La Crosse Travel Guide

La Crosse is a small city (pop. 55,000) located in southwest Wisconsin on the Mississippi River.  There is an old Native American legend that says there will never be a tornado where three rivers meet, and La Crosse welcomes the Black River and the La Crosse River along with the Mississippi at Riverside Park. Whether or not this is true, there has been no major reported damage by a tornado in recent history. 

Aside from the quaint river scenery, La Crosse has some of the most beautiful, natural bluffs and hills in the midwest.  Granddad's Bluff sits above the city at approx. 580 ft. Autumn is spectacular when the bluffs overlooking the city are ablaze in yellows, browns, and reds. 

Hiking, skiing, and boating in the area are very popular. Riverfest is held each July at Riverside Park, with a wonderful fireworks display over the 4th of July. Each year, during the first week of October, La Crosse hosts the Oktoberfest. There are things to do for everyone, with several large parades, an amusement park, beer tents, and musical attractions. Mount La Crosse is the ski hill located on the SE edge of the city.

There are several universities in town, including the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University.  Western Wisconsin Technical College is the local two-year college.

The town was settled by German and Scandinavian pioneers, however today there is also a large population of resettled Hmong refugees who have adjusted quite well to the community.