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We are so excited for our upcoming retreat in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I am a little biased since I grew up in the area and think LaCrosse is a delightful town with loads of charm and inspiration. Want to know why I love La Crosse? Join me for a little tour of two of the streets downtown.
Only a couple of blocks long and wide, downtown La Crosse is a walkable delight of restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and bars. Standing at the corner of Pearl Street and Fourth Street, we can spot several iconic locations.
Walking down Fourth Street, we’ll start at The Bodega Brew Pub on the corner. This is one of my favorite places to enjoy some Wisconsin beer—a Spotted Cow perhaps?—and with its window seating, it’s the perfect place to write, sketch, or simply enjoy the comings and goings on the street. Don’t like Spotted Cow? They have 400 beers for you to choose from and if you can’t decide what to get or you’re feeling adventurous, you can spin the wheel and let fate decide for you.
Just down the street from the pub is Leithold Music. This music store has been around since 1888 and is one of the most recognizable buildings in downtown La Crosse with its painted brick sign. Once we step inside we are instantly transported by the smells of wood and instrument oils. Fun fact— all of my instruments throughout grade school and high school band were rented from this store and I took my first piano lessons here.
Are you feeling peckish? Since 1922, Coney Island has been a staple of La Crosse with its delicious hot dogs and fries. I recommend a chili dog with cheese (no onions) and a large fry. Extra hungry? Get a double dog. You won’t regret it.
The last stop on this side of the block is Deaf Ear Records—it’s been a fixture downtown since 1978. Grab a couple of records, check out some comics, and enjoy the vibe while you browse.
Across the street, we can grab a quick coffee at the Root Note—Coffee not your jam? They also have live music and craft beer if you’re looking for an alternative place to create.
Next door we’ll find Dale’s Clothing. Dale’s is an incredible boutique that was cool when I was a kid and continues to carry the latest fashions for men and women. I love to browse the racks whenever I’m in town for a little fashion pick-me-up.
Let’s take a walk down Pearl Street in downtown La Crosse. On our right, we can grab a coffee or tea at Jules Coffee House before heading into Pearl Street Books. Pearl Street Books has both used and new books for your reading pleasure and if you’re anything like me, you’ll find plenty of treasures within its shelves. Next door, we can stop in at Kroner’s Hardware. This treasure trove of useful and unique finds will keep you occupied and inspired for hours. As they say—they have really neat stuff there!
As we continue down the block, you may want to pop into All Glazed Up to paint some pottery—I always find when I’m stuck for inspiration, changing the medium can sometimes shake loose whatever is blocking me.
Several fun clothing shops line Pearl Street including Willow and Markos Apparel. Markos is another long-lived retailer in the downtown area with over 100 years of retail and wholesale service. I can’t say enough nice things about the people at Markos. I was caught on a cool day downtown and headed toward a river cruise but had forgotten an additional layer. They were kind enough to open their doors early for me so I could purchase what has become my favorite jean jacket.
We’ll cross Third Street now so I can show you some of my favorite places on Pearl. On the left is Buzzard Billy’s with its delicious creole food—I recommend the Cajun popcorn or the Seafood Fettuccine Alfredeaux. The Starlight Lounge is located above the restaurant—it’s a speakeasy-style hideaway with wonderful cocktails. The vibe is very cool.
Ahead of us at the end of the block is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a souvenir to commemorate your visit. TJ’s La Crosse Shop and Drift Mercantile have delightful gift items and more. Definitely stop in and take a look around.
Finally, our little walk has brought us to the best ice cream and confectioners shop. The Pearl. This 1930s-style ice cream parlor will make you swoon with all the quaint details and the incredible smells. All their ice cream is handmade—everything is delicious but I’m getting a scoop of chocolate (maybe two) in a homemade waffle cone. You can read about their history and the late Oscar Peterslie–driving force behind the Pearl on their website.
Want to experience what this quaint city has to offer for yourself? Come to our writing retreat and be inspired on the banks of the Mississippi.
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