Wisconsin's Second
Oldest Community
Bordered by beautiful
bluffs and the mighty Mississippi River carved out by the melting
glaciers, Prairie
du Chien offers residents and visitors breathtaking natural beauty,
fascinating history and diverse sightseeing opportunities! Settled by the
fur traders in 1673, Prairie du Chien is the second oldest
community in Wisconsin and provides a rich heritage from the days of
the fur traders and Indians to today's modern and flourishing retail,
business, trade and tourism industries.
Historical
Attractions
A wealth of historic
lore and charm awaits you in beautiful Prairie du Chien, which
boasts over 25 historic sites! Many of the local events are based
on the area's rich culture and history. Some of the more popular
attractions include:
* Villa
Louis Historic Site, on St.
Feriole, is one of the more complete
& authentic Victorian houses in
the
in the country
* Fort Crawford Museum
* Victorian Style Park at Lawler
Park, where paddle wheel boats are
still docking today, as since 1823
* Marquette - Joliet Marker
* St. Gabriel's Catholic Church,
Wisconsin's oldest existing Church
* And many more!
Natural
Attractions
From the rustic
countryside, to the beautiful bluffs and the mighty Mississippi
River, there are breathtaking sightseeing attractions and countless
year-round recreational opportunities. Visitors and residents alike can
enjoy a peaceful picnic, a challenging hiking trail, a riverboat cruise,
and watch the migration of a large variety of birds that follow the
Mississippi.
Deer, turkey,
small game and water fowl hunting is some of the best in the state. Trout streams and rivers abundant with bass, catfish, walleye and panfish
provide great fishing. In the fall you can capture the beautiful
colors and in the winter enjoy miles of snowmobile trails, ice fishing,
ice skating and cross-country skiing.
Area parks offer many
fun activities including camping, swimming and sports. An outdoor
aquatic park features a gigantic waterslide and Fort Fun offers a colossal
wood playground.
Shopping, Dining
& Lodging
In Prairie du Chien,
you'll enjoy excellent shopping, dining and accommodations --
something to fit everyone's needs!. Over 40 lodging properties to
choose from. Throughout the area, artisans
provide a wealth of handcrafted goods including quilts, hand loomed rugs,
pottery, sculpture and one of a kind works of art. Numerous
antique shops and art galleries hold fascinating treasures. From old
fashioned stores in downtown where you can find an old time soda fountain
to a modern mall that offers a wide selection of goods and services,
shopping is a fun experience in Prairie du Chien.
You certainly won't go hungry in Prairie du Chien. The options are endless, from supper
clubs, specialty restaurants, and family restaurants to delis, fast food,
and bar and grills.
After a fun-filled day of sightseeing and shopping, you'll
be ready to enjoy the great accommodations Prairie du Chien has to
offer. Diverse lodging opportunities include gracious inns, wonderful bed
and breakfasts, family-oriented motels with lots of extras, cabins, modern
campgrounds and rustic parks.
In Prairie du Chien, you'll enjoy:
Prairie
du Chien
1-800-732-1673
See Prairie du Chien's Business Directory
For information on the surrounding area,
visit Crawford County
Map & Travel Directions
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The Julia Belle Swain Riverboat

The Villa Louis
Prairie du Chien Calendar of Events
| Upcoming Events |
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Iowa Archaeology Month
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 10/1/2008
- Ends: 10/31/2008 | special programs are scheduled during the annual recognition of Iowa's archaeological past. Effigy M... (details) |
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Historic City Walking Tour
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | Fort Crawford Museum at 717 S Beaumont Rd, Prairie du Chien. A walking tour emphasizing historic bui... (details) |
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Moonlight Hike
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | Effigy Mounds National Monument three miles north of Marquette, IA. Presented annually, these popula... (details) |
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Fall Foliage Cruises
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 10/11/2008
- Ends: 10/12/2008 | on the Mississippi River aboard the Mississippi Explorer Cruises, two hour river cruise will depart ... (details) |
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Leaf Arts & Crafts Festival
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 10/11/2008
- Ends: 10/12/2008 | Triangle Park, McGregor, IA, 800-896-0910. |
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Flea Market under the bridge
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 10/11/2008
- Ends: 10/12/2008 | Marquette, IA, 800-896-0910, 563-873-3521. |
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Breakfast in a Victorian Kitchen
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 10/18/2008
- Ends: 10/19/2008 | at the Villa Louis Historic Site, St. Feriole Island, 521 N. Villa Louis Rd, Prairie du Chien. Parti... (details) |
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Marquette Oktoberfest
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 10/18/2008
- Ends: 10/19/2008 | downtown Marquette, IA, hosted by Eagles Landing Winery, fresh pretzel making, free wine tasting fea... (details) |
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Fall Foliage Cruises
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 10/18/2008
- Ends: 10/19/2008 | On the Mississippi River aboard the Mississippi Explorer Cruises, two hour river cruise will depart ... (details) |
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Old West Bank Robbery & Shoot Out
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | the Old West comes alive in downtown McGregor, IA, as the "Hole in the Sock Gang" present a street r... (details) |
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The Iowa Wine Trail’s Fall Holiday Wine & Food Event
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 11/1/2008
- Ends: 11/2/2008 | Eagles Landing Winery, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Marquette, IA, 563-873-2509. |
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Native American History Month
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 11/1/2008
- Ends: 11/30/2008 | Effigy Mounds National Monument, three miles north of Marquette, IA, visit the park to learn about A... (details) |
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Holiday Parade
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | downtown Prairie du Chien along Blackhawk Ave beginning at 5:30 p.m., 608-326-8555. |
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A Holiday Open House
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | in Iowa’s First National Park Unit, Effigy Mounds National Monument, three miles north of Marquette,... (details) |
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A Christmas Holiday on a Victorian Country Estate
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 12/6/2008
- Ends: 12/7/2008 | Villa Louis Historic Site, St. Feriole Island, 521 N Villa Louis Rd, Prairie du Chien, 10 a.m. - 4 p... (details) |
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Wines & Tastes of the Holidays
| Location: | Prairie du Chien | | Starts: 12/6/2008
- Ends: 12/7/2008 | Eagles Landing Winery, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Marquette, IA, 563-873-2509. |
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Click a date in the calendar above to view or submit events.
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