.

[ca4cy]

Decorah is just kick ass, beautiful, outdoor activities, breweries and damn good locally owned restaurants. I love it, but now on my way up gotta check out new brewery Privo. Oh and seed savers, whippy dip.

Probably just a typo on your part, but the one in Calmar is Pivo, and yes, I would recommend it. I've been impressed with my two visits there and I've got a couple of growlers that need to be refilled. That, along with the two previously mentioned breweries in Decorah, and Empty Nest Winery near Waukon would make for a fun day as long as you have a driver.

For scenery, the Upper Iowa River valley and the Mississippi River from south of New Albin to anywhere as far as Dubuque, depending on how far you want to drive, is amazing. Scenic overlooks at Mt. Hosmer in Lansing and Pikes Peak provide beautiful views. If you just want some great ridge views, Hwy 9 from Lansing to Waukon, Hwy 76 from Waukon to Marquette, or my personal favorite, the Elon Road (County A52), east of Waukon to the Lansing Harpers Road are all excellent. That will also get you close to the Yellow River area which is another little known gem. Anyone who was on Ragbrai last year will attest to most of this.

 

[I-stateTheTruth]

Any recommendations on campgrounds or kayak outfitters in the Decorah area?

Yes, the Pulpit Rock campground (run by the town's park and rec -http://parks.decorahia.org/pulpit-rock-campground), right outside the town and situated on the Upper Iowa River. Very well run and with access to everything close by. Has all the hook-ups and showers etc. They also have a trout stream there and a canoe/kayak launch. There is a kayak rental place right down the road, if I'm not mistaken. The campground books up sometimes, especially at Nordic Fest in July.

EDIT: I found the kayak place near the campground (about the equivalent of 2bks away). http://offthedriftless.com/

 

[I-stateTheTruth]

Probably just a typo on your part, but the one in Calmar is Pivo, and yes, I would recommend it. I've been impressed with my two visits there and I've got a couple of growlers that need to be refilled. That, along with the two previously mentioned breweries in Decorah, and Empty Nest Winery near Waukon would make for a fun day as long as you have a driver.

For scenery, the Upper Iowa River valley and the Mississippi River from south of New Albin to anywhere as far as Dubuque, depending on how far you want to drive, is amazing. Scenic overlooks at Mt. Hosmer in Lansing and Pikes Peak provide beautiful views. If you just want some great ridge views, Hwy 9 from Lansing to Waukon, Hwy 76 from Waukon to Marquette, or my personal favorite, the Elon Road (County A52), east of Waukon to the Lansing Harpers Road are all excellent. That will also get you close to the Yellow River area which is another little known gem. Anyone who was on Ragbrai last year will attest to most of this.

Calmar's going all micro-brew?! Awesome. They'll be eating arugula there before you know it ...

 

[I-stateTheTruth]

Being from the area, I didn't wanna laugh but you aren't wrong. The Loess Hills are great if you're in to outdoorsy stuff but other than that. It's axe murders and bull testicles.

"Come for the axe murders ... stay for the bull testicles"?? The tourist campaigns write themselves.

 

[ILikeTurtles]

Yes, the Pulpit Rock campground (run by the town's park and rec -http://parks.decorahia.org/pulpit-rock-campground), right outside the town and situated on the Upper Iowa River. Very well run and with access to everything close by. Has all the hook-ups and showers etc. They also have a trout stream there and a canoe/kayak launch. There is a kayak rental place right down the road, if I'm not mistaken. The campground books up sometimes, especially at Nordic Fest in July.

EDIT: I found the kayak place near the campground (about the equivalent of 2bks away). http://offthedriftless.com/

These look great. Thanks!

 

[mkadl]

2 things:

In order to leave Nebraska you have to go into western iowa, so by design it's fun.

Why didn't western iowa develop the same way? Why does eastern Iowa have far more bigger cities?

Navigable rivers, nothing but the Missouri for navigation in Western Iowa. The Missouri/Mississippi Divide is only 80 miles from the Missouri river on Highway 44. Rivers made easy railroads beds on there floodplain, they followed the flat ground and ridges. They had a head start before the downfall of railroad building. They became too big to fail. Drive from Highway 169 to Highway 30 on Highway 44 you will get the idea. Before railroads there were rivers. People in Illinois and Ohio say the same thing about eastern Iowa. Western Iowa says the same thing about Nebraska. For all you farmers out there, there are no drainage districts in Crawford, Shelby, or Audubon Counties. They have terraces.

 

[scyclonekid]

Probably just a typo on your part, but the one in Calmar is Pivo, and yes, I would recommend it. I've been impressed with my two visits there and I've got a couple of growlers that need to be refilled. That, along with the two previously mentioned breweries in Decorah, and Empty Nest Winery near Waukon would make for a fun day as long as you have a driver.

For scenery, the Upper Iowa River valley and the Mississippi River from south of New Albin to anywhere as far as Dubuque, depending on how far you want to drive, is amazing. Scenic overlooks at Mt. Hosmer in Lansing and Pikes Peak provide beautiful views. If you just want some great ridge views, Hwy 9 from Lansing to Waukon, Hwy 76 from Waukon to Marquette, or my personal favorite, the Elon Road (County A52), east of Waukon to the Lansing Harpers Road are all excellent. That will also get you close to the Yellow River area which is another little known gem. Anyone who was on Ragbrai last year will attest to most of this.

Yes a typo, and thanks for the great extra info much appreciated!!

 

[Al_4_State]

Any recommendations on campgrounds or kayak outfitters in the Decorah area?

Hruska’s in Bluffton. They run both a campground and outfitter service

 

[cyclonpediaJoe]

I would love to do a small town Iowa Hot Beef crawl.

I'm heading from Des Moines to Dubuque for a Sevendust concert in a few weeks. Planning at stopping in Le Grand, IA to do just that. A buddy said some café there has the best he's ever had.

 

[kevdiv48]

Nobody has mentioned the Lumberyard yet?

 

[CynadoAlley]

Basically what I've gathered from this thread is if you wanna do something fun, it will not be in western Iowa

We just drink copious amounts of booze.

 

[scyclonekid]

Nobody has mentioned the Lumberyard yet?

“When i go down on a chick I’m like a dog eating grass” ( Donnie baker)

 

[scyclonekid]

We just drink copious amounts of booze.

You have to in order to be sane KNebraska is like RIGHT THERE.

 

[CYdTracked]

Field of Dreams in Dyersville, IA. Playing a game of catch on the same field as an iconic movie is one the the memories I will never forget.

 

[KnappShack]

Finally stopped by the Hoover Library this weekend.

I totally recommend the trip. Especially if you have time to explore the grounds. A really well done experience. Learned a lot.

The home and street is somewhat like Lincoln in Springfield.

Worth the short trip off 80.

 

[cyadict]

Don't forget to add Algona to the list. Home of the world's largest Cheeto!

 

[VeloClone]

Finally stopped by the Hoover Library this weekend.

I totally recommend the trip. Especially if you have time to explore the grounds. A really well done experience. Learned a lot.

The home and street is somewhat like Lincoln in Springfield.

Worth the short trip off 80.

I'll have to take my son. He had to do a president report for school this year and he chose Hoover because Iowa. He loves history so I think he'd really enjoy it.

 

[NorthCyd]

Trainland USA

 

[cyfan92]

Our family enjoys the Honey Creek Resort in Moravia, IA on Rathban Lake. The little ones loved the new inflatables in there outdoor Aquapark. I really like the golf course as well

https://www.honeycreekresort.com/things-to-do/aquapark