Location: Prairie du Chien
Top Things to do in Prairie du Chien
Countries
10 Things to Do in Prairie du Chien That You Shouldn't Miss
Prairie du Chien (/ˌprɛri du ˈʃiːn/) is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821.
Restaurants in Prairie du Chien
1. Effigy Mounds National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
29 Of This Park's 191 Mounds Are In The Shape Of Animals.
Reviewed By TJLandof10000lakes - Minneapolis MN
The Visitor Center here has a good exhibit and film that describes the Woodland Native Americans that built these mounds, and how the mounds were an integral part of their life and culture. I found it interesting that archeologists still don't have a good understanding of the people who built these mounds, or why they stopped building them. The grounds have a hike through the mounds that are beautiful, with lots of woods and beautiful vistas off the bluffs of the Mississippi. The beginning of the hike to the mounds involves a gradual walk where you gain approximately 300 feet in elevation. It's not strenuous but most people take a breather or two on the way up. There are multiple hiking paths, so you can do round trips in as little as two miles (to Fire Point), or as much as over seven miles. Admission is free.
2. Villa Louis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
This Victorian house includes relics from the area's history, including a battle in the War of 1812.
Reviewed By KPatt - Wisconsin
Beautiful Villa Louis on the banks of the Mississippi River captures the life style of a Wisconsin millionaire who lived in the Victorian era. Our welll informed guide wore period clothes and provided us with a fascinating look at what life in this mansion was like at the turn of the century. The buildings and grounds reflect what the life of the fabulously wealthy was like at the time, the furnishings are exactly as they appear in the many photographs that were posted throughout the grounds.
Just a terrific experience.
3. Wyalusing State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By southbison - Rhinelander, Wisconsin
We enjoy the view from the overlooks to the Wisconsin and Mississippi river junction. There is a nice hiking trail along the bluff. It can be steep and slippery in places. It is just a day trip for me but there is camping and other activates available . It is a state park so there is a fee to enter. It has a small concession and gift shop so you can get a souvenir if desired. There is a boat landing available. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Nice for bird watching. I enjoy seeing the vultures soar out in front and below the bluffs.
4. Pikes Peak State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By OneAddictedTraveler - Lake Elmo, Minnesota
This park sits atop the bluff named Pikes Peak. The picnic grounds are well groomed and the sights from the overlook are superior. You stand above the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers.
Many trails lead to other overlooks and a substantial group of Indian mounds. Trails on steep slopes near the primary overlook are all constructed wooden steps and walkways.
The campground is inexpensive but poorly laid out with sites almost on top of each other. Most sites have electricity hookups but are not particularly level. Restrooms are clean and include showers.
Straight down the bluff is a mainline railway and you can hear the rumble and whistle all night.
5. Eagles Landing Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Residing on the breathtakingly scenic Great River Road in the quaint little Mississippi River town of Marquette Iowa, we welcome you to come and sample our International Award Winning Wines; Voted "Rose Wine of the Year, "Best Iowa Wine" and "Best of Class" at different wine competitions. Jay was also honored as "Wine Maker of the Year" for 2013. We are proud to offer you more than 34 distinct award winning wines. Our wines range from Dry to Semi-Dry, Semi-Sweet to Sweet and of course our Double Gold Award Winning Dessert Wines. Feel free to browse our fun gift shop. Sit back, relax and enjoy a bottle of our award winning wine while listening to music in our grapevine lined wine garden Make sure you check our monthly events on our web page. Free Wine Tasting Daily Open Daily 10am - 5pm Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day and Easter Sunday We are located 3 miles from Effigy Mounds National Park and Pikes Peak State Park
Reviewed By Carl W - Owatonna, Minnesota
Friendly staff and helpful. Had some tastings which lead to liking some wines. We bought 3 bottles. They are great and not high priced like some places, along with free tastings. It was a busy little place, but they helped us like we were the...MoreThank you Carl for the wonderful review! Our motto is "You May Walk in as a Stranger but Leave as a Friend" and we truly do mean that from the bottom of our hearts. Next time you're in the area please stop by. Cindy
6. Mississippi Explorer Cruises
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Fully-guided riverboat cruises through the wild and scenic backwaters of the Mississippi River's wildlife refuge. Our unique tours will take you within feet of beautiful backwater riverbanks, eagle nests, beaver lodges, turtle logs, muskrat huts, blooming lotus, water lilies, and more!
