Family Activities
The 2022 Central States VHF Society Conference is pleased to offer the following family activities and tours during the event.
Please know that none of the tours require you to walk quickly and keep up. Both days are quite relaxed schedule-wise. Yes, this is hilly terrain. There will be golf-cart assistance at the two of the sites. You really can walk at your own pace--even up a hard-surfaced slope. Take your time--enjoy the beauty. There really is no rush.
Thursday, July 21
The Thursday night La Crosse Queen dinner cruise for all family members.
Friday, July 22
We begin with a docent guided bus tour of La Crosse. The tour will uncover the beauty of La Crosse’s riverfront, historical districts and scenic parks. Then we go to the Shrine of our Lady of Guadelupe. This beautiful and reverent place is a highlight of La Crosse. Lunch will be in their cafe on the Shrine grounds. After a bit more marveling at the grounds, gardens, and architecture of the Shrine, we will depart. Last up is a guided tour at the Historic Hixon House Museum.
https://www.lchshistory.org/hixon-house
You may go "Shrine of our Lady of Guadelupe"? Really? Any person REALLY can find beauty in their lovely gardens and setting. You may get some good ideas for your own gardens. And a quaint place for lunch! One of the notable things to note on the Historic Hixon House is a nook decorated in Arabesque style. In that period, it was considered quite exotic.
Saturday, July 23
We board our bus and travel to near Westby, WI to visit Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center. After a tour, lunch will be served in their entertainment hall. Next, we travel to Cashton, WI to stop by Down a Country Road Amish shops. This day of travel will show off the curvy roads, valleys, and ridgetops of the Driftless Region. We are seeking one other stop in the area before finishing the day at Grandad Bluff Scenic overlook. A trip to La Crosse must have a stop at Grandad Bluff.
https://www.downacountryroad.com/
https://explorelacrosse.com/project/grandad-bluff-la-crosse/
At Norskedalen, if you are a walker, there are plenty of trails to enjoy. Some come to this site just for the hiking. Otherwise, there is plenty to see in the Visitor center and the nearest batch of buildings. There is golf-cart assistance here if that helps.
Our "Bus Captain" will have bug spray, "sun goop", and papertowls.
On the Saturday tour, the following stops are possible if you decide you'd like to:
http://www.oldcountrycheese.com/ Cashton
https://www.pasturepridecheese.com/ Cashton (you drive right by it)
Branch's Winery https://www.brancheswinery.com/ You drive very close to it. A tasting is less than $10. It is a beautiful ridge top and nice sitting areas.
Other possible interesting stops:
Downtown La Crosse has two Antique Malls that are walkable from the hotel.
https://explorelacrosse.com/project/caledonia-street-antique-mall/
https://antiquecenteroflacrosse.com/
Quilting considerations:
https://www.nelsonflag.com/ has a quilting department. Check their website.
https://www.olivejuicequilts.com/ on the north end of town (which is Onalaska)