Are you planning a trip to Decorah, Iowa, and want to find fun things to do to make the trip unforgettable? Don’t look anymore! This is the right place for you because we will talk about the 25 best and most fun things to do in Decorah, Iowa.
In Winneshiek County, at the point where State Highway 9 and U.S. Decorah is a lovely city in northeastern Iowa that can be reached by Route 52. Its architectural styles, fairs, and cultural events all show that it is influenced by Norwegian culture. It has a lot of different things to do and see.
This lovely town has a lot to offer, from the nearby Upper Iowa River and its rolling hills with beautiful views to outdoor activities and events. To learn more about Decorah’s rich history, people can visit Luther College and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
There are 25 fun and great things to do in Decorah, Iowa (2024).
1. Vesterheim is home to the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School
Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, is a great place to start your trip in Decorah. This gem is right in the middle of downtown Decorah and is a must-see for art lovers.
Vesterheim has a huge collection of Norweigan-American artifacts, including over 33,000 items, 12 historic buildings, archives, and a library. The collection shows the diversity of Norwegian immigration to the United States and the history and present of Norweigan folk and fine arts through educational events, publications, and lectures.
The museum has exhibits, artifacts, cultural programs, folk art classes, and workshops that let people learn about the history, craftsmanship, and customs of Norwegian immigrants. It also lets people become immersed in Norwegian heritage.
The Vesterheim Westby-Togerson Education Center, the Vesterheim Amdal-Odland Heritage Center, and the Vesterheim Commons are all inside the Museum, making it easy to get around.
Address: 520 W Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
2. Phelps Park
Find peace and relaxation at Phelps Park, a fun haven in Decorah, IA. This is a great thing to do with family, friends, or nature fans.
The 56-acre park, which opened in 1906, is a popular place for walking and family activities. It has 8 picnic shelters, an outdoor stage, hiking trails with interesting rock formations and wooden bridges, biking trails, restrooms, stone-walled lookouts, a foundation, and playground equipment for people of all ages.
To make things even better, the scenic park has a sand volleyball court, drinking fountains, the Whalen Cabin, scenic views like the Schulze Brick Kin, the Larsen Fountain, and other historic information signs.
Address: 613 Park Street, Decorah, IA 52101, United States
3. Porter House Museum
The Porter House Museum is one of the best and most fun things to do in Decorah. It is in the Broadway Historic District, two blocks south of downtown Decorah. The attraction is a great place to learn about the luxurious lives that were popular in the late 1800s.
The Porter House Museum, which is housed in a beautiful Victorian mansion and opened in 1827, shows furniture, decorative arts, and exhibits about the past of the Porter family.
In the gardens and outdoor displays like the Outdoor Rock Wall and the Gardens in the fall and spring, visitors can look at a wide range of 19th-century artifacts, such as lush gardens, antique furniture, decorative arts, and architectural features.
Address: 401 W Broadway Street, Decorah, IA 52101, United States
4. Palisades Park
One family-friendly thing to do in Decorah, IA is to explore Palisades Park. This hidden gem is right next to the Upper Iowa River and is full of fun things for kids and adults to do.
Palisades Park is 105 acres big and has beautiful views of the Upper Iowa River, the scenery, and the rocky limestone cliffs and cliffs that are close by.
The park also lets people do things like hiking in wooded areas and along the banks of rivers, having picnics, watching wildlife, fishing, cross-country skiing, and sledding. This makes it a venue for many outdoor activities.
Address: Park Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
5. Bily Clocks Museum And Antonin Dvořák Exhibit
Visit the Bily Clocks Museum and Antonin Dvořák Exhibit in Spillville, IA, which is only 17 minutes by car from Decorah. It’s a fun thing to do nearby.
The museum has held many unique clocks from 1913 to 1958, including the American Pioneer Clock, the World’s Smallest Church, and the Apostles Parade Clock. It opened in the summer of 1893.
This site also shows the life and works of Antonin Dvořák, a famous Czech composer, through artifacts, manuscripts, and hands-on displays.
