Guidebook for Sparta
Entertainment & Activities
Trail features 3 railroad tunnels - one nearly 1 mile long! Connects with La Crosse River Trail. Beautiful countryside to ride through! The Elroy-Sparta trail was the first "Rails to Trails" conversion in the country and still one of the most popular.
Elroy Sparta State Trail
Elroy Sparta State TrailTrail features 3 railroad tunnels - one nearly 1 mile long! Connects with La Crosse River Trail. Beautiful countryside to ride through! The Elroy-Sparta trail was the first "Rails to Trails" conversion in the country and still one of the most popular.
Rent canoes and kayaks for a leisurely trip down the La Crosse River. Former guests report good, friendly service and drop offs or pickups at your choice of location.
Ellistone Canoe Rentals
N 5370 County Rd JRent canoes and kayaks for a leisurely trip down the La Crosse River. Former guests report good, friendly service and drop offs or pickups at your choice of location.
Deke Slayton was one of the original 7 U.S. astronauts. He was from our area and graduated from Sparta High School. Some NASA items and some of Slayton's space-related items are on exhibit.
Sparta is also home to the Elroy/Sparta Bicycle trail - the first Rails to Trails project. The museum features collectible vintage bicycles and other memorabilia.
Space and bicycles are integrated in a "transportation" them that may sound a bit unusual but they pull it off well with interesting exhibits!
Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum
200 W Main StDeke Slayton was one of the original 7 U.S. astronauts. He was from our area and graduated from Sparta High School. Some NASA items and some of Slayton's space-related items are on exhibit.
Sparta is also home to the Elroy/Sparta Bicycle trail - the first Rails to Trails project. The museum features collectible vintage bicycles and other memorabilia.
Space and bicycles are integrated in a "transportation" them that may sound a bit unusual but they pull it off well with interesting exhibits!
Essentials
Specialty meats available in this old-fashioned butcher shop located "off the beaten path".
Craig's Meats & Catering
N9064 WI-162Specialty meats available in this old-fashioned butcher shop located "off the beaten path".
Old-fashioned market with bulk foods, excellent meat and cheese counter, homemade candies, etc.
Northwood Country Market
1003 W Wisconsin StOld-fashioned market with bulk foods, excellent meat and cheese counter, homemade candies, etc.
Hansen's IGA Sparta, WI
834 W Wisconsin StReasonable prices and excellent deli!
Everything Else
1874 country church is now maintained by the Monroe County Historical Society. The building and grounds are available for rent for special events such as weddings, funerals, etc.
Big Creek Church
5188 County Hwy BC1874 country church is now maintained by the Monroe County Historical Society. The building and grounds are available for rent for special events such as weddings, funerals, etc.
Mathews Archery, Inc.
919 River RdMathews bows and accessories are produced here. Call ahead and ask for a tour!
Food Scene
Outfitted with antiques and collectibles, this coffee & sandwich shop is a favorite of many of our guests.
Ginny's Cupboard
127 N Water StOutfitted with antiques and collectibles, this coffee & sandwich shop is a favorite of many of our guests.
Slice of Chicago
507 W Wisconsin StAwesome pizza and they deliver!
Club Oasis
11345 Wisconsin 21Fabulous specials including Friday night fish and chicken dinners with salad bar.
Shopping
Acoustic Guitars - played by the most famous performers - are produced here. Call ahead and request a tour.
McPherson Guitars
1204 Roberts RdAcoustic Guitars - played by the most famous performers - are produced here. Call ahead and request a tour.
A favorite eco friendly local shop with clothing, jewelry, and products all hand selected by its charming and enthusiastic owner
KEPS Naturals
123 N Water StA favorite eco friendly local shop with clothing, jewelry, and products all hand selected by its charming and enthusiastic owner
Owned and operated by your hosts, Larry & LuAnn Hutson. We deconstruct unwanted buildings and make flooring, wall and ceiling treatments, furniture and decor from the reclaimed materials. Everything in our Show Home & Shoppe can be purchased. Custom orders are welcome.
Used Anew LLC
4975 Garden AveOwned and operated by your hosts, Larry & LuAnn Hutson. We deconstruct unwanted buildings and make flooring, wall and ceiling treatments, furniture and decor from the reclaimed materials. Everything in our Show Home & Shoppe can be purchased. Custom orders are welcome.
Parks & Nature
6 acres -The Park has exercise stations along the trail, 2 picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills, fixed benches, playground apparatus, band shell and a canoe launch site on the south side of the La Crosse River near East Avenue. This park is home to “Concerts in the Park” every Wednesday night during the summer and the Holiday in the Park during the winter months. Vehicle entrance to the Park is from East Avenue.
Evans-Bosshard Park
224 East Ave6 acres -The Park has exercise stations along the trail, 2 picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills, fixed benches, playground apparatus, band shell and a canoe launch site on the south side of the La Crosse River near East Avenue. This park is home to “Concerts in the Park” every Wednesday night during the summer and the Holiday in the Park during the winter months. Vehicle entrance to the Park is from East Avenue.
Arts & Culture
Award winning exhibits in this relatively small space, and tons of searchable area ancestry records and other historical information. Located in the same building as the Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bike Museum
The Monroe County Local History Room and Museum
200 W Main StAward winning exhibits in this relatively small space, and tons of searchable area ancestry records and other historical information. Located in the same building as the Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bike Museum