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La Crosse and Area Resources

Welcome to La Crosse, WI!

La Crosse is the biggest city on Wisconsin’s western border and sits right by the Mississippi River and borders the state of Minnesota. Due to its Midwestern location, La Crosse offers beautiful nature and scenery, such as hiking up Grandad Bluff or taking a walk alongside Riverside Park. The population of La Crosse sits at around 52,680 residents, with an additional 20,000 students, due to the town’s three universities and colleges.

If connecting with people and finding good food is important, then Downtown La Crosse is the place for you! Here you will find a variety of restaurants which will satisfy many parts of your tastebuds, including food such as pizza, tacos, burgers and so much more! We encourage you to check out the many activities on campus and in town!

 

The Weather

In La Crosse, the summers are warm and wet, the winters are freezing, snowy, and windy, and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 11°F (-11°C) to 84°F (28°C), and it is rarely below -9°F (-22°C) or above 93°F (33°C).

Fun Facts:

  • Hottest day in history was detected on July 13, 1995; 108 degrees (42°C)
  • Coldest day in the history was detected in January 18, 1873; -43 degrees (-41°C)
  • Warmest annual average temperature was in 1998; 51.9 degrees (11°C)
  • Coldest annual average temperature was in 1917; 42.1 degrees (5.6°C)

Transportation

There are a variety of ways to move around La Crosse, and getting yourself from one location to another should not be a problem! Viterbo University offers free bike rentals for students, but if you are planning to take a longer route, the La Crosse city bus is also free for those with student IDs. Booking an uber is also an option with short waiting times and affordable prices. La Crosse Regional Airport is the closest regional airport and sits at the norther part of La Crosse, but if you are planning on flying internationally, Minneapolis International Airport is the best option for you.

Local Restaurants

The Crow

100 3rd St S, La Crosse, WI 54601

The Crow is an American Bourbon bar and restaurant, offering authentic American food. Located in the heart of Downtown La Crosse, The Crow was voted the Best New Restaurant in La Crosse back-to-back in 2015 and 2016. They feature over a dozen specialties and gourmet burgers, which is their signature meal. Later at nights The Crow transforms from a restaurant to a bar where people only 21 and over can be present; by this point, no more food is served.

Buzzard Billy's

222 Pearl Street, La Crosse, WI 54601

Buzzard Billy's is located downtown La Crosse, just one block from the Mississippi River and close to the La Crosse Convention Center. It used to be a brick hotel in the 1860s and in 1917 September 17 it opened as a restaurant. They even have live music on Thursdays (5–8 pm) in the off-season (September–May), and Saturdays (7:30–11:30 pm) all year-round.

Reservations are accepted always expect for Fridays after 4 pm and all day on Saturdays.

Their Cajun-inspired menu includes:

  • Appetizers like Gator Fingers, Armadillo Eggs, Cajun Popcorn (fried crawfish tails)
  • Seafood, blackened dishes, Po’boys, steaks, pasta
  • Desserts such as New Orleans bread pudding

Prices:

  • The appetizer, small-plate offerings tend to stay under $10, making them good choices for sharing or for lighter eaters.
  • Main entrees and Cajun specialties generally fall in the $15 to $22 range.
  • Portions are often described as generous in reviews, meaning you tend to get good value for those prices.

The Pearl

 

La Crosse Area Activities

Fox Hollow Golf Course

County Road OA, La Crosse, WI 54601

If you enjoy golfing, you should check out Fox Hollow Golf Course. This is a beautiful 120-acre golf course surrounded by rolling hills. This course has one of only two island greens here in Wisconsin, which makes it unique. The cost to play 9 holes is $25 and $34 to play 18 holes, and you can also rent a cart for only $10. They also have club rentals for a reasonable price. Fox Hollow also features a year-round restaurant called BAR & GRILL, which is perfect after a round. There are two volleyball courts as well with a league on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but on other days, it is open to the public. Finally they have an event center where you can host dinners and parties.

https://www.foxhollowgolfandevents.com/

Pettibone Beach

 347 South Pettibone Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601

At Pettibone Beach, you have a nice beach where you can swim. There is also a park in the area that offers many activities and facilities. Pettibone has a beach house with indoor bathrooms and drinking fountains, as well as a gazebo where visitors can relax. In the park, there is a disc golf course, canoe and kayak access, and fishing platforms. On the beach, there are volleyball fields where people like to play. There are often families with their children there during the summer.

Rules on the beach: No Alcohol, no dogs, no fires, no littering, no smoking

Riverside Amusement Park

1304 Interchange Pl, La Crosse, WI 54603

If you are looking for something fun to do in La Crosse, you should check out the Riverside Amusement Park. At this park, you can go mini golfing, and play 18 holes for $12 and 9 holes for $8. You can also go go-karting, which is for both children’s and adults, but if you want to do this as an adult you need to have a drivers license. There are also batting cages for both baseball and softball, where you can get 14 pitches for $2.50. So, this is a great place to have some fun with friends.

Octoberfest

1 Oktoberfest Strasse, La Crosse, WI 54601

Late September (Thu–Sat hours vary; Sun typically free 11am-12am)

Every year, La Crosse’s Oktoberfest fills the city with music, food, and the tapping of the Golden Keg. This four-day festival has been celebrated since 1961 honoring the German heritage and community spirit on the historic fest grounds, and welcoming families, students, and visitors to raise a stein and share gemütlichkeit each late September.

https://www.oktoberfestusa.com

Pla-Mor Lanes

807 4th Street South, La Crosse, WI 54601

Open 7 days a week

Pla-Mor Lanes is a 16-lane bowling alley located in La Crosse and has been a community favorite for over 60 years. It offers open bowling, leagues, and tournaments, as well as food and drinks at the Eleventh Frame Diner. Pla-Mor also partners with local colleges, including Viterbo University, to host student events. Through this partnership, Viterbo students can enjoy free bowling every Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

Bowling | Viterbo University

High Roller Skating Center

3624 East Avenue South, La Crosse, WI 54601

Open 7 days a week

High Roller Skating Center, has been a favorite local destination for fun and recreation for many years. Open seven days a week, it offers public skating sessions, themed events, and private parties. The center also features an arcade and snack bar for visitors to enjoy. High Roller often partners with local schools and colleges, including Viterbo University, providing students with opportunities for social and recreational activities.

 

Campus Activities

Weekends at VU

Join Weekends at VU on Fridays and Saturdays for fun activities on campus and in the community!

Useful Links