Wisconsin’s Great River Road is part of America’s oldest National Byway. The Reat River Road is a scenic roadway extending 2,000 miles into 10 U.S. states from Minnesota to Louisiana. But Wisconsin’s 250-mile stretch deserves a closer look. It connects 33 historic towns and villages along the Mississippi and through National Wildlife Refuges. Of course, there are also several extraordinary points of interest. If you’re looking for a new great American road trip, here are suggested stops along the Badger State’s scenic byway.
Great River Road, Wisconsin
Where Does The Great River Road Begin and End in Wisconsin?
The Great River Road begins in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, the northern headwater of the Mississippi River. After winding its way through Grand Rapids and St. Paul, the first major stop in Wisconsin is in Prescott. The road then passes through Stockholm, La Crosse, and Prarie du Chien. The first stop in Wisconsin is Kieler, with Dubuque, Iowa, just across the state border. The scenic byway continues through Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The southern terminus of the Great River Road is in Venice, Louisiana, where the Mississippi River filters into the Gulf of Mexico.
What Highway Does It Travel Along In Wisconsin?
The Great River Road primarily travels along State Highways 35 and 53. However, portions of these highways are the main streets of several small towns.
Stockholm
Founded in 1854 by Swedish immigrants, Stockholm has a tiny population of just 75 residents. However, the students, boutique shops, and casual dining make this a highly recommended stop along Wisconsin’s Great River Road. As you would expect, most of Stockholm is along its namesake Stockholm Wisconsin State Highway 35. But each of the one-harming shops has something unique to offer you. For example, you can find handcrafted yarns, Scandinavian gifts, and crafted Amish furniture.
Dining In Stockholm
For dining, travelers will not go away hungry or disappointed at outstanding spots like Bogus Creek Café and Bakery, Lena’s Lucky Star, and Stockholm Pie and General Store, known for its world-famous Best in Wisconsin fruit and nut pies. You could visit the Swedish History Museum, Stockholm Village Hall, and Stockholm Village Campground. Last, you might enjoy Maiden Rock Apples, Winery & Cidery, which is well-known for its premium hard ciders and fine wines.
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Pepin
A very charming community of just 580 residents, the Town of Pepin is acclaimed for its breathtaking vistas along its namesake, Lake Pepin. There are also premium wines and charming bed and breakfasts like Harbor Hill Inn. Thisown is the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of The Little House Books children’s series. This includes her beloved “Little House on the Prairie,” the inspiration for the top-rated television series.
Pepin Attractions
In addition to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, visitors have a few other exceptional sightseeing options to consider, like Five-Mile Bluff Prairie State Natural Area and Tiffany Bottoms State Natural Area along the Chippewa River. Villa Bellezza winery is a marvelously picturesque spot reminiscent of a Tuscan farm, heralded for its award-winning wines and one of the finest wedding and special events venues in Wisconsin. In addition, Pepin is home to many more excellent dining options. For instance, Pickle Factory Waterfront Grill is a particularly nice place to dine.
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Alma
Alma is another tiny community along the Mississippi River with more things to do than its total number of residents. The county seat of Buffalo County, situated near the Buffalo River, Alma, has a population of under 800. Like other small communities, it was also found by Swiss immigrants in the mid-19th century. Much like Stockholm, Alma has a vibrant downtown area with fascinating lodging, dining, entertainment, shop, ping options along the main stretch, etc.
Alma Attractions
Visitors to downtown Alma should make a few sightseeing stops, such as the instanceneral Store, Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center, and Big River Theatre. That, not to mention the Fire & Ice Coffee & Ice Cream Shop in the historic Hotel de Ville lobby. Other nearby attractions are Castlerock Museum, Alma’s Buena Vista Overlook,k, and Danzinger Winery, once named Wisconsin’s Winery of the Year.
Fountain City
Bounded by the Mississippi River to the west and Merrick State Park to the north, Fountain City is the oldest settlement in Buffalo County. Despite its population of 983 residents, this charming community offers several noteworthy attractions that visitors might want to enjoy beyond just a brief rest stop. Top tracks include Elmer’s Auto, Toy Museum, and Prairie Moon Sculpture Gardens. If it’s that, you should visit Kinstone Kinstone’s garden – the world’s first privately owned stone circle.
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La Crosse
With a population of more than 50,000, La Crosse is by far the largest city along Wisconsin’s Great River Road. Home to three colleges, most notably the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as well as a flagship campus of the Mayo Clinic, La Crosse has much to offer—Suggestions include La Crosse Queen Cruises, kayaking with Island Outdoors and Grandad Bluff Park. The World’s Largest Six-pack is also a roadside attraction, with six enormous beer can-shaped barrels.
Dining & Lodging In La Crosse
Dining and lodging recommendations include Fayze’s Restaurant and Bakery, Pearl Street Brewery, Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern, Charmant Hotel, Stoney Creek Hotel, and Prairie Inn and Suites.
Genoa
Travelers looking for another rest stop along Highway 35 might want to pull over at the Great River Road Interpretive Center, a part of the National Fish Hatchery three miles south of Genoa and one of a network of informational centers along the Great River Road. TMissioeioe Great River Road Interpretive Center at the National Fish Hatchery features several educational exhibits on two levels. Each of these exhibits focuses on the natural resources of the Upper Mississippi River. Additionally, on-site are public restaurants and free parking.
Where To Stay In Genoa, Wisconsin
In Genoa, travelers can either visit places like Old Tool Shed Antiques and Clements Fishing Barge for just a few hours or stay at suggested spots like the Big River Inn or Genoa Motel.
Prairie Du Chien
The last stop might be the most important stop along this suggested trip along Wisconsin’s Great River Road. Esta l shed as a French European settlement, Prairie du Chien (Prairie of the Dog) is Wisconsin’s second oldest city. It’s a so the t on the Upper Mississippi River, strategically located near the confluence of the Wisconsin River. With a population of about 6,000, Prairie du Chien, among the more prominent communities, Scenic is the setting for several points of interest. National historic landmarks are more on the Naare National Register of Historic Places.
Prarie Du Chien Attractions
Among the most notable are the restored 19th-century Dousman House Hotel on St. Feriole Island, Villa Louis, an extravagant 19th-century Victorian estate, and Fort Crawford Museum, located on a former U.S. Army military installation and also serves as a Great River Road Interpretive Center. Other suggestions include a boat ride with Mississippi Explorer Cruises and possibly a Quiaty Valley Fish Shop stop.
Prarie Du Chien Lodging
For lodging and dining, several popular places may be of interest, such as River District Hotel, Country Inn and Suites by Radisson, Jones’ Black Angus, Fort Mulligan’s Grill Pub, and the famous Pete’s Hamburger Stand, where there always seems to be a line of customers and where many more say serve the best burgers in the State of Wisconsin.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a media fellowship from Stanford University and is a member of Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW).