Wisconsin Great River Road Map

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Great River Road Wisc nsin Travel & Visitors Guide

Motorcycling on the Eagle Viewing on Exceptional Great River Road the Great River Road Eateries page 13 page 36 page 39

Wisconsin’s National Scenic Byway on the Mississippi River Learn more at wigrr.com

Welcome to the Mississippi River & Wisconsin’s Only National Scenic Byway —the Great River Road!

t is my pleasure to welcome you to Wisconsin’s IGreat River Road, voted the “Prettiest drive in America” by readers of The Huffington Post. For over 80 years, Wisconsin residents and visitors alike have found fun and adventure on this beautiful National Scenic Byway. This visitor guide will help you explore the stunning 250-mile drive, as it winds through 33 delightful river towns parallel to the Mississippi River. From Prescott to Potosi, the Great River Road is home to breathtaking bluff views, countless recreational activities and old-fashioned hospitality that will make you feel right at home. Take your time to savor the journey with side trips that include biking, hiking, fishing and paddling. Discover historic towns dotted with boutiques, art galleries and wineries, and find cozy lodging at one of the many charming bed and breakfasts. As you page through the guide, you will find plenty of useful information to help you plan your trip. For more resources and travel information visit TravelWisconsin.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media channels. On behalf of Wisconsin’s Tourism industry, we look forward to welcoming you.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Klett Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Tourism Photo courtesy: Travel Wisconsin. Travel courtesy: Photo Table of Traveling Contents Distances History of the Great River Road...... 5 To La Crosse (Central Gateway) Annual Festivals & Events...... 6 Beloit: 190 miles Superior: 233 miles Life Along Wisconsin’s Great River Road and Green Bay: 202 miles Wausau: 146 miles Why You Need to Go – Scenic Vistas ...... 7 Madison: 144 miles Milwaukee: 210 miles PIERCE County...... 8 Chicago, IL: 284 miles Sioux Falls, SD: 298 miles Maiden Rock, Bay City, Hager City, Diamond Bluff, Prescott Dubuque, IA: 117 miles (62 miles to Prairie du Chien, Southern Gateway) PEPIN County...... 10 Pepin, Stockholm Galena, IL: 135 miles (76 miles to Prairie du Chien, Southern Gateway) Motorcycling on the Great River Road...... 13 Twin Cities, MN: 160 miles BUFFALO County...... 14 (35 miles to Prescott, Northern Gateway) Fountain City, Buffalo City, Cochrane, Alma, Nelson Davenport, IA TREMPEALEAU County...... 17 (190 miles to La Crosse, 130 miles to Prairie du Chien) Centerville, Trempealeau

LA CROSSE County...... 20 La Crosse, Onalaska, Midway, Holmen

WISCONSIN GREAT RIVER ROAD MAP . . . 24 & 25

The Great River Road Itinerary...... 27

VERNON County...... 28 Victory, Genoa, Stoddard

CRAWFORD County...... 29 Prairie du Chien, Lynxville, Ferryville, De Soto

Boating & Paddling...... 34

Best Places To Fish...... 35

Eagle Viewing...... 36

Mississippi Flyway ...... 37 Bicycling on the Wisconsin Great River Road ...... 38

Exceptional Eateries ...... 39

Wine Tasting Adventures...... 40 Each county offers information Cheese: A Wisconsin Staple ...... 41 in their section of this visitor guide.

River Boat Stops...... 42 Visit www.wigrr.com for more information about events and to order additional travel guides. GRANT County ...... 43 Kieler, Dickeyville, Tennyson, Potosi, Cassville, Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commission Glen Haven, Bagley, Wyalusing PO Box 171, De Soto WI 54624 | Phone: 800.658.9424 Email: [email protected] Travel Resources ...... 47 Photos contributed by TravelWisconsin.com Cover Photo by James Netz Photography Designer: Kristin Mitchell Design, Inc. Printer: La Crosse Graphics 4 | wigrr.com History of the Great River Road

Prescott Diamond Bluff Wisconsin Hager City Great River Road Bay City 250 Miles 33 River Towns Maiden Rock Stockholm Pepin Nelson

Photo courtesy: Travel Wisconsin. Travel courtesy: Photo Mississippi River Alma Buffalo City Cochrane he Wisconsin Great River Road is Wisconsin’s only designated National Fountain City TScenic Byway and, according to the Huffington Post, the Prettiest Drive in MINNESOTA Centerville the Nation.

Trempealeau The 250-mile Wisconsin Great River Road is part of the ten-state Great River Holmen Mississippi Ri ve r Midway Onalaska Road National Scenic Byway, which follows the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles La Crosse from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Established in 1938 by Franklin

St oddard Roosevelt, the Great River Road is America’s oldest and most distinguished Genoa byway.

Victory The communities along the Wisconsin Great River Road are among the oldest in DeSoto IOWA the Midwest, with several having been established in the 1600s. Before European Ferryville settlement, Native American tribes called the river corridor home. Today, visitors Lynxville will see remnants of the Oneota, Hopewell, and other ancient tribes’ cultures in Prairie du Chien the burial and effigy mounds found up and down the Wisconsin Great River Road. Wyalusing Bagley The miles of wetlands and untouched river-bottom forests that come together Glen Haven as the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge run along more than two-

Cassville thirds of the Wisconsin Great River Road. These areas are protected as a result of an Act of Congress in 1924. The beautiful pools and winding channels that you Potosi Tennyson see on the Mississippi River today are the result of the Lock and Dam system built Mississippi Ri ve r Dickeyville in the 1930s. Kieler wigrr.com | 5 Annual Festivals & Events Watch the website event calendar at wigrr.com for a full list of upcoming FUN events.

JANUARY – MARCH JULY Prairie du Chien Bald Eagle Appreciation Day, Riverfest, La Crosse Prescott Daze & Classic Car Show, Prairie du Chien Catfish Days, Trempealeau Prescott Bald Eagle Day, Ferryville War of 1812 Reenactment Events, Laura Ingalls Wilder Days, Pepin Kickapoo Valley Reserve, Prairie du Chien Driftless Area Art Festival, Winterfest, La Farge Soldiers Grove Stockholm Art Fair, Stockholm Snowmobile Trails Day, Chaseburg Apple Festival, Gays Mills Prairie Dog Blues Fest, Eagles on Ice, Alma Prairie du Chien Bicycle Fest, La Crosse Ice Fishing Tournament, Stoddard Fall Fest, Ferryville River Bluff Daze, Ferryville Art On The Kinni, River Falls APRIL River Falls Days, River Falls Bacon Bash, River Falls Driftless Music Festival, Viroqua Between The Bluffs Beer, Oktoberfest, La Crosse Wine & Cheese Festival, La Crosse Vintage Motorcycle Rally, Viroqua Vernon County Fair, Viroqua Roots & Bluegrass Festival, Larryfest Music Fest, La Farge Viola Horse and Colt Show, Viola River Falls Bagley 4th of July Parade, Bagley Labor Day Weekend Fireman’s Spring Flood Run, Bull Bash, Bagley Picnic, Stoddard Fountain City to Prescott Swiss Heritage Days, Alma Stoddard Bergen Fire Dept. Annual OCTOBER Walleye Tournament, Stoddard 4th of July Parade, Buffalo City Fall Fresh Art Tour, MAY AUGUST Pepin & Pierce Counties Oktoberfest, Mondovi 100 Mile Garage Sale, Prescott Fountain City Days, Fountain City Flyway Film Festival, Stockholm, to Fountain City Buffalo County Fair, Mondovi Pepin & Alma 70 Mile Rummage Along The River, Ashley For The Arts, Arcadia Oktoberfest, Prairie du Chien Crawford & Vernon Counties Irishfest, La Crosse Kickapoo Reserve Dam Challenge, Reggae Fest, Trempealeau Dog Days of Stockholm, Stockholm La Farge Spring Bird Migration Hike & Events, Kornfest, Holmen Octoberfest – Ferryville Great River Folk Fest, La Crosse Hillsboro Brewing Co., La Farge Mid West Music Fest, La Crosse Potosi Brew Fest, Potosi Safe & Spooky Halloween, Syttende Mai Festival, Westby Kickapoo BRAVE Ride (bicycling), Stonefield at Cassville Winding Roads Art Tour, Gays Mills Breweriana Flea Market, Potosi Start in Viroqua Cassville Classic Car Cruise, Cassville Tromp and Chomp Trail Run, Potosi Catfish Festival, Potosi NOVEMBER Kickapoo Valley Reserve Crawford County Fair Driftless Area Film Festival, World Migratory Bird Day, Alma Vernon County Driftless Outdoors Show, Onalaska SEPTEMBER DRIVE THE Christmas in Alma, Alma GREAT RIVER ROAD MONTH JUNE DAIRY MONTH River Dazzle, River Falls Alma Music & Arts Festival, Alma Dairy Breakfast held in DECEMBER each county Sidewalk Insanity, Alma Community-Wide Holiday Events Prairie Villa Rendezvous, Farm Fest, Fountain City Christmas in Alma, Alma Prairie du Chien Great River Road Fall Fest, Rotary Lights, La Crosse Spring Fresh Art Tour, Stonefield at Cassville Pepin & Pierce Counties Villa Louis Carriage Classic, Carp Fest, Prairie du Chien Tour de Pepin, Lake Pepin Artspire, La Crosse Winneshiek Landing Day, De Soto Dairy Breakfasts Fire in the Shire Renaissance JUNE IS DAIRY MONTH Festival, Alma Celebrate Wisconsin’s dairy culture! Grab a hearty Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival, breakfast and tour a working farm. Locations & Ellsworth times found at dairydaysofsummer.com

