2024 Rides
FRIDAY - 5:00 pm
ROD'S RIVER RUN
Start off the Rally with a bang and Ride On through 3 states, along the mighty Mississippi and over one of the States’ most notorious bridges. Join us and Local Chapters of The American Legion Riders at Rod’s Ride On Powersports (4140 Mormon Coulee Court) for a quick ride with fantastic views of the Mississippi River Valley, with one organized stop along the way at Shep’s Riverside Bar & Grill in Lansing, IA. The return trip follows the Iowa/Minnesota Great River Road, back into Wisconsin and to the Big River Rally Festgrounds.
There are a number of small towns and overlooks along the way. Feel free to stop for pictures, amazing scenery, and plentiful wildlife. Not to mention some pretty fantastic roads to… (ahem) Ride On. Get it? RIDE ON?!? Powersports… (sorry) Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to check out the party and all of the Live Music including Buckcherry!
We’ll also be collecting donations for Freedom Honor Flight
Gathering starts at 4:00pm
Kickstands Up at 5:00pm
Route to be led by American Legion Riders
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ROUTE
(click "ROUTE" above)
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DURATION
1hr 30 minutes
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DISTANCE
69.6 Miles
SATURDAY - 11:00 am
BIG RIVER RALLY RIDE
This is One. Big. Ride.
Join Wisconsin sports radio legend “The Big Unit” Bill Michaels and Jesse Jame Dupree from Jackyl as we ride to the Hillsboro Brewing Company. Try our New Official Beer; The Big River Rally Sweeper… right form the source! But first, we’ll start off with a little Whiskey. Jesse James DuPree will be doing bottle signing of his America’s Outlaw Bourbon preceding the ride at Great River Harley Davidson (1116 Oak Forest Drive, Onalaska)
We begin with a tour of the La Crosse Driftless Bluff Country with a stop at Stockyard Grill & Saloon in Coon Valley. Follow along through our Wisconsin Nordic Dairyland Region and navigate the Kickapoo River Valley to the Wisco-famous Rockton Bar, a classic biker roadhouse. The next leg takes you to the Hillsboro Brewing Company Come hungry and feel free to try the BRR Sweeper or any of their other excellent brews. The return trip brings you through Wildcat Mountain State Park, with a truly EPIC view, and some ridiculously curvy, and steep grades. Next up is Peck’s Corner; a classic Wisconsin Dive Bar in the middle of Amish Country. Keep an eye out for horses and buggies (and what they leave behind 💩) Please show respect if you see any. The final leg is up and over bluff country, back into La Crosse for Day 2, and the remainder of the Big River Rally.
We’ll also be collecting donations for Children’s Miracle Network
Gathering & Bottle Signing starts at 10:00am
Kickstands Up at 11:00am
Route to be led by Bill Michaels & Jesse James Dupree
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ROUTE
(click "ROUTE" above)
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DURATION
3 hours
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DISTANCE
126 MILES
Sorted by shortest - longest milage
West Salem: Linda’s Bakery, Big Boar BBQ
Mindoro: Top Dawgs Bar & Grill, Janusheske Antiques
Black River Falls: Sand Creek Brewing, Ho-Chunk Casino, Gimi’s Family Restaurant (pie!) Rustic Mill Park, Castle Mound Pine Forrest
Cataract: Brock’s Butcher Block
Sparta: The Beer Shop (craft beers), Sparta Soda Works, Deke Slayton Space & Bicycle Museum, Memorial Park & VFW on Perch Lake, Ben Bikin’ Sculpture, Taco Paisa, Slice of Chicago
Rockland: The Vault
Bangor: Log Cabin, Coulee Experimental Forrest (south of Bangor)
Barre Mills: Barre Country Diner
La Crosse: Grandad Bluff Park & Overlook
Stoddard, WI: Scoops Ice Cream, The Thirsty Turtle
Genoa, WI: Engh’s Fish Market, Tuna’s, Rudy’s, Old Tool Shed Antiques, Genoa National Fish Hatchery (4 miles south)
DeSoto, WI: Great River Road House, Pork’s Hilltop Bar, J&R Surplus, Bright Spot Tavern & Restaurant
Ferryville: Cheepo Depot, Ferryville Cheese, Wooden Nickel, Swede’s Swing Inn
Lynxville: Dawg House Depot, Liquor Box (south 4 miles)
Prairie du Chien: The Barn, The Crooked Oar (North waterfront/marina) Cabela’s Warehouse Store, Mulligan’s, The Sawmill, Eddie’s Irish Pub, Cannery Gift Shop, The Porch, Historic St. Feriole Island, and The Depot. Also, the world famous Pete’s Hamburger Stand (pro tip: DO NOT ask for cheese)
Maquette, IA: Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette Bar & Grill, The Pink Elephant, Driftless Area Wetlands Center, or the Casino Queen Marquette Riverboat Casino. There are also a number of cool places to stop, 1 mile south in McGregor, IA
Yellow River: National Effigy Mounds Monument with hiking trails and excellent views.
