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Nearby Attractions
Buffalo County's tourism focus is a string of four charming small towns along the Mississippi River. You can catch them all simply by driving Hwy. 35.
Start with Fountain City in southern buffalo County. The town offers a pleasant vista of the river from it's terraced hillsides. It and has several good places to eat. Our favorites are the "Wing Dam Saloon & Grill" and "The Golden Frog".
Several weekends during the season, Elmer's Auto and Toy Museum is open. For a small fee you can spend hours viewing his numerous and unusual, large collections. Everything from toy petal cars, to dolls, to antique cars.
Buffalo City/Cochrane is home to Koestering's "Laughing Fish" Lodgehouse. We think this particular stretch of the river is by far one of the nicest for fishing, boating, playing and relaxing.
Just a mile down the road from us you can enjoy dining at "The Cove" restaurant or you may choose to golf 18 holes at the Walnut Grove Golf Course, just 4 minutes away.
The historic riverfront town of Alma has only 2 streets, but
they stretch for 7 miles beneath the steep bluffs of the Mississippi. Almost the entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as just about every building is over 100 years old.
There are also numerous quaint shops and restaurants to enjoy.
Our 2 favorites to eat are the Pier 4 Cafe & Smokehouse, it's a must for breakfast and Kate & Gracie's for dinner.
The city's Buena Vista Park sits 500-feet atop those bluffs and has spectacular views of the Mississippi River and if you are lucky you'll see soaring Eagles. Take your camera!
Lock & Dam No. 4 is a popular spot to watch, up close, the river's barge traffic lock-through or take a water-taxi over to the Great Alma Fishing Float, the largest floating pier on the Mississippi, complete with restrooms, cafe and bait shop.
Visit "Wings over Alma", they have a viewing deck, you just might see some Eagles soaring and fishing.
Just north of town, Rieck's Lake Park is a great place in fall to watch the annual migration of Tundra Swans.
Nelson, in northern Buffalo County, attracts visitors to the Nelson Cheese Factory and Creamery for their cheese and ice cream and J & J BBQ is known for having the "Best Ribs on the River", and they are!
Take a short drive to Wabasha, MN and Visit the National Eagle Center. There is a small fee, but you get to see rehabilitated Eagles up close and learn a lot about them. Follow up with a bite to eat at "Slippery's" restaurant, it's on the river. It's name has been made famous with the filming of "Grumpy Old Men"
Scenic Drives: Follow Hwy. 37 from Alma to Mondovi, It meanders along the Buffalo River. Early French exploration maps designated the river as "Le Beouf" or "the beef" after the many buffalo they found here.
The Great River Road (Hwy. 35) travels along the mighty Mississippi beneath towering bluffs and through picturesque and historic riverside towns, past locks and dams, and has several scenic overlooks.
Nearby Parks: Merrick State Park just north of Fountain City offers camping, nature center, hiking trails,swimming, canoeing, boating, fishing and cross country ski trails.
Start with Fountain City in southern buffalo County. The town offers a pleasant vista of the river from it's terraced hillsides. It and has several good places to eat. Our favorites are the "Wing Dam Saloon & Grill" and "The Golden Frog".
Several weekends during the season, Elmer's Auto and Toy Museum is open. For a small fee you can spend hours viewing his numerous and unusual, large collections. Everything from toy petal cars, to dolls, to antique cars.
Buffalo City/Cochrane is home to Koestering's "Laughing Fish" Lodgehouse. We think this particular stretch of the river is by far one of the nicest for fishing, boating, playing and relaxing.
Just a mile down the road from us you can enjoy dining at "The Cove" restaurant or you may choose to golf 18 holes at the Walnut Grove Golf Course, just 4 minutes away.
The historic riverfront town of Alma has only 2 streets, but
they stretch for 7 miles beneath the steep bluffs of the Mississippi. Almost the entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as just about every building is over 100 years old.
There are also numerous quaint shops and restaurants to enjoy.
Our 2 favorites to eat are the Pier 4 Cafe & Smokehouse, it's a must for breakfast and Kate & Gracie's for dinner.
The city's Buena Vista Park sits 500-feet atop those bluffs and has spectacular views of the Mississippi River and if you are lucky you'll see soaring Eagles. Take your camera!
Lock & Dam No. 4 is a popular spot to watch, up close, the river's barge traffic lock-through or take a water-taxi over to the Great Alma Fishing Float, the largest floating pier on the Mississippi, complete with restrooms, cafe and bait shop.
Visit "Wings over Alma", they have a viewing deck, you just might see some Eagles soaring and fishing.
Just north of town, Rieck's Lake Park is a great place in fall to watch the annual migration of Tundra Swans.
Nelson, in northern Buffalo County, attracts visitors to the Nelson Cheese Factory and Creamery for their cheese and ice cream and J & J BBQ is known for having the "Best Ribs on the River", and they are!
Take a short drive to Wabasha, MN and Visit the National Eagle Center. There is a small fee, but you get to see rehabilitated Eagles up close and learn a lot about them. Follow up with a bite to eat at "Slippery's" restaurant, it's on the river. It's name has been made famous with the filming of "Grumpy Old Men"
Scenic Drives: Follow Hwy. 37 from Alma to Mondovi, It meanders along the Buffalo River. Early French exploration maps designated the river as "Le Beouf" or "the beef" after the many buffalo they found here.
The Great River Road (Hwy. 35) travels along the mighty Mississippi beneath towering bluffs and through picturesque and historic riverside towns, past locks and dams, and has several scenic overlooks.
Nearby Parks: Merrick State Park just north of Fountain City offers camping, nature center, hiking trails,swimming, canoeing, boating, fishing and cross country ski trails.