6 | wigrr.com Life Along Wisconsin’s Great River Road and Why You Need To Go— Scenic Vistas By Anastasia Penchi

hey have been known to inspire creativity, and often The Spanish speakers got it right Tmotivate us to do our best work. Buena Vista literally means “good view” in Spanish, and They force us to take pause. Appreciate life. Give thanks the natural limestone bluff balcony at Buena Vista Park for the beauty around us. in Alma provides a fabulous spot for those who love to watch the river traffic as it navigates up and down the The bluffs and valleys of this area provide some of most Mississippi River. This superb viewing platform is located beautiful scenery in the state (some might argue in the 500 feet above Alma’s Lock and Dam #4, and it provides a world), and much of it is protected from development. As great education to anyone who has never seen a barge or a result, the scenic overlooks in Western Wisconsin not pleasure boat lock through a dam. There are eagles. There only inspire, but can be a great place to see bald eagles are trains. And while there is no camping, you can drive and other wildlife. up County Highway E from Wisconsin’s Great River Road So hop in the car. Jump on that motorbike. Get ready for to reach a handicap accessible area with picnic tables and some jaw-dropping landscapes. Here are four of the most grills, bathrooms and a small playground. It’s a great spot iconic views along Wisconsin’s Great River Road to get for those who brought a picnic lunch — simply walk to the you started: overlook before you pull out the food. More adventurous The granddaddy of them all hikers might prefer the one-mile Buena Vista Trail, which The biggest treasure in La Crosse has nothing to do with a heads up the bluff near Wings Over Alma Nature and Art pot of gold. Grandad Bluff Park opened in 1912 and provides Center. And remember Alma is also historic. It’s especially breath-taking views of not only the La Crosse area, but unique because it is only two streets wide with 12 stair- parts of Minnesota and Iowa, too. There are hiking trails on step streets connecting the two main streets. Walk to visit Grandad Bluff, and a bathroom and picnic shelter, so plan its art galleries, boutiques and restaurants and fill up your to spend some time there. In recent years, the city added day. sidewalks to assist in getting visitors to the overlook, and A park worthy of our first governor this greatly enhances accessibility. Grandad Bluff is easy It seems appropriate that the state park named after to find once you are in La Crosse – just head east on Main Wisconsin’s first governor is located in Cassville, a village Street. And don’t forget La Crosse’s historic downtown has Nelson Dewey once purchased himself in hopes that it abundant boutique shopping, as well as many one-of-a- would become the state’s capital. That never happened, kind restaurants and taverns. but Dewey did build his dream home – and later a summer Camp where two rivers meet home – in Cassville at a spot that overlooks the Mississippi Nature lovers take note: Wyalusing State Park is a hidden River. During Dewey’s two-term administration, this “friend gem of a 2,628-acre state park located at the south end of of the poor,” was all about infrastructure and advocated Wisconsin’s Great River Road near Prairie du Chien, where for improvements to the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. He the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers meet. This is the type died in poverty, but his legacy lives on through Nelson of place that outdoorsy people go to spend a weekend in Dewey State Park, known for its picturesque Mississippi full-blown nature, in addition to seeing magnificent scenes. River views and large campsites that provide plenty of Rent a kayak and follow a water trail. Explore the caves room for the kids to run. Some campers suggest taking here. Teach the kids about Native American mounds. Keep hummingbird feeders to better observe the winged in mind that some of the hiking trails that lead to the most wildlife inhabiting the area. If you don’t camp, at minimum impressive overlooks are easier to use than others, so be bring a thermos of coffee (iced or hot depending on the aware of abilities. Everyone enjoys seeing eagles soar temperature) and relax on the benches that are at some while standing at Lookout Point where the two rivers meet. of the park’s most inspirational views. Maybe visit Dewey’s The gorgeous scenes here inspire visitors, and Prairie du summer home, Stonefield, a 2,000-acre country estate Chien is so close that you might stop to learn more about Wisconsin Historical Site, while you are there? the area’s history at Villa Louis or Fort Crawford.

wigrr.com | 7 VISITOR INFORMATION PIERCE COUNTY GREAT RIVER ROAD VISITOR Maiden Rock, Bay City, Diamond Bluff, & LEARNING CENTER 200 Monroe Street Hager City, Prescott Prescott, Wisconsin 54021 Phone: 715-262-0104 Email: [email protected] HISTORIC RIVER TOWNS & VILLAGES Website: www.freedomparkwi.org HISTORICAL SITES MAIDEN ROCK offers a panoramic view across Lake Pepin at the confluence Sea Wing Park State Historical Marker, of the Rush and Mississippi Rivers. Tales of an Indian maiden jumping from the Diamond Bluff bluff rather than marry are still told today. Bow & Arrow Formation State Historical Marker, Bay City BAY CITY sits at the head of Lake Pepin and takes its name from its large bay. Conlin Log Home, Bay City Hard-woods on the bluffs and fishing on Lake Pepin provided the community River Bluffs History Center, Bay City with a source of income that could easily be shipped on the Mississippi River Pierce County Courthouse National from its bay. Visit the River Bluffs History Center and the Conlin Log Home built Historical Marker, Ellsworth in 1856. Plum City State Historical Marker, Plum City HAGER CITY, mostly an island on the Mississippi, with a large community on the Mero Mound Group, Diamond Bluff water. Its origins began as a railroad town, founded by Burlington and Northern (restricted) Railroad. Best known for Bow & Arrow formation, created by ancient natives it is a set of boulders aimed at Lake Pepin and has been a landmark for 1000s PARKS, REFUGES & NATURAL AREAS of years. Mississippi River National River & DIAMOND BLUFF, named for prominent limestone bluffs rising above Recreation Area, National Park Service the land easily visible by steamers on the Mississippi. Site of the Sea Wing Kinnickinnic State Park steamboat disaster in 1890. Oneota Indians set up camps in this location on the Trenton Bluff Prairie State Natural Area river for 1000s of years. Over 500 earthen mounds, including the Panther Effigy Kinnickinnic River Gorge & Delta State Natural Area Mound, have been identified. Rush River Delta State Natural Area PRESCOTT is the northern gateway to Wisconsin’s Great River Road National Morgan Coulee Prairie State Scenic Byway. The community dates back to 1839 by a fur trader and later Natural Area a center for river enterprise and steamboats. Home to the Wisconsin Great Plum Creek Woods State Natural Area River Road Visitor & Learning Center at Freedom Park. From these bluffs the RIVERS confluence of the St Croix and Mississippi Rivers is an impressive site. Prescott Mississippi River Daze celebration is a favorite every September. Public golf course available. Eau Galle River Kinnickinnic River ELLSWORTH, the county seat of Pierce County, is known the world over as Rush River the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. Visitors flock to Ellsworth Cooperative St Croix River Creamery at 11:00am for the fresh curds of the day. The annual Cheese Curd Check out Trimbelle River Festival draws thousands of curd lovers to the village each year in June. Visitors V these fun events! will also appreciate the architecture of the Pierce County Courthouse. Listed POINTS OF INTEREST in the National Register of Historic Places, it’s open to the public on weekdays Great River Road Interpretive Center: from 8:00am-4:30pm Freedom Park, Prescott Mississippi River Bridge to Hastings, MN RIVER FALLS, the most populous city in Pierce County, is a bustling community Mississippi River Bridge to of 15,000 and the home of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. River Falls Red Wing, MN exemplifies the best Wisconsin has to offer with its perfect combination of Crystal Cave (longest known cave outdoor activities, arts, cultural events and hometown charm. It’s also home to in Wisconsin), Spring Valley the Swinging Bridge, which was placed on the Wisconsin and National Register Ellsworth Cheese Factory, Ellsworth of Historic Places in July 2018. Built in 1925 by the Women’s Improvement Lake Pepin League, this pedestrian suspension bridge is a rare resource that attracts visitors year-round. TAKE A SIDE TRIP TO: Spring Valley 8 | wigrr.com Photo courtesy: Travel Wisconsin.

Open Year Blueberries July & August Round U-Pick Thursday through Sunday 8am - 2pm

Rush River Produce Call 715-594-3648 or Maiden Rock, Wisconsin rushriverproduce.com

® Adventures above and below

Cave Tours Gem Panning Mini-Golf Nature Trails Picnic Grounds Rock Shop

wigrr.com | 9 VISITOR INFORMATION PEPIN COUNTY PEPIN VILLAGE HALL Pepin, Stockholm 740 7th Ave West Durand WI 54736 Phone: 715-672-5709 Website: www.visitpepincounty.com HISTORIC RIVER TOWNS & VILLAGES www.pepinwisconsin.com www.stockholmwisconsin.com PEPIN, near the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder, has become all things Laura. HISTORICAL SITES Visit the museum, a replica of the Little Cabin In The Woods and a festival the Maiden Rock State Historical Marker, second week of September, Laura Ingalls Wilder Days. Set on the shores of Lake Stockholm Pepin on the Mississippi River visitors will enjoy beautiful sunsets, sailing, dining Fort St Antoine Site State Historical and a walkway out into Lake Pepin. Marker Lake Pepin State Historical Marker STOCKHOLM, a village of less than 100, is today a vibrant artist community filled Laura Ingalls Wilder Wayside, with unique shops and experiences. Their annual one-day Stockholm Art Fair in Cabin & State Historical Marker, Lund July draws over 10,000 visitors to the shores of Lake Pepin on the Mississippi Pepin County Courthouse & Jail River. With Swedish roots, Stockholm was a community center that has evolved (last wooden courthouse), National & into a favorite stop for travelers. Their Blue Bike Project offers visitors a free State Historical Marker, Durand bike while exploring the village. The community is also known for their hospitality PARKS, REFUGES & along the Great River Road via the winery, restaurants, and many places to stay. NATURAL AREAS Chippewa River State Trail LAKE PEPIN is a naturally occurring lake, and the widest naturally occurring part (bike & pedestrian), Durand of the Mississippi River. The formation of the lake Marina at Lake Pepin, Pepin was caused by the backup of water behind the Five-Mile Bluff Prairie State sedimentary deposits of the Chippewa River’s Natural Area delta. It has a surface area of about 40 square Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area miles and an average depth of 21 feet, which Nine Mile Island State Natural Area makes it the largest lake on the entire Mississippi Lower Chippewa River State Natural Area River. RIVERS The wide area of the Lake Pepin stretches from Mississippi River Bay City, Wisconsin, in the north, down past Chippewa River Pepin, in the south, with Pepin being just upstream from where the Chippewa Eau Galle River River enters the Mississippi. The villages of Maiden Rock and Stockholm are also POINTS OF INTEREST on Lake Pepin. Pepin Depot Museum, Pepin The lake was first named in a map of New France made by Guillaume Delisle at Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, Pepin the request of Louis XIV of France in 1703. The lake was named for Jean Pepin Lake Pepin who settled on its shores in the late 1600s after exploring the Great Lakes. In Sailing on Lake Pepin 1890 Lake Pepin was the site of one of the worst maritime disasters on the Corral Bar Circus Lithograph, Durand Mississippi, known as the Sea Wing disaster when the Sea Wing ferry capsized Eau Galle Cheese Factory, Durand in a bad storm, killing 98 people.

In 1922, a Minnesota resident invented the sport of water skiing on Lake Pepin. Today the size of Lake Pepin provides an ideal venue for sailing and many other water sports.

TAKE A SIDE TRIP TO: Durand, Lund

10 | wigrr.com • 280 foot dock for our boating guests • Open 6 days a week during summer & weekends only during winter months • Check website for schedule of live music on the waterfront pepinpicklefactory.com 715-442-4400 Follow us on

wigrr.com | 11 TREMPEALEAU COUNTY: Trempealeau Catfish Days - July

Photo courtesy: Explore La Crosse.

12 | wigrr.com Motorcycling on the Great River Road

By Scott Sweere

esignated as a National Scenic Byway, The Wisconsin The road will beg you to put the miles on, to see one more DGreat River Road can take you places that will open bend, one more majestic view of the Great River. Stop. your eyes, mind and heart. There is no better way to do Visit with the locals; ask about the “must sees”. You might that than on a motorcycle. Nothing is more alluring to get more than you bargained for, whether it’s about more the motorcyclist than the feel of the road, the breeze on attractions than you have time for in a day, an unusually your face, the scent and scenery of the outdoors, and the tasty ice cream cone, or a sassy bartender sliding you gathering of friends. something cold. You’ll come to see why some of the best riding is because of the stops. A constant flow of fresh asphalt offers a smooth, carefree look at sparkling blue water, high wooded bluffs, riverside Spend the day along the Road. You won’t regret it. My villages, and attractions of all sorts. It’s at these riverside return North usually consists of one or two stops, deemed towns where many motorcyclists meet for a cold one, to secondary to my agenda of nothing. I always seem to see take in some of the local cuisine, to compare stories, or one more thing that catches my eye. For this writer, with suggest “must do’s” offered all along the Great River Road. the day drawing to a close, my favorite part of this ride back is the fresh perspective. How everything seems to While there are many junctions to start your adventure, change simply due to the waning hours of daylight. The I prefer my River Road experience to start in Prescott, setting sun over that long run of river softens the glow where you’ll find many who feel the same way. Prescott is of everything it reaches. The cooling of the air on sun- the gateway for riders coming from Minneapolis/St. Paul stressed skin, reddened by the day, just feels better on a and Northwestern Wisconsin looking for a short escape. bike. The Road truly is great.

