Riverside Park, La Crosse: Address, Phone Number, Riverside Park Reviews: 4.5/5
Riverside Park
Riverside Park
4.5
About
A Downtown park where three rivers meet.
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
152 within 3 miles

Pearl Ice Cream Parlor
643
0.3 mi$ • Dessert • American

The Freighthouse Restaurant
554
0.1 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly

Lovechild
178
0.4 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Digger's Sting Restaurant
318
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Steakhouse • Seafood

4 Sisters Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant
356
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Contemporary

Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery
505
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Irish • Bar

Buzzard Billy's
806
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

The Crow
337
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub

Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern
663
0.3 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Bar

The Charmant
190
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • French • American • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
40 within 6 miles
Spence Park
2
160 ftScenic Walking Areas

Riverside International Friendship Gardens
50
0.1 miGardens

Turtle Stack Brewery
58
0.2 miBreweries

La Crosse Center
20
0.3 miArenas & Stadiums • Convention Centers

Antique Center of La Crosse
6
0.3 miAntique Shops

Children's Museum of La Crosse
115
0.5 miChildren's Museums

Pump House Regional Arts Center
25
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Hixon House
36
0.4 miHistoric Sites

Dahl Auto Museum
101
0.7 miSpeciality Museums

Weber Center for the Performing Arts
9
0.4 miTheaters
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
712 reviews
Excellent
521
Very good
165
Average
22
Poor
3
Terrible
1
ScenicSights
Wauwatosa, WI688 contributions
Aug 2021
What a wonderful addition to our stay at the Radisson. We could see the park from our window and I walked along the river every day. One day, there was a concert in the bandshell and it was nice to see how many people came out for it and the enjoyment it seemed to bring. There is abundant seating, paved walkways and a welcoming atmosphere. Highly enjoyable space. And it leads to the Peace Gardens too.
Written September 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Katie L
12 contributions
Mar 2021
Our two day stay was at a nearby hotel (The Charmant) and we loved coming here for frisbee, kickball, etc with the kids. A beautiful new grandstand music performance area will likely be humming this summer during weekly concerts. We liked how the park was spacious enough to let the kids run around, and connects seamlessly along the trails and walkways of the Mississippi river. It's only a few blocks from great restaurants too, all of which are offering take out menus to be covid safe.
Written March 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tim K
50 contributions
Sep 2021
This is part of the downtown waterfront park and has several small gardens/sections planted to evoke a theme of LaCrosse’s sister cities in various countries. It makes a pleasant walk and the park overall is very nice with views of bridges across the river and wooded islands in it. The variation, or nationality of the gardens is sometimes a bit hard to catch, but an effort was made by a small city to have something special. The visit is nice and worth a short stop.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michael Mettille
La Crosse, WI72 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
This is a very beautiful park but it's very snobbish It's meant for the high-end businesses and and restaurants downtown LAX... There are no picnic tables Yogi Bear and no picnic baskets.. The big Indian is gone removed by the city due to its infinite wisdom.... If the wind's blowing from the south stay away the smell from the sewage plant is unbearable....
Written February 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sunhead
milwaukee313 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
I am sure the park is a great gathering space in normal times, but during pandemic limitations it was relatively empty. It offers plenty of walking space along river with a wide open green space nearby. A bandshell was being remodeled and it looked like they have riverboat tours when things return to normal. We did enjoy the "stories" people shared of their experiences at the park via recordings you access on your phone.
Written June 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Geof J
Germantown, WI456 contributions
Aug 2020
This is a park that stretches along the Mississippi for quite a stretch through the downtown area of La Crosse. There are many places to get a meal to go and sit in the park to eat and enjoy the views. It is quite popular and the north end gets a fair amount of traffic on the loop particularly in the evening. The park is pleasant and a great place to walk or watch the sun go down.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
BVELock
Mankato, MN263 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This park was very cool in downtown La Crosse. It is located right next to the Mississippi River and has great walking trails and an international garden. When I stopped here there was live music playing in the park grandstand. It was a really nice park and I would return again.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kim C
La Crosse, WI613 contributions
Jul 2021
This park is absolutely delightful for your early morning run or bike ride. You can pop over here easily if you're staying at the Charmant Hotel. There's plenty of open space and walking trails. It's big enough for a large group and pretty enough for a picnic for two! Visit the International Garden or just enjoy the Mississippi!
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Eisme77
Janesville, WI1,422 contributions
Jun 2021
Absolutely loved walking the park along the Mississippi each morning while we visited the La Crosse area. Plenty of places to sit and enjoy as well. The actual riverfront area path is about 1 mile end to end. It was just over 2 miles round trip from our hotel, The GrandStay. Definitely worth checking out while you are in the area.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AdvoChampion
Rochester, MN1,886 contributions
Dec 2020
We went here Dec 2020 to see the Rotary Holiday lights. Beautiful location by the river. Well done. Should try to come here in the warm months too.
Written December 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
How long of a hike to get to the waterfall?
Curly H
Milwaukee, WI333 contributions
I don't know of a waterfall.
occams-razor
Antioch, IL88 contributions
where do you park? is there a fee?
Jonelle
Kaneohe, HI292 contributions
I'm not sure where you park since we walked there from our hotel but I did notice metered street parking around the area.
There is no fee for this park.
I'm a furry and I was wondering if I could wear my fursuit at the park?
CWFSantaCruz_CA
Santa Cruz, CA180 contributions
Seems like that could be a possibility
Stacy B
Macedon, NY316 contributions
Is there anywhere here we could access the Mississippi River? Physically?
Jeanie E
Mnemba, Tanzania378 contributions
If you mean to touch the water, you can do that at Riverside Park. If you mean to swim in the water, you can do that at Petibone Park across the river and a little south of Riverside park. If you mean to access the river to put a boat on, you'd have to go to the north side of La Crosse, or on the road toward La Crescent, MN for boat access.
are dogs allowed here?
Sandra5678
Friendship, WI176 contributions
As I recall, I did see a dog being walked on a leash on the sidewalk. I don't actually know the rules but I'm sure they would have to be kept on the sidewalk as not to soil the area where people sit and children play feeding the birds.
Frequently Asked Questions about Riverside Park
- Hotels near Riverside Park:
- (0.12 mi) The Charmant Hotel
- (0.16 mi) GrandStay Hotel & Suites La Crosse
- (0.18 mi) Radisson Hotel La Crosse
- (0.29 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites La Crosse Downtown
- (0.38 mi) Home2 Suites by Hilton La Crosse
- Restaurants near Riverside Park:
- (0.11 mi) The Freighthouse Restaurant
- (0.11 mi) The Charmant
- (0.12 mi) 4 Sisters Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant
- (0.11 mi) Rooftop terrace
- (0.27 mi) Pearl Ice Cream Parlor