Happy fall! In the Midwest, the air is cool and crisp, and the leaves are turning from green and brown to stunning shades of gold, red, orange, and yellow. Western Wisconsin shows off its fall foliage with fun things to do like Oktoberfest events, river cruises, trolley rides, autumn-themed festivals, apple orchards, farmers’ markets, and antique shopping. You might even find a spirited Halloween celebration.
Here are nine excuses to head to this region of Wisconsin. Just don’t wait until the last minute, as many of these are very popular and book up fast.
1. Prairie du Chien Oktoberfest
Every October, this ode to German culture spans four days on St. Feriole Island. (In 2026, Prairie du Chien Oktoberfest is Oct. 14 through 17.) It kicks off Wednesday afternoon with bingo and features other games, such as cornhole and keg toss. Saturday hosts the most events, including a morning parade, followed by an afternoon car show. Naturally, German food and beer are served alongside live music. Each year, Ms. Oktoberfest and Mr. Festmaster are named as Oktoberfest royalty.
2. St. Croix River Cruises “Fall Colors Cruise”
Viewing fall colors is much easier when you’re not behind the wheel, which is what makes a cruise so appealing. Another reason is that the tree line looks even more spectacular from the water. Hop onto a St. Croix River Cruises’ “Fall Colors Cruise” Sundays at 3:30 p.m. for a 90-minute cruise onboard a two-story boat (the open top deck is perfect for taking pictures) and see for yourself. Each sailing departs from Hudson City Pier in Hudson’s Lake Front Park. Sodas, beer, wine, and concessions are sold onboard.
3. “Dark La Crosse” Trolley Tour
Explore La Crosse, where the tourism board organizes fun tours on historic trolleys specific to each season. One example is the “Dark La Crosse” experience on Friday nights in October, where guests board a trolley at 4:45 p.m. to learn about what’s called “La Crosse’s macabre past” on a narrated two-hour trip. Folded into the fun is a private performance at the Pump House Regional Arts Center, while you learn—from the comfort of the trolley—stories about the city’s red-light district, murders, and other grisly events.
4. Viroqua Farmers Market
October is the final month for the seasonal Viroqua Farmers Market, and it’s the best time to visit, as farms in the Driftless Region (including the town of Viroqua) are harvesting root vegetables and have other fun finds for sale, including pumpkins and apples. This region is also home to one of the highest concentrations of organic farms in the entire country. Most are family-owned and practice organic growing methods. Check out the farmers market from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays in the Western Technical College parking lot in downtown Viroqua.
5. Antique Center of La Crosse
As Western Wisconsin’s largest antiques dealer, the Antique Center of La Crosse is a great spot to hunt for furniture, home décor, vintage clothing, toys, jewelry, and other collectibles. 75 dealers stock booths with antiques and collectibles inside the 20,000-square-foot, three-story historic building in downtown La Crosse. The Gantert Building, once home to a furnishings store, is an architectural marvel with Greek columns and a staircase carved from black walnut.
6. Leinenkugel’s “After Dark Boo-ery Tour”
If you’ve already toured Leinenkugel’s in Chippewa Falls, but still enjoy their beers, try something new on the “After Dark Boo-ery Tour.” The 30-minute experience, which consists of a brewery tour after dark packed with scary stories, is for adults 21 years of age and older. Tours kick off at 7 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 7:45 p.m., and 8 p.m and include a pint of Leinie’s beer of your choice. Because the brewery’s open until 9 p.m., you’re welcome to stay until closing time.
7. Civil War Experience
Every October, Coon Valley, a town of slightly less than 800 people, attracts historians and history fans, particularly those who participate in historical reenactments. Hosted at Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, the Civil War Experience spans the second weekend in October (in 2026, Oct. 10 and 11). Reenactors step into roles that show visitors what military drills and battles during that war looked like. A band also plays Civil War-era music using instruments common at the time.
8. Vino in the Valley’s Fall Festival
Wine lovers will want to head to Vino in the Valley for its fall festival (Oct. 10, 2026), but so will anyone who likes to support artists and crafters, as 50 vendors will be on site. There will be live music, tractor rides, and Italian-inspired food all day long—and, of course, locally made wine from the Rush River Valley. Many wines are crafted from varietals that thrive in the Midwest, such as Vino in the Valley Moonlight Whisper, featuring La Crescent grapes harvested from Minnesota.
9. Banbury Place Fall Market
Eau Claire has long attracted artists and other creative individuals. Banbury Place in downtown Eau Claire is an industrial complex dating back to 1917, when it was established as Gillette Safety Tire Company, and later Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company. Many artists have also set up studios there since the factory closed in 1992.
Banbury Place Fall Market (Oct. 17, 2026) is a sweet spot to start shopping for unique holiday gifts made by local artists. The event’s Facebook page lists participating artists, so you can start making a shopping list now. Examples include fans, bags, and jewelry made by an African artist; decorative wood art using a burn technique to build patterns; glass jewelry pieces; and watercolor prints, cards, and paintings.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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