Decorah

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Charming Decorah, Iowa, with Spillville included

A travel journal to Decorah by CheapSk8

Decorah, Iowa and Spillville, Iowa are charming communities in far picturesque northeast Iowa, only minutes away from the Wisconsin and Minnesota borders. Despite its small population, Decorah offers plenty to do for a long weekend away for all ages year-round.

  • 12 reviews
  • 1 story/tip

Charming Decorah, Iowa, with Spillville includedBest of IgoUgo

Overview

I highly recommend the Vesterheim Museum, the Bily Clocks Museum in Spillville, some of the local parks, and some of the stores on Main Street.

Quick Tips:

Decorah is a town of about 8,000 people in a county of 25,000. Decorah is beautiful in the winter and downhill skiing is available nearby. But fall is especially nice because of the colors of the trees, summer offers great weather, and spring is a great time to go canoeing or fishing on the Upper Iowa River. In short, visit Decorah anytime. But if it's winter, bring your heavy coat!

Things are very economical in Decorah and Spillville, and it doesn't take much money to have a great visit!

For more information about Decorah and the surrounding areas, visit: Decorah websites: Decorah and Decorah's government online.

Best Way To Get Around:

Public transportation and taxis are virtually nonexistent. Instead, plan to walk in the downtown area and drive or walk to the parks. Parking is free all over Decorah, unless you count the inexpensive parking meters downtown.

Country Inn and Suites DecorahBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Country Inn"

The hotel is located right by the four way stop at the intersection of Highways 52 and 9 just as you are coming into Decorah. The pool has an indoor pool and free continental breakfast. Rooms are spacious and clean and the hotel is relatively new.

With rates as low at $60/night (though often about $75), it's a great bargain, especially for people with kids who will have fun at the pool. As is the norm for hotels in this part of the world, parking is free.

Though not much is within walking distance, unless you want to cross the highway, the hotel is within a five-minute drive of numerous eateries, including Pizza Hut and Country Kitchen, and is about 10 minutes from downtown Decorah. Even better, you can take Highway 52 down into the valley to see the cliffs and is a great route to drive to Luther College, about 10 minutes away.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 27, 2004

Country Inn and Suites Decorah
1202 Highway 9 West Decorah, Iowa 52101
563-382-9646

Hotel WinneshiekBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

The Hotel Winneshiek is a beautifully restored hotel that dates from 1905. Rooms are clean and the staff is very friendly. Even if you don't stay at the Hotel Winneshiek, it is worth walking in to see the beautiful cherry entrance staircase.

The hotel is small, with about 30 rooms, and features regular rooms from about $100 to several different types of suites that go as high as $230. The hotel is set in downtown Decorah, which means you are within walking distance of all of the charming downtown shops, many historic homes, and (depending on fitness level) the Upper Iowa River and several parks.

In addition to continental breakfast included with the room, the Hotel Winneshiek features two restaurants -- the Victorian Rose Restaurant (Thursday - Saturday for lunch and dinner) and the casual Albert's Lounge, open evenings only. Separate entries will describe the Victorian Rose Restaurant in more detail, but I think Albert's Lounge, while a nice convenience, just doesn't compare to all the local stand-alone restaurants within a block or two of the hotel.

The hotel's website is Hotel Winneshiek
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 27, 2004

Hotel Winneshiek
104 E WATER STREET Decorah, Iowa 52101
563-382-4164

Iowa Government City Offices: CampgroundBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Pulpit Rock Campground"

Best Things Nearby:
Upper Iowa River

Best Things About the Resort:
Great hiking, canoeing, and trout fishing nearby, and the price can't be beat.

Resort Experience:
Pulpit Rock is located in the beautiful Oneota Valley in Decorah, Iowa. The campground is incredibly inexpensive, the people friendly, and the setting beautiful.

If you are interested in canoeing, trout fishing, hiking, or just a really economical hideaway, Pulpit Rock is a great place to stay. If you are looking for more than a dumping station, restrooms, and showers, though, this is not the place--you won't mistake Pulpit Rock for a full-service KOA.

  • Campground Type: State/Province Park
  • Campsite Type: Tent
  • Price Range: $0 - $10
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Campground Facilities: Satisfactory
  • Recreational Facilities: Very Good
  • Campsite Satisfaction: Very Good
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 28, 2004

Iowa Government City Offices: Campground
505 Pulpit Rock Road Decorah, Iowa 52101
(563) 382-9941

Cho Sun Chinese RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Cho Sun "

Cho Sun is not the place to go if you want high-class or especially authentic Chinese cuisine. However, if you are looking for a very filling option (there is an all-you-can-eat buffet or you can order off the menu), if you enjoy a more Americanized version of Chinese food as I do, you will love Cho Sun's.

It is located near the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital and is near the Stone Hearth, another local eatery.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 27, 2004

Cho Sun Chinese Restaurant
802 Commerce Drive Decorah, Iowa 52101
(563) 382-8309

Back Home Bakery & Coffee ShopBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Back Home Bakery"

Back Home Bakery is a great place to grab some cookies or a lunch when you are visiting Decorah. It serves lunch and breakfast, and usually sandwiches and soups at very low prices. The bakery features Norwegian specialties in its baked goods section and the day old rack offers great bargains. If you want a quick lunch or a place to recharge with a cookie and a coffee, it's a nice place to stop.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 27, 2004

Back Home Bakery & Coffee Shop
202 W Water Street Decorah, Iowa 52101
(563) 382-8696

Mabe's PizzaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Mabe's is not a place with fancy food, but is a place with good, hearty, inexpensive food. Mabe's is best known for their pizza, which comes on a very thin crust. It's so popular that Luther College, located in Decorah, freezes it and takes it to alumni events all over the country.

