Things to Do in La Crosse | Choose La Crosse

Our community is active with festivals, community events, sporting events, high-class entertainment at our La Crosse Center, and a wide variety of outdoor activities from fly-fishing and boating to hiking and so much more. Our partner organization, Explore La Crosse, our Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, hosts a robust website detailing all there is to do in our area. Below we capture highlights and encourage you to visit explorelacrosse.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
SHOPPING
FESTIVALS
FAMILY FUN
MUSEUMS & CULTURE
SPORTS & RECREATION

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

La Crosse and the surrounding areas have long been passionate patrons of the arts. You’re never far from a community play, symphony, local band, or a large national touring production.

Marcus Theaters
marcustheatres.com

Rivoli
rivoli.net

Weber Center for the
Performing Arts
webercenterarts.org

La Crosse Symphony
lacrossesymphony.org

La Crosse Community Theater
lacrossecommunitytheatre.org

La Crosse Center
lacrossecenter.com

Viterbo Fine Arts Center
viterbo.edu (Fine Arts)

Pump House Regional Arts Center
thepumphouse.org

DINING & NIGHTLIFE

From big concert venues to more intimate locales, from world-renowned artists to local musicians, you’ll find a thriving night scene with great music. Enjoy blues, pop, rock, bluegrass, country and more. And, don’t forget the many free summer concert series in our area parks.

Learn more at explorelacrosse.com (Live Music)

With seemingly endless options for restaurants, the La Crosse area delivers something for everyone. Find your new favorite spot below.

Find more at explorelacrosse.com (Where to Eat)

Courtesy Corp
mccourtesy.com
608-781-8080

Olive Garden
olivegarden.com
608-783-0090

Outback Steakhouse
outback.com (Onalaska)
608-781-4329

Le Château
lechateaulacrosse.com
608-782-6498

Culver’s
culvers.com (Onalaska)
608-781-6777

King Street Kitchen
kingstreetkitchen.net
608-784-9660

Burrachos Fresh Mexican Grill
burrachos.com
608-781-5900

Famous Dave’s
famousdaves.com (La Crosse)
(608) 779-4100

Panera
panerabread.com (Onalaska)
608-781-9801

Pizza Ranch
pizzaranch.com (La Crosse)
608-519-3118

Subway
subway.com
608-787-0000

Lindy’s Subs & Salads
lindyssubsandsalads.com
608-785-7200

Big Al’s Pizza
bigalspizzalacrosse.com
608-782-7550

Pettibone Boat Club
pettiboneboatclub.com
608-784-7743

Ardie’s Flipside Pub & Grill
flipsidepub.com
608-784-2242

Rudy’s Drive-In
rudysdrivein.com
608-782-2200

Schmidty’s Bar and Grill
schmidtys.com
608-788-5110

Pogreba
pogrebarestaurant.com
608-789-2386

David Reay’s Modern
Diner and Tavern
davidreays.com
608-519-9203

4 Sisters Wine & Tapas
4sisterslacrossewi.com
608-782-8213

Ciatti’s Italian Restaurant
ciattis.com
608-781-8686

The Crow
thecrowlacrosse.com
608-519-5400

Howie’s
howiesonlacrosse.com
608-784-7400

Red Pines Bar & Grill
redpinesbarandgrill.com
608-779-2800

La Crosse Club
lacrosseclub.org
608-784-0220

SHOPPING

From charming, hometown shops in downtown La Crosse, to national brands, the La Crosse area is a regional hub for shopping for any style.

Valley View Mall
myvalleyview.com

Downtown Mainstreet, Inc.
lacrossedowntown.com

Village Shopping Center
thevillagelacrosse.com

Jackson Plaza
jacksonplaza.com

Three Rivers Plaza
Google Map

Crosseroads Shopping Center
Google Map

Crossing Meadows
Google Map

FESTIVALS

La Crosse is proud of its commitment to local music and community events. Throughout the year residents and visitors can enjoy several festivals and fairs in the area—including the famous La Crosse Oktoberfest celebrations.

