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The
scenic Great
River Road (Wisconsin State Highway 35)
will bring you to historic Alma located in
the National Historic District, between the
beautiful wooded bluffs and the mighty Mississippi
River. |
River pilots prior to its settlement in 1848 knew
the site of Alma as Twelve Mile Bluff. Alma today
reflects the "mirror of the past and the vision
of the future"...Yesteryear was the good old
railroad days; today 30-some trains pass through
Alma. In past days logging rafts, canoes and river
steamboats paddled by; today barges, pleasure craft
and elegant steamboats go by. Today, Alma is a river
town filled with gift stores, fine art, antique
shops, retail stores, and restaurants and a nice
variety of lodging and attractions.
The Wildlife Observation Platform is Rieck's Lake
Park, north on Hwy. 35. Volunteers staff the platform
daily from mid-October through November for the
annual swan watch, when thousands of tundra swans
come to rest and feed. Spotting scopes are available.
Other times of the year enjoy viewing several waterfowl
varieties including bald eagles, egrets, geese &
more.
Boat launching ramps are located at both ends of
town with ample vehicle parking spaces. A fishing
dock, which is handicap accessible, is located on
Harbor Road, off Hwy. 35. Bald Eagle viewing is
best November through April. Eagles winter and feed
below the Lock and Dam #4. Bring a camera!
Alma also has the largest fishing float on the Mississippi,
mini golf, canoes and water bikes for rent, overnight
boat docking at the Great River Harbor/Campgrounds,
houseboat and fishing boat rentals at Northport
Marine, live theater productions at Mainstreet Theater,
historic walking tours, a walking trail up to Buena
Vista Park, the terraced old Alma cemetery with
unique tombstones, and landscaped, secret backyard
gardens. Some businesses also provide free shuttle
service from both marinas.
Don't leave the area until you have taken a drive
on one of our well- groomed scenic back roads. Take
any county road you want for a delightful experience.
You will see contour farming at its best, century
old farms, wildlife, spectacular vistas, country
churches, rustic steep "dugways" (locals'
name for winding roads) and small quaint, rural
towns.
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A "must"
while in Alma is a visit to Buena Vista Park,
located on the bluff 500 feet above the Mississippi.
Native Americans surely appreciated the area
and practiced ecology by burning off the slopes
annually to insure the growth of plants and
trees they used. According to Better Homes
and Gardens magazine, Buena Vista Park is
"one of the river valley's finest natural
balconies." |
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The breathtaking view of
the river, backwater sloughs and Lock and
Dam #4 are some vistas all visitors enjoy.
Visitors are always intrigued with the several
stairway streets linking Main Street to 2nd
Street and that most stores and homes have
a view of the Mississippi River. |
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The Alma Community offers
a courtesy dock below Lock & Dam #4 in
the middle of town for boaters to come off
the river to rest, shop or explore. |
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The Alma Museum is on 2nd
Street, open Saturdays and Sundays, May through
October. Revisit yesteryear's one room school,
doctor's office, an old time kitchen and several
other exhibits. |
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The Alma harbor and beach
offers a sandy swimming beach, bath house,
recreation area and public boat docking and
launching. |
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Wings Over Alma is a Nature & Art Center located in downtown Alma on Main Street. The center has a viewing deck overlooking the Mississippi River below Lock and Dam #4 and is equipped with scopes to view nature, eagle and river activities. Viewing eagles in the winter at the center is a "must see". It is also a local and regional art center with rotating exhibits and a gift shop. Visitor information is available and the center is open year around every day from 10 am-5 pm. |
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