Northwest Iowa Tourism

This 100-foot-high obelisk , located at the summit of Floyd’s Bluff, marks the burial site of Sergeant Charles Floyd. He was the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die during that 3-year long journey. His death was caused by an attack of appendicitis in 1804 early in the trek. From the site visitors have an excellent view of Sioux City and the Missouri River in that area. 

This museum in Cherokee has a number of permanent exhibits on the prehistory and history of northwestern Iowa and the Great Plains in several galleries that also include archeological, geological, and zoological aspects of those times. 

Riverside Hills Ski Area in Estherville offer trails for both beginners and experts and ensure that there will always be snow for the group with premier snow-making equipment.

Open throughout Estherville’s grand winter season! Offers downhill and cross-country skiing. Includes four runs, a chalet, and snowmaking capabilities.

Location: Highway 4 South, Estherville, Iowa 51334  

Originally a backyard business, it now has been relocated to a seven-acre farmstead near Odebolt, Iowa. That property, which had been described as “tumbled down,” has been changed into a colorful garden retreat. More than 50 theme gardens have been developed and arranged. Each plot shows unique plant combinations of flowers and herbs. Signs give the history of each garden. Nearby is a greenhouse with collections of annuals, hard-to-find perennials, and quite an assortment of herbs.

Visit Le Mars,Iowa and see this complex visitors can look at examples of a Civil War-era log cabin, schoolroom, barber and beauty shops, 1930s café, and blacksmith shop. Here one can learn about Plymouth County’s connection with immigration from Great Britain. One collection is devoted to antique musical instruments; another has machinery. 

Located near Wallingford, Iowa, the Peterson family homesteaded on the eastern shore of High Lake and a log cabin was built on the farm in 1866. Twenty-nine years later a stone addition was built; parts of the original cabin are still visible. Before that time the Petersons had constructed a sturdy barn with a foundation of native stone and handhewn beams from native trees. It included a hayloft. 

Palo Alto County Historical Museum - Emmestburg, Iowa The Museum was established in 1969 holding the memories and treasures that made Palo Alto County special.

The Free Methodist Church was purchased for the first museum and later an annex was added in memory of the first president of the Historical Society, John Kelly. The Palo Alto County Historical Society maintains the Museum.

At this museum in Sioux City visitors can study displays dealing with military, commercial, and sport aviation. Twelve different types of aircraft can be seen there. A display centered around the crash of Flight 232 which occurred at the Sioux City airport can also be viewed.

At the Museum in Sibley, Iowa, visitors can find the H. K. Rogers House, one of the first wooden dwellings built in Osceola County. It had been moved to the City Park and the family of Albert W. McCallum provided the money to build the Museum and protect the wooden homestead. The Museum was built around the home in 1957. Here one can see many pioneer tools, artifacts, and household goods. Such items as Civil War guns, swords and uniforms, china and glassware, buggies, farm equipment, and photographs are on display. 

This old-fashioned soda fountain, in West Bend is located in The Villager. It will take you back in time to the early 1930’s. It was tradition for people to take a break from work or study to have a malt, shake, soda or other special treat at the local soda fountain.