Prairie du Chien’s scenic beauty in the river valley
Prairie du Chien is a charming river town directly east of the Iowa-Wisconsin state line that’s known for its tourism, industry and historical heritage. As one of the oldest cities in Wisconsin, Prairie du Chien was an early settlement for French immigrants and fur tradesmen in the 17th century and still has many original buildings from when the downtown district was built in the 1800s. Over time, it also became a busy industrial center with the arrival of major corporations, including the 3M Company, Miniature Precision Components and a Cabela’s distribution center. “Many people travel from Iowa to Prairie du Chien for work,” says Nate Gilberts, a city planner and lifelong resident. “This is basically the hub for southwest Wisconsin and northeast Iowa.” With a bustling downtown, architectural diversity and an island where many riverfront events and activities take place, Prairie du Chien’s beauty is practically unmatched in the river valley. “We have the Mississippi River to the west, the Wisconsin River to the south and we have bluffs to the east,” Gilberts says. “It doesn’t get any more picturesque than here.”
Parks, trails and historic sites along the Mississippi River
The 240-acre St. Feriole Island borders the western shore and features amenities that include 19th-century landmarks, a baseball complex with three fields and an 18-hole disc golf course. There are trails for hiking and biking, and the area is also a popular birdwatching destination, with wildlife such as blue herons, sparrows and bald eagles. “That is basically one huge park area that used to be a town of its own,” Gilberts says. “We have a harbor on the north end of the island, so we have barges coming in and out of there all the time.” There are a couple of boat landings that provide access to the Mississippi River, where many go kayaking, fishing and jet skiing, and Charles Wacouta Aquatic Park has an outdoor pool and a nearby skate park. The 300-acre La Riviere Park has campgrounds and equestrian trails on the city’s southeastern side. Many more parks, playgrounds and historical sites can be found around town.
Local restaurants, cafes and boutiques in a historic downtown
The downtown district is home to a wide variety of establishments, ranging from fine dining to family-friendly restaurants. Fort Mulligan’s Grill Pub features American fare inside a building from the 1800s, while Jones’ Black Angus is a steakhouse that also serves seafood and specialty cocktails. The Barn Restaurant boasts a rustic atmosphere along with two full-service bars, and Eddie’s Irish Pub offers fish and chips alongside 20-ounce pints of Guinness. There are many boutiques, antique stores and gift shops along Blackhawk Avenue, as well as an assortment of coffeehouses and pizzerias. The community also has several grocery store options, including Walmart, Aldi and Piggly Wiggly.
Historic and modern homes with a variety of architectural styles
Most houses are situated on city blocks along the highway, although there is some new construction in subdivisions farther outside of town. Ranch-style homes make up a large portion of Prairie du Chien’s real estate, many of which have decks and around 10,000-square-foot lots with fenced yards. Some larger houses can also have vaulted ceilings, open floor plans and two-car garages. Many Cape Cod homes have screened porches and were built as early as the 1930s. There are also a handful of bilevel homes in the community, and other housing styles include Colonial, Craftsman, Victorian and National Folk architecture. The median sale price is around $189,000, which is lower than the state median of about $334,000.
Island fishing, seasonal celebrations and music festivals
Prairie du Chien hosts many events throughout the year. The annual Ice Fisheree is an ice-fishing tournament typically held in February, while the city's St. Patrick's Day celebration and Shamrock Shuffle both take place in March. Music fans look forward to the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in July and the Country Line Country Fest in August, and the annual Oktoberfest always brings German beer, food and music to St. Feriole Island in the fall. A farmers' market is also held on the island Thursday nights from May to October.
A key crossroads in southwest Wisconsin
The city is situated at a major highway intersection that includes U.S. Route 18 and State Highways 27, 35 and 60. Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit has a bus route that runs from Prairie du Chien to La Crosse over 60 miles north, stopping at multiple cities by the Mississippi River along the way. It also has a route to the 24-hour Crossing Rivers Health hospital in town. For air travel, Dubuque Regional Airport is over 60 miles south and offers daily flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which provides direct flights to more than 150 destinations nationwide.
Prairie du Chien schools offer STEM initiatives and early college prep
The Prairie du Chien Area School District serves over 900 students in the community and earns a B-plus on Niche. B.A. Kennedy Elementary teaches preschool through second grade, while Bluff View Intermediate offers STEM initiatives and a variety of extracurricular activities. Both schools earn B ratings on Niche. Prairie Du Chien High School offers college prep courses and has a 97% graduation rate, earning a B-plus.
