Iowa's Hidden Gems - Iowa Vacations

[Al_4_State]

Al have you ever taken your bike on the Preston to Harmony trail in Minnesota? Its near that region. Thinking about doing it when I come up to Decorah this weekend.

When I was a kid. Haven't gotten around to it this year.

Been meaning to do that stretch though. There's a place in Harmony with good beer selection and solid bar food, and I want to start in Preston, ride uphill to Harmony, have a few cold ones, and then bomb back down the hills to Preston. Its more challenging than the rest of the Root River trail for sure, and closer to Decorah (if you start in Harmony and go downhill first).

 

[cloneluke80]

2 words: Pilot Knob ParkDetails

 

[wxman1]

I always loved all the great (for Iowa) trout fishing NE Iowa. Countless spots that you can hit in one day.

 

[cyclone618]

100% agree with the suggestions for he Decorah area. Have had 2 kids attend Luther so we have made ~40 trips there over the pat 7 years. Highlights of Decorah and the area:
whippy Dip
Mabes pizza
Rubiyat - excellent fine dining in downtown Decorah
bike trail around Decorah
ice cave
T-Bocks bar and grill (peanut butter burger)
Gunder Burger at the Irish Shanty in Gunder
Effigy Mounds National Monument
the fish hatchery and the eagle cam
Bily Clock museum in Spillville

 

[TRZA]

I am thinking about hitting the American Gothic house on a weekend when that lady is selling pies there.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-World-Needs-More-Pie/158900640816598

 

[MNCYWX]

Al have you ever taken your bike on the Preston to Harmony trail in Minnesota? Its near that region. Thinking about doing it when I come up to Decorah this weekend.

That whole area in the Root River/Upper IA River Valleys is gorgeous. Also a couple of caves are just across the border on the MN side. Niagara Cave and Mystery Cave, both near Harmony, MN. Niagara is more impressive IMO.

 

[ISUFan22]

DBQ has some of the best restaurants in the state. Spent plenty of time over the last 20 months in CR, QC, Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Sioux City and Dubuque.

Easily best non-chain eats in DBQ.

 

[CycloneErik]

At some point, I'd like to get to:
1. The Kate Shelley train ride
2. The Herbert Hoover museum.

Those would be nice and quick Iowa vacations.
Maybe the diner in Jamaica, Iowa as well.

 

[no2cyclones]

Buzzed thru briefly, and didn't see a mention of Backbone State Park, just outside of Strawberry Point (largest strawberry in the world). IMO one of the most beautiful parks in the state. There is good trout fishing both in the park and on the Maquoketa River on the outskirts (caught a 27" rainbow there once), hiking trails and a beach. 45 minutes from Dubuque, probably 20 from Balltown (Breitbach's restaurant -- I know the family). If you do go to Dubuque, don't miss Marco's Italian restaurant on Central Ave. I've had pizza from Chicago to San Fran, Portland to Vancouver BC. Marco's is still my favorite (and I hear tell their chicken is even better).

Who doesn't know that family? :wink:

 

[mkadl]

We went kayaking on the Nishnabotna River last summer. We put in north of Avoca and ended in Hancock at Botna Bend park. Botna Bend is a pretty nice camp site and has buffalo and elk penned up.

The first half of the kayak trip there were occasional sand bars where people often find mamoth remains and on occasion an arrowhead.

I have Bison parts and friend of mine has almost a complete bison skeleton, all from above Avoca. Have floated and camped on sandbars before. Frying catfish at midnight is cool.

 

[isu22andy]

Loess Hills in Western Iowa, friends and I would get lost and "cruize" around for hours View attachment 20494

 

[Jambalaya]

Biking? Decorah new trail is swag. Go an hour north to SE Minnesota (Lanesboro, MN) --the Root River Trails

 

[MNCyGuy]

I had a slice of Blueberry/Rhubard pie up there last weekend. Damn.

Just got back from my previously mentioned trip to Lanesboro/Whalan, MN. The pie was still fantastic. They just repaved that stretch of the trail, so it's very nice. Also stopped at the Peddle Pushers Café in Lanesboro this time. Fantastic MN local beers and food.

 

[Al_4_State]

Just got back from my previously mentioned trip to Lanesboro/Whalan, MN. The pie was still fantastic. They just repaved that stretch of the trail, so it's very nice. Also stopped at the Peddle Pushers Café in Lanesboro this time. Fantastic MN local beers and food.

Glad to hear the repaving is done. I haven't been there since Father's Day weekend.

I've never noticed the Peddle Pushers Cafe. Where is it?

 

[MNCyGuy]

Glad to hear the repaving is done. I haven't been there since Father's Day weekend.

I've never noticed the Peddle Pushers Cafe. Where is it?

Right on the main road in lanesboro. I think where it crosses coffee street.

 

[MNCyGuy]

Glad to hear the repaving is done. I haven't been there since Father's Day weekend.

I've never noticed the Peddle Pushers Cafe. Where is it?

Also, the trail is replaced, but there is a **** ton of road construction in that area right now.

 

[ISUboi12]

This is a great thread. I really encourage anyone who is a native Iowan to visit as many small towns and attractions as you can. A windmill in Elk Horn or a loosemeat from Canteen Lunch in the Alley at Ottumwa may not be a big attraction, but it is very important to enrich yourself with your own culture and at least have sampled the different parts of it.

 

[kcbob79clone]

This is a great thread. I really encourage anyone who is a native Iowan to visit as many small towns and attractions as you can. A windmill in Elk Horn or a loosemeat from Canteen Lunch in the Alley at Ottumwa may not be a big attraction, but it is very important to enrich yourself with your own culture and at least have sampled the different parts of it.

Totally agree, I lived in Iowa till I graduated in 79 then moved to Kansas City area. Started living fulltime in our RV almost 4 years ago. One of our best times fulltiming was earlier this year in Iowa. From Salisbury House to great food in the Des Moines area to Pella to Clear Lake we had a great time. We are talking hitting other parts of the state it turns out I barely knew.

So let me put in a plug for Clear Lake. Great food like orange pancakes at PM Park, muskie burger at muskie lounge, The Other Place, Sevens are also good. Sightseeing in clear lake includes Surf Ballroom and crash site, clear lake fire museum, iowa trolley park, just driving around lake, the lake, in mason city walking tour of downtown including music man square, macnider art museum, park inn hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Kinney pioneer museums, Grotto is an easy day trip, hobo museum in Britt, POW Museum in Algona (ask for tour of nativity scene).

Great area with more to do than you would ever imagine.

 

[SoapyCy]

I just got back from DBQ on Sunday for a weekend trip and it was fantastic. So much to see for little money and there is biking, kayaking, hiking, etc. I'll second the best non-chain food in the state. Too bad DBQ is ugly with chain stores up until you hit the bluffs.

 

[peteypie]

I usually hit McCaffery's Dolce Vita for pizza when I'm in Decorah.

^^^^^this, kind of a hidden gem of Decorah eatery, excellent pizzas, love the Greek pizza.