Best day trips from Stockholm: how to get there and what to see

Stockholm, Wisconsin sits in the Mississippi River valley of western Wisconsin, close to the Minnesota border and within an hour or two of several small cities and river towns. The table below compares the realistic options by drive time, cost and how much of a day each one takes.

Times are driving estimates for a normal-traffic day and should be treated as approximate. Check current road conditions before a winter trip.

Eau Claire is the easiest full-service stop: a small city with a walkable downtown, a university, and enough restaurants and shops to fill an afternoon. It works well as a rainy-day backup because most of what you would do is indoors. See the Eau Claire page for what to do once you arrive.

Altoona is smaller and quieter, useful if you want a short outing rather than a full day. Pair it with Eau Claire if you are already driving that direction, since the two are close together.

The Mississippi river towns are the scenic option. A loop along the river gives you bluffs, small main streets and river views, and you can set your own pace. This is the trip to choose if you want the drive itself to be the point.

La Crosse is a longer haul but has a bigger downtown and riverfront. Treat it as a full-day trip and leave early.

The Twin Cities are the biggest destination within range, but a day trip there means most of your time goes to driving and parking. It is better as an overnight than a day trip.

The main cost is fuel and, in the cities, parking. A 150 km round trip in a mid-size car is roughly US$10–20 in fuel at 2026 prices. Parking in a downtown area can add US$5–15 for a few hours.

Museums, tours and attractions vary; some are free and some charge admission. Budget a small amount per person for entries and food, and check opening days before you go, since small-town attractions often close early in the week or out of season.

Start early. Most of these trips are short drives, but leaving after 9am eats into the day and puts you in the busiest traffic.

Check opening hours the day before. Small Wisconsin attractions often run limited days outside summer, and a closed museum can turn a full day into a short one.

In winter, watch the forecast. Snow and ice change drive times sharply, and some rural roads are treated late. Carry a scraper, warm layers and water.

If you have no car, be realistic: public transport between these towns is thin, so a day trip usually means a rental, a rideshare for a short hop, or staying put in Stockholm. See getting around the United States for the wider picture.