The Iowa Town You Didn’t Know You Needed to Visit

Thedailymiaminews– Most places in the United States are not like northeastern Iowa. It is part of the Driftless Area, which was not formed by glacial drift, unlike many other areas in North America. Rivers and streams were permitted to flow freely over the course of millennia, creating the deep valleys, sheltering caverns, bubbling springs, and towering bluffs that give this region its breathtaking landscape. The Driftless Area is made up of sections of Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.

Decorah is a location that is sometimes ignored. It is located on the banks of the Upper Iowa River, which is situated deep within the stunning terrain of Iowa’s share of the Driftless Area. Decorah offers outdoor adventure and small-town charm. This college town, which was established in 1849, has been influenced by its Nordic tradition, agricultural background, and natural surroundings.

This Iowa treasure has a lot to offer, including the town’s famed bald eagles and the largest and most unusual event on its busy calendar, Nordic Fest. Decorah is not like other towns in the Midwest; it is a unique place that is full with adventures you will never forget.

A Short History of Decorah

Waukon Decorah, a Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) chief who assisted the American Army during the Black Hawk War, is the person for whom Decorah was named. Later, he was relocated to northeastern Iowa as part of a treaty that resettled Native Americans. In 1857, the town was organized, and many farmers from Norway decided to relocate there in order to take advantage of the fertile terrain along the Upper Iowa River. The town began to grow significantly after Luther College was established in 1861. The College brought additional Norwegians to the area, which quickly became known as their Vesterheim, or “western home.” The town has a rich past that is still visible today. It has expanded to have more than 7,500 residents, yet it protects its heritage by holding cultural events, putting up historic markers, and maintaining stunning examples of nineteenth-century architecture.

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Activities to Enjoy in Decorah

At the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum & Folk Art School, you may find out more about Decorah’s modest beginnings and its ties to Europe. The museum, which is made up of 12 ancient houses and 33,000 items, provides a captivating and thorough description of the town’s immigrant origins. It also offers lessons throughout the year in traditional methods like woodworking, painting, and fiber arts.

People who love to read and people of a particular age will enjoy visiting the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum, which is located nearby. The museum honors the famed children’s novelist who lived in the area in 1876 when she was nine years old. The National Register of Historic Places includes both of the buildings on the site.

After seeing Decorah and taking in the sights, visit one of the town’s famous wineries or breweries to satisfy your thirst. The Empty Nest Winery, which is situated in the beautiful countryside between Decorah and Waukton, produces a variety of small-batch berry wines created from fruit that has been selected by hand. If you are having trouble deciding what to drink, you can try 18 different kinds of wine in the winery’s tasting area. Back in town, the Pulpit Rock Brewing Co serves up a changing tap list in its rustic tasting room and shady patio.

Decorah’s Outdoor Attractions

Decorah’s one-of-a-kind landscape makes it a great place for anyone who enjoy hiking, biking, and exploring the outdoors. The town is surrounded by spectacular vistas that may be accessed from its many parks and path networks. Dunning’s Spring Park features a 200-foot-tall waterfall that is fed by a spring, a stone arch bridge, and a wooden stairway that leads to the top of the spring, where visitors may enjoy breathtaking views of the water tumbling down. If you want to shoot some of the best pictures of the town, make sure to bring your camera to Pulpit Rock Scenic Overlook at Will Baker Park. You can get there by taking a mile-long trail that is appropriate for intermediate to expert hikers. If you want to experience an underground adventure, go to the Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve, where you may explore one of the biggest ice caverns in the Midwest.

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Decorah is home to a variety of animals, including the bald eagle, which is the town’s unofficial symbol. Since 2002, this well-known species has made its home close to the Decorah Fish Hatchery. Since then, more than 30 eaglets have born in the vicinity, and birdwatchers have an excellent opportunity of seeing these magnificent birds on the Trout Run Trail, which is located near the Hatchery. The Decorah Community Prairie and Butterfly Garden is a 105-acre preserve with paths and trails that wind through butterfly habitats and wildflower-filled prairies. It is a great place to get up close and personal with more winged wildlife.

Decorah is a river town, thus it has many activities that involve water, including as kayaking, paddling, and fishing. If you’re looking to catch a walleye, the 1,200-acre Cardinal Marsh Wildlife Area is one of the best places to enjoy the water. It has great paddling and fishing opportunities on the Turkey River. Anglers also like to fish in North and South Bear Creek and Lake Meyer, which is 33 acres and located south of Decorah.

Festivals and Events in Decorah

Nordic Fest, which takes place every summer, is the largest festival in Decorah. Since it started in 1967, the event has attracted more than 1.5 million visitors. It was created to honor the town’s initial residents, who made the journey across the Atlantic Ocean to establish a thriving community in the Driftless. The three-day event, which usually takes place from Thursday to Sunday, has a variety of activities, including local food sellers, fireworks displays, traditional craft exhibitions, a parade, live entertainment, and more.

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The Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour, which takes place every fall, is another important event on the town calendar. This is a self-guided driving trip through the lovely rolling hills of northeast Iowa. Along the way, you will stop at galleries and studios of award-winning artists to see their work, watch them in action, buy a souvenir, or just have a conversation. All of the tour locations are located within a 40-mile radius of Decorah.

The Midwest’s Greatest Hits

Decorah is a place that surprises visitors by providing them with a little bit of everything, including a Scandinavian agricultural community, a pocket of untamed territory that has not been affected by glaciers, an artistic center, and a friendly small-town getaway. This town is becoming a well-known tourist destination because of its beautiful natural attractions and its friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Although the glaciers may have overlooked this location, you should not.

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