Visitors to the museum can learn about the intricate craftsmanship of old clocks and the life and works of Antonin Dvořák. This gives them a cultural and artistic understanding of both timekeeping and music.
Address: 323 S Main Street, Spillville, IA 52168, United States.
6. Locust School Museum
One of the best and most fun things to do in Decorah, Iowa, is to go to the Locust School Museum, which is north of the city.
Built in 1878, the historic one-room schoolhouse displays objects, pictures, and literary works from the 1800s that show what it was like to go to school in a rural area.
When tourists go to the Locust School Museum, they can look around the one-room schoolhouse that has been kept, do hands-on learning activities, and learn about ancient life through exhibits, local history, and culture.
Address: 1640 Big Canoe Road, Decorah, IA 52101, United States
7. Dunning’s Spring And Ice Cave Hill Park
Dunning’s Spring Park is a peaceful place to relax with a beautiful 200-foot waterfall. It is at the base of a limestone cliff about 100 yards north of the Upper Iowa River.
Dunning’s Spring Park is 115 acres and has a wooded area, walking paths, picnic tables, beautiful views, a cookout area with a grill, a stream, an ice cave, climbing trails, and a stone arch bridge built by local stonemasons.
Spend the day in this beautiful seaside park, which is one of the best and most fun things to do in Decorah.
Address: Ice Cave Road, Decorah, IA 52101, United States
8. Laura Ingalls Park & Museums
The Laura Ingalls Park and Museums is one of the best places to visit in Decorah because it lets people read a wide range of works by the famous Midwestern author Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The museum is in the beautiful northeastern Iowa countryside and has replicas of buildings from Laura’s books as well as hands-on displays about things like daily tasks, farming methods, and home chores.
To make sure tourists have a relaxing time, the attraction has a lot to offer, such as educational programs like guided tours and workshops, beautiful views like rolling hills and wooded areas, and gift shops.
Address: 3603 236th Avenue, Decorah, IA 52101, United States
9. Twin Springs Park
One fun thing to do in Decorah, IA is to explore Twin Spring Park. This 48-acre park in northeastern Iowa is full of fun outdoor activities that are great for families.
There are now benches, picnic tables, grills, a stocked trout stream, a children’s fishing pond, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking trails with a springhead that spans a 0.8-mile Odin’s Loop that leads into the hills above the stream. The area used to be an Iowa DNR fish hatchery.
Enjoy the peace of nature, walk along the scenic trails, have a picnic by the spring-fed streams, and race through the hiking paths while you’re there.
Address: Twin Springs Road, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
10. Decorah Farmers Market
One interesting thing to do this weekend in Decorah, IA is to check out the Farmers Market. From May to October, the Decorah Farmers Market is open every Wednesday and Saturday next to the Decorah Post Office. It is the best place to buy fresh food.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, local honey, pasture-raised meats, vinegars, handmade goods, homemade soaps, and delicious local food can all be found at the market, where you can also meet friendly sellers and other tourists.
Address: Heivly Street, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
11. Nordheim Park
In Decorah, Iowa, one fun thing to do outside is to check out Nordheim Park. The park is a great place for kids to have fun outside.
Nordheim Park is 1.5 acres and has a lot to offer. It has walking paths, a playground diamond, picnic shelters with tables and chairs, a cookout grill, and playground equipment for kids of all ages.
You can have fun with your family at this park, which offers a peaceful setting for outdoor sports and relaxation.
12. Convergence CiderWorks
The beautiful Convergence CiderWorks is one of the best places for alcoholic drink lovers to visit in Decorah, Iowa. It is in a famous building in the Old Lumber Yard.
The Cidery is at the point where the Plains and Driftless regions meet. It sells a range of handcrafted ciders made from apples grown in the area. This place also has a sample room where cider fans can try out their special blends.
People who go to the Convergence CiderWorks can enjoy live music, classes on how to make cider, and food pairings.
Address: 302 Washington St, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
13. Mary Christopher Park
People with pets are welcome at the Mary Christopher Park in Decorah, Iowa, which also has lots of family-friendly activities. This beautiful natural park has amazing views of the land around it.
