The Hudson center is approximately the area of St Croix Meadows Greyhound Park and 1 mile northeast of Hudson Hospital.
The best time to visit Hudson is in fall, when the river is surrounded by spectacular fall leaves. Averages temperatures are moderate for the area, settling at around 45 degrees. See the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival in September or the Christmas Tour of Homes & Craft Sale in November.
Hotel rates are usually lower during winter because of the cold weather. There's also skiing and other popular winter activities in the area. In January, visit the Hudson Hot Air Affair. This festival has a parade, hot air balloon launches, and more. If you can handle the average temperatures of about 7 degrees, winter is a great time to visit.
In summer, there are free outdoor concerts in Lakefront Park, and you can celebrate the 4th of July with Hudson Booster Days. In August, visit the North Hudson Pepper Festival for excellent Italian food, a parade, and live music. With average temperatures in the high 60s, Hudson is a fun, comfortable place to visit.
If you choose the right place to stay, you can take advantage of many helpful discounts. The Super 8 in Hudson offers free high-speed internet access, cable TV with premium channels, a 24-hour reception desk, a business center, two meeting rooms, a coin laundry, on-site parking, an indoor pool, a hot tub, a spa, complimentary continental breakfasts, and coffee in the rooms and the lobby.
Active and retired United States military members get a 20 percent discount, and AARP members will save at least 10 percent. Auto Club members will save at least 10 percent as well when they make reservations for their stay. Groups get a discount when they reserve 10 rooms or more at once.
The Quality Inn in Hudson has high-speed internet access, a fax machine, and daily USA TODAY newspapers. It's near Willow River State Park and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The rooms have comfortable beds, soft pillows, refrigerators, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons, and ironing boards. You can also enjoy a free hot breakfast, an indoor pool, fresh coffee and tea in the lobby, and laundry facilities.
AARP and AAA members can get up to 10 percent off. Business travelers, active and retired military personnel, and employees of the United States government or foreign governments also receive a special discount.
Here are some of the places where you can get the best value for your money. The Hudson House Grand Hotel, also called the Hudson House Inn, has two floors, 100 guest rooms, and eight meeting rooms. It also has an indoor pool, a Jacuzzi, complimentary breakfasts, free parking, an ATM, wireless internet access, baggage storage facilities, an on-site restaurant, hair dryers, tea and coffee making facilities, and cable TV with HBO. Many rooms have mini-fridges and microwaves as well.
The Hampton Inn & Suites in Hudson has 83 rooms and four floors, and it offers a king bed with a sofa bed or two queen beds. The comfortable guest rooms have a contemporary design and great features, including free wireless internet access, HDTVs, and work desks with ergonomic chairs. The spacious suites have a separate seating area, a wet bar, a mini refrigerator, and a microwave.
There's also a 24-hour fitness center, a heated indoor pool, a hot tub, and a meeting room for up to 45 guests. You can take advantage of an event space, a 24-hour business center, free hot breakfast, complimentary newspapers, and a 24-hour shop with snacks, drinks, and frozen items. Laundry and ironing facilities are available, along with hair dryers, baggage storage, and coffee and tea in the lobby.
Hudson, Wisconsin, has something for everyone, from nature lovers to history lovers to shoppers. Take a romantic dinner cruise along the St. Croix River or have fun and try your luck at a riverboat casino. You can also take a cruise to see the beautiful fall colors of the trees along the river.
Several wineries in the region offer tours, and the city has lots of beaches and parks. Visit Birkmose Park to see Native American burial mounds and enjoy a spectacular view of the river. The Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center has 10 miles of trails in Hudson and another 15 miles of paths in Hastings, Minnesota, about 25 minutes away. The Minnesota campus also has a Visitor Center and a functional teaching orchard.
The Phipps Center for the Arts offers entertaining performances, outstanding exhibits, and professional instruction for everyone. You can take acting, art, dance, tai chi, yoga, and more. The intimate theater seats 247 people, and five galleries showcase the latest creations of regional artists.
The Octagon House Museum is maintained by the St. Croix County Historical Society, and it's open for guided tours from May through October and in December. It includes an eight-sided house with Victorian furnishings built in 1854. The family chose the design because it lets light and air into the building from all directions. The museum also has a Garden House with portrayals of 19th-century life, domestic arts, carpentry, and more. The Carriage House contains the Museum Gift Shop and research center, and the structures are surrounded by expansive, beautifully maintained gardens.
Hudson is a beautiful city with excellent food and entertainment. Since it's near Minneapolis-St. Paul, you can spend some of your trip exploring the big city and use the rest of your time to enjoy the area's natural beauty. Whether you're looking for a luxury hotel with lots of features or just an affordable place where you and your kids can spend a night or two, there are many options in Hudson, Wisconsin.
Below are reviews of the city of Hudson, WI from an actual visitor's perspective.
The shops and restaurants in downtown.
Very nicely groomed.
Caribou Coffee is within walking distance from hotel. Easy on/off access.
We chose to stay in Hudson to visit the St. Croix area as well as a drive down the first bit of The Great River Road. Hitting the Fall colors just right, we toured from Osceola and Taylor's Falls all the way south to Alma and Wabasha. Hudson was an ideal launching point as well as a beauty all on it's own!
This was our first time staying in Hudson. Really liked the town. The old downtown along the river was very cool.
Dog friendly!
Hotel is easy to find and surrounded by wonderful restaurants.
Very clean, comfortable and excellent service. Loved the city of Hudson and the festivities that brought us there. We ate at a local restaurant and loved the food and staff.
Nice little town by the river. Quaint downtown area with a great candy shop.
Different shops and a nice park downtown.
Very nice!
Very nice!
We liked the downtown area by the river. Hoping to get back there soon.