Roadtrip Southwestern

This park is in the running to be Wisconsin’s second International Dark Sky Place, together with the nearby Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area. Park officials recommend stargazing at spots throughout the park, including the upper picnic area observation point and on the aptly named starlight trail.

The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor is a 1930s-style gem located in a historic downtown La Crosse building, just a block or so from the Mississippi River. Kids will love the old-fashioned soda fountain and the extensive confectionery. But the real draw is the house-made ice cream. Noted ice cream connoisseur and former President Joe Biden made a stop at the Pearl in 2021.

Republic of Letters offers new and used books in a historic building in Mineral Point. Store owners Keith Burrows and Leslie Damaso are two of the authors of “The Wisconsin Whey,” a recently released book on cheesemakers from the Driftless Area.

Visit the Bodega Brew Pub that’s gained a reputation for being haunted. Employees have heard and shared stories about a death in the upstairs apartment, and some have reported hearing a piano playing or crashes in the basement. Bartenders have also reported glasses moving on their own. Del’s Bar and the historic Rivoli Theatre also have reports of strange things happening.