La Crosse and Southwest Wisconsin - La Crosse WI Family Vacation

Preview: It is easy to fall in love with the full moon in this far corner of Wisconsin. Passion comes whether on an October bluff overlooking the rolling, ink-deep waters of a Mississippi River midnight or in August’s steamiest evenings. The moon pulls up the purple trillium from their secret recesses each mud-dampened April night. It caresses December’s fluffed snow banks and brings an Ice Palace glitter to the wee hours. The moon’s spotlight sharpens our inner eyes and brings our dim caveperson past partially back to life. The full moon—like Diana the Huntress and Goddess of the Moon—chases away the nighttime fears and keeps the things that go bump in the night far beyond the campfire circle. Forgo the flashlight and walk the moon’s path. It will lead your family into wondrous places. But the busy sun has its place as well. Just bring the sunscreen. Flop on your backs in a pasqueflower meadow at Nelson Dewey State Park and have each kid count his or her personal clouds. The midday sun makes the stone and glass particles in the Dickeyville Grotto explode in pinpoints of light. They dazzle the soul of today’s young and old visitors. The early July sun clears off the shoreline mists for the Cassville ferry’s first morning run across the Mississippi River. The mid-afternoon sun warms the rocks at Magnolia Bluff Park, making for a comfortable, snug perch from which to watch circling hawks. Its late day rays soften the dim past at Blackhawk Memorial Park, a reflective place where Sac and Fox Indians were killed trying to escape pursuing militia more than a century ago. Every one of these experiences under the sun or moon can lead to discussions with your kids about life, love, our place in nature, and where the world is going. So be forewarned and be ready. There are more rewards in all of this than you’ve ever dreamed. Southwestern Wisconsin is primarily farm country, without the vast tracks of woodlands and rugged, glacially carved landscapes of the north. As such, it is a place for tours of cheese factories, stops at farmers’ markets, strolls through church bazaars seeking out the best homemade jams, and jaunts through pick-your-own strawberry patches. Be sure to carry a basket or bag in which to collect the bountiful goodies. Whether biking, hiking, or driving, be prepared to come home loaded down with more than you expected. Will it be pumpkins, gourds, or freshly picked apples in the fall? Sharp or mild cheddar cheese (ah, go for both!) in the spring? Corn-on-the-cob, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, onions, beans, or eggplant in the summer? Hot chocolate and cookies in the winter? Take the list from the glove compartment, place it on the front seat, and have the eagle eyes from the backseat crowd scan the landscape for potential stops. Riding through southwestern Wisconsin is a roller coaster of low hills and shallow valleys, much like the European homeland of many of its settlers. The Swiss, Germans, Irish, Poles, Italians, and Scandinavians found a familiar atmosphere in this country. Their Old World tidiness can be seen on the farms and in small towns encountered along the way. Be sure the kids experience the Swiss atmosphere of New Glarus and the German influences in Beloit. Festivals, fairs, and historic sites are great ways to sample this ethnic richness. Check the state tourism calendars and listings in this book for suggestions. Wisconsin loves to showcase its diversity. Pride, in this case, never goes before a fall. The above description is an excerpt from "Fun With the Family in Wisconsin." Whether you're a first-time visitor or a long-time local resident, this chapter from the Fun With the Family Series will help you find fun and engaging activities that the entire family can enjoy at great destinations throughout the state, suitable for “kids” of all ages. This chapter includes Maiden Rock, Stockholm, Neillsville, Pepin, Trempealeau, Onalaska, La Crosse, Coon Valley, Genoa, Westby, De Soto, Prairie du Chien, Bagley, Cassville
© Copyright Martin Hintz and Stephen V. Hintz published by Insiders' Guide all rights reserved.


This travel guide comes from:
Fun With the Family Wisconsin Guide Book