are times of great
celebration and joy.
There are also times of pain
and sorrow and sadness.
Any of those
could correspond
to the Four
Seasons in nature,
but they are reflective
of the rhythm of human life.
When we have the
flowers blooming or
at the end of the season
when the leaves are turning,
those also show us a certain
richness of God's nature.
But they tell us
something more
also about ourselves
and the seasons of
the internal life
of the soul itself.
La Crosse
celebrates its connections
to cities across the world
through Riverside
International Friendship
Gardens,
located in
beautiful Riverside Park.
You'll find rose gardens,
sculptures, fountains, trees
and topiaries, even trolls,
all curated to represent La
Crosse's sister cities.
It's all free, open
to the public daily
and unique in every season.
The La Crosse
region is easily
one of the most beautiful
and festive places to enjoy
a Wisconsin summer.
The climate and geography
create perfect opportunities
to be outside on the water
or on the trail.
If you really like
to get down
under the surface
of the water and explore
all the tributaries
and backwaters.
Get into all the little
nooks and crannies.
Then you really need
to check out the
Onalaska Canoe Trip.
If you're looking for
a historic
Mississippi experience,
then book a cruise
on the la crosse queen,
a favorite since 1976.
She's a true, stern,
real paddleboat.
You can take
a sightseeing cruise or book
a brunch, lunch
or dinner cruise.
Watch for wildlife
while you learn
about the history
and local points of interest
for two wheeled land lovers.
The cooling region
is a biker's dream
and the Great River State
Trail is a perfect path
for families and bikers
of all abilities.
Its 24 miles
of scenic pathways.
A great departure point
is right here
at the Great River
Landing in Onalaska.
La crosse really
has a biking culture.
We're actually accredited
at the silver level
with the American
League of Bicyclists.
That means that we're
very bicycle friendly
with our infrastructure,
our programing
and our policies.
We have some great older
mountain bike trails
in Upper Hixson,
but we just added six
more miles of family
friendly trails
on granddad's bluff,
and they're called
the Gateway Trails.
We have an organization
here called Outdoor
Recreation Alliance,
and we maintain those
trails in the bluff.
We actually have a
bunch of different clubs
and one of
the greatest clubs here
is the beer by bike brigade.
They they go bar hopping,
but they're also
raising money for the area.
So it's really kind of
an outdoor
recreation paradise
around here in La Crosse.
Yes, it is.
If you like birding,
if you like fishing,
all of that good stuff.
But really, if you feel like
biking, it's a great
way to get around.
Check out all this.
Yes, it is.
There are so many different
biking routes here.
You're never
going to get bored.
It wouldn't be summer
without fairs and festivals,
big or small.
The La Crosse region
has em all from June
dairy days to Oktoberfest.
Riverfest is held
the week of July 4th
at La
Crosse's, Riverside Park.
It's five days of family
friendly entertainment,
food, fun and fireworks.
Country boom in West Salem
is one of the best country
music festivals
in the Midwest.
It attracts 20,000 people
for a camping and music
experience and impresses
with great food and
a top country stars
and a gorgeous location.
The La Crosse Fair
Grounds in West Salem hosts
an annual inter-state fair,
as well as drag racing
and NASCAR stock racing
from May through October.
But if you're looking
for an authentic,
homegrown small town
pride
kind of summer festival,
then Kornfest in Holmen
is the place to be.
Holmen is a great
local community in the
western Wisconsin
that celebrates its heritage
each year
through the great event
called Kornfest parades
and the kiddy rides
and a beer tent
and lovely music
goes throughout the weekend.
Now, as the la crosse area
grows and it's growing
nicely.
Holmen's growing a lot.
But it's still a
very family friendly
town, as you can
tell, just looking
around here. Exactly.
And we try to keep it
that way.
So we have in
the summertime, we've got
weekly concerts in the park
in our lovely half
way, Creek Park.
We have a very vibrant
Parks and Rec program.
We really try to
maintain and create
and keep that atmosphere,
even though we're
one of the fastest
growing communities
in western Wisconsin.
La Crescent is one of the
charming communities
included in the La
Crosse region
that sits just across
the big Blue Bridge
in Minnesota.
And every September,
locals and visitors alike
come to celebrate
community with Applefest.
So, Mandy, I love knowing
that you're born and raised
right here in La Crescent
and what makes this
community so unique?
You know, it's just
a great small town.
We continue to have this
small town feel.
Everyone is friendly.
We love having visitors
and we're very welcoming.
It feels like family.
And you're nestled right
in along the bluffs.
And the Mississippi River
really is beautiful.
So every September,
La Crescent comes
alive with Applefest.
What are some of
the festivities that
will go on this weekend?
There's a lot happening.
It's Thursday through Sunday
and kids and families
come down and go on
all the rides
and play the games.
And then Saturday really
kicks off a busy day.
We start with our
Kitty Parade.
We have our big wheel races
and then we flow
into our afternoon.
That includes a hayride
with our candidates,
the girls that are running
for Applefest royalty.
And we have coronation.
So we crowned them
Saturday night.
The King Apple Parade
has always been a staple,
as well as music
and entertainment
in the tent.
We have our tapping
of our red apple keg.
We have a local brewery
that we partner
with that produces
our Applefest beer
every year.
So it's a great party.
There is also a big arts
and crafts fair as well.
Yes.
So we have a flea market
and arts and craft fair
along with Chalk Fest.
Contestants will draw murals
in chalk on the sidewalk.
Nestled in the Bluffs
of La Crescent Minnesota,
is Riverview Vineyard
and Winery,
and enjoying a glass of wine
along with this million
dollar view
is the perfect pairing.
This is our 10th season
for Riverview
Vineyard and Winery.