For more festival and event information, visit explorelacrosse.com

Rotary Lights
Nov. 26 – Dec. 31

rotarylights.org

Between the Bluffs Beer,
Wine & Cheese
Late 2021

betweenthebluffsbeerfest.com

Artspire
June 12

thepumphouse.org

Riverfest
June 30 – July 4

riverfestlacrosse.com

La Crosse Interstate Fair
July 14 – 18

lacrosseinterstatefair.com

Applefest
Sept 16-19

applefestusa.com

Oktoberfest
Sept. 30 – Oct. 3

oktoberfestusa.com

Irishfest
Aug. 13-15

irishfestlacrosse.org

La Crosse Area
Bicycle Festival
Fall

bicycle-lacrosse.com

Country Boom
July 8-10

countryboom.com

Mid West Music Fest
TBD

midwestmusicfest.org

FAMILY FUN

La Crosse is… simply put… a wonderful place to raise a family. Through every season, you’ll find something fun to do with your kids, both outside and indoors.

Check out some of our favorite family-friendly places, events, and resources.

Children’s Museum

Enjoy three stories of non-stop, hands-on fun right in Downtown La Crosse.
funmuseum.org

Libraries

The City of La Crosse features three… yes three!… public libraries. The County Library system also features 5 additional libraries in our area. Enjoy access to books, media, and robust programming for all ages!
lacrosselibrary.org | lacrossecountylibrary.org

Swimming

With 8 public pools, 3 public beaches, and the YMCA facilities in the surrounding area, it’s easy to find a place to make a splash.
explorelacrosse.com

Parenting Place

A favorite community resource for parents, The Parenting Place offers access to resources on child development, childcare, toys, playgroups, and much more.
theparentingplace.net

Coulee Parenting Connection

Whenever you’re looking for family-friendly events, check out Coulee Parenting Connection. Their family fun calendar lists a wide range of events and opportunities, such as camps, playgroups, and the arts.
couleeparenting.com

Festivals

Local festivals abound in Greater La Crosse! A few family favorites include Riverfest, Artspire, La Crosse Storytelling Festival, Dairy Days, and Rotary Lights. Throughout the summer, you’ll also find local county fairs and small-town events celebrating what makes this area so unique.
explorelacrosse.com

Theatres

Enjoy movies and live theatre at these local venues.

Rivoli
rivoli.net

Marcus Theaters
marcustheatres.com

Community Theater
lacrossecommunitytheatre.org

Viterbo Fine Arts Center
viterbo.edu (Fine Arts)

Arts and Crafts

Let your kids’ creativity flourish through art classes offered at area businesses.

artPOP

artpoponmarket.com

Creative Canvas and Board

allglazedup.com

Summer Music Series

Enjoy many opportunities for free outdoor music. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the sounds of local musicians.

Moon Tunes

moontuneslacrosse.com

La Crosse Concert Band

lacrosseconcertband.org

Holmen Concerts in the Park

holmenwi.com/concertsinthepark

Organized Sports, Activities, and Day Camps

Keep your kids occupied all year long with robust programming in sports, the arts, and adventure camps.

YMCA

laxymca.org/programs/

La Crosse Parks and Recreation

cityoflacrosse.org

MUSEUMS & CULTURE

La Crosse area locals are proud of the traditions, history, and stories that make the area what it is. Dive into local history, culture, and fun at local museums and cultural attractions.

Children’s Museum

funmuseum.org

The La Crosse County Historical Society

lchshistory.org

Dahl Auto Museum

dahlautomuseum.com

Hixon House

lchshistory.org/hixon-house

La Crosse Area Heritage Center

lchshistory.org/lacrosseareaheritagecenter

SPORTS & RECREATION

The Driftless Region offers an environment like no other to enjoy the great outdoors any time of the year. From hiking or biking hundreds of miles of trails, to boating, fishing, and skiing on the river or local lakes, to enjoying the colors changing on the bluffs in fall, the La Crosse area is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities.

Learn about some of our popular recreational activities at

Outdoor Recreation Alliance

oratrails.org

Mt. La Crosse Ski Area

mtlacrosse.com

La Crosse Loggers

northwoodsleague.com/la-crosse-loggers

Mississippi Valley Mayhem

mississippivalleymayhem.com

La Crosse Fairground Speedway

lacrossespeedway.com

PLAY HERE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT