2021 Rotary Lights Holiday Display - La Crosse, WI

For the past twenty seven years, people have enjoyed the Rotary Lights Holiday Display in Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI. So nice we’ve seen it twice. This is the view of the display at night from our balcony at The Charmant Hotel on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Our first cross-country drive from Peterborough, NH to Kalispell, MT happened in December of 2017, and our second stop was La Crosse, WI. I knew I had found a cool little hotel, The Charmant, on the banks of the Mississippi in a town we'd never been to before. And that dogs were welcome. I did NOT know that for the past twenty-odd years the local Rotary Club in tandem with the community hosts one of the most charming Christmas displays I have ever seen -- The Rotary Lights Holiday Display. And now I've seen it twice. Years back when we stayed in La Crosse, we pulled in late and by the time we unloaded the vehicle, fed the dog and ate dinner, the display was extinguished for the night. This year I vowed not to miss it, and we didn't. Best road-trip-leg-stetching-opportunity so far, and there have been a lot! Just gonna let you enjoy the show. For more information, click on the Rotary Lights link above. La Crosse, WI is one of my most unexpected and enjoyable finds so far in our US travels. Happy Holidays everybody!

So many lights, characters, messages and yes, live Reindeer! The dragon blows actual flame, but the firetruck, police and all of the Armed Services are represented, so I think we’re safe. What a wonderful stop somewhere near the middle of this beautiful country! Great way to start the holiday season.