Photo courtesy: Travel Wisconsin.

wigrr.com | 13 VISITOR INFORMATION BUFFALO COUNTY WINGS OVER ALMA Fountain City, Buffalo City, Cochrane, VISITOR CENTER 110 North Main Street Alma, Nelson Alma, Wisconsin 54610 Phone: 608-685-3303 Email: [email protected] HISTORIC RIVER TOWNS & VILLAGES Website: www.almawisconsin.com

FOUNTAIN CITY, the oldest settlement in Buffalo County, is home to the HISTORICAL SITES US Army Corps of Engineers, offering them the largest natural harbor City of Alma National & State Historic District, Alma on the Mississippi. Eagle Bluff is the tallest bluff on the Mississippi River Beef Slough State Historical Marker, Alma and Elmer’s Auto & Toy Museum offers views from this vantage point. Fountain City State Historical Marker, Merrick State Park is just north of Fountain City. The northern gateway Fountain City to the Great River State Trail is just south of Fountain City at Marshland. See another historically significant location and grab a bite to eat at The PARKS, REFUGES & NATURAL AREAS Upper Mississippi River National Monarch Public House, the oldest server in the state, serving original Wildlife & Fish Refuge beer recipes from 1850. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge BUFFALO CITY is located on a slough of the Mississippi River with Buffalo River State Trail beautiful views across the river, Spring Lake and Whitman Bottoms. (bike & pedestrian), Mondovi Merrick State Park, Fountain City Great for fishing, boating, kayaking and birding. The local grocery Lower Chippewa River State Natural Area imports Kringle from Racine! Tiffany State Natural Area, Nelson COCHRANE is located at the base of high bluffs on the sand prairie. Nelson-Trevino Bottoms State Home to the Prairie Moon Sculpture Garden which features the works Natural Area, Nelson of Herman Rusch and others. Rusch created nearly 40 large works using Whitman Bottoms Floodplain Forest State Natural Area, Buffalo City concrete, stone & rock. This folk art site was preserved by the Kohler Trempealeau Meadow State Natural Area Foundation as a public art site. Public golf course available. Riecks Lake Park & Campground, Alma ALMA is a designated National Historic Dike Road, Lock & Dam #5, Buffalo City District preserving over 220 acres in this Great River State Trail, Buffalo Siding small historic rivertown. Home to Buena Thrive! Park, Nelson Vista, largest natural balcony overlooking RIVERS the Mississippi River from over 500 feet, the Mississippi River Great Alma Fishing Float, Riecks Lake Park Buffalo River and Lock & Dam #4. Wings Over Alma Nature Chippewa River ALMA Music & Art Festival, Sept. & Art Center offers a 30-foot viewing deck Trempealeau River on the Mississippi River below Lock & Dam #4. As an art community there are many local artists & shops. This is a prime birding spot and POINTS OF INTEREST Lock & Dam #4 with Railroad Bridge, Alma bald eagle viewing is popular. Castlerock Museum offers a look at arms Lock & Dam #5A, Fountain City and armory from the Middle Ages. Hiking trails include Buena Vista Trail, Great Alma Fishing Float, Alma and Mossy Hollows Trails. Alma Music & Art Festival held Sunday of Nelson Cheese Factory, Nelson Labor Day weekend. Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center, Alma NELSON sits at the base of two twin bluffs. Wildlife abounds within Buena Vista Overlook, Alma the Tiffany and Nelson-Trevino Bottoms State Natural Areas. The dike Castlerock Arms & Armory Museum, Alma road (State Hwy 25) leading to Minnesota offers great fishing and Elmer’s Auto & Toy Museum, Fountain City paddling in the backwaters of the Mississippi River. Although no longer State Normal School & Museum, Alma an operational cheese factory, Nelson Creamery is a popular stop for ice Prairie Moon Sculpture Garden & Museum, Cochrane cream and cheese curds throughout the year. Mississippi River Bridge to Wabasha, MN TAKE A SIDE TRIP TO: Mondovi, Waumandee Mississippi River Bridge to Winona, MN Kinstone Megalithic Garden, Fountain City

14 | wigrr.com Arms, Armor and Art

come and see

a world class museum Alma, WI:History, on the great river road Culture,Beauty Authentic arms and armor used by Grecians, Romans, Dark Age Warriors, Vikings, Crusaders & more... and Renaissance “Knights in Shining Armor.”

Open Fridays and Saturdays, 1 to 4 pm (Sundays – June through August) Group days by appointment www.castlerockmuseum.com

402 South 2nd Street, Alma, WI 54610 608.685.3303 ExploreAlma.com

wigrr.com | 15 Open Daily: May-October 10am to 6pm For more info: www.kinstonecircle.com whole heart Megalithic Garden women made wonders and wellness New Shop! • essential oils • wellness and natural living • artisan gifts and jewelry 323A South Main St. Alma, WI wholeheartalma.com 10% profit Group Trips & Tours : Workshops : Weddings 715.619.1555 donated to charity (608) 687-3332 • Fountain City, WI 54629 • facebook.com/kinstonecircle

Photo courtesy: Travel Wisconsin.

16 | wigrr.com VISITOR INFORMATION TREMPEALEAU TREMPEALEAU COUNTY TOURISM COUNTY 36245 Main Street, Whitehall, WI 54773 Phone: 715-538-2311 ext. 251 Email: [email protected] Centerville, Trempealeau Website: www.trempealeau- county-tourism.com HISTORIC RIVER TOWNS & VILLAGES HISTORICAL SITES Mississippi River Parkway: CENTERVILLE is located at an intersection of the Wisconsin Great River Road First Project State Historical Marker where Highways 53, 93 and 35 meet. Head toward the Mississippi River and Trempealeau Main Street, you will find Trempealeau, head toward the rolling hills and valleys you will find National & State Historic District Arcadia and south you will find orchards and pick-you-own stands. It’s really Trempealeau Platform Mounds National Historic District the “center.” Perrot State Park TREMPEALEAU Main Street runs right to the Mississippi River and Lock & Trempealeau Lakes Mound Dam #6. Access point to the Great River State Trail and Perrot State Park National Historic District (Trempealeau Mountain). Perfect views of the Mississippi River. Great for fishing, Decorah Peak State Historical Marker boating, kayaking and birding. Public golf course available. Catfish Days held the Perrot’s Post State Historical Marker Brady’s Bluff State Historical Marker weekend following the 4th of July. A Wisconsin Bird City Community. Galesville Bridge State Historical PERROT STATE PARK Marker North of Trempealeau, on the Wisconsin Great River Road, is Perrot State Park. The Mississippi River Parkway: First Project Marker The 1,400 acre Perrot State Park encompasses a complex of wetlands and towering bluffs. The park’s most scenic feature is Trempealeau Mountain, for PARKS, REFUGES & which the community was named. This majestic bluff is located entirely on an NATURAL AREAS island surrounded by the Mississippi River. Exceptional hiking and biking trails Trempealeau National Wildlife & Fish Refuge throughout the park allow you to capture a number of fantastic views of this Upper Mississippi River National strikingly beautiful section of the river valley. An easy-to-paddle canoe trail is Wildlife & Fish Refuge excellent for paddlers of all ability levels. Perrot State Park also has several Great River State Trail ancient burial mounds that can be seen along the trails. (bike & pedestrian) Perrot State Park, Trempealeau TREMPEALEAU NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Trempealeau Mountain State Also north of Trempealeau is the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, one of Natural Area the best birdwatching destinations on the entire Mississippi River. It is a significant Great River Trail State Natural Area element of the Mississippi Flyway at the confluence of the Trempealeau and Brady’s Bluff Prairie State Natural Area Mississippi Rivers. Named by RAMSAR as a Wetland of International Importance Tamarack Creek Bog State in 2010 along with the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge. Natural Area Observation deck overlooks wetlands offering great opportunities to view Borst Valley Meadow State Natural Area waterfowl. The refuge is also a sand prairie, where big bluestem, indiangrass, Chimney Rock Oak Savanna State and switchgrass can reach heights of 8–9 feet. Great River State Trail travels Natural Area through this park from Trempealeau to Marshland. Hawkinson Creek Wet Prairie State Natural Area POINTS OF INTEREST Vosse Coulee State Natural Area Great River State Trail (bike & pedestrian) Pietrak County Park, Arcadia Ecker’s Apple Farm, Trempealeau RIVERS Lock & Dam #6, Trempealeau TAKE A SIDE TRIP TO Mississippi River Tremplo Fishing Float, Trempealeau Arcadia, Blair, Galesville, Black River Soldier’s Memorial Park, Arcadia Independence, Osseo & Buffalo River New!: Little Bluff Mounds Interpretive Trail Whitehall North Fork Buffalo River Schwertel Family Farms Roadside Stand Trempealeau River

wigrr.com | 17 18 | wigrr.com Located on the Great River Road (Hwy 35) in the beautiful, “THE CABIN” historic village of Trempealeau, WI. All the amenities to make you Open year round and offering a variety feel right at home. of rooms, free Wifi and secure bike and In Trempealeau, situated motorcycle storage - all in a location between many lakes and rivers. that can’t be beat. Relax at the outdoor patio or campfire ring - available for ~Open Year Round ~ Nightly & Weekly Rates~ all guests! Call us today for your reservation! For availability & more information visit 11451 Main Street, Trempealeau • 608-534-6615 • www.littlebluffinn.com www.3lakescabin.com

DELI • ICE • SNACKS • BAIT GAS (Premium-Unleaded-Diesel) Fishing & Hunting Licenses SODA • BEER • WINE • COFFEE • HOT CHOCOLATE Hours: 5:30am-10:00pm 24013 3rd St, Trempealeau, WI

Trempealeau Hotel Restaurant & Saloon

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wigrr.com | 19

HOW DO YOU [tremp-pə-lō]? • On the Great River Road VISITOR INFORMATION LA CROSSE COUNTY EXPLORE LA CROSSE La Crosse, Onalaska, Midway, Holmen 410 Veterans Memorial Drive La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601 Phone: 800-658-9424 or 608-782-2366 HISTORIC RIVER TOWNS & VILLAGES Email: [email protected] Website: www.explorelacrosse.com LA CROSSE is the largest city you’ll pass through on your Wisconsin Great River Road journey, with a population of over 50,000. Many historic buildings HISTORICAL SITES McGilvray Bridges State and large downtown district date back to the 1800s, when La Crosse was one Historical Marker, Holmen of Wisconsin’s most important centers for trade and commerce. A great place Norskedalen Nature & Heritage to learn about the history of La Crosse is Riverside Museum Great River Road Center, Coon Valley Interpretive Center. You’ll find displays featuring wildlife that live along the City of La Crosse National State river, logging history and steamboats. Historic Districts Gideon C. Hixon House, La Crosse The area’s most prominent land feature is Grandad Bluff, located on the east City Brewery, La Crosse side of the valley that cradles the community of La Crosse. A drive to the top Mindoro Cut, Mindoro to West Salem provides stunning views of the city in the valley below. A Wisconsin Bird City PARKS, REFUGES & Community. NATURAL AREAS ONALASKA is located on Pool 7 of the Mississippi River which encompasses Upper Mississippi River National 7,688 acre Lake Onalaska. Known as Sunfish Capital of the World it is a great Wildlife & Fish Refuge Grandad Bluff City Park & Overview, destination for biking, hiking, fishing, sailing, hunting & bird watching. Onalaska La Crosse is the southern access point for the Great River State Trial. Visit the US Fish & Great River State Trail Wildlife Visitor Center, they offer nature hiking paths and numerous birding (bike & pedestrian) opportunities. Marsh View Trail, Onalaska La Crosse State Trail MIDWAY is an access point to the Great River State Trail. Halfway Creek Trail (bike & pedestrian), from Holmen connects at this point. Great River State Trail runs along Brice Onalaska to Sparta Prairie, the Midway Railroad Prairie State Natural Area encompasses the eastern Van Loon Wildlife Area entrance to the prairie. Two landings offer access to Lake Onalaska and the Midway Railroad Prairie Mississippi River and there is a canoe landing accessing the Black River. State Natural Area Great River Trail Prairies State HOLMEN is located at the base of the bluffs on a sand prairie. Van Loon Wildlife Natural Area Area and McGilvray Bridges are located about 3.5 miles NW of Holmen. Check Greens Coulee Park Trail, Onalaska out the group of five rare bowstring arch truss bridges & one low truss bridge Holland Sand Prairie State on the Old McGilvray Bottoms Road. Halfway Creek Trail in Holmen connects Natural Area to the Great River State Trail in Midway. Kornfest is celebrated in Holmen in RIVERS August each year. Mississippi River POINTS OF INTEREST Black River La Crosse River Great River Road Interpretive Center: Riverside Museum, La Crosse Great River State Trail (bike & pedestrian) Lake Onalaska Spillway McGilvray Bridges (pedestrian), Holmen Children’s Museum, La Crosse US Fish & Wildlife Visitor Center, Onalaska Mississippi River Bridge to Hwy 61, MN Mississippi River Bridge to La Crescent, MN Shrine of Our Lady Of Guadalupe

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GOOD FOR BOGO PINT Room BOGO (Buy One, Get One) Valid at Tasting Room Only. You must surrender this coupon and purchase your ﬁrst beer in order to receive your one free beer. Limit one per person, per visit. Void If Copied. No Cash Value. Cannot be combined with any other discount, offer, coupon, prior purchase, exchange, or refund. We reserve the right to modify this A Hotel for You Tasting offer at any time. Expires 12/29/19 Attention to detail and commitment to Shop service helps Gundersen Hotel & Suites Gift provide exceptional accommodations for & LIVE MUSIC FRIDAYS travelers visiting LaCrosse for business and pleasure and guests of Gundersen BREWERY TOURS FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS Health System. BREWERY TOURS TASTING ROOM HOURS Fri 5:00 and 6:00, Sat 1:00-4:00 Tues-Thurs 4:00-8:00, Fri 3:00-10:00 1520 Clinic Court, La Crosse, WI 54601 Sat Noon-7:00, Sun 11:00-4:00 608.793.0200 www.gundersenhotel.com DOWNLOAD THE PEARL STREET BREWERY APP TODAY!

wigrr.com | 23 94 Belle Vinez Winery River Falls Prescott 65 Northern Gateway

GRR Visitor Hastings Interpretive Center, Freedom Park Ellsworth Wisconsin Pierce County - Northern Route - Diamond Bluff 10 Following The Mississippi River Eau Claire

60 miles to Hager City Minneapolis/ St. Paul Wisconsin Great River Road

Bay City National Scenic Byway 94 Barn Bluff N

Red WingCovill Park Mississippi River Lake Pepin W E Maiden Rock Frontenac Durand State S Park Pepin County Maiden Rock Frontenac 10 Stockholm Hok Si La Park Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery Mondovi Lake City Villa Bellezza Vineyard 37 Mississippi River Lake Pepin Osseo 37 miles to Rochester Pepin Tiffany ChippewaBottoms River Wildlife Upper Mississippi Area Camp Lacupolis River National Wildife and Fish Refuge Nelson Buffalo County Reads 35 37 C Landing M 88 94 Buena Vista Overlook Y 60 Wings Over Alma Visitor Center 93 CM Wabasha

MY Lock & DamAlma #4

CY Kellogg E 61 CMY 42 Danzinger Vineyards & Winery

K E 41 miles to Waumandee Rochester 55 miles to Buffalo City La Crosse (I-90) Cochrane 14 O 88 Arcadia 74 61 Merrick State 35 95 Minneiska Park Trempealeau County Fountain 93 25 Lock & Dam #5a Minnesota John Latsch State Park City Seven Hawks Vineyards 35 Galesville 53 Map Key Centerville 53 93 54 35 54 Van Loon State Public Hunting Bridge Ski Area Winona Grounds 35 93 Elmaro 14 Trempealeau National Vineyards LaCrosse 61 53 Full Service Wildlife Refuge Perrot Garvin Heights 14 State Park County Museum 61 Marina 14 Trempealeau 43 Lock & Dam #6 35 Historic Site Holmen Pickwick 3 Scenic Vista Midway Railroad Prairie State 7 Great River Natural Area Golf Course Bluffs State Park Midway Park 90 Travel Center 53 Visitor/ 61 14 Winery Interpretive Lock & Dam #7 90 Center 90 62 miles to Marquette OnalaskaCentral Gateway 53 La Crosse AppleLaCrescent Blossom Drive 35 Hixon Forest

33 61 94 90 CampbellHixon Belle Vinez Winery 53 35 La Crosse County 62 miles to Forest Grandad Bluff Marquette 33 River Falls Central Gateway Prescott 65 Northern Gateway Apple Blossom Drive 33 27 DnA 61 La Crosse 82 Vintners 14 GRR Visitor 35 Hastings Interpretive Center, LaCrescent Riverside Museum Interpretive Center Freedom Park Wisconsin 61 La Crosse Area Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center 90 Ellsworth Explore La Crosse Visitor Center 16 33 - Northern Route - Ontario Wildcat 10 Pierce County 35 27 Mountain Diamond Bluff Following The Mississippi River State Park Hillsboro Eau Claire 26 14 Kickapoo Valley 60 miles to Hager City Westby Reserve State Minneapolis/ Wisconsin Great River Road Branches Winery Natural Area St. Paul Stoddard 131 Mississippi River 162 Bay City National Scenic Byway 94 Brownsville Barn Bluff N LaFarge 82 Old Settlers Overlook Red WingCovill Park Mississippi River Lake Pepin Bergen Bluff Viroqua Wisconsin W E State Natural Area Vernon Vineyards - Southern Route - Maiden Rock 26 35 131 Frontenac Durand Minnesota State S Following The Mississippi River Park Pepin County 56 Vernon County 14 Maiden Rock 10 Lock & Dam #8 Frontenac GenoaGenoa National Fish Hatchery Readstown Stockholm 14 Wisconsin Great River Road Hok Si La Park Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery 82 Mondovi Jefferson Victory National Scenic Byway New Albin Big Lake City Villa Bellezza Vineyard 37 Lake Wildlife Battle Bluff Prairie Mississippi River Management Area State Natural Area Soldiers Grove Lake Pepin Osseo New Albin 37 miles to 27 61 Rochester Pepin Tiffany Kains Lake Wildlife/ 35 Bottoms B Chippewa River Blackhawk Point C Wildlife Management Area 26 De Soto Upper Mississippi Area Rush Creek Camp Lacupolis River National Wildife State Natural Area and Fish Refuge Fish Farms Mounds Ferryville Sugar Creek Buffalo County Management Area Winery Nelson Lansing Wildlife River View Overlook Sugar Creek Bluff Reads 35 37 Management Area State Natural Area C C Gays Mills 35 171 Landing 9 M M 88 94 52 Buena Vista Overlook Lansing Mt Sterling Y Y 60 Wings Over Alma Visitor Center Lock & Dam #9 Crawford County 93 42 CM Wabasha CM Lynxville

MY MY Lock & DamAlma #4

CY Kellogg E CY Winona County 52 61 CMY 42 Danzinger Vineyards & Winery CMY Harpers K E K 41 miles to Waumandee 179 Eastman Rochester Ferry 55 miles to Buffalo City La Crosse (I-90) Cochrane Weggy 14 O 88 Winery OO Arcadia Yellow River 27 State Forest 74 35 Fort Crawford Museum & Villa Louis 61 Merrick State 35 95 Interpretive Centers Muscoda Minneiska Park 76 Prairie du Chien Regional Tourism Center 60 Trempealeau County 76 93 Iowa 25 Fountain Lock & Dam #5a Effigy Mounds 60 Houston County Minnesota John Latsch National Monument State Park City Whispering Winds 27 Prairie Winery HighlandSpurgeon Vineyards Seven Hawks Vineyards du Chien 1 Winery 35 Galesville 53 Fennimore Map Key Centerville 53 Marquette 93 54 Map Key 18 Wisconsin River 35 54 Van Loon State Winona Public Hunting Wyalusing 18 61 Bridge Ski Area Grounds State Park 35 93 Bridge Ski Area Grant County Platteville Travel Elmaro X 14 Trempealeau Wisconsin Welcome National Vineyards LaCrosse 61 53 Center Full Service Wildlife Refuge Perrot Garvin Heights 14 State Park County Full Service Wyalusing 61 35 Marina Museum 14 Marina Museum Lancaster Trempealeau 52 35 43 Lock & Dam #6 Bagley 35 A VV Historic Site Holmen Historic Site 81 Platteville Pickwick 3 35 Scenic Vista Midway Railroad Scenic Vista Upper Mississippi Glen Haven Prairie State River National Wildife Nelson Dewey and Fish Refuge Golf Course 7 Great River Natural Area State Park Whispering Bluffs Bluffs State Park Golf Course Stonefield - Cassville Winery 61 Midway Interpretive Center Park 90 53 Park Travel Center Travel Center Potosi 61 Visitor/ Visitor/ CassvilleCassville Car Ferry Potosi Brewery Museum Tennyson 14 90 Interpretive Center Winery Interpretive Lock & Dam #7 Winery Interpretive 133 Center 90 Center Millville Dickeyville 62 miles to Sinnipee Valley Marquette Onalaska Vineyard & Winery 35 Central Gateway 52 53 La Crosse AppleLaCrescent Blossom Drive 35 Hixon KielerSouthern Forest Dubuque Gateway 33 61 The Only Storytelling Festival in the Tri-State Area

July 19 & 20, 2019 Pump House Regional Arts Center La Crosse, Wi Friday: Tales of the Creepy & Scary Saturday: Kid’s Area, Adult Story Cabaret lacrosse storytelling festival www.lacrossestoryfest.com F u n F o r A l l A g e s

Photo courtesy: Explore La Crosse.

