La Crosse, WI Summary

photo by gusto

La Crosse (population 51,818) is located in the southwest on the Mississippi River, which separates this part of the state from Minnesota.

Its name comes from lacrosse, a version of which, called baggataway, was played by local Native Americans in the 1800s.

The town is best known for the G. Heileman Brewery, which produces Old Style Beer. Although there have been several ownership changes over the last 30 years, the brewery is still going strong. Visitors can tour the brewery and see, among other things, the world’s largest six-pack.

Riverboat cruises are offered by two paddlewheelers, the La Crosse Queen and the Julia Belle Swain. The former offers a 90- minute sightseeing cruise, while the latter has excursions of various durations from a few hours all the way up to twoday trips. Some 500 feet above La Crosse, Grandad Bluff provides sweeping vistas of the city and valley.

La Crosse can be reached by car by Hwy 35, and is served by both buses and trains.