Decorah

As they say around here, it's a whole different world when you go west of Highway 63.

Northeast Iowa is much more like Wisconsin than it is the rest of Iowa. And I'm not just talking about how it looks.
Iowa truly is like the melting pot of the US. We have several different “cultural” styles amongst ourselves.
 
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Iowa truly is like the melting pot of the US. We have several different “cultural” styles amongst ourselves.
Yup. I think Northeast Iowa has a lot in common with Wisconsin. East Central/southeast Iowa has a lot in common with Illinois. Southern Iowa has a lot in common with Missouri, and the rest of Iowa is very similar to eastern Nebraska/Dakotas and SW Minnesota.

To me the most uniquely "Iowan" part of the state is the central part. Des Moines/Ames over towards CR/IC.
 
Heading up to Decorah this weekend. Plan on spending Saturday afternoon at Pulpit and TG. Stopping at Pivo on the way up on Friday and eating at Luna Valley Farms Friday night.

Any ideas of things to do Saturday morning around Decorah(An hour or so away is fine) . One person just had knee replacement a few months ago so no hiking or strenuous walks.
Thanks for bringing these up. We will be up there this weekend as well and I had not heard of Luna Valley so we will likely add that to our list.
 
Thanks for bringing these up. We will be up there this weekend as well and I had not heard of Luna Valley so we will likely add that to our list.
They use to sell out in hours so you may want to check that they still have openings.
 
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I'll suggest the Lansing area.

-Coffee on the River has good coffee with impressive views of the Mississippi and the soon-to-be-replaced Blackhawk Bridge.

-Mt. Hosmer Veterans park has two overlooks of the river and wildlife refuge within a few steps of the car and the Driftless Area Education Center has several exhibits about the geological and cultural history of the Driftless Region along with some animal tanks for local fish, snakes, etc.

-Pontoon or fishing boat rentals from S&S. There's an event starting early afternoon Saturday where a guy anchors his houseboat in Big Lake and has some local bands play to a crowd of boats from the roof.

-Since you're planning a trip around craft beer stops. The Safehouse Saloon has a nice, rotating selection available on tap and for package sale in a unique setting.

-The City Meat Market is a little further north in New Albin. They make great summer sausage, jerky, and smoked salmon.
 
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Yup. I think Northeast Iowa has a lot in common with Wisconsin. East Central/southeast Iowa has a lot in common with Illinois. Southern Iowa has a lot in common with Missouri, and the rest of Iowa is very similar to eastern Nebraska/Dakotas and SW Minnesota.

To me the most uniquely "Iowan" part of the state is the central part. Des Moines/Ames over towards CR/IC.
This is coming from a guy who doesn’t even know what “Northeast Iowa” is. Lol
 
Has anyone stayed in the Mcgregor area? I would like to go there sometime but doesn't seem like there is much for lodging in the area. The Airbnbs look very old and dated.
 
There's a newer hotel in Marquette. I've just always hated how you can't bike between the two towns safely. A bike lane on 76 would be awesome.

McGregor's cool, but I probably spend less time there specifically than a lot of places in the Driftless Area, even though I've spent a ton of time in PDC over the years.
 
There's a newer hotel in Marquette. I've just always hated how you can't bike between the two towns safely. A bike lane on 76 would be awesome.

McGregor's cool, but I probably spend less time there specifically than a lot of places in the Driftless Area, even though I've spent a ton of time in PDC over the years.

Every year I want to spend time paddling those little lakes/backwaters of the Mississippi but in the end, 1.5 hours' drive is something I really only need to do once a summer.
 

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