- Exploring the hidden gems of Western Wisconsin—curating unforgettable stays and sharing the places locals love most.
Every so often the forecast turns on us. A guest texts the morning of their getaway: “It’s supposed to rain all weekend. What do we do?” And I’ll be honest, a rainy day on the river is one of my favorite kinds of days. The bluffs disappear into the clouds, the coffee shops fill up, and nobody’s in a hurry.
Here’s the indoor day I’d plan for you: a slow morning in Prescott, a few hours in downtown Hudson, a movie or a lane at the bowling alley, a taproom, and a big bowl of ramen to finish. Everything is within about 30 minutes of downtown Prescott.
Start at The Twisted Oak Coffee House on Broad Street, and go straight upstairs. There’s a loft up there people call the tree house, and on a rainy morning there’s no better seat in town. Order a latte (regulars ask for the Starry Night), the breakfast burrito with hot sauce, and maybe a slice of carrot cake because it’s raining and that’s the rule.
When you’re ready to move, walk a few doors to Riverbank Antiques and Book Shop, where you can lose an hour in antiques and shelves of used books. Then stop into 22 and Co., a home decor shop full of refined-rustic pieces and salvaged finds picked by an owner with an interior design background.
Insider tip: On weekends, the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center at Freedom Park is free and indoors, with exhibits on eagles, river boats and Native American history. It’s open daily in summer and on Saturdays and Sundays from November through February.
Downtown Hudson is about 30 minutes north, with a walkable stretch of Locust Street and Second Street lined with shops in old brick buildings. My rainy-day loop:
Then cross to The Phipps Center for the Arts on Locust Street. The galleries are free, with rotating exhibits of regional art, and there’s a theater if you want to check what’s playing tonight.
Insider tip: If you’re here on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday in summer or fall, book a tour of the Octagon House Museum, an eight-sided 1855 home furnished with a century of family life. It closes for most of the winter, so check the schedule first.
For the full rainy-day experience, go to the Falls Theatre in downtown River Falls, about 20 minutes from Prescott. It opened in 1927 as the Princess Theatre, the same family has run it since 1972, and it still shows first-run movies on two screens at small-town prices. If you’d rather have stadium seats, the Hudson 12 theater is near the interstate in Hudson.
St. Croix Lanes in River Falls is a classic family bowling alley with a bar and grill. They serve pizza, sandwiches and appetizers, and on Fridays there’s a fish fry, which is about as Wisconsin as a rainy day gets. In Hudson, Hudson Bowling Center is another option. Call ahead for open lanes on weekends, since league nights fill up.
Three taprooms nearby are worth the stop:
Back in Prescott, a rainy night calls for Ichiddo Ramen on Broad Street. It was Ichiddo’s first Wisconsin location, set in a beautifully renovated space with real plants and a modern Japanese look. Order a big bowl with your choice of more than 15 toppings, plus the chicken karaage and the char siu donburi to share.
If you’d rather have a seat at the bar and some company, head to Muddy Waters. The bar is where the locals are on a rainy night, and the baked Brie and the beef tips will warm you right up.
Make downtown Prescott your home base and book direct with us: The Port of Prescott for boutique king suites steps from the river, Port After Dark for romantic suites made for couples, The Harbor Hotel for themed rooms and extended stays, and The Cove Guest House for downtown condos and group getaways.
