northeast IOWA YOU’LL LOVE THE VIEW FROM HERE TRAVEL GUIDE NATURAL RESOURCES HISTORY, ART & CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT DINING & LOCAL FOODS WWW.VISITIOWA.ORG IOWA TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION ONE: Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Natural Areas to Explore ............................................................................................................................ 4-6 Bird Watching .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Water Trails & Lakes ............................................................................................................................. 8-9 Land Trails ........................................................................................................................................... 10 -11 Canoe, Tube & Boat Rental .................................................................................................................. 12-13 Scenic Byways ............................................................................................................................................ 14 Snowmobile Trails ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Campgrounds ...................................................................................................................................... 16-20 Golf Courses ............................................................................................................................................. 21 Guide Services .......................................................................................................................................... 22 Trout Streams ............................................................................................................................................ 23 Hunting & Fishing ................................................................................................................................. 24-25 Power Sports ............................................................................................................................................. 26 Caves ....................................................................................................................................................... 27 Recreational Equipment ........................................................................................................................ 28-29 Horseback Riding ........................................................................................................................................ 30 SECTION TWO: Historical, Cultural & Art Experiences Visual & Performing Arts ...................................................................................................................... 32-34 Vintage Finds .......................................................................................................................................... 35 Museums & Historical Sites .................................................................................................................. 36-40 Historic & Educational Tours ................................................................................................................ 41-42 SECTION THREE: Local Attractions & Entertainment Attractions & Entertainment .................................................................................................................. 44-45 Ethnic & Cultural Festivals .................................................................................................................... 46-47 Live Music ................................................................................................................................................ 48 Speedways .............................................................................................................................................. 49 Pools & Recreation Centers ................................................................................................................. 50-51 SECTION FOUR: Dining Highlights & Local Food Dining Highlights ................................................................................................................................ 53-56 Local Food & Farms ............................................................................................................................ 57-58 Wineries & Breweries ................................................................................................................................ 59 SECTION FIVE: Contact Information & Map of Northeast Iowa Contact Information ........................................................................................................................ 60-61 Regional Trail Map of Northeast Iowa .............................................................................................. 62-63 2 Table of Contents NATURAL RESOURCES AND SECTION ONE OUTDOOR RECREATION Turkey River Water Trail Fayette & Clayton County Natural Areas to Explore 3 NATURAL AREAS TO EXPLORE Firepoint Overlook Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Recreation & Outdoor Natural Resources Effigy Mounds National Monument Midwest Living named Pikes Peak one of the best Mid dedicated as a biological and geological state preserve western free attractions. in 1968. A total of nearly 270 plant species have been found and more than 75 species of birds, including many neotropical migratory birds can be seen at this preserve. Backbone State Park Open to hiking and picnicking. 563-425-4161 1347 129th Street, Dundee Dedicated in 1920 as Iowa’s First State Park, Backbone Decorah City Parks System State Park is one of the most geographically unique Dunnings Springs, Ice Cave, Twin Springs, Malanaphy parks in the parks system. Located 3 miles south of Springs, Phelps Park and Decorah Prairie are included Strawberry Point, this 2002 acre park features wildlife, in more than 500 miles of city parks. Decorah has woodlands, campsites, cabins, cold water streams, trails, more high quality park acres per capita than any CCC Museum, and rock rappelling. Nestled along the other community of its size in the Midwest. Pick your Maquoketa River it is named for its narrow and steep adventure and take off to enjoy dramatic overlooks of ridge of bedrock carved by the river, and named the the Upper Iowa River or Iowa’s best-known waterfalls “Devil’s Backbone.” 563-924-2527 by foot, bike or water! 563-382-4158 or www.visitdecorah.com/parks.html Big Springs Fish Hatchery 16212 Big Springs Road, Elkader Decorah Fish Hatchery This trout hatchery is located along the Turkey River 2321 Siewers Spring Road, Decorah 10 miles northwest of Elkader in Clayton County at the This state-of-the-art hatchery raises rainbow, brown and base of the largest springs in Iowa. Home to Iowa’s native brook trout. Kids will love feeding the fish for only first and only “kids fishing pond,” children can try their a quarter! The hatchery features a beautiful new shelter hand at fishing for rainbow trout. Discover how water is equipped with drinking fountain, restrooms, picnic tables “the ultimate barometer for the condition of the land.” and bike racks. Also home to the famous Decorah Admission is free and fishing license and trout stamps Eagle’s Nest and Siewers Spring waterfall, this is a must- can be purchased on site. Largest coldwater spring in stop when visiting Decorah. Open daily. 563-382-8324 Iowa. 563-245-2446 or www.decorahfishhatchery.com Brush Creek Canyon State Preserve Driftless Area Wetland Centre 2 mi N of Arlington 509 Hwy 18, Marquette This preserve is located on the western edge of the This area houses a shared environmental education Paleozoic Plateau land form region and showcases and community gathering space and feature a newly the ridge running through northeast Iowa known as constructed wetland with viewing platform. The centre the Silurian Escarpment. The 217 acre preserve was features wetland habitat, native trees, wet and dry prairie 4 Natural Areas to Explore mixes, and it acts as a eco-tourism must-see for visitors to the Driftless Area. 563-873-3537 Effigy Mounds National Monument 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry Iowa’s only National Monument, Effigy Mounds is home to 210 known prehistoric mounds within the border of the park, 31 of which are shaped in the likeness of bears or birds. These burial mounds were built by Native Americans from 100 BC to 650 AD. The 2,526-acre park is divided into two units by the Yellow River. Walking trails provide modest to extended routes. Free admission for everyone. Open year-round. After you’ve enjoyed Effigy Mounds, visit Fish Farm Mounds State Preserve, north on the Great River Road, this three-acre prehistoric cemetery (mound group) contains a cluster of 30 conical mounds. 563-873-3491 or www.nps.gov/efmo Fontana Park & Interpretive Nature Center 1883 125th Street, Hazleton Fontana Park offers fishing, hiking trails, camping, and a playground. The Fontana Interpretive Nature Center contains meeting and classroom areas, a variety of exhibits, a nature library and observation deck, and staff Yellow River State Forest offices. 319-636-2617 or www.buchanancountyparks. com/fontanapark.php Hayden Prairie Mount Hosmer City Park Located near the town of Chester E on Hwy 9 (Main St) Turn left on 6th Street, Lansing This 242 acre tall-grass untouched gem is the largest This 104-acre park includes a bluff