- Exploring the hidden gems of Western Wisconsin—curating unforgettable stays and sharing the places locals love most.
There’s a particular kind of slow you only get in a river town. It’s early, the coffee’s on, and outside the window a towboat is easing past so slowly you’d swear it isn’t moving. A train hums somewhere across the water. Nobody’s in a hurry, and for once, neither are you.
That’s the feeling worth chasing on a trip down Wisconsin’s Great River Road, and where you sleep has everything to do with it. These are five of our favorite places to stay along the river, from our own front door in Prescott to a garden hotel in Alma. Whether you’re staying one night or making it a full road trip, each one puts you close enough to the water to feel it.
Where the St. Croix meets the Mississippi
We’ll admit we’re biased, but this is where the river road begins, and it’s the best home base for the whole trip. The Port of Prescott sits in the heart of downtown, less than a block from the St. Croix, with three marinas within walking distance. Park the car when you arrive and forget about it until you leave.
Each of The Port’s six suites is named for a river that shapes this valley, from the Kinni to the Mississippi, and each has a king bed, an electric fireplace, and a coffee and tea bar for slow mornings. Spend the evening on a deck where the two rivers meet, then walk home under the streetlights.
Across the street, Port After Dark is The Port’s encore: three moody, color-drenched suites named First Kiss, Our Song, and Last Call, made for couples who want the night to keep going.
Best for: couples, river-road trips, and anyone who wants to walk everywhere. Bringing the dog? See our pet-friendly stays guide.
About 40 minutes from Prescott, across the river
The St. James Hotel has been welcoming travelers on Red Wing’s Main Street since 1875, and it celebrated 150 years in 2025. It’s a Historic Hotel of America and the grand dame of river-town hotels, the kind of place that makes you want to dress for dinner.
Ask for a river-view room and you’ll look out over the Mississippi, the historic train depot, and the bridge back to Wisconsin. Stay in for dinner at Scarlet Kitchen and Bar, book a treatment at the River Blu Salon and Day Spa, and end the night with a drink without ever leaving the building. Covered parking is free, and downtown Red Wing’s shops are right outside.
Best for: history lovers and anyone who wants full-service hotel polish. River views depend on the room you book, so ask when you reserve.
A 1906 schoolhouse, two blocks from Lake Pepin
Some places have a story built into the walls. Maiden Rock Inn is the village’s 1906 schoolhouse, the third to stand on the property, lovingly restored by owners Gary and Jennifer Peterson, who have been bringing it back to life since 1995. Today it’s a bed and breakfast with four guest rooms, a block off the Great River Road and two blocks from the shore of Lake Pepin.
It’s the kind of place where you trade the school bell for a slow breakfast, then wander down to the water before the day gets going. Maiden Rock Bluff, one of the best overlooks on the entire drive, is just up the road.
Best for: couples who love a stay with character and a B&B-style morning.
A private hot tub overlooking Lake Pepin
If you’ve ever wanted to sit in a hot tub and watch the sailboats come into the harbor, this is your stay. This midcentury waterfront bungalow sits right on the Pepin marina, with a private hot tub on the deck and panoramic views of Lake Pepin. It sleeps six in two bedrooms, has a well-stocked kitchen, and holds a 4.96 rating from nearly 80 guest reviews.
Best of all, you can walk to dinner. The legendary Harbor View Cafe is just down the street. Our Romantic Restaurants guide explains why people drive from the Twin Cities just to eat there.
Best for: two couples traveling together, or a longer stay with a kitchen.
A garden hotel at the end of the old paddleboat run
Alma is one of the most charming stops on the whole Great River Road, a town tucked between the bluffs and the river, and Hotel de Ville is the reason to stay the night. The hotel is spread across six historic buildings. The Grand, built in 1861 at the end of the Mississippi paddleboat run, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and its chandeliers hold more than 1,500 pieces of crystal.
Most rooms look out on the river or the gardens, and the gardens are the showstopper: a Secret Garden with fountains and bronze statues, a promenade lined with daylilies, and a wrought-iron gazebo overlooking the Mississippi and the passing trains. Dinner is on site at the Art Deco Empire Room, or grab a pizza at Alfresco Pizzeria and finish with ice cream at Fire & Ice.
Best for: garden lovers and a romantic last night before the drive home. The grounds are at their best when the gardens are in bloom.
The river has a way of slowing you down. Pick a place where you can hear it, and let it. đź’™
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.
Planning a trip for two? See our guide to romantic getaways in Wisconsin.