Reviewed By 31Cookie - Illinois
We took the 2 hour fall foliage and wildlife cruise. The boat was very clean, the staff very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife along the river. Can't wait to go again!!
7. Lady Luck Casino Marquette
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 85 reviews
At Lady Luck Casino Marquette we mix great gaming action with the down-home service of a small town. With approximately 500 slot machines, 8 table games, savory dining options, and a smoke-free environment on the first deck of the casino, the excitement awaits! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Reviewed By ajg78 - Baraboo, Wisconsin
This a follow-up review from my one from May 2016. I've been there a couple times since that review. I love going to a wide variety of casinos in the area (been to almost all of the casinos in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin) but this casino is officially the first casino on my "I don't care if I ever go back list". There wasn't anything overly negative, there just isn't a lot of positive. I don't think a single new machine has been added since my last visit a few months ago. I'm 38 and this is the only casino I go to that always ID me and are rude about it. The food is ok. Decor is boring and tired. I went to the casino at 9:30 on a Friday night thinking it would be busy but there were 3 people at the table games and the slots were basically a ghost town. It's sad because when it was under the Isle branding, it was fun and cool. Now, under the Lady Luck brand, it's blah. If you've never gone, I wouldn't discourage you from going, but keep your excitement in check.
8. Driftless Area Wetlands Centre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Spot dragonflies and frogs, identify prairie flowers springing up, and take pictures with our unique replica of a bald eagle nest. A monument to the Driftless Area and its wetlands, the Centre hosts rotating displays, a farmers market with entertainment, and family activities.
Reviewed By Erin R
This place is fairly new and is still being worked on. We stopped in and toured the prairie path that they are still working on. They have a nice display of an Eagles Nest. Inside they have several animals and skins as well as aquatic animals. They also have an education area with tables where they hold classes and activities. This is a work in progress and more items will be added.
9. By The Spoonful
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
Gourmet Foods & Coffee We are a small town specialty food store featuring Iowa and Midwest foods including meat, dairy, wine, beer and coffee. We have a large selection of locally processed meats including fresh steaks, pork chops, ready to eat meat sticks, 6 styles of bacon. We are known for carrying 32 flavors of brats during the spring and fall seasons. Also has a nice selection of gourmet dips and sauces to accompany our products. Don't want to cook, we've got you covered lunch or dinner! Try one our fresh made sandwiches pilled with meat. Or check out our nice selection of homemade casseroles and meals where all you have to do is the final step of cooking via oven/microwave/grill. Our coffee and specialty espresso drinks use Iowa roasted beans ground fresh to order. We use local non-homogenized milk with almond milk as an option. From a nice cup of black coffee or a double shot cappuccino we've got your caffeine fix. We also do cold brew!
Reviewed By Brent G
Every time we're in the area, we make sure to stop at By The Spoonful. Katie, the owner, is very friendly and she has a great story about how she accidentally started the business. The lunch sandwiches are great, especially the Cordon Bleu. With Toppling Goliath beer and fresh meat from Edgewood locker, By The Spoonful offers a sampling of the best food and drink Northeast Iowa has to offer.
10. Valley Fish & Cheese
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Henrysmom0614 - Dubuque, Iowa
The first thing you see when you cross the Mississippi River coming from Iowa into Prairie du Chien is Valley Fish & Cheese. A huge wooden fish along with other wooden critter creations greet you and make for banner photo ops! The store itself isn't very big but it is full of interesting things such as gator jerky, catfish bologna, snapping turtle claws, coon peckers, lucky stones, and so much more! On the weekends they have free samples (fyi, gator jerky is pretty solid) and the owner is super nice and personable. My boys loved picking out little trinkets such as the lucky stones, alaskan kind crab claws, snapper turtle claws. its like a trinket bag of weird stuff...perfect for boys to take to school for show and tell!
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