Top Things to Do Along Wisconsin's Great River Road
Do
Birding
The Wings Over Alma Nature Center and Prescott's Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center share info on the best viewing spots for bald eagles and other wildlife.
Buena Vista Park
Follow signs from State-35 along County-E, or walk from Second Street to reach a park 500 feet above Alma for a great view of the Mississippi River.
Great Alma Fishing Float
Flip a sign to signal the fishing crew to pick you up and take you to this floating island of docks; there, go fishing and snack at The Float Cafe.
Great River Road Wine Trail
Visit one or more of eight wineries.
La Crosse Queen
The paddle-wheeler departs on narrated sight-seeing cruises from La Crosse.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
Learn about the Little House in the Big Woods author and see a re-creation of the wooden cabin where she was born in Pepin.
Eat and Drink
Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery
The complex and surprising ciders include the sweet Honeycrisp Hard and robust Scrumpy.
The Monarch Public House
Wisconsin's oldest bar (open since 1894), the Monarch in Fountain City serves old Irish family recipes, such as potato soup.
Muddy Waters Bar and Grill
Live blues and three decks overlooking the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers appeal to Prescott diners as much as the steaks, seafood, pasta or smoked ribs.
Nelson Cheese Factory
The 19th-century dairy building holds a modern shop with wine, cheeses and ice cream.
Pier 4 Cafe and Smokehouse
One step above a river shack, it serves the tangy sauces and smoky flavors of Memphis-style barbecue but overlooks Alma's Lock and Dam No. 4.
The Stockholm Pie Company and General Store
The slices of peanut butter fudge, double lemon or apple pie are large enough to be lunch, but also try the hearty potpies and quiches at this Stockholm eatery.
The Stone Barn
The restored barn of a farm 10 miles northeast of Nelson is home to a seasonal pizzeria, serving thin-crust slices in a bucolic setting with indoor and outdoor seating.
Stay
Blue Door Inn
A sense of history settles around guests as solidly as original 1853 rock walls, carved into a Mississippi River bluff in Alma.
The Charmant Hotel
Savor free truffles at check-in inside a retired 1898 candy factory in La Crosse. The Charmant embellishes its legacy with framed candy tins decorating guest rooms and an elevator shimmering like a golden Willy Wonka ticket.
For more information wigrr.com
Road Trip Tips
Combine your Wisconsin Great River Road trip with Minnesota destinations just a bridge away across the Mississippi, like Red Wing, Winona and Wabasha, where you can explore attractions such as the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, the Pottery Museum of Red Wing and the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona.
Related: Weekend Trip to Red Wing
Related: Two-Day Getaway to Winona