A candy factory, a pool with free breakfast and a river view, all within about 0.3 miles of Riverside Park.
Three hotels sit within a few hundred yards of the Mississippi and of each other, and the choice among the hotels in La Crosse comes down to whether you want a candy factory, a heated pool or a river view. The Charmant Hotel and the Radisson are about 0.1 miles apart, the Hampton Inn & Suites is about 0.2 miles from the Charmant, and all three are within about 0.3 miles of Riverside Park. That makes them a base for the Queen paddlewheeler, the Rotary Lights and the downtown restaurants, all about 0.3 miles from the Charmant or less.
The catch is event weekends, when downtown rooms disappear, so read the section on Oktoberfest and the other big dates before you pick a night. Nightly rates move with the calendar and are not listed here, so check the hotel's own booking page.
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The Charmant Hotel, a candy factory turned boutique stay
The hotel is about 0.1 miles from both Digger's Sting and the Freighthouse, so the long-dinner restaurants in La Crosse are a short walk away.
Hampton Inn & Suites, for the pool and the free breakfast
Choose it for a family weekend, a tournament or any festival where you want to walk to the gate.
Radisson Hotel La Crosse, for river views and La Crosse Center events
Oktoberfest, Riverfest and Rotary Lights weekends
Oktoberfest USA is the date that moves hotel prices, and the festival's visitor page says guests often reserve a year in advance and that rooms fill quickly. It is held in late September and early October at the Oktoberfest Grounds. A 2024 festival page named the Charmant among the hotels in a free festival shuttle, so check whether a shuttle runs again.
Riverfest, the Fourth of July celebration at Riverside Park, began in 1983.
From the Friday after Thanksgiving, Rotary Lights fills the same lawns with more than three million lights. Book early for both, and plan the days with the things to do in La Crosse.
Which hotel for which trip
Pick the Charmant for a couple's weekend, the Hampton for a family or a team, and the Radisson when the plan is a river view or an event at the La Crosse Center. Google's profile for the Charmant lists it as good for children, and the Hampton's pool and free breakfast make it the practical family call. Without a car, the Radisson lists shuttle service to the Amtrak depot and the airport, and the Hampton lists an airport shuttle. For parking, the Hampton lists free on-site self-parking, while reviewers mention valet service at the Charmant.
Ask each front desk about parking, resort fees and shuttle times when you book, because the details change by season.
Other places to stay in and around La Crosse
Details for these come from tourism pages rather than each hotel's booking system, so confirm with the property. The Courtyard by Marriott downtown sits at 500 Front Street South, and Home2 Suites by Hilton at 210 Jay Street was announced in 2016 with 107 suites. Pearl Street Hotel & Suites, formerly a Holiday Inn, is at 200 Pearl Street, and AmericInn by Wyndham on Rose Street has a Splash Bay indoor water park.
For a historic bed and breakfast, Castle La Crosse at 1419 Cass Street dates to 1892 and has five suites, Bentley-Wheeler on Cass Street is two restored historic homes, and the Cargill-Pettibone House on 8th Street South has four en-suite bedrooms. Hatchery Riverside Hotel & Event Venue has six boutique rooms in Riverside Park.
Booking and arrival
The visitor center is at 123 7th Street South and can help when downtown is full. Check-in is at 3 p.m. at both the Radisson and the Hampton, so plan a walk first.
Walk out of any of the three downtown hotels and the river is within about 0.3 miles, with dinner on the way. Pick the hotel for the pool, the factory or the sunset, and the rest of La Crosse is already within walking distance.
Frequently asked questions
Published October 12, 2026
