Prairie du Chien WisconsinATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
1. Villa Louis
HISTORIC VICTORIAN ESTATE
Villa Louis is a beautifully preserved Victorian estate that stands as one of Prairie du Chien's premier historic attractions. Visitors can tour this National Historic Landmark daily from early May through late October to experience the elegant lifestyle of a prominent frontier family. The mansion offers a glimpse into 19th century upper-class living with period furnishings and architecture.
2. The Cannery
LOCAL HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Cannery preserves and showcases an important part of Prairie du Chien's industrial heritage. This restored facility offers visitors a fascinating look at the food preservation techniques that were vital to the area's economic development. Through exhibits and guided tours, guests can understand how canning operations shaped the community's growth and prosperity.
3. Fort Crawford Museum
MILITARY HISTORY PRESERVED
Fort Crawford Museum chronicles the military history that played a crucial role in shaping Prairie du Chien and the surrounding region. Open daily from May through October, this museum houses artifacts and exhibits detailing the fort's significance during the frontier era. Visitors can explore the reconstructed surgeon's quarters and learn about Dr. William Beaumont's groundbreaking medical experiments conducted at the fort.
4. St. Feriole Island Park
RIVERSIDE RECREATION AREA
St. Feriole Island Park offers beautiful riverside recreation areas along the mighty Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien. The island features walking paths, picnic areas, and hosts numerous community events throughout the warm-weather season. Visitors can enjoy spectacular river views while learning about the island's rich history through interpretive markers at Lawler Park on the west side of the island.
5. Shihata's Orchard
SEASONAL FRUIT PARADISE
Shihata's Orchard delights visitors with fresh, locally grown apples and other seasonal fruits in Prairie du Chien. This family-friendly destination offers pick-your-own experiences and farm-fresh products that showcase the agricultural bounty of the region. Visitors can enjoy the orchard's scenic setting while sampling various apple varieties and homemade treats during the harvest season.
6. Trail of Presidents
HISTORICAL WALKING PATH
The Trail of Presidents offers a unique historical walking experience through Prairie du Chien, highlighting presidential connections to this historic river town. Visitors can follow this self-guided tour to discover how various U.S. presidents influenced or visited the oldest European settlement on the Upper Mississippi. Each stop along the trail provides informative displays that bring presidential history to life in this Wisconsin border town.
7. Mississippi River Sculpture Park
BRONZE HISTORICAL FIGURES
Mississippi River Sculpture Park features impressive life-size bronze sculptures depicting 10,000 years of cultural activity in Prairie du Chien. Located on St. Feriole Island, this developing park includes pathways and a fire circle alongside the growing collection of statues. When completed, the park will house more than two dozen bronze sculptures that tell the rich multicultural story of this important Mississippi River community.
8. Fur Trade Museum
COLONIAL COMMERCE HISTORY
The Fur Trade Museum, housed in the 1850 Stone Brisbois Store, preserves the commercial heritage that established Prairie du Chien as a vital trading post. This National Historic Landmark showcases artifacts and exhibits detailing how the fur trade shaped the development of the Upper Mississippi region. Visitors can step back in time to understand the economic forces and cultural exchanges that occurred during this formative period in Wisconsin's history.
9. 1837 Brisbois House
FRONTIER ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The 1837 Brisbois House stands as one of Prairie du Chien's most significant historic structures and a designated National Historic Landmark. This well-preserved home offers visitors a glimpse into the life of one of the area's most prominent frontier families. The architectural details and period furnishings showcase the blending of Eastern refinement with frontier practicality that characterized early settlement in the region.
10. Dousman House Hotel
RIVERBOAT ERA LANDMARK
The Dousman House Hotel represents Prairie du Chien's prosperous steamboat era as a National Historic Landmark. This impressive structure once welcomed travelers and traders journeying along the Mississippi River in the mid-19th century. Visitors can admire the historic architecture while learning about the hotel's role in serving river traffic during the golden age of steamboating.
11. Prairie Fun Land
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
Prairie Fun Land offers action-packed entertainment for thrill seekers of all ages in Prairie du Chien. This family-friendly attraction features water balloon wars, go-kart racing, miniature golf, a driving range, bumper cars, and arcade games. Visitors can spend hours enjoying the variety of activities that make this entertainment center a perfect destination for family fun during the warm weather months.
12. Prairie Cinema
MODERN MOVIE EXPERIENCE
Prairie Cinema provides entertainment year-round with its six-screen theater showing the latest Hollywood releases in Prairie du Chien. Moviegoers can enjoy both evening showings and matinees in comfortable, modern surroundings. This theater serves as a cultural hub for the community and visitors looking for indoor entertainment regardless of the weather outside.
13. Valley Fish & Cheese
LOCAL CULINARY DESTINATION
Valley Fish & Cheese offers visitors a taste of local Mississippi River flavors and Wisconsin dairy products in Prairie du Chien. This specialty shop features fresh-caught fish, artisanal cheeses, and regional delicacies that showcase the area's culinary heritage. Tourists and locals alike flock to this establishment to sample authentic flavors that reflect the natural bounty of this river valley region.
14. Mississippi River Cruises
SCENIC WATERWAY TOURS
Mississippi River Cruises provide unforgettable experiences on America's greatest river, departing from Prairie du Chien. These popular boat tours, nominated for Attraction of the Year in 2017 and 2018, offer spectacular views of the river landscape and wildlife. Passengers can relax on deck while learning about the river's ecology, history, and importance to the development of the region.
15. Community Garden
URBAN AGRICULTURAL OASIS
The Community Garden on St. Feriole Island provides a vibrant green space showcasing local agricultural practices in Prairie du Chien. This expansive garden demonstrates sustainable growing techniques while offering a peaceful setting for visitors to enjoy. Community members and visitors alike can appreciate the seasonal plantings that reflect the region's agricultural traditions in this riverside setting.