26 | wigrr.com Great River Road Itinerary

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4

DAY 5

Great River Road: DAY 1 Start your adventure in Prescott at the Great River Road Visitor Center. Then follow the Mississippi River south to Stockholm, known for its boutique shops, beautiful gardens and wonderful cafés. Browse the galleries and pay a visit to Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery. Continue the journey south to Pepin, home of “Little House” author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum Great River Road: DAY 4 or take a sail on Lake Pepin for fantastic views of the area. Enjoy the scenic views as you pass through numerous Spend the night at one of the region’s many bed and historic communities when you drive from La Crosse to breakfasts. Prairie du Chien, one of Wisconsin’s prettiest river towns. Prescott to Stockholm: 38 miles (61 km) Experience Victorian life when you tour Villa Louis, a restored 1870s mansion that once belonged to one of Great River Road: DAY 2 Wisconsin’s most prosperous families. Afterwards, hike Start the day in Alma and rent a houseboat for overnight the trails at Wyalusing State Park. Stay the night in Prairie accommodations. Experience the beauty and serenity du Chien. of the Mississippi River Valley aboard a floating lodge at La Crosse to Prairie du Chien: 60 miles (95 km) Alma Marina. Visit Lock & Dam #5, a structure that features an unusually long earth embankment that runs more than Great River Road: DAY 5 18,000 feet. Fish or swim at the many sandy beaches Drive south to make your way back through the state. between Alma and La Crosse. Spend the night on your Hop on the Car Ferry. Tour the Stonefield Historic Site, the houseboat and watch the sun set over the river. home of Wisconsin’s first governor, in Cassville. Eat dinner Stockholm to Alma: 20 miles (30 km) and take a tour of the National Brewery Museum in Potosi. A popular attraction is the Dickeyville Grotto, a unique Great River Road: DAY 3 series of religious grotto sand shrines. Also visit Sinsinawa Drive to La Crosse. Cruise the Mississippi River aboard the Mound, which houses a retreat center, bookshop, Father La Crosse Queen, a paddlewheel boat. After your cruise, Mazzuchelli exhibit, art gallery and sustainable farm. Head explore the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge or rent to Platteville to climb the world’s largest “M” and stop at bikes in Onalaska and pedal along the Great River State the Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, where friendly staff Bike Trail. Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a will help you with all of your travel plans. Spend the night shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Spend the night in in one of Platteville’s four hotels. La Crosse. Prairie du Chien to Platteville: 50 miles (80 km) Alma to La Crosse: 55 miles (90 km)

wigrr.com | 27 VERNON COUNTY VISITOR INFORMATION VERNON COUNTY TOURISM Victory, Genoa, Stoddard is served by Driftless Wisconsin Phone: 608-326-6658 Website: www.driftlesswisconsin.com HISTORIC RIVER TOWNS & VILLAGES HISTORICAL SITES VICTORY has always been an important point for the buying and shipment of Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, Coon Valley grain with its convenient location on the Mississippi River. It had three warehouses, Goose Island National one of which is built of stone. In years gone by 100,000 bushels of wheat passed Archaeological Site, Stoddard through each year. It was built by the farmers and called the “Farmers Stock Dams on the Mississippi State Warehouse.” Victory was established in 1854 and was named to commemorate Historical Marker, Genoa the Battle of Bad Axe just south of town. Battle of Bad Axe State Historical Marker, De Soto GENOA lies on the banks of the Mississippi River at the base of tall bluffs. Three Chimneys, Viroqua This beautiful, quiet village offers tranquil vistas and unique points of interest Hanson Petroglyphs, Viola (restricted) to visitors who like to get off the beaten path and into river village escapes. Larson Cave Petroglyphs, Westby Founded in 1854 by Italian immigrants, named after Genoa, Italy. From the village (restricted) of Genoa you can watch towboats and barges “lock through” Lock and Dam #8. Tollackson Mound Group, Harmony (restricted) Fish from the Clements Fishing Barge. Genoa National Fish Hatchery offers tours Vernon County Museum, Viroqua throughout the year. PARKS, REFUGES & STODDARD is a charming village of 800 that became a river town in 1937 when NATURAL AREAS the pool created by the construction of Lock and Dam #8 flooded 18,000 acres Upper Mississippi River National of bottomland and brought the river to its doorstep. Stoddard offers two parks- Wildlife & Fish Refuge one directly on the Great River Road, and the Riverpark, with a beach and two Blackhawk County Park, De Soto boat launches, along the Mississippi River. Mt. Pisgah Hemlock-Hardwoods State Natural Area GENOA NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY Battle Bluff Prairie State Natural Area Genoa National Fish Hatchery rears 23 species of fish including trout, northern Coon Creek Cliffs State Natural Area pike, and walleye. Guided and self-guided tours are offered. The area has 17 open- Kickapoo Valley Reserve State Natural Area air ponds and 6 raceways. Because of its location at the confluence of the Bad Axe Bergen Bluffs State Natural Area and Mississippi Rivers, the La Crosse Chapter of the Audubon Society ranks the Romance Prairie State Natural Area hatchery as a top location for bird watching. On a walk Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area among the rearing ponds, backwaters and sloughs Hillsboro State Trail, Hillsboro you might see Great Egrets, Solitary Sandpipers, Coon Prairie Trail, Viroqua & Westby Green Herons, resident Bald Eagles, and Pileated and Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario Red-headed Woodpeckers. RIVERS The Genoa Great River Road Interpretive Center was completed and dedicated Mississippi River in June of 2018. This brand new facility hosts summaries of the area’s history, Bad Axe River + North & South Forks wildlife, and Native American heritage through many vivid displays. Directly on Kickapoo River + West Fork the Wisconsin Great River Road, the new Interpretive Center sits in the heart of Little Baraboo River Vernon County. Come and enjoy the beautiful views of the Mississippi River as POINTS OF INTEREST you absorb the stories that surround it! Lock and Dam #8, Genoa Clements Fishing Barge, Genoa TAKE A SIDE TRIP TO: Hillsboro, Viroqua, Westby Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa

28 | wigrr.com VISITOR INFORMATION CRAWFORD COUNTY DRIFTLESS WISCONSIN, Prairie du Chien, Lynxville, CRAWFORD CO. TOURISM COUNCIL Phone: 608-326-6658 Ferryville, De Soto Website: www.driftlesswisconsin.com PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURISM COUNCIL HISTORIC RIVER TOWNS & VILLAGES 211 South Main Street Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 53821 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN is located just above the confluence of the Phone: 800-732-1673 Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, and is the oldest European settlement Email: [email protected] on the Upper Mississippi River. Many epic frontier stories were played Website: www.prairieduchien.org out in Prairie du Chien and their history dates back to the 17th century PRAIRIE DU CHIEN TRAVEL WI with many sites preserved and open to visitors. Fort Crawford Museum WELCOME CENTER stands on the site of the old fort. Villa Louis, the historic Dousman 211 South Main Street home, attracts thousands of visitors each year and is open May through Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 October. St. Feriole Island, where Villa Louis is located, has a number of Phone: 608-326-2241 historic sites. The Villa Louis grounds are the site of the Battle of Prairie FERRYVILLE TOURISM COUNCIL du Chien, the only battle fought in Wisconsin during the War of 1812. P.O. Box 236, Ferryville, WI 54628 Re-enactments are held every year in July. Phone: 608-734-9077 Website: www.visitferryville.com LYNXVILLE is just north of Lock & Dam #9, one of the wildest and most HISTORICAL SITES beautiful stretches of the Mississippi River. During the fall and spring, Prairie du Chien the large pool you see along this stretch is a stopping place for millions Villa Louis, National & State Historical Site & of waterfowl, especially canvasback ducks, swans, white pelicans and Marker; Fort Crawford Museum, National & beavers. State Historical Site & Marker; War of 1812 State Historical Marker, Villa Louis; St. Feriole Island; FERRYVILLE, at the base of bluffs rising almost 600 feet above the Dousman House Hotel, National Historical Landmark; 1800s Jail; Fort Crawford Military Mississippi, is known for hunting, fishing and water sports—A Place For Cemetery; Old French Cemetery (1817) All Seasons. Home of former Governor Patrick J. Lucey. An observation Riverview Park and Historical Marker, Ferryville deck offers a beautiful view across Lake Winneshiek, a widened area of Foley Mound Group National the Mississippi River formed by Lock & Dam #9 in Lynxville. A Wisconsin Archaeological Site, Lynxville (restricted) Bird City Community. Governor Lucey Highway Historical Marker, Ferryville DE SOTO is a small village on the banks of the Mississippi River, originally Tainter Cave Petroglyphs, Clayton part of the Northwest Territory that was the home of the Winnebago (restricted) Indians. From 1820 to 1854, it was known as Winneshiek Landing. The Wall-Smethurst Mound Group, Lynxville name was later changed to De Soto after Hernando De Soto, who (restricted) discovered the Mississippi River. It became a center for grain and lumber PARKS, REFUGES & NATURAL AREAS to be shipped on the river. A Wisconsin Bird City Community. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge POINTS OF INTEREST Blackhawk Park, De Soto Mississippi River (Lake Winneshiek) Observation Deck, Ferryville La Riviere Park, Prairie du Chien Lock and Dam #9, Lynxville St. Feriole Island, Prairie du Chien Villa Louis, Prairie du Chien Lawler Park, Walk of History, Fort Crawford Museum, Prairie du Chien Prairie du Chien Hubbard’s Fishing Float, Lynxville Hogback Prairies State Natural Area Mississippi River Sculpture Park, Prairie du Chien TAKE A SIDE Kickapoo Wild Woods State Natural Area Mississippi River Bridge to Marquette, IA TRIP TO Limery Ridge Savanna State Natural Area Mississippi River Bridge to Lansing, IA Gays Mills, Soldiers Rush Creek State Natural Area RIVERS Grove, Wauzeka, Sugar Creek Bluffs State Natural Area Mississippi River • Kickapoo River Seneca & Mt. Sterling Sugar Creek Park, Ferryville Wisconsin River Wauzeka Bottoms State Natural Area

wigrr.com | 29 ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ON WISCONSIN’S GREAT RIVER ROAD HIGHWAY 35

SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN PrairieTOUREnter THE the World of Victorian America du ChienPrairie Dog FULLYVilla RESTORED Louis Blues Festival VICTORIAN MANSION A meticulously AT VILLA LOUIS restored Victorian HISTORIC SITE. country estate located erile land, Unique Shops & Dining, Prairie du Chien on the banks of the 2 ae 12 and Mississippi River. Historic Sites, Order ie Campin 608-326-2721 www.villalouis.org608.326.2721 | 888-567-1567 Owned & Operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society Events & Festivals, www.prairiedogblues.com Unique Shops, Villa Louis MississippiA Black River Hawk Site Carriage Dining & Lodging, State Parks, Boat Tours Classic Open Boarding for General Public Sept.Sept. 6-7-8 6-8 National Monument, MayOpen - October Daily Boating, Fishing, May-October Fort CrawfordBook Online: Maiden Voyage ToursMaidenVoyageTours.com Hiking & Outdoor MuseumPrivate 608-326-6960 or Call 563.880.8970 Charters Available717 S. Beaumont Rd., Prairie du Chien .el. Adventures Galore! Nominatedwww.fortcrawfordmuseum.com Iowa Toursim Attraction of the Year!

