Northeast Iowa Tourism
Northeast Iowa Tourism on IowaBeautiful.com. Northeast Iowa Tourism - your Northeast Iowa Travel Guide to Vacations, Attractions and Events
The Horridge House - Vinton, Iowa
The Horridge House at 612 First Avenue, Vinton Iowa, is the location of the Benton County Historical Society’s Archives and Museum. This house, built in the 1860s, is an excellent example of Carpenter Gothic-style architecture. It was built by George Horridge, a local tinsmith and community leader. The house is of brick believed to be of the local brickyards of that era. As you stand on the brick paved front porch, be sure to notice the original brass lion head door knocker.
The Bily Clocks And Antonin Dvorak Exhibit - Spillville, Iowa
It is a genuine suprise when visitors to the Bily Clocks Museum of Spillville, Iowa see the large display of unique wooden clocks.
Beginning in 1913, the brothers employed the idle hours of long winter days and evenings with their skills of woodcarving. Being farmers and carpenters, they carved only as a hobby while still doing their regular chores and maintaining a well kept farm.
SWEENEY’S HOUSE OF CLOCKS - Waukon, Iowa
Description – Here you can look at a display of nearly 1,000 clocks. These demonstrate the artistic ability of many different clockmakers. Also exhibited are collections of tools, furniture, automobiles, and other antiques.
SPOOK CAVE - McGregor, Iowa
Here visitors have the opportunity to tour an underground limestone cave by boat. Two of the features on that tour are a frozen 60-foot waterfall and a wishing well. The guided tour lasts approximately 35 minutes—no walking required. The cave’s temperature is always 47 degrees. During the presentation you learn more about the cave, its discovery, and the surrounding scenic valley. (Originally, the area was just a narrow cut in the hillside and one heard echoes of mysterious roars.)
RED BARN MODEL RAILROAD MUSEUM - Dundee, Iowa
In a barn outside of town, Joe Sanfilippo turned a barn into a toy train museum and arranged fixed and operating displays of Lionel, American Flyer, and Marx toy trains. Joe’s father had begun collecting in 1918. Some of the items date back to the early 1900s. HO railroad models of cars from famous American transportation companies are featured–showing both steam and diesel locomotives.
PORTER HOUSE MUSEUM - Decorah, Iowa
This Victorian-style home contains, among other artifacts and photographs, collections of rare butterflies, moths, and insects from all over the world. Also found there is a rock wall that includes agate, amethyst, crystal, jasper, onyx, petrified wood, and rose quartz.
OLD BREWERY ART GALLERY - Guttenberg, Iowa
Description – The two-story gallery is housed in an historic 1858 brewery. In it are displayed works of both resident and nationally known artists. The owners of the gallery also have developed the brewery as a bed-and-breakfast facility. One can tour the brewery area that consists of four main structures: a grain storage area, loading and kiln area, stable, and living quarters.
Oelwein Railway Museum
In the Hub City Heritage Railway Museum, located in Oelwein, Iowa, one can look at railroad memorabilia from the Chicago Great Western Railway. The depot has been restored and in it are refurbished railroad cars.
Nor-ski - Decorah, Iowa
This facility at Decorah, Iowa is a great outing for the skier! Statistics AREA DETAILS Alpine Skiing: Yes Snowboarding: Yes Night Skiing: No Restricted Areas: No Heli-Skiing: No Leash Required: Yes Snowcat Skiing: No Terrain Park: No Cross Country: No Half Pipe: No Snow Tubing: No MOUNTAIN STATISTICS Vertical Drop: 250 ft (76 m) Skiable Area: 30 acres (12 hectares) Number of Lifts: 3 Types of Lifts: 1 Rope Tow 2 J- Bars Number of Trails: 6 Longest Run: 1,200 ft (366 m) TRAIL RATINGS Easiest: 50 % More Difficult: 34 %
Museums Of Central City
In Central City of around one thousand people, the local historical society maintains three museums. Their goal is to preserve and present the history of this river community in interesting and educational ways. The Sawyer House, a Victorian era home, has gone through some considerable renovation. The Old Library Museum has now become the home of the historical society’s sizable genealogy collection.
