A Day of Fall Color in Onalaska! Sample Trip Itinerary

Looking for a fall color getaway that’s truly breathtaking? Visit Onalaska on the Mississippi River. Surrounded by amazing bluff-top views, trails and wetlands, Onalaska is an incredible place to see the changing leaves and migrating birds. Onalaska is located near the midway point of the 250-mile Wisconsin Great River Road, making it the perfect hub for fall excursions up and down this National Scenic Byway. And if you plan on staying overnight, Onalaska offers a wide range of affordable lodging options. The total trip cost should range from $100 to $200 for a couple. Are you ready for your day of fall color?

8am – Grab Breakfast. A great breakfast will give you energy for a fun-filled day. You’ll find several restaurants serving breakfast throughout Onalaska.  

9am – Two Great Ways to Enjoy Fall Color:  

Discover Dazzling Fall Color on the Trail. The Great River State Trail features wonderful fall vistas and an exciting section that runs along a 287-foot former railroad trestle. Hike, bike, birdwatch and enjoy a panoramic view of the Mississippi River Valley ablaze in fall color. If you choose to bike, you can rent bicycles and pick up trail passes in downtown Onalaska.  

Discover Dazzling Fall Color on the Water. Lake Onalaska offers 7,700 acres of water just waiting to be explored. The huge lake is a popular destination for paddling and boating. A canoe or kayak trip along the wooded shores and wetlands is a great way to experience the scenic splendor of fall. Lake Onalaska is in the Upper Mississippi River Migratory Flyway and is an important stopping place for birds on their fall migration—so bring your binoculars.  

11am – Greens Coulee Park. Onalaska sits in the middle of Coulee Country, a landscape of deep valleys, crystal clear creeks and bluff-top vistas. Greens Coulee Park offers great fall views. To get there from downtown Onalaska, take Main Street east to Greens Coulee Road and take a left. Then, take a right on Clearwater Drive and a left on Stonebridge Avenue. The hiking trail to the top of the bluff will be on the right side. 

Noon – Lunch in Onalaska. Finding a place to have lunch in Onalaska is easy. With so many options, the hardest thing is choosing where to eat!  

1pm – Apples and Pumpkins. Shefelbine Orchard, just north of Onalaska in Holmen, offers 25 acres of apples and ten acres of pumpkins. Sink your teeth into a honey crisp apple and find that perfect pumpkin. To get to the orchard, take Exit 3 off I-90 to Hwy 35N to Hwy HD in Holmen. Take Hwy D to Hwy W, then take a right on Hwy M to the ridge overlooking the valleys. The drive there should be full of autumn color.  

4pm – Mindoro Pass. From the Shefelbine Orchard, take a circuitous route back to Onalaska and see some of the best fall color in the state along a route that takes you through the historic Mindoro Pass. Backtrack on Hwy HD towards Holmen, turn right at Hwy D and head to Mindoro. From there, take a right on Hwy 108. You’ll pass through a deep cut in the rock that was entirely cut by hand more than 60 years ago. It is the second largest hand-hewn rock cut in the Western Hemisphere. You can follow Hwy 108 back south to Hwy 16, which should take you westward into Onalaska again.  

6pm – Dinner in Onalaska – Choose a restaurant and enjoy a relaxing dinner after a day of fall color.  

7pm – Sunset with Sunny – What better way to end a scenic day than taking in a sunset. A quick drive north of downtown Onalaska along the Great River Road (Hwy 35) takes you to the Sunny the Sunfish sculpture and a scenic overlook perched above Lake Onalaska. Take a quick picture with Sunny and then soak in the multifaceted hues over Lake Onalaska.  

8pm – Stay in Onalaska – Why not stay overnight? Onalaska offers excellent hotels. For a complete list of lodging properties in Onalaska, visit www.visitonalaska.com