The newly redesigned Mary Christopher Park is spread out over 1/2 an acre and has fun and useful features like playgrounds for kids of all ages, a picnic shelter, picnic tables, benches, a drinking fountain, and bathrooms.
The Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial is also in the park for people of all ages.
Address: E Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
14. Duncan Sandbar
The Duncan Sandbar is a popular vacation spot along the Upper Iowa River because of its beautiful scenery and fun things to do outside in the spring and winter.
At the beautiful Sandbar, you can go sailing, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, and swimming, among other outdoor activities. It also has a beautiful landscape with sandy beaches and wooded areas for people who love wildlife.
The attraction also has beautiful places to see wildlife, as well as hiking and biking trails that let tourists, especially couples, explore the area on foot or by bike.
Address:: Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
15. Barbara Barnhart Van Peenen Memorial Park
In Decorah, Iowa, one of the fun things to do is to check out the Barbara Barnhart Van Peenen Memorial Park. This peaceful and beautiful park was named after a local community leader and philanthropist named Barbara Barnhart Van Peenen.
There are hiking paths, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and 8 acres of tall prairie grass in the 120-acre park. The park also has a range of terrain, such as steep climbs, a Rocky Road, and pine forests with easy bailouts that are good for first-time riders.
As Decorah’s newest park, it provides a peaceful area for recreation and relaxing with its walking paths, benches, and lovely landscaped gardens.
When you visit this site, you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and see native plants and animals. This makes it a popular place for picnics, quiet reflections, and long walks.
Address: Quarry Hill Road, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
16. River Trail Trail Head
The panoramic River Trail Trail Head is a 6.4-km outward-bound soft trail that follows the twisting path of the Upper Iowa River. It is one of many fun things to do in Decorah, Iowa.
At the River Trail Trail Head in Dunning’s Spring Park, there are many helpful features like parking, bathrooms, picnic areas, and informational signs to make visitors’ experience better and give them everything they need to enjoy the path safely and comfortably.
The site also has lovely views of the Upper Iowa River and the natural beauty that surrounds it. People of all ages and abilities can enjoy leisure activities like hiking, walking, and running.
Address: Ice Cave Road, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
17. Luther College
Decorah, Iowa has a lot of fun and educational things for people who like music, sports, and the outdoors. As a visitor, you can take part in fun camp events at the well-known Luther College.
The lively school, which has been around since 1861, is in a beautiful location and offers a liberal arts education rooted in Norwegian heritage. It encourages academic excellence and cultural exploration to satisfy the intellectual interests of its students and guests.
Address: 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
18. Chattahoochee Park
Visiting or living in Decorah, IA, one of the fun things to do is to check out Chattahoochee Park and enjoy its beautiful and fun scenes.
The 27-acre park is on the northwest side of Decorah, Iowa. It’s a great place for fun lovers to hang out because it has picnic shelters, fire rings, a gravel parking lot, a lot of different water activities, and beautiful views of the Upper Iowa River.
People who visit this beehive can get back in touch with nature, which is a nice break from the noise and chaos of city life.
Address: Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
19. Decorah Scare Haunting House
Are you looking for the best place to get some thrills? One fun thing to do in Decorah, IA, during the Halloween season is to check out the Decorah Scare Haunting House.
There are clowns, butchers, werewolves, spiders, and a haunted trail at The Haunting House. It’s the right mix of indoor and outdoor activities to make your Halloween nights more fun.
When you go to Decorah, don’t miss this site. It will give you the thrills, chills, and scares you need.
Address: 2427 Tamarack Drive Road Suite C, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
20. Twin Springs Supper Club
The Two Springs Supper Club, which is part of the beautiful Two Springs Park, is another fun and different thing to do this weekend in Decorah, IA.
This place is in the beautiful hills and valleys just minutes from downtown Decorah. They serve the best steaks, chops, and seafood in the area by using ingredients that are grown or caught nearby.