www.shihataorchard.com Open Daily 9 am-5 pm The ThPickette Pickett Fence Fence Mid August to Late Fall Quilt ShopQuiltTh • CandyShope • Store PickettCandy Store Fence

adno=487281-01 • APPLES (Fresh Picked or U-Pick) 4,000+ bolts4,000+ of fabric bolts of• 60+ fabricQuilt Bulk •Shop Candies60+ Bulk • Candy Candies Storeadno=487281-01

The Pickett Fence adno=487281-01 • The Bakery Barn - Th-Fr 9-5 100ThQuilt W. Blackhawk eShop100 Pickett W. • Blackhawk Candy 4,000+Ave., Prairie Storebolts Av Fencee. du, Prairieof Chien, fabric du W I•Chien, 60+ BulkWI Candies (Assorted Bakery & Cider Donuts) 4,000+ boltsQuilt www.fencepostfabrics.comof fabric Shopwww.fencepostfabrics.com100 • • 60+ CandyW. BlackhawkBulk StoreCandies Ave.adno=487281-01 , Prairie du Chien, WI • Country Fun Park Hours: Mon.-Sat. 608-326-459310 am-6 pm 100 W. 4,000+BlackhawkMon.-Fri. bolts Mon.-Fri. 10-5:30;Avof fabrice., Prairie Sat.10-5:30; • 60+ 10-5;www.fencepostfabrics.com du Bulk Sat.Sun.Chien, Candies10-5; 12-4 W Sun.I 12-4adno=487281-01 • Pumpkin Patch Sun. 10 am-5 pm 608-326-4593100 W. Blackhawk Ave., Prairie du Chien, WI 1 mile N. of Cabelas on Hwy. 35 www.fencepostfabrics.comMon.-Fri. 10-5:30; Sat. 10-5; Sun. 12-4 then right on Limery Road, 608-326-4593www.fencepostfabrics.com Mon.-Fri. 10-5:30; Sat. 10-5; Sun. 12-4 608-326-4593 Mon.-Fri. 10-5:30; Sat. 10-5; Sun. 12-4 608-326-2785 • Prairie du Chien 608-326-4593 Annual Orchardfest Open House Ot. 1 & 2

Enter the World of Victorian America 608-326-7777 22nd Annual Your Party MississippiPrairie River Dog Villa Louis Open Daily Starts Here! 9:00am Blues Festival A meticulously Liquor • Beer • Wine • Cheese restored Victorian JulyBoat 26Open & 27,Boarding Tours 2019 for General Public www.countryinns.com/prairieduchienwi country estate located erile land, Prairie du ChienMay - October 608-326-5700 on the banks of the Unique Shops & Dining, (800-456-8000) Liquor• Fresh Cheese • Beer Curds • on Wine Fridays • Cheese 2 ae 12 and Book Online: • Free high-speed internet Mississippi River. • Walk-inWalk-in beer Beer & wine & Wine caves Caves608-326-7777 Maiden VoyageOrder ieTours Campin • Pool & Whirlpool Huge Wine• Huge Selection wine selection & Variety & variety of Cheesesof cheeses MaidenVoyageTours.com • Complimentary, hot breakfast Private 888-567-1567 • Club Carlson Hotel Rewards Program 608-326-2721 www.villalouis.org Bulk Spices • Fresh Cheese Curds on Fridays Charters Available or Call 563.880.8970 Owned & Operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society 3746137461 Hwy Hwy18, Prairie 18, Prairie du Chien du Chien Nominatedwww.prairiedogblues.com Iowa Toursim Attraction of the Year! 1801 CABELA’S LANE, PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI 53821

Villa Louis A Black Hawk Site 1-00-72-17 Your Source for Tourism Information: Carriage 30 | wigrr.com Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center Classic 211 Sept. 6-8 Open Daily Fort Crawford May-October Museum 608-326-6960 717 S. Beaumont Rd., Prairie du Chien .el. www.fortcrawfordmuseum.com

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Your Party Mississippi River Starts Here!

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1-00-72-17 Your Source for Tourism Information: Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center 211 ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ON WISCONSIN’S GREAT RIVER ROAD VERNON COUNTY HIGHWAY 35 Welcome to Ferryville Relax and unwind in Ferryville, a small community with world-class scenery, natural beauty, and lots of recreational opportunities: • Fishing • Boating SOUTHWEST • Camping WISCONSIN • Sightseeing PrairieTOUREnter THE the World of Victorian America du ChienPrairie Dog • Hunting FULLYVilla RESTORED Louis Blues Festival • Shopping VICTORIAN MANSION A meticulously • Lodging AT VILLA LOUIS restored Victorian • Bird Watching HISTORIC SITE. country estate located erile land, Unique Shops & Dining, Prairie du Chien on the banks of the 2 ae 12 and • Train Watching Mississippi River. Historic Sites, Order ie Campin • Farmer’s Market 608-326-2721 www.villalouis.org608.326.2721 | 888-567-1567 Owned & Operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society Events & Festivals, www.prairiedogblues.com facebook.com/ Unique Shops, ferryvillewi Villa Louis MississippiA Black River Hawk Site Carriage Dining & Lodging, www.visitferryville.com State Parks, Boat Tours Photo courtesy: Explore La Crosse. Classic Open Boarding for General Public Sept.Sept. 6-7-8 6-8 National Monument, MayOpen - October Daily Boating, Fishing, May-October Fort CrawfordBook Online: Maiden Voyage ToursMaidenVoyageTours.com Hiking & Outdoor MuseumPrivate 608-326-6960 or Call 563.880.8970 Charters Available717 S. Beaumont Rd., Prairie du Chien .el. Adventures Galore! Nominatedwww.fortcrawfordmuseum.com Iowa Toursim Attraction of the Year! OF WISCONSIN www.shihataorchard.com Open Daily 9 am-5 pm The ThPickette Pickett Fence Fence Mid August to Late Fall Quilt ShopQuiltTh • CandyShope • Store PickettCandy Store Fence NO ADDED SULFITES

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Villa Louis A Black Hawk Site 1-00-72-17 Your Source for Tourism Information: Carriage Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center VISIT TODAY! Follow the Great River Road to County Road C, 3 miles, then right onto Chellwigrr.comevold Road | 31 Classic 211 Sept. 6-8 Open Daily Fort Crawford May-October Museum 608-326-6960 717 S. Beaumont Rd., Prairie du Chien .el. www.fortcrawfordmuseum.com

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32 | wigrr.com Get your FREE

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wigrr.com | 33 water skiing photo by Randy Swiggum Boating and Paddling Photo courtesy: Travel Wisconsin.

oat launches are available in nearly every riverside Bcommunity along the Wisconsin Great River Road. The entire river along Wisconsin’s western border is a veritable boating playground. Broad pools, winding channels and extensive backwaters offer hundreds of thousands of acres of open water to explore. Whether you’re paddling, sailing or power boating, the Mississippi River is an incredible boating experience.

Here are some of the top boating opportunities along the Wisconsin Great River Road: Lake Pepin More than 25,000 acres of open water awaits you on Lake Pepin. This natural lake was formed by a natural sandbar created where the Chippewa River spills into the Mississippi. The result is one of the best places on earth for sailing and boating. Waterskiing was invented on this big body of water. Numerous marinas and boat launches can be found along its shores. Lake Onalaska At 7,700 acres, Lake Onalaska offers boaters lots of room to explore. The lake is famous not only as a boating and paddling destination—it’s also known as the “Sunfish Capital of the World.” Backwater areas and quiet sloughs are perfect for canoeing and kayaking, especially the Lake Onalaska Canoe Trail, a marked trail down the Black River to Lake Onalaska. Lake Winneshiek (Pool #9) This wild and undeveloped stretch near Lynxville and Ferryville offers thousands of acres of open water just waiting to be explored with a canoe or kayak. At the northern and southern ends of the pool, the river splits into numerous channels. Boat launches are located along the eastern shore, allowing easy access to this pristine section of the Mississippi River.

34 | wigrr.com Best Places to Fish For a real Mississippi River Experience, TROUT STREAMS try these floats and barges. With over 460 trout streams classified by the GREAT ALMA FISHING FLOAT Wisconsin DNR, this region boasts many Alma, Wisconsin in Buffalo County opportunities for trout fishing. These streams Located below Lock & Dam #4 can be found in any of the eight Wisconsin www.almafishingfloat.com counties that border the Mississippi River.

TREMPLO FISHING BARGE Trout stream classifications and maps are Trempealeau, WI in Trempealeau County available at: www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/ Located below Lock & Dam #6 trout/streammaps www.tremplofishing.com Leaders in Organizing BEST DAM FISHING FLOAT Watershed Restoration Dresbach, Minnesota near La Crosse, WI Across the Driftless Area Located below Lock & Dam #7 www.bestdamfishingfloat.com CLEMENTS FISHING BARGE Genoa, Wisconsin in Vernon County Located below Lock & Dam #8 www.clementsfishing.com HUBBARD’S FISHING FLOAT Photo courtesy: Travel Wisconsin. Lynxville, Wisconsin in Crawford County Located below Lock & Dam #9 www.hubbardsfishingfloat.com

Photo courtesy: Explore La Crosse.

wigrr.com | 35 Eagle Viewing By Anastasia Penchi

t’s been the national symbol for the United States since Alma spreads onto a bluff. The center boasts both a 30- I1782 when our newly formed country needed a national foot viewing outdoor deck and interior viewing area, which seal. is especially good for those with limited mobility. It’s also nice for those who prefer to do their eagle watching in Despite declines, bald eagles have had a remarkable temperature-controlled environments. comeback in states like Wisconsin, where they soar majestically over the Mississippi River. Spot eagles from your car See eagles at ground level The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce and Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center advises visitors who Overlooking Lake Onalaska is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife want to see eagles to stay in their vehicles. Apparently, Service Visitor Center, located within the Upper Mississippi eagles are used to these motorized bird blinds nowadays. River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (the migration Take a spotting scope and get comfy. Research eagle nest flyway above the Mississippi River accessible in four states). locations and feeding areas before you go by studying the More than 300 pairs of bald eagles nest the refuge and can tips on the chamber’s website. You can also learn more be seen year-round: Mates renew their bond November about them during Bald Eagle Appreciation Days, which is until March with aerial displays; they teach young ones held every February. to hunt from March to October; and open water fish from November to March. The Onalaska Visitor Center is unique Eagles have homes, too because it has two miles of paved and packed gravel trails An abundance of top quality wetland habitat is what makes and a River Walk exhibit that allows you to “walk on water” the observatory at River View Park in Ferryville an eagle- within the refuge. Take a look at what lies beneath the river spotting hub. Cold morning air warms and lifts, and eagles surface – you might see something eagles like to eat. take advantage, soaring amid the nearby bluffs. The Annual Watch eagles in comfort Bald Eagle Watching Day takes place in March. There are numerous activities during the event including a live eagle Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center celebrates nature program and local youth are asked to submit eagle-related and art, while also promoting ethics in the environment. It art projects. is perched within the same refuge mentioned above, but you can see things from a higher location as the City of Photo courtesy: Explore La Crosse. La Explore courtesy: Photo