Harpers Ferry: River Run Pub & Grub, Spillway Grill
Lansing, IA: Another great town to just stop and explore. Make sure you stop at Horsfall Variety Store.
New Albin: The High Chaparall, Buzzards, and City Meat Market (they have a meat vending machine)
Brownsville, MN: Saxon Hall, Lawrence Lake Marina & Tiki Bar, Wildcat Saloon, Shellhorn
La Crescent MN: Numerous Apple Orchards, Time Out Tavern, Corky’s Pizza, Kaddy’s Cafe, Bauer’s Market
La Crescent to Winona: Apple Blossom Drive, Great River Bluffs State Park, Pickwick Mill, Twin Bluffs
Winona: Garvin Heights Park, Sugarloaf Bluff, Bub’s (boob’s) Brewery, Bloedow’s (blay-DOH’s) Bakery, The Boathouse, Levee Park, Veterans Memorial Park
John A. Latsch State Park, Lock & Dam #5
Minneiska: Eagle View, Buck’s Bar, Minneiska Meats
Kellogg: Lark Toys, Kellogg/Weaver Dunes
Wabasha, MN: National Eagle Center, Slippery’s, Hoppy Girl Brewing, Reads Landing Brewing Company (just North of Wabasha)
Nelson: J&J BBQ, Nelson Creamery
Alma: Buena Vista Park, The Great Alma Fishing Float, Castle Rock Museum, The Steps of Alma, Danzinger Vineyard, numerous eateries and shops.
Fountain City: The Monarch Public House, Golden Frog/Lilly Pad, The Rock in The House
Centerville: Ekers’s Apple Farm, The Jailhouse Saloon, Toad’s Cove, Winghaven Pizza Farm
Galesville: Garden of Eatin’ (breakfast) Champions (Packers Bar owned by Gilbert Brown 5 miles east)
Homen: Feature’s, Holmen Locker, The Grind Coffee, Food Dudes, HD Tavern,
If you’re looking for a longer ride, head to the crossing in Red Wing, MN
Brownsville, MN: Lawrence Lake Marina, Saxon Hall Pizza
Hokah, MN: Como Falls, Hummers. The Meat Shoppe, Main Street Saloon, Free Range Exchange
Houston, MN: JT’s Corner Bar, International Owl Center, American Legion, Stinson’s Meats
Rushford: Norseland Lefse, Shawnee’s Bar & Grill, Creamery Ice Cream, El Barco Mexican
Lanesboro: Everything is cool here, we suggest you explore. Like Craft Beer? Sylvan Brewing
Harmony: about 5 miles SW of Harmony, MN is Niagara Cave, a true marvel of nature.
Spring Grove: Rock Filter Distillery, Giants of The Earth Heritage Center, Fat Pat’s Brewery
Caledonia: Elsie’s, Good Times Bar & Grill, The Wired Rooster, Farmhouse Eatery & Gifts
La Crescent: Numerous Apple Orchards, Time Out Tavern, Corky’s Pizza, Kaddy’s Cafe, Bauer’s Market
Centerville: The Jailhouse Saloon, Toad’s Cove (fuel, popcorn, snacks, ice cream)
Trempealeau: Trempealeau Hotel, Perrot State Park
Fountain City: The Monarch Public House, Golden Frog/Lilly Pad, The Rock in The House
Alma: Buena Vista Park, The Great Alma Fishing Float, Castle Rock Museum, The Steps of Alma, Danzinger Vineyard, numerous eateries and shops.
