Discover Onalaska in Three Days!

Set on the banks of the Mississippi River, Onalaska is a community blessed with bluff-top views, outstanding recreational trails and fantastic fishing, boating and paddling. In addition to outdoor recreation, Onalaska is home to the largest retail district in a nine-county region. You'll find comfortable hotels and a long list of shopping and dining options. Located just off I-90, Onalaska offers both convenience and value to travelers. The typical three-day, two-night getaway to Onalaska for a couple would run between $400 and $550. For a family of four, the estimated cost would be $500 to $650. Whether you're looking for a spur-of-the-moment getaway or a weeklong vacation, Onalaska is one of the Midwest's most affordable travel options. Come along for this three-day, two-night sample itinerary and get a taste of what Onalaska has to offer.

Day 1: Arrive in Onalaska

3:30pm – Stop at the Onalaska Visitor Center. Located in downtown Onalaska, the Visitor Center is the perfect place to gather all the information you need for a great Onalaska vacation or getaway. The knowledgeable staff can provide you with maps, trail passes and information about area activities and attractions.

4pm – Check into your hotel. Onalaska's hotels are among the area's best. With such a variety of lodging choices, you'll have no trouble finding a hotel that's right for you.

Baymont Inns and Suites	3300 Kinney Coulee Road N.	608-783-7191
Comfort Inn	1223 Crossing Meadows Drive	608-781-7500
Hampton Inn Onalaska	308 Hampton Court	608-779-5000
Holiday Inn Express	9409 State Road 16	608-783-6555
Lake Motel	926 2nd Avenue N.	608-783-3348
Lumber Baron Inn Bed & Breakfast	421 2nd Avenue N.	608-781-8938
Microtel Inn	3240 Kinney Coulee Road N.	608-783-0833
Onalaska Inn	651 2nd Avenue S.	608-783-2270
Shadow Run Lodge	710 2nd Avenue N.	608-783-0020
Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center	3060 Kinney Coulee Road S.	608-781-3060

5pm – Dinner. Choose from more than 40 Onalaska restaurants. You'll find national favorites as well as one-of-a-kind local hotspots.

6pm – Pay a visit to Sunny the Sunfish. Just a quick drive north of downtown Onalaska along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway (Hwy 35), you'll find Sunny, our giant sunfish sculpture, at a scenic overlook that gives you the perfect perch for seeing the sunset over Lake Onalaska. Take your picture with Sunny the giant Sunfish sculpture and then take in one of the most breathtaking scenes in all the Midwest as the sun slowly sets.

7pm – Go bowling. Head to the bowling alley for a relaxing game.

8pm – Back to the hotel.

Day 2: On the Bluffs, On the Trails and On the Water

8am – Grab breakfast. Many of Onalaska's hotels offer free breakfast. You'll also find many restaurants serving breakfast throughout Onalaska.

9am – Pick up bicycles. Rent bicycles at Blue Heron Bicycle Works in downtown Onalaska. Rental bikes are only $15 per day and include helmets. Don't forget to pick up a trail pass for only $4 per day.

10am – Hit the trail. The Great River State Trail is just steps from the bicycle shop. Ride from Onalaska to Trempealeau for lunch. The trail features wonderful vistas and an exciting section that runs along a 287-foot former railroad trestle. It's an excellent trail for both beginners and seasoned touring bicyclists.

Noon – Lunch in Trempealeau. Trempealeau is located on the Mississippi River and dates to the 1800s. Have your picnic lunch overlooking the Mississippi River. Or, choose from several other lunch spots in town.

1pm – Bicycle to the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Hike the refuge trails and spend some time on the observation deck— it's the ideal vantage point for seeing bald eagles, black terns, white pelicans and numerous other species of birds and animals. If you're interested, nearby Perrot State Park offers a nature center, trails and beautiful views of the river.

2pm – Ride back to Onalaska. The smooth, level surface of the Great River State Trail makes it easy for riders to bike both ways in one day. Other Onalaska bicycling options include the La Crosse River State Trail, which runs for 21.5 miles along the La Crosse River. Together, the Great River State Trail and the La Crosse River State Trail are part of a combined 101 miles of interconnected state trails.

3pm – Onalaska History Museum. Back in Onalaska, we'll take a break from the bike saddle and visit the Onalaska Area Historical Society, located in the Onalaska library. The museum features numerous artifacts from the area's earliest Native American inhabitants, as well as exhibits focusing on Onalaska's history as a center for the lumber industry in the 1800s.

4pm – Golf. Onalaska is a great place to golf. Choose from several area courses and wonderful views of the hills and bluffs.

6pm - Dinner.

7pm – Catch a movie.

9:30pm – Back to the hotel.

Day 3: Adventures on the water

8am – Breakfast.

9am – Get ready for your day on the water. Everyone has their own idea of what a great day on the water entails. Luckily, Onalaska offers an incredible variety of recreational options. Paddling. Canoeists and kayakers will find a number of paddling options in Onalaska. Explore Lake Onalaska, which includes winding backwaters, miles of undeveloped shorelines and unbelievable scenery. Boating. Lake Onalaska and the Mississippi River are famous destinations for sailboating, waterskiing and scenic cruises. Birdwatching. The wetlands and trails that run along Lake Onalaska and the Mississippi make Onalaska one of the premier birdwatching destinations in the Midwest. Pelicans, bald eagles, swans, numerous species of ducks, rare shorebirds and dozens of songbirds all pass through or make their home in the Onalaska area. Fishing. Onalaska is the Sunfish Capital of the World. Bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie and bass—there's no better place on earth to fish for these species. The lake also offers great fishing for walleye, northern pike and catfish.

3pm – Depart for home. See you again in Onalaska!

Here are a few suggestons for places to visit on your trip

Traveling north or south? Great River Road. Onalaska is located near the midway point of the 250-mile Wisconsin Great River Road National Scenic Byway. Travel north or south and find 33 historic towns, numerous recreation areas, abundant scenery and fascinating museums.

Traveling north? See the Seven Bridges. Located in the Van Loon State Wildlife Area just off of Hwy 35, you'll find Seven Bridges Road. Stroll through pristine bottomland forest and see these historic bridges. Hike Perrot State Park. Hike up to the top of Brady Bluff for breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and Trempealeau Mountain. Traveling south? Tour the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. Learn about trout, lake sturgeon and endangered Mississippi River mussels.

Traveling west? Visit Winona or Wabasha. These Minnesota river towns offer museums and historic sites. See four galleries of world-class art at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona. Head to Wabasha for the National Eagle Center and meet the resident eagles.

Traveling east? Stop in West Salem. Visit the Hamlin Garland Homestead, home to one of Wisconsin's most important authors. For complete trip planning information contact the Onalaska Tourism Commission at 1-800-873-1901