Western Wisconsin has several river towns nestled along the bluffs of the Mississippi River, but there's one park that gives you a sky-high view of it all.

In tonight's Wandering Wisconsin, Sarah Stokes takes us to the Buffalo County town of Alma.

Sarah: If you visit Buena Vista Park, prepare for a wow. Perched on the side of a cliff you can see everything from the Mississippi River to the town, the train, the dam and of course the wildlife.

"It's unbelievable what you can see in a panoramic view," says Larry Balk.

When you're up here, it's easy to feel like you're on top of the world.
A freight train looks more like a toy and at 500 feet, you are even higher than the eagles.

Balk adds, "they catch wind currents and they just float. It's an awesome sight."

A sight that's just a short stroll down the rolling park grounds, a sight that may stop you in your tracks.

"We're right on the edge of a bluff right above the city of Alma," says Balk, who is the chair of Wings Over Alma. It's a group that promotes Alma's beauty. It's headquartered in town where you can get all the information you need to enjoy the river city.

He says even after being up here countless times, it's still breath-taking, "I feel that its just a treasure to have this locate in the city of Alma."

He says a family donated the five acres to the city so it could have the park.

"It's probably the best kept secret around the area, but we have thousands of people come here every year from the states and foreign countries, no doubt about that."

He says you can dock your boat and hike up to the park, or just take the winding drive up here from Highway 35 into Alma, then up "E" to the park.

On a clear day he says you can see 20 miles in either direction and some can see forever on this bluff, as they tie the knot.

"Great spot for weddings," Balk added.

He says in the summer there are four or five weddings a month up here.

"We love it and we hope people who visit love it," he says.

Admission to the park is free, there's a picnic shelter for group gatherings and picnic tables and benches scattered throughout the park.

If you want to learn more about Alma and Buena Vista Park, visit Wings Over Alma's website or visit Alma's local attractions website.