Families will find plenty of delightful diversions within the immediate vicinity of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. After you've gotten acquainted with this public university, home to over 9,000 students, you can stroll through beautiful parks or learn about local history.
The absolute easiest way to get to La Crosse, Wisconsin, is to drive. The university is close to both I-90 and Highway 16. The closest major airport is Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, about a two-and-a-half hour drive away.
America's manufacturing history is represented in microcosm at Dahl Auto Museum, which is full of gleaming classic cars. Learn about the lengthy history of the local area, and its strong relationship with the water at the Riverside Museum. Exhibits include a vast archive of photographs and artifacts like the famed 1800s riverboat the War Eagle. Kids will find themselves fully engrossed at the Children's Museum of La Crosse. Besides three floors of exhibits, there is also a theater and a cafe.
The center of community events such as the 4th of July fireworks, summer's RiverFest, and Oktoberfest, is Riverside Park. Spot the steamboats as they roll in to launch, or run the park's many trails. Butterflies flutter their fragile wings beside the Mississippi River at the impressive Friendship Park and Gardens The half-acre gardens here include French, Norwegian, and German influences and offer picture-perfect views over the river. Guided tours run throughout the week.
