| liv score 632 How We Calculate Our Data |
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|---|---|
| Civics | 52 |
| Demographics | 34 |
| Economy | 51 |
| Education | 61 |
| Health | 73 |
| Housing | 58 |
| Infrastructure | 52 |
#77. La Crosse, WI
Perched along the scenic bluffs above the Mississippi River, La Crosse is Wisconsin’s largest western city, making it a hub for jobs, commerce, retail and more. With a wide variety of employment options and a cost of living well below the national average, La Crosse offers big-city perks and small-town living together in a unique setting.
Top Industries and Employers: Healthcare, manufacturing and government are three of the big industries here. Trane, Ashley Furniture, Gundersen Health and Mayo Clinic are some of the biggest employers in the area.
Best Coffee Shop: Jules Coffee House is LaCrosse’s original coffee shop. Right on historic Pearl Street, they also have delicious baked goods. As an added bonus, they’re right next to the amazing Pearl Street Books.
Best Local Beer/Brewery: Turtle Stack Brewery makes some of the most interesting beers in the state while focusing on local, sustainable ingredients.
Must-Have Meal: A burger at Howie’s on La Crosse, a local staple for more than 75 years.
Best Co-Working Space: The Gig Co-Working Space, part of the Coulee Co. startup incubator.
Best Meetup Spot (When Meeting Up Is a Thing Again): The rooftop terrace at The Charmant Hotel
Creative Hub: The Pump House Regional Arts Center, a membership-supported organization that promotes a wide range of visual, literary and performing arts.
Favorite Weekend Activity: Wine and cider tasting along the Wisconsin Great River Road. Called the best drive in America, the path goes for 250 miles in Wisconsin along the Mississippi River.
Free Way to Have Fun: Bike, hike or drive among the Mississippi River bluffs. Hixon Forest has a number of free trails and no one has truly visited La Crosse unless they’ve gone up to Grandad Bluff.
Local Dream Job: Oktoberfest Festmaster and Frau. La Crosse’s Oktoberfest is the biggest in the Midwest, and it’s a massive party. The Festmaster and Frau are chosen each year to be the face of the event, hosting a ball and generally getting to have a blast as a VIP for four straight days.
Read More:
Best Places to Live in Wisconsin
La Crosse, WI is One of the Most Affordable Cities in the Country
10 Reasons to Move to Wisconsin
– Nicole Haase