My dad said,
Do you want to grow grapes?
I said, Sure, and basically
started with 60 vines
the first year and
every five years
I kept adding more and more.
And we're up to about
1000 vines right now.
So what is the best seller?
And that's the one
we'd like to taste first.
Yeah, well, our best seller
is the Riverboat White,
which is a semi-sweet white
with a little
bit of cinnamon.
There are so many
fun ways to explore
la crosse in the fall
when the leaves turn
hues of red and yellow.
It is
exceptionally beautiful
and also the perfect time
to ride Wisconsin's
Great River Road.
Let's go.
This 250 mile stretch
along Wisconsin's western
border is designated
part of the Great River Road
National Scenic Byway,
which follows
the Mississippi River
from Minnesota
to the Gulf of Mexico.
Whether on
two wheels or four,
it is the ultimate
autumn road trip.
Just follow Highway 35
South through Holmen,
Onalaska and La Crosse
for some stunning views
of both the bluffs
and the river valleys.
You can also pull
over at numerous
overlooks and landmarks.
You'll even cross
paths with the Coulee
Region Craft Beverage Trail.
It's the area's drinkable
bucket list and guides you
to the best
breweries, wineries
and distilling companies
in the region.
Arguably one of the
most impressive views
in all of Wisconsin.
No matter what season,
this is a
must stop on your tour
of the Great River Road
or a visit to la crosse.
Mount La Crosse is special.
It's got such a deep history
here in La Crosse,
Wisconsin.
People have grown up
skiing here.
They've raised their
children to ski here.
Its
first season was 1959, 1960.
So we've been around
for a long time.
Our geography in La
Crosse is just beautiful.
We're not in the mountains,
but sometimes it feels
like we could be.
We're surrounded by bluffs.
We're lucky.
We've got some really
steep runs here.
So damnation is our true
double black diamond.
It's
a 516 foot vertical drop
and it draws people
from all over the country
here.
We're also really
proud every year
to host the Wisconsin
State High School
Alpine Championship.
So they've
been coming here for years
and it really allows la
crosse the time to shine.
We basically try to offer
something for every level.
Our whole goal
is to get people
to love this sport
as much as we do.
The saint Bernard
room is pretty cool.
A lot of people
have a lot of fond
memories in there.
We have live music up there.
We've got food.
We've got hot
drinks on cold days.
So even if you don't ski,
it's still a really fun
place to hang out.
I think one thing
that's kind of cool
is that people that
don't even really
particularly like Winter
still love coming out here
to Mount La Crosse
and just in general
getting out
to recreate in la crosse.
I think it's
one of those things
that we have such
natural beauty here.
Everywhere you look,
there's a bluff.
In the background
or beautiful trees.
It's really such
a beautiful area to live in.
And every day new memories
are being made here
at Mount La Crosse.
You'll find over 100
miles of cross-country ski
and snowshoe trails
across the region.
Check out the groom trails
at the Cooley Experimental
State Forest or take the La
Crosse River State Trail,
which follows an abandoned
railroad track for 22 miles
passing through West Salem.
For skaters.
Check out the ice track
at Lake Neshannock.
Year round
you can
find excellent dining
throughout the la
crosse region.
What makes this a food
lover destination?
The restaurants
that we have offer a wide
variety of menus, cuisines,
price points
and very unique atmospheres
that allow people
to come
enjoy a wonderful meal
in a very cool setting.
Our restaurants are
original to the crust.
It's a lot of ownership
that is local,
and it's just something
that's unique for our area.
The bar history
definitely brings, you know,
that bar food menu,
and that's been a
history in the city
for a long, long time.
Great burgers,
great sandwiches,
great appetizers.
Also, we're trying
to have that Wisconsin
supper club town. Right.
So, you know, the piggies
of the world,
the freight houses,
the diggers, you
get great steaks,
great prime rib, great ribs
and of course, fish fries.
You know,
fish
fries are big in la crosse.
What was your goal and vibe
with the crow here?
Well, the crow
what we wanted to
have would be kind of like
the casual person's
bourbon bar.
So we wanted to have a nice,
classy space
that you could come
in, enjoy some good
bourbon with great food.
And I'm a big pizza person.
My husband is as well.
So where should I go
for pizza?
Well, in la crosse,
you have multiple intuitive,
great pizza options.
That's a good thing.
You know, obviously,
Big Al's and Third
Street's been around
since 1979.
Awesome atmosphere,
great pizza right
across the street.
We have a great little pizza
place called Politos
and Uno Venti is a great
pizza place
downtown as well.
So there's there's a variety
of pizza options.
I recommend probably hitting
all three of them
because you can't go wrong.
You always want to
save room for dessert.
So one of the big options
in downtown la crosse
would be the pearl located
on historic Pearl Street
that'll top off your meal
with a good ice cream
following the dish.
And how special is this?
Just one block away
from the
bars and restaurants
are the rotary lights
at Riverside Park.
Come enjoy
with the entire family.
The magic of more
than 4 million lights.
Look it guys.
Well, we started very small
in 1995, 28 years ago.
We operate from the day
after Thanksgiving
through New Year's Eve,
and it's gotten a lot
bigger than we ever
would have imagined.
Well, okay,
the lights are definitely a
wow factor,
but there is far more
to rotary lights than just
coming to see the lights.
Well, we founded this
on a mission
of feeding the hungry.
Last year, we were just
a little under
300,000 food items
that went
to 14
different food pantries.
So the community
has really adopted
this and supported it.
And the food pantries
are very fortunate
that we take care of them
for about four months.
Wow, what a fun experience
for our entire family.
The La Crosse region
has so much to offer
all year round.
Bring your friends,
bring your family.
Explore lacrosse.
Come on, guys. Let's go see.