36 | wigrr.com Mississippi Flyway

Upper Mississippi River National Canoe Trails Wildlife & Fish Refuge Marked canoe trails wind through the marshes and An abundance of top-quality wetland habitats and two backwater areas of the Refuge. Canoe areas provide quiet, National Refuges make this the perfect destination for peaceful areas to paddle a canoe or kayak. Explore your those wanting to observe spring and fall waterfowl National Wildlife Refuge by water. migrations. Over 40% of North America’s ducks, geese, Environmental Education swans and other waterfowl use the Mississippi River flyway The Refuge’s environmental education program focuses during their migration. on increasing understanding of the Refuge. The programs Over 300 species of birds have been spotted along the strive to inspire a life-long connection to nature, encourage Wisconsin Great River Road. The area is famous for bald active stewardship and foster future conservationists. eagles, which can be seen throughout the year, but are Contact Refuge staff for more information on environmental particularly plentiful during the winter months. Tundra education opportunities. swans, sandhill cranes and white pelicans flock at various points in the Refuges visible from Wisconsin’s Great River Wildlife Photography Road in the spring and fall. Wildlife on the refuge are waiting to be captured by photographers. Patience and time allow photographers to Visitor Centers capture the wildlife of the skies and forests. Good luck on Onalaska, Wisconsin is home to a Visitor Center with your photographic journey. exhibits and walking paths through the prairie. Special programs are offered throughout the year. Exploring the Mississippi River The entire Great River Road borders the river Refuge. Wildlife Viewing You can find your adventure on the Refuge by exploring There are observation decks, pull-offs, and canoe and the Great River Road. bike trails to help you observe the natural wonders of For more information: www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_ the Refuge. Although boating provides the most intimate Mississippi_River or call 608-779-2392 look at this river system, many visitors enjoy viewing the Refuge’s wild and scenic beauty from bluff top overlooks in state and local parks bordering the Refuge. The Refuge and its wildlife mark time by the ancient rhythms of spring, summer, fall and winter. Fishing The Refuge is an anglers’ paradise, and is known for walleye, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. There are year-round fishing opportunities including many ice fishing locations. Fishing is allowed in accordance with state and federal regulations.

wigrr.com | 37 Bicycling on the Wisconsin Great River Road

By Anastasia Penchi

Bicycling does a lot more than just provide exercise. little towns and witnessing the splendor of the bluffs at a slower pace. Some spots of the road are more desirable Studies show it helps you sleep better, look better, than others due to road width and traffic, but all it takes increases your brain power and makes you live longer. In is a little planning. A 38-mile stretch from Nelson to Hager many areas, it even gets you to your destination faster. City on the north end hits several cute river towns with There are plenty of ways to enjoy two wheels along neat mom-and-pop businesses. A southern stretch from Wisconsin’s Great River Road, the 250 miles of Highway Lynxville to Genoa features a trip through Ferrryville, a 35, which runs adjacent to the Mississippi River from Kieler, community built on a ledge between the Mississippi River Wis., in the south, to Prescott in northern Wisconsin. and the bluffs that may be the longest one-street village No matter your biking style, one of these locations is likely in the world. to fit the bill: Serious mountain bikers wanted Bike on trails Want a spot where mountain biking trails are rated easy, The Great River State Trail has a finely crushed limestone intermediate and difficult? Hixon Forest in La Crosse surface and follows an abandoned railroad line, which has 800 acres of bluff land and wildlife, and some of its means it is easy for the whole family to bike together bike trails get pretty steep. Hixon Forest hosted the 8th safely. This 24-mile trail travels from La Crosse to Onalaska event in the Wisconsin Off-Road Series racing in 2018, to Trempealeau and beyond. Note the wildflowers as and promoters promised “thrilling challenges through you bike through the prairies and the wildlife living in rock gardens, root tangles and punchy climbs with fast the backwaters of the Mississippi River Valley. This trail descents.” Especially appealing is the fact you can ride the is particularly notable because it is inside the Mississippi trails from Hixon Forest through the La Crosse River Marsh River migratory bird flyway; passes through two national to get to hotels in downtown La Crosse. Make it a weekend wildlife refuges; and is part of the state trail system that of nonstop biking. Park your car at the hotel on Friday and connects all the way to Reedsburg, Wis. leave it until it’s time to go home Sunday. Mountain biking beauty Those mountain bikers wanting a more rugged adventure should hit the rolling hills of Wyalusing State Park in Bagley, Wis. It has trails totaling 7 miles that are classified as easy to intermediate so they are perfect for beginners and families. Some describe the Mississippi Ridge Trail as challenging, but it’s hard to resist a 1.8 mile ride along the bluff that ends with such a picturesque view of the Mississippi River. Besides, after the ride, there are other fabulous sites to explore on foot including a small limestone cavern called Treasure Cave and some waterfalls. It’s a favorite state park for many campers, so why not make it a weekend? Road bikers rejoice The Great River Road isn’t just for cars. Road biking is Photo courtesy: Travel Wisconsin. especially popular with those who like exploring quaint

38 | wigrr.com Photo courtesy: Travel Wisconsin. Travel courtesy: Photo

Exceptional Eateries

By Anastasia Penchi

Upscale but not stuffy The female chefs of the North Lovechild in La Crosse is a 100-seat restaurant described The Chef Shack in Bay City is the creation of Lisa Carlson as “big city fine dining in a small town.” Artsy décor (nominated for James Beard Foundation awards in 2017 and velvet seating helps create a romantic ambiance at and 2018) and Carrie Summer (a NYC trained pastry chef this downtown gem. Food is locally sourced and driven who also grows half the business’ produce and herbs). by the seasons. Patrons rave about the roasted chicken They started their Chef Shack journey with a food truck thighs finished with jalapenos, thyme, garlic and toasted and a mission to take organic street food to the masses of croutons; as well as the ravioli, which features braised beef, Minneapolis at an affordable price. The Bay City restaurant fresh sauce, pecorino and butter. Finish your meal with is only open on weekends, but the rustic French cooking Portuguese cinnamon-sugar doughnuts and lemon curd. is worth the trip. The menu changes regularly, but diners Glasses of wine are $5 during happy hour. And remember rave about the veggie hash, pulled pork and duck. The key, those James Beard Foundation awards? Chef and co- patrons say, is to make reservations and go early in the owner Jay Sparks was a semi-finalist in 2018. evening. And don’t be put off by the rather nondescript building – the inside may surprise you. Rustic charm near the Mississippi River The Barn in Prairie du Chien is a restaurant that is located Elegant dining with a view inside an actual old barn. It is very big and seems to go on Harbor View Café in Pepin offers beautiful sunsets forever, and its nooks and crannies are filled with antiques. overlooking the marina on Lake Pepin in addition to Locally caught Mississippi catfish is on the menu, but the homemade soups and breads, and show-stopping place is probably best known for its Friday night all-you- desserts. Its menu is always changing, so it is written can-eat cod special, which comes with unlimited salad bar. on a chalk board above the bar. Patrons especially love Diners also rave about the beer battered cheese curds, the fish dishes, whether it’s swordfish on a bed of kale, broasted chicken and its classic Saturday night supper salmon poached in vermouth with leeks and ginger or club special: Queen and king cuts of prime rib. A separate halibut in brown butter sauce. Just make sure to go early pizza menu also features a wild mushroom pizza with fresh to get a table. Look for the sky blue building with classic crimini, shiitake, oyster and portobello mushrooms. Adirondack chairs out front. This business is seasonal and closes for the winter – so don’t wait.

wigrr.com | 39 Wine Tasting Adventures Take time to “wine” down at these unique wineries

Visit 15 vineyards and wineries in the southern and northern regions • “Vine To Bottle” wines • locally grown grapes • locally produced wines & several estate wines • many award winning wineries

2017 Winery of the Year B ELMARO VINEYARD Photo courtesy: Megan Kirking, Explore La Crosse. Northern Wine Southern Wine Tasting Adventure Tasting Adventure North of La Crosse, Wisconsin, the WIGRR South of La Crosse, Wisconsin, the WIGRR Northern Wine Tasting Adventure stretches Southern Wine Tasting Adventure stretches from River Falls, Wisconsin down to Trempealeau, from Westby, Wisconsin to Kieler, Wisconsin. Wisconsin. The route includes the following The route includes the following: vineyards: Branches Winery Belle Vinez 8. Old Line Road, Westby W10829 875th Ave., River Falls 1. Vernon Vineyards Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery 9. S3426 Peterson Lane, Viroqua W12266 King Lane, Stockholm 2. Sugar Creek Winery Villa Bellezza 10. 13418 Chellevold Road, Ferryville 1420 3rd Street, Pepin 3. Spurgeon Vineyards & Winery Danzinger Vineyards & Winery 11. 16008 Pine Tree Road, Highland S2015 Grapeview Lane, Alma 4. Whispering Winds Winery Seven Hawks Vineyards 12. 13541 Blue School Road, Fennimore 17 North Street, Fountain City 5. Whispering Bluffs Winery Elmaro Vineyard 13. 196 S Main Street, Potosi N14756 Delaney Road, Trempealeau 6. Sinnipee Valley Vineyard & Winery DnA Vintners 14. 4547 Timber Lane, Cuba City/Kieler 1229 Caledonia St., La Crosse 7. Weggy Winery 15. 30940 Oakridge Dr., Muscoda / View the maps on pages 24-25 for winery locations.

40 | wigrr.com Cheese: A Wisconsin Staple

By Anastasia Penchi

It is central to the core of great place to purchase edible Wisconsin souvenirs that Wisconsin’s identity. can be mailed in those white boxes plastered in black and We eat it with crackers and summer sausage while watching white dairy cows, this shop celebrates locally-produced Green Bay Packer games. We order it everywhere battered goods. Besides, they also sell ice cream. Who doesn’t love and deep fried and chase it with our favorite pilsner-based eating ice cream cones while shopping for some of the beverage. best cheeses Wisconsin has to offer?

