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MATT HEFTI’S COULEE REGION GUIDE
Find your place.
Then find your
favorite places.
Good food. River views. A trail for your Saturday morning and somewhere the kids can burn off a little energy. Get to know the places that make life around La Crosse feel like home.
EXPLORE THE AREA
There’s more to a move
than the house.
Where will you grab dinner? Which trails will become part of your routine? Where will you take the kids on a rainy day? This guide gives you a starting point. And when you’re ready to connect the places you enjoy with a home that fits, I’ve got you.
Restaurants
A good meal makes it feel like home.From a special dinner downtown to an easy breakfast in Onalaska, here are a few places to put on your list.
Lovechild
300 3rd Street S, La Crosse
Seasonal dishes, a welcoming bar, and a setting that makes dinner feel like an occasion. A good place to start when you want a memorable night downtown.
VIEW RESTAURANTThe Freighthouse
107 Vine Street, La Crosse
A downtown dinner option for steak, prime rib, and seafood. Pair it with a walk along the river before or after your meal.
VIEW MENULe Chateau
410 Cass Street, La Crosse
French cuisine in a historic home, with La Cave and La Terrace offering more ways to settle in for the evening. Worth considering for a celebration or a slower dinner.
PLAN DINNERBlue Moon
716 2nd Avenue N, Onalaska
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a relaxed place to meet up in Onalaska. An easy option when the day calls for a meal without making a whole production of it.
VIEW MENU & HOURSEntertainment
Make an evening of it.Movies, live performances, and summer baseball give you plenty of reasons to get out.
Rivoli Theatre
117 4th Street N, La Crosse
Catch a movie in a downtown theatre and order pizza or popcorn to go with it. Check the calendar for current screenings and special events.
SEE SHOWTIMESWeber Center for the Performing Arts
428 Front Street S, La Crosse
Theatre, music, and other live performances on the Mississippi riverfront. Make an evening of it with dinner downtown and a show.
SEE UPCOMING SHOWSLa Crosse Loggers
800 Copeland Avenue, La Crosse
A ballgame at The Lumberyard is a classic summer evening here. Check the team’s schedule for home games, promotions, and tickets.
VIEW TEAM & SCHEDULE
Some views never get old.GRANDAD BLUFF · LA CROSSE
The bluffs
The view is part of the lifestyle.Our bluff landscape is one of the best introductions to the Coulee Region. Start with these two overlooks.
Grandad Bluff
3020 Grandad Bluff Road, La Crosse
The view that helps explain why people fall in love with this area. Head up for a look over the city and river valley, then explore the nearby bluff trails.
VIEW PARK DETAILSMiller Bluff
Access via County Road FA or Upper Hixon trailheads
Woodland, prairie, sandstone, and rewarding overlooks. Use the official directions: parking is not allowed on Rim of the City Road or at that trailhead.
TRAIL MAP & PARKINGBiking & hiking trails
Take the scenic route.Go for a short walk, find a wooded trail, or spend a day on a rail trail. There is room for all kinds of outdoor time.
Hixon Forest & Upper Hixon
2600 Old Quarry Road / 709 County Road FA
Choose a wooded hike or a ride on designated bike trails. The city’s maps show the different trail systems; follow posted trail uses and check conditions before heading out.
VIEW CITY TRAIL MAPSGreat River State Trail
Start near Great River Landing, Onalaska
A limestone route through prairie and river backwaters for walking and biking. You can enjoy a short out-and-back or plan a longer ride.
MAPS & TRAIL INFORMATIONLa Crosse River State Trail
22-mile route between La Crosse and Sparta
Follow a former railroad corridor through the Coulee Region. A useful starting point for exploring beyond the city, including the stretch toward West Salem.
MAPS & TRAIL INFORMATIONLa Crosse River Marsh
Trail access from Myrick Park
Wetland views and a change of pace close to the city. Combine a walk on the marsh trails with a stop at Myrick Park or The Nature Place.