Besides the pizza, there are lots of other meal options, but be sure to ask about the specials. Often the specials or "off the menu" meals include salad and your main course (spaghetti, sandwiches, lasange, etc.) and are around $5-8.

The servers are always very helpful and nice, and there is a small area with arcade games to keep kids busy.

Although there is street parking out front, there is also a parking lot behind the building that allows loads of free parking. (You can enter the restaurant through a back door from the lot in back.)
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 27, 2004

Mabe's Pizza
110 East Water Street Decorah, Iowa 52101
(563) 382-4297

Vesterheim Norwegian-American MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

First, a disclaimer: I am not Norwegian, nor am I one of the thousands who head to Decorah every July for Nordic Fest. And I still love the Vesterheim Museum and think you will too.

The museum bills itself as "Vesterheim is the largest, most comprehensive museum in the United States dedicated to a single immigrant group." And I believe them. The museum includes everything from farming tools that are over 100 years old to folk art and separate buildings on the same block that include a stone mill, a house from Norway, several other houses, and a school. Visiting the museum really gives you a sense of the experiences and lives of Norwegian immigrants who came to America, and especially those who settled in the lovely Decorah area.

May 1-October 31, admission is $5 and includes a tour of the outdoor area. The rest of the year, admission is $4. It's well worth it! Be sure to also check out the charming museum store!

The museum's website is:
Vesterheim Museum
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 27, 2004

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
523 W Water Street Decorah, Iowa 52101
(563) 382-9681

Dunning's Spring ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Dunning Springs"

Dunning Springs is closed during the winter, but the rest of the year is a great place to visit for a picnic or just to climb the falls. A staircase has been built to allow visitors to climb alongside the waterfall, and other hiking trails help make this a popular destination.

A search all over yielded no address, but I can assure you that if you go into any store, gas station, or hotel (or ask on the street) you can get directions.
I highly recommend taking an hour out of your visit to Decorah to visit this lovely park, and even longer if you enjoy hiking, to enjoy this free attraction!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 27, 2004

Dunning's Spring Park
10 minutes from Downtown Decorah, Iowa 52101

Luther College: Luther CampusBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Luther College"

Luther College is located on a hill above the Oneota Valley in Decorah, Iowa. When you schedule your visit, be sure to ask about any special events going on at Luther, as it is often possible to enjoy a traveling musical or drama production very inexpensively.

Besides the chance to see a national production cheaply, events at Luther featuring the college's internationally acclaimed choirs and music organizations make a nice and inexpensive chance to enjoy some culture.

As its name indicates, Luther is a Lutheran college, and church services are held on campus every Sunday morning, along with chapel every weekday.

December is an especially nice time to visit Luther because the campus is lit up and a number of Christmas concerts are held, but they require advance tickets.

Luther's website is www.luther.edu.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 27, 2004

Luther College: Luther Campus
700 College Drive Decorah, Iowa 52101
(563) 387-2000

Vanberia International GiftsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Vanberia"

Vanberia is a beautiful little store that features everything from Hummel’s and other figurines to Norwegian sweaters and jewelry. Vanberia is a great place to do your holiday shopping and even has a catalog so you can order by phone. They will also ship your purchases home for you. The people are exceptionally helpful, do a nice job helping you make your selections, and even offer free gift-wrapping. You can see more of Vanberia's offerings at this website
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 27, 2004

Vanberia International Gifts
217 W. Water Street Decorah, Iowa 52101
(563) 382-4892

The Bily Clocks Museum & Antonin Dvorak ExhibitBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Bily Clocks Museum & Antonin Dvorak Exhibit"

The Bily Clocks Museum & Antonin Dvorak Exhibit is a small museum featuring amazing handcrafted wooden clocks made by the Bily Brothers. The people are friendly and it's a nice opportunity to experience the pride of Spillville, Iowa, a small community 10 miles from Decorah. The community consists primarily of descendents of Czech immigrants.

The website for the museum is: http://www.bilyclocks.org/
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CheapSk8 on March 28, 2004

The Bily Clocks Museum & Antonin Dvorak Exhibit
323 S. Main Street Decorah, Iowa 52168
(563) 562-3569

Decorah & SpillvilleBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

For four years in the late 1990s, I attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Since then, I have been back many times and have even a greater appreciation for the things the area has to offer, in terms of great parks, inexpensive places to eat, historical sights, and as a quaint getaway.

For general information about Decorah, you can visit: the town's website.

Because many people who visit Decorah do so only to see Decorah itself, I'm including entries on Spillville, a very small community about 10 miles away that was settled mostly by Czech immigrants. It is a very small rural community (the population numbers in the hundreds), but it has a great museum, a beautiful church and even a couple of places to eat.

Decorah is a welcoming community where, though the population isn't as diverse in larger areas, people of any race or orientation can feel comfortable. I encourage you to consider a visit to Decorah and Spillville to recharge, learn, explore the outdoors, and see a way of life you may not get to see too many other places!

About the Writer

CheapSk8
CheapSk8
Chicago, Illinois

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