Wisconsin cheese is available at many locations along Small batches; top quality Wisconsin’s Great River Road, the 250 miles of Highway Available in many grocery stores along Wisconsin’s Great 35, which runs adjacent to the Mississippi River from Kieler, River Road, Westby Cooperative Creamery has been Wis., in the south, to Prescott in northern Wisconsin. producing products for more than a century with its more than 100 farmer-members. A commitment to creating the Those looking to eat Wisconsin’s best homegrown snack best quality cottage cheeses, sour creams, dips, yogurts, — or even just gift it to relatives in other states who have cream cheeses and organic products has never wavered. no access to the best-of-the-best — should check these Visit the Creamery Plant and Cheese Store in Westby to get businesses: fresh, squeaky cheese curds that are worth the drive. Do you prefer traditional orange cheddar or white? How about That squeaky goodness a little dill or other flavoring? No matter the selection, your The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery wants Ellsworth to be taste buds will thank you. And if your timing is right, you the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin, and the creamery might hit it a day when the store is selling trim ends, which brings more than 100 years of cheese-making experience to are leftovers from perfectly cut cheese blocks. Who can the community. Milk from the cooperative’s more than 450 resist a great sale price on such fabulous tasting cheese? dairy farms contribute to its famous white cheddar cheese curds and specialty artisan cheeses. A distinct packaging What does the goat say? process that takes oxygen out of the bag results in cheese The Mt. Sterling Co-op Creamery sells award-winning goat curds with a shelf life of six months or more (when kept cheeses. Cut and packaged by hand, its farmer-owners refrigerated and unopened). The creamery says the longer are committed to sustainable farming practices. This co- the cheese remains inside the sealed/unopened package, operative got its start more than a century ago as a dairy the more enriched the cheddar flavor becomes. Known for creamery when local farmers were looking to capitalize on fabulous flavored curds like Cajun, Taco and Hot Buffalo, excess cream, which they turned into butter. Over time, it this business doesn’t disappoint. specialized in dairy-based cheddar cheese. Then, in 1983, it converted its cheese-making business to goat’s milk. Its Retail cheese charm first artisan cheese, Sterling Reserve, won third place at the The specialty store Le Coulee Cheese Castle is just a few 2011 American Cheese Society Competition. Also available miles off the Great River Road in West Salem, but it has for order on its Web page are Country Jack with Tomato such a wide variety of more than 50 Wisconsin cheeses to and Basil and Country Jack Smoked with Jalapeño Pepper. choose from, you won’t mind the trip. Known locally as a

Photo courtesy: Anna Baughman.

wigrr.com | 41 River Boat Stops

As you travel the Wisconsin Great River road you might AMERICAN DUCHESS just see one of the six paddle wheel boats that still mean- americanqueensteamboatcompany.com | 888.749.5280 der up and down the Mississippi River. Bringing to mind Saturday, August 10...... Noon-5pm the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, these Friday, August 16...... 8am-8pm steam-powered vessels carry adventurers of a different Wednesday, August 2 ...... 8am-1pm sort today. People from all over the world come to cruise QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI the Mississippi and enjoy the raw beauty of our region. americancruiselines.com | 800.460.4518 2019 Celebration Belle Schedule Friday, August 9 ...... 9am-3pm October 1-3, 2019 in Prairie du Chien, WI Tuesday, August 13...... 9am-3pm Thursday, August 29...... 9am-3pm 2019 Shore Stop Schedule Monday, September 2 ...... 9am-3pm Boats dock at the Mississippi Levee in Riverside Park, Thursday, October 10...... 9am-3pm La Crosse. Schedule subject to change according to AMERICA the unpredictable river conditions. Please call ahead americancruiselines.com | 800.460.4518 to make sure the boat is on schedule: 800-658-9424 Sunday, September 22...... 9am-3pm AMERICAN QUEEN Thursday, September 26. . . . .9am-3pm americanqueensteamboatcompany.com | 888.749.5280 Sunday, October 6 ...... 9am-3pm Saturday, July 13...... Noon-5pm Sorry, no tours of the boats are available. Wednesday, July 17...... 8am-1pm Saturday, July 27...... Noon-5pm Information courtesy of Prairie du Chien Chamber of Wednesday, July 31...... 8am-1pm Commerce (prairieduchien.org) and Explore La Crosse Saturday, August 10...... Noon-5pm (explorelacrosse.com). Photo courtesy of Explore La Crosse.

42 | wigrr.com VISITOR INFORMATION GRANT COUNTY CASSVILLE TOURISM Kieler, Dickeyville, Tennyson, Potosi, Post Office Box 576 Cassville, Wisconsin Cassville, Glen Haven, Bagley, Wyalusing Phone: 608-725-5855 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cassville.org HISTORIC RIVER TOWNS & VILLAGES HISTORICAL SITES KIELER is the southern gateway to the Wisconsin Great River Road National Stonefield State Historic Site, Scenic Byway. Not far from Kieler is the Sinsinawa Mound, home to over Nelson Dewey Plantation, Cassville 700 Dominican nuns, with bookshop and 1847 stone building built by Father Stonefield State Agricultural Museum, Mazzuchelli. Cassville Wyalusing State Park Mounds DICKEYVILLE offers a folk art delight, the Dickeyville Grotto, located on the National Archaeological Site, grounds of Holy Ghost Parish. It stands as one of the most important works of Wyalusing outsider art in existence. Three dimensional mosaics from the use of various Eagle Valley Mound National Historic District, Glen Haven materials reflect light in many directions. Themes are both spiritual as well as patriotic. PARKS, REFUGES & NATURAL AREAS TENNYSON began as a mining community. This lead mining region of Upper Mississippi River National SW Wisconsin had over 10,000 mines in its heyday, dug by hand. Much of Wildlife & Fish Refuge the lead used by the Union Army during the Civil War came from this area. Wyalusing State Park, Wyalusing POTOSI has the longest main street without an intersection in the world Nelson Dewey State Park, Cassville (3 miles). The restored Potosi Brewery is home to the National Brewery Wyalusing Hardwood State Forest Museum and a Great River Road Interpretive Center. For a unique view of Dewey Heights Prairie State Natural Area the Mississippi River, visit the Observation Deck at the end of Point Road Blue River Sand Barrens State where over 274 species of birds have been spotted. Natural Area CASSVILLE is well-known for its many historic buildings and the Cassville Ferry Wyalusing Walnut State Forest from Wisconsin to Millville, Iowa. Nelson Dewey State Park is a great place to Cassville Bluffs State Natural Area see bald eagles from the bluffs. Stonefield, a state historic site, is home to the RIVERS State Agricultural Museum, one of the best places in the Midwest to learn about Mississippi River the history of agriculture in the U.S. Little Platte River GLEN HAVEN is a quiet village surrounded by natural beauty with excellent Big Green River access to the Mississippi River. Menomonee River Blue River BAGLEY, with its location on the Mississippi River, is a popular riverside Platte River destination for summer when the village’s population quadruples. Easy access Grant River to Wyalusing State Park makes Bagley a sought after camping location. Wisconsin River WYALUSING is home to 2600-acre Wyalusing State Park, perched high above Little Green River the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers. As you stand and look POINTS OF INTEREST out from the bluffs, you’re looking over a maze of islands, channels and sloughs Dickeyville Grotto, Dickeyville that look much as they did when explorers Marquette and Joliet first arrived in Sinsinawa Mound, Sinsinawa 1673. The park includes a number of burial mounds, historical markers, Cassville Car Ferry, Mississippi River campsites and an interpretive center. Stonefield, Cassville Potosi Brewery & National Brewery Museum, Potosi TAKE A SIDE TRIP TO: Mississippi River Bridge to Platteville, Lancaster, Fennimore, Muscoda & Hazel Green Dubuque, IA

wigrr.com | 43 Stories of the Mississippi River come alive as you learn about river history at the two Wisconsin Historic Sites YOUR HISTORIC and Interpretive Centers located on the Wisconsin TRIP TODAY! Great River Road National Scenic Byway. Visit us online for special events and more information!

stonefieldhistoricsite.org villalouis.org Cassville, WI | Prairie du Chien, WI |

44 | wigrr.com Platteville FwISCONSIN Your Gateway to Only 15 minutes Southwest Wisconsin! from Dubuque!

Cassville Car Ferry This historic ferry runs between the Wisconsin Great River Road (Cassville) to the Iowa Great River Road (Millville) and has operated Platteville since the 19th century. Regional Chamber FREE Maps & Brochures 275 W. Business Hwy. 151 www.cassville.org • 24 Hour Info Line 608-725-5180 Area information Platteville, WI 53818 Katie’s Garden & PCA Trail www.platteville.com Friendly, knowledgeable staff 608-348-8888

Summer Hours: Winter Hours May 1-October 31 Check out our website November 1-April 30 M-F: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. platteville.com M-F: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for events & festivals! Sun: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Follow us Photo by Jim Lange 2 Your Hometown Outdoor Sports Supplier On America’s Great River Road!

Firearms, Ammunition, Hunting Accessories, Rods, Reels, Lures, Tackle, Live Bait, Camping / Marine / Boating Supplies, Archery, Nature Watching & MORE!

- WI State Licensing Agent -

113 E Amelia Street (WI Hwy 133) Cassville, Wisconsin 53806 (608) 725-2199 or Toll Free: (844) 725-2199 www.greatriversportsman.com wigrr.com | 45 46 | wigrr.com Travel Resources

CAR FERRY GREAT RIVER ROAD Cassville Car Ferry from Cassville, WI to Millville, IA INTERPRETIVE CENTERS in Grant County Potosi Brewing Company MISSISSIPPI RIVER LOCKS & DAMS Potosi, WI in Grant County Stonefield, State Agricultural & Historical Site Lock & Dam #9, near Lynxville, WI in Crawford County Cassville, WI in Grant County Lock & Dam #8, Genoa, WI in Vernon County Fort Crawford Museum Lock & Dam #7, near La Crosse, WI in La Crosse County Prairie du Chien, WI in Crawford County Lock & Dam #6, Trempealeau, WI in Trempealeau County Villa Louis, State Historical Site Lock & Dam #5A, near Fountain City, WI in Buffalo County Prairie du Chien, WI in Crawford County Lock & Dam #4, Alma, WI in Buffalo County Riverside Museum La Crosse, WI in La Crosse County MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGES Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center Mississippi River Bridge from Grant County, WI to Dubuque, IA Prescott, WI in Pierce County Mississippi River Bridge from Prairie du Chien, WI to Marquette, IA Genoa National Fish Hatchery Mississippi River Bridge from Crawford Co, WI to Lansing, IA Genoa, WI in Vernon County Mississippi River Bridge from La Crosse, WI to La Crescent, MN STATE PARKS Mississippi River Bridge from La Crosse, WI (Interstate 90) to Wyalusing State Park Minnesota Wyalusing, WI in Grant County Mississippi River Bridge from Buffalo County, WI to Winona, MN Nelson Dewey State Park Mississippi River Bridge from Nelson, WI to Wabasha, MN Cassville, WI in Grant County Mississippi River Bridge from Hager City, WI to Red Wing, MN Wildcat Mountain State Park Mississippi River Bridge from Prescott, WI to Hastings, MN Ontario, WI in Vernon County Perrot State Park VISITOR CENTERS Trempealeau, WI in Trempealeau County Platteville Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center Merrick State Park Platteville, WI in Grant County Fountain City, WI in Buffalo County Prairie du Chien Regional Tourism Center Kinnickinnic State Park Prairie du Chien, WI in Crawford County River Falls, WI in Pierce County Explore La Crosse La Crosse, WI in La Crosse County WISCONSIN STATE TRAILS La Crosse Area Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center (bike & pedestrian) La Crosse, WI in La Crosse County Hillsboro State Trail, Vernon County Wings Over Alma Visitor Center La Crosse River State Trail, La Crosse County Alma, WI in Buffalo County Great River State Trail, Buffalo, Trempealeau & Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center La Crosse Counties Prescott, WI in Pierce County Buffalo River State Trail, Buffalo County NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES Chippewa River State Trail, Pepin County Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge Buffalo, Trempealeau, La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford & Grant Counties Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Buffalo & Trempealeau Counties

wigrr.com | 47 DISCOVER YOUR SEASON IN HUDSON, WISCONSIN

Small town with big seasons to enjoy. Hudson has the perfect blend of unique restaurants, wineries, boutiques, Photos: ©Bucklew Photography history and a scenic river that is the Spirit of the St. Croix! Come discover Hudson, Wisconsin today!

DiscoverHudsonWI.com • 715-386-8411