- Exploring the hidden gems of Western Wisconsin—curating unforgettable stays and sharing the places locals love most.
A local’s guide to the waterfalls, bluffs, river towns and supper clubs along the St. Croix and Mississippi — with downtown Prescott, right where the two rivers meet, as your home base.
Western Wisconsin’s river country runs from the basalt cliffs at St. Croix Falls, down the St. Croix through Osceola, Hudson and Prescott, then south along the Mississippi on the Great River Road through Bay City, Maiden Rock, Stockholm, Pepin and Nelson. It’s waterfalls and state parks up north, bluffs and Lake Pepin down south, and small-town main streets the whole way.
Prescott sits right in the middle, where the St. Croix meets the Mississippi — you can watch the two rivers run side by side before they blend. It’s the start of Wisconsin’s Great River Road, about 40 minutes from St. Paul, and a short drive from just about everything in this guide. Freedom Park and the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center sit on the bluff above town.
That’s why we suggest making downtown Prescott your home base: walk to dinner and the river at night, and spend your days exploring up and down the valley. Start with our local’s guide to Prescott, then pick your river towns below.
North to the falls or south along the bluffs.
The same river valley reinvents itself four times a year.
Everything you need for an easy weekend on the river.
A ready-made 48 hours for two, just 40 minutes from St. Paul.
Read the guide →What to do in every season, from spring waterfalls to winter eagle watching.
Read the guide →King suites, downtown condos, a whole guest house and kitchen studios.
Read the guide →Festivals, markets and celebrations worth planning your visit around.
Read the guide →Our favorite local guides, written by people who live here.
Guides matched to who’s coming and why.
Riverfront dinners, slow mornings and suites made for two.
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Where to stay with kids, matched to the reason you’re coming.
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Birthdays, getaways and a weekend you’ll want to plan again.
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Dog-friendly stays, patios and walks for you and your pup.
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Studios with kitchens for a week, a month or more.
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Day trips from St. Croix Falls to Nelson.
Plan it →It depends on the trip you want. Spring brings the waterfalls, summer is for river days, fall is the color drive down the Great River Road (color usually peaks early to mid-October), and winter is the season for eagle watching along the open Mississippi.
Downtown Prescott sits right in the middle, where the St. Croix meets the Mississippi, so St. Croix Falls to the north and Nelson to the south are both an easy day trip.
Prescott is about 40 minutes from St. Paul, and much of the valley is within about an hour or two of the Twin Cities, which makes it an easy weekend getaway.
Watch bald eagles where the Mississippi stays open, ski at Trollhaugen in Dresser, catch Prescott Winterfest in January and warm up with a long supper club dinner.
Yes. There are dog-friendly patios and trails across the valley, and our Prescott stays welcome up to 2 well-traveled dogs with prior approval.
Stay downtown where the rivers meet, explore the valley by day and walk to dinner at night.