West Salem is rich in history. Founded by Thomas Leonard in 1851, the village is the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hamlin Garland. Historic points of interest include two octagon homes, Thomas Leonard's colonial-style home (Historic Salem), and the Hamlin Garland Homestead.

The surrounding Coulee Region's bluffs and valleys provide for some of the most scenic areas you will find in western Wisconsin, known as "God's Country." The nearby La Crosse River meanders through forests and farmlands winding it's way to the "Mighty Mississippi."

These scenic areas set the stage for exceptional opportunities for recreation, including boating and fishing on Lake Neshonoc, camping and picnicking at VETERANS' MEMORIAL COUNTY PARK, biking and hiking on the La Crosse River State Trail and much more.