La Crosse is a manageable city on foot and by bike. Downtown, Riverside Park, and the historic neighborhoods are all walkable from the city center. The city has a modest bus system (La Crosse Transit), but a bicycle is more practical for getting between the riverfront, the university area, and the bluff trailheads.
The bluffs require a car or a significant uphill climb — hiking up is very worthwhile but not casual. For outlying areas like Pettibone Park or Mount La Crosse, a car saves time. Uber and Lyft operate here but coverage is thinner than in larger cities.