When you walk into “The Landing”, you are greeted with an ambiance of distilled history and spirits, an aroma of carefully prepared American cuisine, and a camaraderie that welcomes all! After Thomas A. Holmes founded the village of Holmes Landing in 1839, he established a trading post on this property. When the village was platted in 1854, the name was changed to Fountain City inspired by the natural springs in the area. In that same year, a general store was constructed in place of the trading post along with an adjoining hotel. If these old walls could speak, you’d hear stories from hard-working lumbermen and railroaders who built this town, immigrant farmers who fed this town, and saloon proprietors who served this town. We won’t mention the Bordello that formerly occupied the upstairs – another chapter in our rich, storied past. America was still in her infancy in the mid-19th century when the bricks and mortar were painstakingly assembled on the Great River Road at the corner of 1 North Shore Drive and Liberty Street.
A lot has changed at The Landing over the past 170+ years! Located just a Tom Sawyer stone’s throw from the mighty Mississippi River, the building currently contains a bar, two dining rooms, an outdoor deck and patio, and family friendly game room. Today, our specialty lies in serving good libations; offering casual and fine dining menus; live music, entertainment, and social events; as well as seating with majestic river views and sunsets year around. We are also located near Fountain City’s 200-foot dock on the Great River if you are water travelers. Here at The Landing, we are most proud of bringing together friends, family, and passersby to break bread or tip their glass while engaging in healthy conversation.
In 2026, two more dining rooms, a bar, a piano lounge, an AirBNB, and additional banquet spaces will be opening in the upstairs portion of the building. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to this recreational gem or you call the drift-less zone home, there’s no better place to go and watch the river flow . . . The Landing Bar & Restaurant in Fountain City, Wisconsin – rekindling new memories while celebrating the past!