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Kickapoo Orchard

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Attraction | "Worth the Detour"

Kickapoo Orchard Photo - Kickapoo Orchard, Gays Mills, Wisconsin

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During my Fall 2012 road trip, I enjoyed taking a slight detour en-route up to La Crosse to check out this apple orchard. Located about 50 miles south of La Crosse, the drive through the Kickapoo Valley is well worth the time and effort.This year was not particularly good for Wisconsin farmers due to the drought we experienced. In some areas, the apple harvest was less than in past years but fortunately the Kickapoo Orchard had an apparently "OK" year. I had remembered visiting this orchard some 15 years ago long after fall, so the area was rather barren and absent of color. On this trip, however, the fall colors were exploding. Add to that the Sunflower Maze behind the sto...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 2, 2012

Kickapoo Orchard
46490 Hwy 171
Gays Mills, Wisconsin 54631
(608) 735-4637

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La Crosse Queen Cruises

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Attraction | "Fall Colors River Cruise"

La Crosse Queen Photo - La Crosse Queen Cruises, La Crosse, Wisconsin

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Hop aboard this authentic Mississippi River paddlewheeler and sit back to enjoy the views of the river bluffs of Minnesota and Wisconsin. As part of my "Fall Colors Road Trip" I spent the afternoon in and around La Crosse enjoying a sunny day on the river.Docked at the Riverside Park, the La Crosse Queen holds approximately 150 passengers, offering a number of different tour options. For me, I did the 90 minute cruise upriver, which worked out perfectly given that the 1:30pm tour would fit into my road trip on the way to St. Croix Falls.Our cruise crew included Capt. Mike along with Ann on the lower deck tending to the bar and Lynette our guide who provided commentary. Her n...Read More

Hop aboard this authentic Mississippi River paddlewheeler and sit back to enjoy the views of the river bluffs of Minnesota and Wisconsin. As part of my "Fall Colors Road Trip" I spent the afternoon in and around La Crosse enjoying a sunny day on the river.

Docked at the Riverside Park, the La Crosse Queen holds approximately 150 passengers, offering a number of different tour options. For me, I did the 90 minute cruise upriver, which worked out perfectly given that the 1:30pm tour would fit into my road trip on the way to St. Croix Falls.

Our cruise crew included Capt. Mike along with Ann on the lower deck tending to the bar and Lynette our guide who provided commentary. Her narration was outstanding, giving a history and biology lesson about the Port of La Crosse and the Mississippi River as well as the Native Americans of the area and the settlers who came to the area in the 19th century.

The river was noticeably low due to the summer drought this year. There were plenty of recreational boats enjoying the waterways, as well as folks beached along the sandy shores on both sides of the river and its channel. We also saw a number of tugs pushing barges downriver. For anyone interested, it is 2,100 miles from La Crosse to the Gulf of Mexico on the Mississippi River.

The steep cliffs on the Minnesota side of the river were ablaze with color as peak fall colors were probably about a week or two away. We did see some wildlife on our slow ride, including turtles sunning themselves on logs and a beautiful great blue heron hunting for lunch. Someone up front also reported seeing an American Bald Eagle in a tree on the Wisconsin side of the river, but alas, I missed it.

One of the more interesting historical sights was the swing bridge which was built in 1876 for rail traffic. When boats approach the bridge, the bridge must be swung open to allow adequate clearance. This is also the same bridge that Amtrak crosses on the Empire Builder route that I took this past March on my trip to Montana.

While enjoying the ride, guests are invited to beverages (including alcohol) and snacks. Also on the lower deck there is ample seating for those who want to be inside, protected from the weather. As I said previously, the weather was perfect. The upper deck provided plenty of seating out on the back in an open area as well as an equal number of chairs (and tables) under a shade providing canopy. Wherever you choose to sit, there are plenty of options to enjoy the sights between La Crosse and the lock & dam of Dresbach, MN.

