Crossing the Mississippi River from La Crescent, Minnesota, into La Crosse, Wisconsin.
WITH MY APPRECIATION of historic buildings, La Crosse, Wisconsin, has become a favorite occasional destination. This Mississippi River town bordering Minnesota is about a half-way meeting point between my Faribault home and my second daughter’s home in eastern Wisconsin. We recently met there for a Saturday afternoon of dining and exploring.
Nearing downtown La Crosse.
I love shopping in La Crosse. Mostly photoshopping. While the rest of the family focuses on getting from one shop to the next, I am constantly distracted by the endless photo opportunities. “Go ahead, I’ll catch up,” I repeat.
Entering the historic downtown.
Signage painted on buildings draws my eye.
Some communities restrict signage on historic buildings. But in downtown La Crosse, anything seems to go, creating a visually diverse landscape of signs that pop color and interest into the streetscape. It works, adding character to this downtown.
Then I stand and swing my camera lens upward to photograph architectural details, vintage lettering on buildings and the many colorful and creative signs that landmark downtown businesses.
Downtown La Crosse is one busy place. On-street parking is a challenge to secure. However, four parking ramps are situated in the downtown and offer free parking on weekends. Same goes for street parking. The downtown features lots of one-way streets.
Everywhere you look, there’s something to catch a photographer’s eye.
Bridesmaids head for an ice cream treat at The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor, a must-stop ice cream shop and more along historic Pearl Street. Love The Pearl’s homemade ice cream.
Or I keep my camera at street level, capturing streetscapes. This downtown pulses with people and traffic.
Outside Kroner True Value Hardware store.
The day after St. Patrick’s Day, I spotted this cup of green beer on a window ledge in a bar. I also saw a glass of beer outside a bar entrance. Downtown La Crosse is packed with bars, I believe the highest per capita of any U.S. city, according to numerous online sources. (Google it.)
The ultimate (in my opinion) “I’m from Wisconsin” t-shirt showcased in the window of The Cheddarhead Store on Pearl Street.
Occasionally I direct my lens down to at-my-feet details or toward window scenes.
This colorful signage welcomes downtown visitors to Historic Pearl Street West.
I photographed this barge on the Mississippi River which edges downtown La Crosse.
The dining options in La Crosse are many, including Big Boar Barbecue. No, I haven’t eaten there. Yet.
Downtown La Crosse truly rates as a photographer’s/visitor’s dream—if you love historic river towns with aged, detailed architecture; colorful signage; character; diverse dining and drinking options; and a variety of unique shops.
FYI: Please check back for more posts from La Crosse.
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Looks like a great place to visit and photograph. Love the BBQ sign.
Yes on both.
and eat
Yup, lots of great dining options in La Crosse.
Love the signage – cool! Nothing better than getting out to walk and explore. Thanks so much for sharing – Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
I have way more cool signage and buildings to show you, Renee. Check back.
Happy Day to you also. I miss your posts.
Wow, those are some great shots of La Crosse! I have spent many a hazy night in that town!
Thank you. I assume “hazy night” is not a reference to weather conditions.
Please check back for lots more photos from La Crosse. It’s a great city to photograph.
I will love to visit here someday although I am not sure I will get much shopping done but I am sure I will get much gawking done! I love old time towns and their architecture and ambience. Carry on with your photography Audrey!!!!!
I’m with you. I’m more about appreciating the architecture and character of a river town, although I can be distracted by antique shops, ice cream parlors, breweries, bookstores…
good distractions!
That’s what I thought.
Ah, my hometown. Love.
Well, I love your hometown.
Good. Keep posting the photos
I will.
I love Lacrosse, such a beautiful river town indeed. Rick and I were engaged down by the river in La Crescent.
That is so romantic.
Great job capturing the flavor, sight and sounds of a Midwestern town through your lens.
Thank you. Many more photos to come.
I love the way you capture old buildings and mmm barbecue
Thank you.
Enjoyed these posts and the photos. This week, I received and email about a book fair in La Crosse in September, so it was fun to learn more! Also- I linked to you in my post today about DAIRY QUEEN! http://wp.me/p6QlrY-Jn
September will be the perfect time to visit La Crosse. It’s so beautiful in that region with the leaves turning color.
Thanks for the shout out.
thanks for this what a treat!
You are welcome.
Okay so here I am again and the lettering here is awesome. Thanks again as I do need the practice.
I, too, am drawn to the signage in La Crosse.
Thanks for putting up the photo of my Shooters Bar Peerless sign that was destroyed by the storm a while back with the terrific long time neighbors at Buzzard Billy’s replacing the Peerless Sign Plates and refusing to accept any money in return.
I am so sorry your sign was lost in the recent storm, but thankful for the kindness of great business neighbors.
I actually have two images of the sign on my blog. Here’s a link to a post that shows the sign in the evening:
https://mnprairieroots.com/2015/10/21/exploring-la-crosse-part-ii-drinking-dining/
La Crosse is one of my favorite river cities to photograph for the architecture and for the signage.