Apples and the Mississippi River form the core of La Crescent
La Crescent is a Minnesota city of over 5,000 people that sits across the Mississippi River from Wisconsin. The city was established in the 1850s and named for the crescent shapes of the river. Not long after La Crescent was founded, horticulturist John S. Harris planted hundreds of different apple tree varieties to see what type of plants could survive the winter. This venture led to La Crescent being nicknamed the “Apple Capitol of Minnesota.” The city celebrates this moniker with the annual Applefest, which has been held in the town since the 1940s. U.S. Route 14 and State Highway 16 mark the eastern boundary of La Crescent, facilitating commutes to nearby cities, including La Crosse, Wisconsin, which sits approximately 5 miles east. Route 14 also intersects with Interstate 90 about 3 miles north of town, connecting drivers to more distant cities like Rochester, 70 miles west, and Madison, Wisconsin, 145 miles southeast.
A mix of housing styles
Some properties back onto the river, with private boating and fishing docks. Homes in the city center are on gridded streets with smaller lawn sizes, oak trees overhead and views of the nearby hills. The median housing price is $375,000, lower than the national median but higher than Minnesota’s. Home styles include New Traditionals, ranch-styles and Colonial Revivals. Single-family home prices typically range from $115,000 to $680,000, with higher-priced properties typically offering views of the Mississippi River and significant lot sizes. Townhomes and condominiums are also available, ranging in price from about $175,000 to $375,000. Vacant lots suitable for building typically sit along the western outskirts of town, with prices ranging from $45,000 to $135,000. While the majority of La Crescent homes do not fall under the purview of an HOA, there are a select few that do; monthly HOA dues for these properties typically range from $40 to $100.
An apple-themed celebration, local parks and a farmers market in the summer
Apples are still at the core of La Crescent, and multiple apple orchards still surround the city. La Crescent celebrates the fruit with the annual AppleFest. Held since 1940, the festival is made up of multiple events, including concerts, parades, sports tournaments and food vendors. La Crescent also hosts a farmers’ market in the summer months.
The city has several green spaces, including Old Hickory Park, which features a baseball field, basketball court and playground. Veterans Park has ball fields, a skate park and walking trails. Frank Kistler Memorial Park has tennis and volleyball courts. The La Crescent Aquatic Center is a municipal pool open seasonally from late May to August, and residents can pay a discounted rate for either daily use or a membership. The center features two 33-foot water slides, a 14-foot-tall climbing wall, two diving boards, six lanes dedicated to lap swimming, a shallow pool for younger visitors and a concession stand.
Pine Creek Golf Course, outside the community, has a 9-hole layout with a length of under 3,000 yards.
Public and private schools, with higher education across the river
Students attend the La Crescent-Hokah School District, ranked C-plus on Niche. Students can attend La Crescent-Hokah Elementary, La Crescent-Hokah Middle and La Crescent-Hokah High School. Both the elementary and high schools earn a B-minus, while the middle school earns a C-plus. High schoolers have the opportunity to participate in any of 15 different varsity-level sports. Private religious schools the community include the unranked Crucifixion School. Across the river, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offers a full range of both undergraduate and graduate degrees, with a particular strength in science- and health-related fields.
Dining and shopping throughout La Crescent
Restaurants in La Crescent are concentrated on Walnut Street, Main Street and Veterans Parkway. Kaddy’s Kafe serves breakfast items, sandwiches and salads. Corky’s Pizza also has sandwiches and burgers. Schmitty’s TimeOut Tavern opens for breakfast and lunch, serving wings, tacos and flatbreads.
The downtown area has boutique stores, gift shops and fruit stands. It also has a Quillin's grocery store, but more big-box retailers are across the river in La Crosse. Mayo Clinic Health System—La Crosse is 5 miles east.
Flood risks and winter storms
Winter storms and snow can be a factor, as the average snowfall in December can reach over 4 inches. According to flood maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, areas along the Mississippi River and Pine Creek are at risk of flooding.
La Crosse MTU and highway connections
The La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility provides bus service, with the #10 route connecting La Crescent to the downtown La Crosse Transit Center. Amtrak’s Empire Builder and Borealis routes stop in La Crosse. La Crosse Regional Airport is 7 miles east, but it only has flights to Chicago O’Hare. Interstate 90 runs north of the city, connecting to Madison.