The 90 minute tour operates daily with several departures available, May through October. Adults are $14.95; kids (under 12 are $7.50 and seniors (62 and over) are $14.50. For a full description of all of their cruises including Sunday Brunch and weekend night dinner cruises, as well as times and pricing; check out their website: http://www.lacrossequeen.com/ . Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 2, 2012

La Crosse Queen Cruises
405 Veterans Memorial Drive
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
(608) 784-8523

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Amish Driving Tour

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Step Back in History"

Amish Buggy Heading Home Photo - Amish Driving Tour, La Crosse, Wisconsin

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Taking a self driving tour of Western Wisconsin's Amish communities is one way to see what life was like during a more simple time more than 100 years ago. I had wanted to do this driving tour on several different trips through this area of Wisconsin, but the weather or timing never really worked out. This past weekend however, with a late afternoon soccer meeting on a crisp, clear fall Sunday . . . it was perfect! My only regret is that the fall colors probably peaked a few weeks ago, so all of the trees were bare for winter.The start of the Amish settlement areas of Wisconsin run along the Mississippi River south of La Crosse and then inland several miles. Locals say the best way to ...Read More

Taking a self driving tour of Western Wisconsin's Amish communities is one way to see what life was like during a more simple time more than 100 years ago. I had wanted to do this driving tour on several different trips through this area of Wisconsin, but the weather or timing never really worked out. This past weekend however, with a late afternoon soccer meeting on a crisp, clear fall Sunday . . . it was perfect! My only regret is that the fall colors probably peaked a few weeks ago, so all of the trees were bare for winter.

The start of the Amish settlement areas of Wisconsin run along the Mississippi River south of La Crosse and then inland several miles. Locals say the best way to see a nice representation of Amish farms and homes is to head south out of La Crosse on Hwy 33 to the town of Cashton. Cashton is actually the central point in what the Tomah (WI) Visitors Center refers to as the "Amish Driving Tour" . . . a self-guided driving tour. If you are interested in their guide, which includes a narrative of their recommended 81 mile road trip, you can find it here http://fileresource.sitepro.com//filemanager/267/filecollections/1239/tomahareaguide2010.pdf . The Amish Driving Tour information is on pages 14 through 17.

Just on the outskirts of Cashton are a couple of farms. A side detour west on Hwy D will take you through to a number of homes, many with homemade items including baked goods, wooden toys and kitchen items, rugs and syrup. There is also a small cheese facility (Old Country Cheese Factory Outlet Store) that uses fresh milk produced by local Amish farms. Unfortunately these roadside markets and shops are not open on Sunday, in observance of their religion.

Once back out on Hwy 33 heading east, you will come upon the Down a Country Road Store. A collection of Amish crafts and wares, the owner here while not Amish, as become friends and in many ways a business partner to the local community to assist in selling their goods in a centralized store location. Down a Country Road is open seasonally, and had already closed for the winter. For more information, including hours, tour information and reservations, check them out at: http://www.downacountryroad.com/ .

Because I was doing this driving tour on a Sunday, the Amish citizens were out and about. Church services are held in the homes within the community, with folks often visiting neighbors and relatives afterwards. This makes for busy, congested roads as the Amish utilize horse drawn buggies and wagons as their primary mode of transportation. For me, having the opportunity to witness them moving about in their community was a real gift as I wanted to take a few photos of the area to include the horse & buggy.

A bit about photographing the Amish; they are a very conservative and withdrawn culture, not very inviting towards people of the outside. I had read that they view photographs as "graven images" and do not like to have their picture taken. Additionally, outsiders should be mindful and respectful in viewing the Amish so as to not treat them like some sort of sideshow attraction.

As I drove through their farmland, it was easy to pick out a working Amish farm versus one being handled through more modern means. The Amish of this area do not generally use machinery to farm, nor do they have automobiles or other motorized means to work their land. One simple visual would be the harvesting of corn. On a more modernized farm, the corn is harvested and combined chopping off the corn stalks and collecting all of the plant leaving nothing on the ground. The Amish hand cut the stalks and bundle them for harvest gathering.

Another way to identify Amish farms is through the windmills that most have on their property. During my drive, I believe every Amish farm I passed had a windmill. It was interesting as I made my way through their community as I did pass several homes that had visitors, as noted by the number of buggies out in the yard. I enjoyed watching a group of children play as I passed by another home, feeling a bit awkward about watching them as though I was invading in their privacy. I also felt that way when viewing the buggies driving down the road, when I made eye contact with the elder male inside.

Out of respect for them, I avoided taking photos that included their faces and when photographing their homes or farms, I also tried to avoid the children. I had to laugh because one of the buggy photos I took on Hwy 131, I chopped off the face of the horse as it was moving too quickly for me to capture then entire image within my frame. So I hope that horse was cool with his photo being taken!