Nelson: J&J BBQ, Nelson Creamery
Wabasha, MN: National Eagle Center, Slippery’s, Hoppy Girl Brewing, Reads Landing Brewing Company (just North)
Kellogg: Lark Toys, Kellogg/Weaver Dunes
Minneiska: Eagle View, Buck’s Bar, Minneiska Meats
John A. Latsch State Park, Lock & Dam #5
Winona: Garvin Heights Park, Sugarloaf Bluff, Bub’s (boob’s) Brewery, Bloedow’s (blay-DOH’s) Bakery, The Boathouse, Levee Park, Veterans Memorial Park
La Moille/Dakota/La Crescent: Pickwick Mill, Pickwick Inn, Apple Blossom Drive, Great River Bluffs State Park, Numerous Apple Orchards, Best Dam Fishing Float, MN & WI Welcome Centers (I90/I94)
Trempealeau, WI: Cat Daddy’s Bar & Grill, Trempealeau Hotel, Sullivan’s
Centerville, WI: Toads Cove (fuel, popcorn, snacks, ice cream) The Jailhouse Saloon
Winona, MN: Garvin Heights Park, Sugarloaf Bluff, Bub’s (boob’s) Brewery, Bloedow’s (blay-DOH’s) Bakery, The Boathouse, Levee Park, Veterans Memorial Park
Minneiska, MN: Eagle View, Buck’s Bar, Minneiska Meats
Elba, MN: Tony’s Saloon, Elba Coffee House & Spirits, Elba Fire Tower, Mauer Brothers Tavern & Grill
Homer, MN: The Bunnell House
La Moille, MN: Pickwick Mill, Pickwick Inn,
La Crescent: Numerous Apple Orchards, Time Out Tavern, Corky’s Pizza, Kaddy’s Cafe, Bauer’s Market
La Crescent to Winona: Apple Blossom Drive, Great River Bluffs State Park, Pickwick Mill, Twin Bluffs
Winona: Garvin Heights Park, Sugarloaf Bluff, Bub’s (boob’s) Brewery, Bloedow’s (blay-DOH’s) Bakery, The Boathouse, Levee Park, Veterans Memorial Park
John A. Latsch State Park, Lock & Dam #5
Minneiska: Eagle View, Buck’s Bar, Minneiska Meats
Kellogg: Lark Toys, Kellogg/Weaver Dunes
Wabasha: National Eagle Center, Slippery’s (Grumpy Old Men), Hoppy Girl Brewing,
Reads Landing: Reads Landing Brewing Company (just North of Wabasha)
Lake City: Big Bear Pizza, Ohuta Beach/Marina Park, Kelly’s Lakehouse, Hok-Si-La Park
Red Wing: Memorial Park/Park Tower, St. James Hotel, Levee Park, Kelly’s Tap House, Red Wing Shoes, The Smokin’ Oak, or hit Treasure Island Casino.
If your feeling adventurous; climb "He Mni Can Barn Bluff" for an excellent view.
Across the HWY 63 bridge is the Harbor Bar and The Woodshed
Hagar City: (isn’t really a city) but they have CHICKEN at Hagar Heights Drive In
Maiden Rock: The Smiling Pelican, Six String Saloon
Stockholm: Take a walk around, but Stockholm Pie General Store is a must
Pepin: Villa Bellezzia Winery & Vineyard, Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, The Pickle Factory
Nelson: J&J BBQ, Nelson Creamery, Township 23 Distillery
Alma: Buena Vista Park, The Great Alma Fishing Float, Castle Rock Museum, The Steps of Alma, Danzinger Vineyard, numerous eateries and shops.
Fountain City: The Monarch Public House, Golden Frog/Lilly Pad, The Rock in The House
Centerville: Ekers’s Apple Farm, The Jailhouse Saloon, Toad’s Cove, Winghaven Pizza Farm
Galesville: Garden of Eatin’ (breakfast) Champions (Packers Bar owned by Gilbert Brown 5 miles east)
Holmen: Feature’s, Holmen Locker, The Grind Coffee, Food Dudes, HD Tavern
If you’re looking for a shorter ride, cross the Mississippi in Wabasha, MN
Stoddard, WI: Scoops Ice Cream, The Thirsty Turtle
Genoa, WI: Engh’s Fish Market, Tuna’s, Rudy’s, Old Tool Shed Antiques, Genoa National Fish Hatchery (4 miles south)
DeSoto, WI: Great River Road House, Pork’s Hilltop Bar, J&R Surplus, Bright Spot Tavern & Restaurant
Ferryville: Cheepo Depot, Ferryville Cheese, Wooden Nickel, Swede’s Swing Inn
Lynxville: Dawg House Depot, Liquor Box (south 4 miles)
Prairie du Chien: The Barn, The Crooked Oar (North waterfront/marina) Cabela’s Warehouse Store, Mulligan’s, The Sawmill, Eddie’s Irish Pub, Cannery Gift Shop, The Porch, Historic St. Feriole Island, and The Depot. Also, the world famous Pete’s Hamburger Stand (pro tip: DO NOT ask for cheese)
Patch Grove: LuLu’s Bar (no frills, just good & cheap)
Cassville: Amelia’s Treats & Treasures, Moon’s Town Pump, Tway’s Lighthouse Lounge, J&J’s Sandbar, Son Chasers Social Club
Potosi: The Potosi Brewery, ABA National Brewery Museum, The Original Potosi Saloon, Whispering Bluffs Winery, Twisted Vines Pub & Eatery
Rockville: Yoder’s Rockville Bar
Lancaster: There is a bunch of cool stuff downtown, or you can take the bypass…
Boscobel: Udder Brother’s Creamery & Restaurant, Double K’s Bar & Grill
Readstown: Crazy Frank’s Flea Market, Rooster’s Bar, Kickapoo Trading Post, Kickapoo Creekside
Viroqua: Very hip town with tons of shops, coffee, specialty foods, and organic dining
Westby: Borgan’s Cafe, Westby Co-Op Creamery, KOS Gastropub
Coon Valley: Stockyard Grill & Saloon, Valley Fudge, Fjord Bar, Legacy Grill & Pub
Shelby: Timmer’s 10 Mile Pub (County YY) Charlie’s Inn, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine