Great River Road aka Highway 35 (La Crosse, Prescott: university, to live in, best area)

[JoshB]

Has anyone on here ever traveled The Great River Road aka Highway 35 along the Mississippi river along the western border of Wisconsin? I was thinking of maybe taking a weekend and travel the road. Any advice? I would like to get some good photos also.

Thanks, Josh

[ekg56]

I have been on the Great River Road many times. Both the WI and MN side are really nice. I love the area around Stockholm and Pepin. If you go take lots of pictures! Your pictures make my day.

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by ekg56

I have been on the Great River Road many times. Both the WI and MN side are really nice. I love the area around Stockholm and Pepin. If you go take lots of pictures! Your pictures make my day.

I did some Electrical work for the University of Wisconsin La-Crosse and I was up there last summer and just fell in love with the area. I heard about River Road and now consider it a must try.

Also thanks for the compliment.

[SportFury59]

Good place to visit is Elmer's Auto & Toy Museum in Fountain City. Its located at Eagle Bluff, the highest point on the Mississippi. He's only open on certain weekends during summer. If interested google "Elmers auto museum" for schedule and info. Unbelievable how this one guy collected all this stuff.

[huggybear28]

The Great River Road makes for a great afternoon drive.

I might be a little biased since I use to live in La Crosse but in my opinion the best area for scenery is south of La Crosse to Prairie Du Chien. It's been years since I have been on the Minnesota-Iowa side south of La Crescent but I would suggest taking Wis. 35. None of the towns on the Wisconsin side south of La Crosse impress me that though, so if you take this route it would be for the scenery. On the Iowa side Lansing is an interesting town so if you cross the bridge over there you might enjoy it.

If you would love sailboats then Lake Pepin would definitely be the place. Minnesota has some great towns along the river. Lake City, Wabasha, and Red Wing are nice little towns. Lake city is definitely the place to see sailboats and Red Wing definitely has the best downtown. It's been a long time since I have been along the river on the Wisconsin side between La Crosse and Prescott but I think Trempeleau would be my favorite town there.


The best view of an urban area would definitely be of La Crosse from Apple Blossom Drive in La Crescent or from Grandad's Bluff in La Crosse. Although just about everyone has pictures from Grandad's Bluff and it shows mainly urban development. Apple Blossom Drive give you more of a view of nature with La Crosse sitting in the back ground.

[JoshB]

Thanks for all the help.