The Amish are a very interesting religion and culture. There is a lot that can be read about them on the internet. I have also learned that the various communities around the United States have varying degrees of strictness in terms of their beliefs and use of modern conveniences. From what I've read, it would appear to me that this group in the Kickapoo Valley of Wisconsin is of a more traditional belief.

If you are visiting Western Wisconsin or traveling through between Minnesota and parts east, I would encourage you to take the time (two to three hours) to take the detour along the "Amish Driving Tour". I know I'm glad that I finally did!
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 8, 2010

Amish Driving Tour
Highway 33
La Crosse, Wisconsin

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Radisson Hotel La Crosse

Best Of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Very Nice Downtown Location - With a View!"

The Radisson Hotel - La Crosse, WI Photo - Radisson Hotel La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin

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I was in town for a late afternoon meeting, so with the roughly five hour (one way) drive, an overnight was necessary. I was fortunate to be able to find this gem of a hotel very convenient to my business plans.The hotel sits roughly 200 yards from the banks of the Mississippi River, with rooms on the western side of the building enjoying a very pretty view. My room was near the top floor, so I had an especially nice scene outside my window.Upon arrival I was greeted by a friendly front desk staff who were very prompt in getting me checked in and familiarized with their available dining options.In my room, it was spacious, well appointed, clean and comfortable. T...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on May 31, 2010

Radisson Hotel La Crosse
200 Harborview Plaza
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
(608) 784-6680

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Three Rivers Lodge Riverview Restaurant

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Comfortable & Homey"

Inside the Three Rivers Lodge Riverview Restaurant Photo - Three Rivers Lodge Riverview Restaurant, La Crosse, Wisconsin

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The Three Rivers Lodge Riverview Restaurant (WOW is that a mouth full) is one of the restaurants often frequented by the locals; a tribute to their ambiance and quality. The rustic motif is inviting and seemingly appropriate for the outdoors types known to frequent Wisconsin's more rural communities.On my arrival, I thought about having dinner before my 6:00pm meeting, but that seemed too early so I opted to wait until afterwards. Fearful that I had missed their serving hours, I was pleased to find out that I could dine in the restaurant or order room service until 10:00pm. I went on up to my room and called down for room service.My burger and fries arrived in a very timely man...Read More

The Three Rivers Lodge Riverview Restaurant (WOW is that a mouth full) is one of the restaurants often frequented by the locals; a tribute to their ambiance and quality. The rustic motif is inviting and seemingly appropriate for the outdoors types known to frequent Wisconsin's more rural communities.

On my arrival, I thought about having dinner before my 6:00pm meeting, but that seemed too early so I opted to wait until afterwards. Fearful that I had missed their serving hours, I was pleased to find out that I could dine in the restaurant or order room service until 10:00pm. I went on up to my room and called down for room service.

My burger and fries arrived in a very timely manner and very hot. The burger was juicy and flavorful, the fries fresh and crisp . . . not greasy. With a diet coke, I was set at about $13.00 including service charge and tip.

I should comment that they did offer a very nice and completed room service menu that was reasonably priced. Given that it was after 9:00pm, I just couldn't think about a late, heavy meal.

The next morning I met the sales manager of the hotel for breakfast. (It is always good to make contacts like these, as you never know when you might have an event to bring to town.) This would be my opportunity to enjoy the view of the river from inside the dining area. I also noted as we walked in, the large bar area completed with bar side and table service. Not that anyone was imbibing at 8:30am, just good to know it's available to guests if they choose to come down for a nightcap before bed.

For breakfast, I had the ham, mushroom and cheddar omelet which was accompanied by a generous portion of breakfast potatoes and a choice of breads (toast, muffin or biscuit). I found the meal to be prepared perfectly and filling. I suppose it really is difficult to mess up breakfast, isn't it?

As with their room service menu, they had a very complete breakfast selection including pancakes, other egg options and skillets. Pricing was very reasonable, under $10 for breakfast plus a beverage.

I thoroughly enjoyed the bright openness of the dining area, with the huge windows providing a lovely view of the pathway along the river and of course the river's shoreline itself.

When I'm back in La Crosse, I will not hesitate to dine here again . . . and in fact am looking forward to a good steak which they are known for.
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Member Rating 3 out of 5 on May 31, 2010

Three Rivers Lodge Riverview Restaurant
111 Front Street South
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
(608) 793-5018

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The Wisconsin Series - La Crosse (The Gateway to Minnesota)

Kickapoo Orchard

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Amish Driving Tour

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Three Rivers Lodge Riverview Restaurant

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