The Best Small Town In Iowa For A 3-Day Weekend

This Midwestern state of Iowa is well known for its corn and pigs. In fact, there are 22.6 million hogs in the state, which dwarfs its population of just over 3.2 million people. The state doesn't draw a lot of attention to itself, other than the Iowa Caucuses, which occur during the primary stage of Presidential elections, and a rock band called Slipknot hailing from this state. While Iowa has a somewhat muted reputation, it boasts a beautiful town with a rich Norwegian immigrant history, stunning icy landmarks, and is the home of a major American author. The town of Decorah is rife with cultural, natural, and commercial landmarks that it'd be impossible to see in one day; luckily, this 3-day weekend guide to Decorah will have you itching to head there for an extended stay.

Historic Locales

Decorah has both interesting and tragic elements in its past. The area was initially settled by the Ho-Chunk people in the 1840s as they were forcefully removed from their homes in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, these people were then moved again to Minnesota. In their absence, a group of settlers under the leadership of Ephraim Adams arrived in 1849. When they saw the graves of the Ho-Chunk, one settler, Judge Eliphalet Price, suggested that the town be named Decorah after the Ho-Chunk leader, Waukon Decorah.

Later on, the town grew a distinctly Nordic flair when Norwegian immigrants began traveling to the area in the 1850s. The historic buildings in Decorah tend to reflect the local styles of the time, such as the Egge-Koren House, a simple home for a family of four with two beds for the adults and beds in the loft for the children. The town would also feature a few fancier homes, such as the 1867 Cooley-Whitney House, a red brick home that blended Italianate, Classical, and Tuscan styles.

For those who truly want to learn about Decorah's Norwegian heritage, a visit to Vesterheim, also known as the National Norwegian-American Museum & Folk Art School, is a must. The name Vesterheim is a Norwegian word that means Western Home, referring to the immigrant's new home in the New World. This museum has 33,000 artifacts and 12 buildings from the Norwegian pioneer era to discover. Some examples include a 25-foot wooden boat called TradeWind, and a massive collection of folk art from Norway, like costumes, pottery, silver wedding crowns, and much more. Visitors can also learn how to make this art for themselves through the Folk Art School, which has classes on painting, woodworking, knifemaking, jewelry making, and fiber arts.

Lastly, if you're up for a short, 20-minute drive north to Burr Oak, you can learn a little bit about literary history by seeing the home of the author of the Little House on the Prairie series at the Laura Ingalls Park & Museum. Her family left Minnesota in 1876 due to the severe grasshopper plague and settled here for one year when she was nine years old. It is the only home of Laura Ingalls that remains on its original site, offering a wealth of information on her time there and pioneer life in Iowa.

Natural Landmarks

Iowa does not have many hills, as glaciers that were active tens of thousands of years ago leveled the landscape. However, they missed a portion of the state, known as the Driftless Area, which also includes Decorah. In this region, one can find hills, bluffs, and even a cave.

You can begin your outdoor adventure in Decorah at the Barbara Barnhart Van Peenen Memorial Park. This 120-acre park includes prairies, pine woods, and ravines to explore. During the winter, you can ski! Speaking of winter activity, this park connects with a one-of-a-kind spot that is cold all year round: the Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve. This ice cave is chilly most of the year, with the ice being the thickest in June before melting during the summer. The air outside of the cave will cool you down during the hot months, and it's always open to wander, although it can be quite slippery inside.

If you'd like to see a waterfall, you can go to the Malanaphy Springs State Preserve to see falls that drop 25 feet into the Iowa River. Visitors can also explore the Iowa prairie right in the heart of downtown at the Decorah Community Prairie, which features trails, over 12,000 wildflowers, and even a butterfly garden.

Shopping & Dining

When taking a 3-day trip, you'll likely want some variety in your diet! Who wants to eat the same meal every day on a vacation after all? Despite being a small town, Decorah has a diverse palette in its culinary scene. For classic BBQ lovers, there's the Old Armory BBQ. For ethnic food, Koreana offers Japanese dishes, while Don Jose's Family Mexican Restaurant cooks up authentic enchiladas, tostadas, chalupas, and other favorites. Need good breakfast options? Decorah has both casual and fine dining options, like the Sabin Family Table Restaurant or Rubaiyat, for a gourmet yet simple breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

For shoppers who aren't content with chain stores, Decorah offers a diverse selection to satisfy all ages and tastes. While most towns have chain pharmacies, Decorah has the 90-year-old Donlon Pharmacy & Toy Jungle. It is the largest toy store in Northeastern Iowa, offering a wide selection of brands and souvenirs.

Nerdy folks can purchase a board game or cards from Games XP or curl up with a good book at Dragonfly Books. If you're looking for some art to take home, Agora Arts supplies artwork and crafts by more than 250 artists in America and Canada. Lastly, you can shop for a Norwegian craft or souvenir from the Vesterheim Museum Store.

Accommodations

While you're staying in Decorah, you won't lack for good accommodations, both within the town limits and hidden away. If you like to have a full weekend retreat, you can rent a cabin from Bluffside Gardens, which has 11 units for rent tucked away in the river bluffs.

For a more rustic experience, you can stay at one of two private barns at the Little House on the Barn. It's a bed and breakfast establishment that is also equipped with a kitchenette so you can cook your own meals during your retreat. If you prefer to stay in the heart of town, go to the B&B on Broadway, a bed and breakfast hotel contained within a 1910 Victorian home built by Norwegian immigrants. It's two blocks away from the downtown area and includes whirlpool baths and spa showers.

A Distinctly Nordic Flair

The Scandinavian countries are renowned for their majestic architecture and icy winter scenery. In many ways, Decorah embodies the Nordic spirit, thanks to its Norwegian-American heritage and its intriguing outdoor attractions, which range from the Ice Cave to the river bluffs and gardens, both within and outside the town center. Just like the Norwegian immigrants who settled here, you can create your own experience here, whether that's shopping for a Norwegian souvenir from Vesterheim, imagining you're Laura Ingalls at her home in the Iowan prairie, or just relaxing in your barn bed-and-breakfast. If you need a 3-day weekend getaway in Iowa, let the above guide you to a wonderful stay in Decorah.