Definitely Decorah. if you do you have to get Mabes pizza and Whippy Dip ice cream. Also hit up toppling Goliath brewery. Canoeing on the Upper Iowa is ok near Decorah, but much better if you head up north about ten or fifteen minutes of there near Bluffton or Burr Oak. The scenery of the bluffs and cliffs while floating down the river there is amazing
Iowa's Hidden Gems - Iowa Vacations
- Thread starter BloodyBuddy
- Start date
Worlds largest frying pan
you're welcome
Oh god. Brandon is a dump. It's like a classy meth haven.
Worlds largest frying pan
you're welcome
Sweeeet Carl!!! Are you from Brandon?? I grew up in Rowley, only miles away from this hidden "gem"
A canoe livery business in Kendallville:
Hruska's
A three day canoe trip all the way from Lime Springs to Decorah would be one to remember. I've done Bluffton to Decorah and the last part going into Decorah gets flat and a bit boring. I'd take out on the upstream side of Decorah as far as possible.
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Lake Rathburn has Honey Creek resort, it is great for families. Their rental cabins are great. That lake is huge, and it is almost empty most of the time. Great for boating and water sports, not so much for fishing. It is also great at the resort for hiking and riding bike. There is a marina at the resort where you can rent about any type of boat or tube too.
K
KFitzy87
Guest
I used to live in Albia, and if the OP is looking for a good place to eat, Bogie's Steakhouse is good stuff. One of my favorites.
If you're into camping and hiking, I give Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savannah a thumbs up. Right on the river, lots of cool trails to hike, and the younguns can ride their bikes all around the grounds.
Thompson Causeway campground is good, too, but not so much in the way of hiking trails.
Lots of time in my youth spent at both of those places. I'd give my vote to Savannah if you're headed that way.
You could check out Sac City for the world's largest popcorn ball
and this famous landmark.
Seriously though NE Iowa sounds like the place for you. I like the Marquette/MacGregor area. Lots of river outdoor activity and crafty things. Decent microbrew and a casino.
Plus you can leave a flaming bag of poo at Raef Lafrentz's childhood home.
and this famous landmark.
Seriously though NE Iowa sounds like the place for you. I like the Marquette/MacGregor area. Lots of river outdoor activity and crafty things. Decent microbrew and a casino.
Plus you can leave a flaming bag of poo at Raef Lafrentz's childhood home.
A couple of people have mentioned Dubuque, and I have to agree that it sounds like exactly what you're looking for. Here's a link on traveling to Dubuque: Dubuque Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Hope you have a fun vacation, wherever you end up!
You are a dbag, that is all. Get out of your county for once in your life.
-Iowa Great Lakes
IMCA Supernationals in Boone. If you are outdoorsy than maybe you enjoy cars. If you enjoy cars than you might like some of the best local dirt track racing around. It is a week of racing and drinking beer. You get to see some wild stuff too like some female body part contests. Sounds like a bunch of hillbillies but that is not necessarily the case. Only problem is that the big show (final night) is the day of the isu ui game. But for me, id take this over the game any day and i have been a lifelong clone.
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We just discovered this little gem of a park, very near where we live.
<http://www.johnson-county.com/dept_conservation.aspx?id=4055> big park, lot to do. Trails, camping, geocaching (although that is everywhere now I suppose). It is near enough the Amanas, which personally I think blows (arts and crafts, ugh) although they do have good food there, and Millstream brewing is OK.
If you are willing to travel out of state, have to recommend this:
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-9MQ4DdBek>
<http://www.johnson-county.com/dept_conservation.aspx?id=4055> big park, lot to do. Trails, camping, geocaching (although that is everywhere now I suppose). It is near enough the Amanas, which personally I think blows (arts and crafts, ugh) although they do have good food there, and Millstream brewing is OK.
If you are willing to travel out of state, have to recommend this:
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-9MQ4DdBek>
This is my number 1 hidden jem for now.
Others per your focus-
2: Loess Hills (Council Bluffs / Omaha Old Market)
3: LeClair (stay at the Holiday Inn on the river for cheap) and parks in the area.
I am using this thread for some ideas for a mini honeymoon this summer.
Kent Park is an amazing hidden gem. Not that far from CR either and a lot better than Pleasant Creek in Palo imo. My dad and I have gone fishing/camping there numerous times.
Kent Park is an amazing hidden gem. Not that far from CR either and a lot better than Pleasant Creek in Palo imo. My dad and I have gone fishing/camping there numerous times.