Enjoy the food and atmosphere at the Twin Spring Supper Club while you’re touring Decorah, IA. Every bite tells a story and every moment is a savory trip.
Address: 2149 Twin Springs Road, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
21. King Pin Entertainment Center
Checking out the King Pin Entertainment Center is one of the best things to do in Decorah, IA because it promises an exciting time for everyone who goes there.
There are a lot of fun things to do at King Pin Entertainment Center, like 16 bowling lanes, axe throwing, teams, arcades, darts, hyper bowling, and many pool tables. The entertainment center Alley also puts together several themed nights for special events.
The Entertainment Center has a Sports Bar, a grille, and other services like planning events and parties. This makes it a full entertainment hub for people who like to have fun.
Address: 400 Heivly Street, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
22. Vennehjem Park
Vennehjem Park is one of the best places to visit in Decorah, Iowa. It is in the beautiful Driftless Area, and people from all over the world come to enjoy it all year long.
This 2-acre public park has a lot to offer, such as walking paths, playground equipment, picnic areas, open green spaces, picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills, and peaceful natural settings that people of all ages can enjoy.
It also has a creek where you can fish, watch wildlife, and wade, all of which add to the peaceful atmosphere of the park.
Visitors can explore the wooded areas, go for walks, have picnics, and look for native wildflowers, songbirds, and small animals while they’re out on their adventures.
Address: Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
23. New Minowa Players Theatre
One of the most fun things to do in Decorah, Iowa, at night is to go to the New Minowa Players Theatre.
The well-equipped 46,000-seat auditorium has been around since 1975 and hosts a wide range of live events, such as plays, musicals, and other theatrical productions that bring scripts to life. For artists of all ages, the theater also provides chances for both new and experienced artists to be involved in the arts.
The New Minowa Players Theatre also puts on classes, workshops, and training programs to encourage new ideas and talent.
Address: 906 S Mill Street, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
24. Your Place
Are you looking for a place to unwind after a busy day? There is a small restaurant and bar called Your Place in Decorah, Iowa that is a great place to take in some fresh air.
Your Place is a diner and bar that has been around since 1984. It has a wide outdoor veranda with many TVs where you can watch any game you want. The bar area is warm and welcoming, and there is fresh popcorn in the bar area.
There is also a cozy lounge area at the site where people can hang out with friends and family, eat, and drink.
Address: 307 W Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
25. GamesXP Decorah
Have a boring weekend and want to find a place to break up the monotony? One of the best places to play games in Decorah, Iowa, is GamesXP.
GamesXP has a gaming room with Xbox One, Xbox 360, original PS1, PS4, Wii, WiiU, PC games, Game Cube, N64, Dreamcast, Sega Genesis, SNES, NES, Intellivision, and Atari games, as well as game systems that gamers of all ages can enjoy. The hub also rents out DVDs, sells used DVDs, and lets people buy and sell things on Amazon and eBay.
Hang out in this beautiful gaming room with 7 TVs, couches and chairs, and pinball and arcade games from the 1980s. You can experience gaming in a whole new way.
26. The Landing Market
If you’re in Decorah, don’t miss the lively Landing Market. It’s an indoor food and shopping market where local retailers and community members sell a wide range of foods and goods.
The Landing Market is on the west side of Decorah. It sells locally grown food, handcrafted goods, and homemade goods in a lively setting with live music, food vendors, and events for people of all ages.
In the commercial hub, tourists can find places to eat and drink, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, handcrafted jewelry, and unique gifts.
Address: 211 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.
27. T Bock’s Sports Bar And Grill
Going to T Bock’s Sports Bar and Grill on the weekends in Decorah, Iowa is a great and relaxing thing to do if you like sports and fun.
The attraction has been around since 1994 and has 22 collections of tap beer, specialty bottled beers, and wine. It also has a rotating selection of local craft beers from all the best craft brewers in the area. It also serves food and drinks to people of all ages, both locals and tourists.
The Sports Bar also has a special sports atmosphere that is great for families and has a lot of TVs so sports fans can enjoy watching their favorite games.
Address: 206 W Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101, United States.