VIEW MARSH TRAIL MAPBefore you go: use the official maps and current trail notices. Check DNR trail-pass requirements for biking the state trails, and use only trails open to your activity.
The rivers
Life by the water.The Mississippi, Black River, La Crosse River, and Lake Onalaska shape the way this area looks and lives.
Riverside Park & the Mississippi
100 State Street, La Crosse
Walk the riverfront, take in the passing boats, and wander through the International Friendship Gardens. This is an easy way to get a feel for downtown.
VIEW RIVERSIDE PARKGreat River Landing
101 Irvin Street, Onalaska
A waterfront starting point for enjoying Lake Onalaska and the surrounding river landscape. Find trail access, a kayak kiosk, and small play features here.
VIEW LANDING DETAILSBlack River Beach
1433 Rose Street, La Crosse
A sandy riverfront spot with open-air shelters and room to enjoy a summer day. Check current beach conditions and seasonal facilities before you visit.
VIEW BEACH DETAILSBringing a boat? Find city boat landings and launch information ↗
The Children’s Museum & more
For curious kids and rainy days.Hands-on play indoors, then nature just minutes away. These are useful stops to keep in your family rotation.
Children’s Museum of La Crosse
207 5th Avenue S, La Crosse
Three floors of hands-on exhibits give kids plenty to explore, build, and try. A good option for a rainy day, a winter afternoon, or a little curiosity indoors.
PLAN YOUR MUSEUM VISITThe Nature Place
Myrick Park, La Crosse
An indoor-and-outdoor stop that connects families with the marsh and the natural world. Check its visitor information and programming, then pair a visit with the park.
VISITOR INFORMATIONKids’ parks
Room to run.Playgrounds, picnic spots, and simple places to spend an afternoon across La Crosse, Onalaska, and Holmen.
Myrick Park / Kids Coulee
2107 La Crosse Street, La Crosse
Kids Coulee gives children a place to climb, play, and explore. Add a picnic or a walk toward the marsh for an afternoon that stays close to town.
VIEW PARK DETAILSRowe Park
710 Hilltopper Drive, Onalaska
A neighborhood-style park with a playground, ball field, tennis, and a shelter. A straightforward Onalaska stop for some outdoor play.
VIEW PARK DETAILSDeer Wood Park
500 Anderson Street, Holmen
A playground, walking paths, sports areas, and room for a picnic make this a useful family stop in Holmen. Explore the village’s directory for amenities.
VIEW HOLMEN PARKSSeven Bridges Park
3129 Norse Drive, Holmen
A newer park with a playground, walking path, open space, and dual zip lines. Pack a picnic and let the kids make their own afternoon plans.
VIEW HOLMEN PARKSPickleball courts
Bring a paddle. Meet your neighbors.Find outdoor courts in three communities, with official links for access and current play information.
All Abilities Trane Park Courts
1500 Chase Street, La Crosse
The city lists eight courts here, available first come, first served with no reservations. Bring your equipment and check the city’s court information.
VIEW CITY COURT DETAILSOak Park Courts
2011 Craig Lane W, Onalaska
Four courts tucked into Oak Park. The city’s listing includes access and parking directions, which are helpful if it’s your first visit.
COURT ACCESS & DETAILSRemington Hills Park Courts
1100 S. Cherry Lane, Holmen
Two dedicated courts with permanent nets, plus additional pickleball lines on the tennis court. Visit the village’s page for suggested drop-in times and equipment details.
COURTS & DROP-IN INFORMATIONA FEW WAYS TO PUT IT TOGETHER
Your weekend, figured out.
A night downtown
Start with dinner, catch a movie or performance, and leave time for a riverfront walk.
A little outdoor time
Pick a trail, make a stop at Grandad Bluff, and finish with a meal in town.
An afternoon with the kids
Explore the Children’s Museum or The Nature Place, then head to a playground if the weather cooperates.
LET’S FIND YOUR FIT
Love the area?
Let’s talk about living here.
Whether you’re moving across town or getting to know the Coulee Region for the first time, I can help you think through location, your day-to-day routine, and the home that makes sense for you.