NE Iowa Attractions ~ There is such a wide variety of activities and events in the northwest Iowa area -- way too many to list all. We have listed the most popular attractions below and will add new ones as they grow in popularity.
The Elkader Opera House was completed in November 1903, replacing the old Turner Opera House which was destroyed by fire earlier that year. Today the Elkader Opera House provides a venue for local productions. Click here to view all upcoming productions at the Opera House.
Watts Theatre in Osage, Iowa, was opened in 1950 by the Jim Watts family, with a showing of "Dancing in the Dark." In the Art Deco style, the 44 by 132 foot building was designed and built as a state-of-the-art theater and included 580 seats and living quarters upstairs for the Watts family. The theatre has been a significant historic landmark in the community.
Monona Historical Society and Museum - The museum recently opened the Willa Helwig History Center. The museum is open year-round, Monday through Saturday 1pm to 5pm, and by appointment. Call: (563)-539-8083 or (563)-539-2640 for more information.
Bily Clocks - The Bily Clocks Museum & Antonin Dvorak Exhibit has been a favorite attraction of young and old for many years. Located in Spillville, Iowa, (thirteen miles southwest of the town of Decorah), visitors come annually to marvel at the unique clocks that two brothers, Frank and Joseph Bily (bee-lee) hand-carved. Free admission.
Laura Ingalls Wilder's Park and Museum in Burr Oak, Iowa. You'll enjoy seeing Laura's historic home, the area and all of the attractions around it. Check here for updates on the latest happenings at the museum.
Cedar Falls
Raceway -
6400 W. Bennington Road, Cedar Falls
319-987-2537
Lost Island Water Park - Lost Island's newest major waterslide, the Molokini Crater, is complete and ready to thrill. Great family fun in Waterloo, Iowa.
Banowetz Antiques - Located in Maquoketa, Iowa, this is eastern Iowa's largest antique mall with a 35,000 square foot showroom and 150 dealers.
- Eastern Iowa Tourism - As you travel one of our Scenic Byways or Historic Routes you’ll see the beauty of meandering streams, the mighty Mississippi River, rolling hills, towering limestone bluffs, patchwork countrysides, unexpected wildlife, and quaint villages.
Hurstville Lime Kilns/Interpretive Center - A very unique historic site in Maquoketa. The Hurstville Lime Kilns are the only set of 4 lime kilns still standing. The kilns were used to process lime from lime stone. The lime kilns were part of a company town that dates back to the late 1880's.
Jackson County Historical Museum - This local history museum has a country school, antique agricultural equipment, period rooms, and changing events and displays.
- Upper Mississippi Wine Trail - Tour through 5 wineries and a Cider business. Enjoy a holiday wine and food tour in November and in April visit the wineries for a Spring Wine & Cheese Open House -- a lovely drive!
Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery - A family owned and operated winery near the town of Baldwin, Iowa. The winery offers group tours and wine tasting.
Tipton Carngie Library which is home to 21 original Grant Wood productions. Visit them online at: www.tiptoniowa.org/city/library.html
Hardacre Film Festival - Film directors and screen writers converge with film lovers from all over the world in Tipton for a festival of award-winning art films. A unique and quality experience every August.
Vesterheim Museum - This Norwegian-American museum is one of the premier Ethnic museums in the world. The Vesterheim Museum contains a great deal of immigrant artifacts from early clothing and housing of our first European settlers to the ships that braved the ocean. Special shows, classes and seminars are frequently held at the museum.
Nationally Known!
Seed Saver Exchange -
The 173 acre
heritage farm is a living museum of historic varieties of endangered
vegetables, apples, grapes and cattle. A unique hiking trail is more than two
miles long extending through extensive Preservation Gardens and an Historic
Orchard.
Franklin County Fair - If you enjoy country music, animals, Fair food, and history than put on your cowboy boots and hat and join us July 17th thru 22nd 2007.
Franklin County Convention and Visitors Bureau - Franklin County, located in North Central Iowa, is where family values are the foundation of our quality of life. Stay awhile and enjoy our many shops, our historic sites, and our parks and recreation areas.