Provided by IMC! Peer Mentor: Jenna Justu
Summer is approaching! Are you staying in La Crosse over the summer again or for the first time? Are you looking for fun activities while keeping it affordable? I have the perfect activities that are low-cost and will make your summer more enjoyable.
As a college student, we are trying to save money but want to make this time in our lives memorable. Here are my top 5 favorite money-saving activities that keep me entertained during the summer in La Crosse.
1. Moon Tunes:
FREE concerts throughout the months of June, July, and August are put on at Riverside Park. Thursday nights you can bring your friends and family, bring your own snacks and beverages, and listen to a variety of bands.
2. Hiking at Hixon Forest:
Obviously, you know how beautiful the bluffs are because we can see them right from campus. Well, they also hold a ton of biking and hiking trails within. In the Lower Hixon trails, there are about 11 trails that range from as short as a 0.3-mile hike to a 3.6-mile hike. Bring a friend, pack a lunch, and make a day out of it!
3. Pettibone Park:
Pettibone Beach is an area that holds shelters, walking trails, disc golf, and open space. Pettibone Beach is most known for its beach. Make a day trip to the beach where you can swim, play volleyball, and spend time with friends. If you want some alone time, grab a book and head to the park to enjoy the sunshine with your new read. Pettibone is FREE to the public!
4. Riverfest:
Riverfest is a friends and family event over the summer at Riverside Park from July 3rd-July 6th. Riverfest celebrates the Fourth of July weekend where everyone can come and enjoy fireworks, food, and entertainment. Free entry, even to see live music!
5. Farmers Market at Cameron Park, Downtown, and Riverside Park:
Cameron Parks Farmers Market opens in May and stays open Friday nights from 4 pm- dusk until October. Enjoy local vendors, music, art, and drama performers. FREE ENTRY! Before heading to Cameron Park, enjoy a nice stroll through the historic downtown La Crosse. While walking through the local shops, and restaurants, you can make your way to Riverside Park. Grab a friend, pack a lunch, and have a picnic in the nice open space. Bring a hammock, frisbee, bike, or a book and enjoy the sunshine.