Major city · United States
Prairie du Chien
Half a day to one night: see Villa Louis, walk the riverfront, then move on. Not a base for the region.
Prairie du Chien is a small Mississippi River town in southwest Wisconsin, best known for Villa Louis, a fur-trade estate. The historic district and river views fill a few hours. Most travellers use it as a stop between Madison and La Crosse or as a launch point for Wyalusing State Park.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–October
- avoid December–February (cold, some attractions closed)
- Airports
- LSE · MSN
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Prairie du Chien911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Prairie du Chien, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLSE La Crosse Regional Airport (About 1 hour north by car).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$15–30
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich$8–14
- BeerBeer (pint)$4–7
- Museum or sight ticketVilla Louis admission$9 adults, $7.75 students/seniors, $4.50 children 5–17
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LSE La Crosse Regional Airport (About 1 hour north by car) · MSN Dane County Regional Airport (Madison) (About 1.5 hours east by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Prairie du Chien: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
7 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
6 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. The town is compact enough to walk between Villa Louis and the riverfront, but Wyalusing State Park and other sights need a vehicle.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wyalusing State Park
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car via WI-35 south, about 15 min
Bluff-top views of the Mississippi confluence; hiking and Native American burial mounds.
Soldiers Grove
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Car via US-18 east, about 20 min
Small town with a historic downtown and the Driftless Area scenery.
Dodgeville
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Car via US-18 east, about 45 min
Gateway to Governor Dodge State Park and the House on the Rock.
Spring Green
goDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
Car via US-18 east, about 1 h
Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin and the American Players Theatre.
Richland Center
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car via WI-27 north, about 40 min
Frank Lloyd Wright's A.D. German Warehouse and the Pine River.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Marquette Road
Hotels and motels near US 18; walkable to Villa Louis and the river.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel room (chain)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Villa Louis admission2 × US$9 | US$18 |
| Wyalusing State Park vehicle fee1 × US$8 · check | US$8 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$262 per person per day, bed included | US$524 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch sandwich | $8–14 |
| Dinner entrée | $15–30 |
| Beer (pint) | $4–7 |
| Motel room (double) | $80–180 |
| Villa Louis admission | $9 adults, $7.75 students/seniors, $4.50 children 5–17 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Villa Louis guided tours run hourly 10AM–4PM; last entry is 4PM.
- Wyalusing State Park charges a vehicle admission fee (check).
- Winter closures: many restaurants and the water park have reduced hours or close entirely.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Prairie du ChienPrairie du Chien
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- La Crosse → Prairie du Chien (car): about 1 h via WI-35
- Madison → Prairie du Chien (car): about 1.5 h via US-18
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Prairie du Chien. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–October · avoid December–February (cold, some attractions closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified hours and prices: Villa Louis, Wyalusing State Park, Bear Foot Bay Indoor Water Park.
- Eat pages with last-order times for the handful of downtown restaurants.
- Seasonal closure fixtures so the page goes green only when everything is open.
Sources
Ask about Prairie du Chien
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