TWELVE REASONS TO VISIT WISCONSIN’S GREAT RIVER ROAD THIS FALL

10-09-2010

 

Gorgeous fall colors, charming towns, culinary discoveries offer unique autumn escape

MADISON, Wis. (Oct. 7, 2010) — While it may be one of the best drives in the Midwest, we encourage you to park the car and explore the Great River Road, Wisconsin’s national scenic byway. 

Whether you choose to hike, boat, bike, shop, sightsee or just sample the local fare on this 250-mile stretch of State Highway 35, we promise fun at every turn. From Potosi to Prescott, the Great River Road passes through 33 unique and historic towns, each with its own distinct flavor and local character. 

Here are our top reasons to visit the Great River Road this fall, and we guarantee you’ll find a whole lot more. 

1.	Mississippi River Explorer Cruises Photo courtesy of TravelWisconsin.com Tour the Mississippi Backwaters Since the primary attraction of the Great River Road is the river itself, make a point to get out on the water. One way to explore the backwaters and enjoy the ever-changing foliage is with Mississippi Explorer Cruises. With stops in La Crosse and Prairie du Chien, Captain Jack Libbey navigates off the main channel into the wetlands, narrow backwater sloughs, and side channels along riverside bluffs and floodplain forests where a variety of wildlife make their homes.
2.	Bike the Road For some autumn eye-candy to accompany your endurance training, bring the bike and hit one of the many great trails in the area. The Great River State Trail runs over an old railroad line through Trempealeau and Onalaska and connects with the La Crosse River State Trail, Elroy-Sparta State Trail and the “400” State Trail for miles of gorgeous autumn leaves. Or test your skill on the hills along the rural roads of Trempealeau County’s Top of the World Tour where a bike-friendly attitude, wonderful scenery and warm hospitality greet you at every bend.
3.	SOO Line Caboose at Flat Pennies Photo courtesy of Flat Pennies Ice Cream Forget the Diet at Flat Pennies Ice Cream Ice cream (and pet) lovers have made Flat Pennies Ice Cream in Bay City a top choice. Owner Jim Ross creates homemade soft-serve ice cream in a little cabin next to a SOO Line caboose. Visitors traveling with pets can take advantage of the “pet rest stop,” a pet-friendly area where furry friends can stretch and enjoy a woof wafer. Flat Pennies is so popular, engineers have been known to stop their freight trains to order a cone and lunch to-go.
4.	Feast at Freight House Restaurant Following the area’s prominent railroad and dining theme, dine at the Freight House Restaurant in La Crosse — a National Historic Register site. It was originally constructed in 1880 as the Milwaukee Road Freight House. Today, they serve up top-quality steaks and seafood. Hint: grab a seat at the Freight House’s impressive bar on a Friday or Saturday night to listen to the region’s finest musicians.
5.	Tour Villa Louis & Stonefield Historic Sites The Great River Road is jam packed with history and two state historic sites capture it best. Villa Louis showcases the lifestyle of wealthy barons of the 19th century as costumed guides lead tours through the lavish dwelling and entertain visitors with stories of the Dousman family’s opulent lifestyle. On the other end of the spectrum, Cassville’s Stonefield demonstrates Wisconsin’s early farming days with a recreated 1900s rural farming village. Visit a 1901 farmstead, see historic farming tools at the Agricultural Museum and tour the estate of Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey.
6.	Shop the Stores of Stockholm Wisconsin’s best-kept shopping secret? Stockholm. The town was recently featured in Midwest Living as one of the “2010 Best of the Midwest Small Town Getaways.” This tiny town of less than 100 residents boasts antiques, collectibles, pottery and more. Be sure to check out the Abode G [Back to Press Releases Main]   TRAVEL RESOURCES Copyright © 1996 to 2018 The Traveler's Journal | All Rights Reserved | Contact Us