Decorah!
Food Scene
La Rana Bistro
120 Washington StLa Rana is wonderful! Without a doubt the best food in town.
Impact Coffee
101 W Water StAmazing coffee that will not disappoint!
Open Fridays (and sometimes Saturdays) June-October from 4-8. Reservations required, so visit their website. You won't be disappointed.
8 locals recommend
Luna Valley Farm
3012 Middle Sattre RdOpen Fridays (and sometimes Saturdays) June-October from 4-8. Reservations required, so visit their website. You won't be disappointed.
Oneota Community Food Co-op
312 W Water StFood hall with various vendors, including a deli, bakery, coffee shop, place for lunch and dinner, ice cream, and general market. It's owned by the family who owns Pulpit Rock Brewery. You won't be disappointed.
12 locals recommend
The Landing Market
211 College DrFood hall with various vendors, including a deli, bakery, coffee shop, place for lunch and dinner, ice cream, and general market. It's owned by the family who owns Pulpit Rock Brewery. You won't be disappointed.
No frills, but solid BBQ and sides. Our go to place for quick, easy comfort food. Be sure to check out the sides, they're all good.
7 locals recommend
Old Armory BBQ
208 College DrNo frills, but solid BBQ and sides. Our go to place for quick, easy comfort food. Be sure to check out the sides, they're all good.
Decorah Farmers Market
900 Heivly StreetWednesday 3-6, Saturday 8-11 May-November. Don't miss it!
Good beer selection, decent bar food. Busy depending, food can be slow. Overall a great spot.
24 locals recommend
T-Bock's
206 W Water StGood beer selection, decent bar food. Busy depending, food can be slow. Overall a great spot.
Justin's
211 College DriveLocated in the Landing.
A 30 mile trek north of town to Newberg, Minnesota. Amazing french-inspired bakery. Open most Saturdays 10-1pm. Look them up to make sure they're open. You won't be disappointed!
Newburg Vintage Home & Garden and small batch Bakery
14615 421st AvenueA 30 mile trek north of town to Newberg, Minnesota. Amazing french-inspired bakery. Open most Saturdays 10-1pm. Look them up to make sure they're open. You won't be disappointed!
Magpie Cafe & Coffeehouse
202 W Water StEstelle's is great. Located 20 miles north of Decorah in Harmony, MN.
16 locals recommend
Estelle's Eatery & Bar
121 Main Ave NEstelle's is great. Located 20 miles north of Decorah in Harmony, MN.
Blazing Star
120 East Water StreetVegetarian restaurant using nearly all local ingredients. Definitely check out.
Water Street Deli, open July 2022! Great sandwiches, deli salads, and upscale groceries. Perfect for food to bring back to the place or for a picnic!
301 W Water St
301 West Water StreetWater Street Deli, open July 2022! Great sandwiches, deli salads, and upscale groceries. Perfect for food to bring back to the place or for a picnic!
Drinks & Nightlife
Pulpit Rock is our favorite brewery, and unlike TG you don't have to drive to drink!
39 locals recommend
Pulpit Rock Brewing Company
207 College DrPulpit Rock is our favorite brewery, and unlike TG you don't have to drive to drink!
Cavernous, uninviting, mediocre food, hoppy beer. Need we say more?
48 locals recommend
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co
1600 Prosperity RdCavernous, uninviting, mediocre food, hoppy beer. Need we say more?
The Buzz
211 College DrCoffee and cocktails. Located in the Landing Market.
These people know ciders. Dry and crisp. And guess what? It's only five blocks from the house! Check out their instagram page for hours, music and events, and food menu. You won't be disappointed.
6 locals recommend
Convergence CiderWorks
302 Washington StreetThese people know ciders. Dry and crisp. And guess what? It's only five blocks from the house! Check out their instagram page for hours, music and events, and food menu. You won't be disappointed.
We love this place. Located 25 miles north of Decorah in Spring Grove, MN.
11 locals recommend
RockFilter Distillery
113 Maple DrWe love this place. Located 25 miles north of Decorah in Spring Grove, MN.
Everything Else
Seed Savers is a must see! They have over 900 acres of hiking trails, gardens, heritage cattle, etc.
10 locals recommend
Seed Savers Exchange
3074 N Winn RdSeed Savers is a must see! They have over 900 acres of hiking trails, gardens, heritage cattle, etc.
Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce
507 W Water StChamber and visitor center. Stop for brochures and advice.
Arts & Culture
Visit! Or if you're not up for the full thing, check out the museum's outdoor section in the back of the campus.
33 locals recommend
Vesterheim The National Norwegian-American Museum & Heritage Center
520 W Water StVisit! Or if you're not up for the full thing, check out the museum's outdoor section in the back of the campus.
Luther College
700 College DrParks & Nature
2 mile drivable loop that overlooks Decorah, groomed ski trail during winter. Or if you're on foot, hiking trails parallel the paved loop.
15 locals recommend
Palisades Park
Park Drive2 mile drivable loop that overlooks Decorah, groomed ski trail during winter. Or if you're on foot, hiking trails parallel the paved loop.
Waterfalls are cool. And begin a long hike from the right of the falls.
38 locals recommend
Dunnings Spring Park
Ice Cave RoadWaterfalls are cool. And begin a long hike from the right of the falls.
16 miles of mountain biking/hiking trails!!! You could walk an entire day up here! And it's 1/2 mile from the house!
Barnhart-Van Peenen Park
Quarry Hill Road16 miles of mountain biking/hiking trails!!! You could walk an entire day up here! And it's 1/2 mile from the house!
Beautiful trout stream, old fish hatchery, fire pits, 1 mile hike through an amazing stand of white pines!
15 locals recommend
Twin Springs Park
Twin Springs RoadBeautiful trout stream, old fish hatchery, fire pits, 1 mile hike through an amazing stand of white pines!
Carlson Park
Decorah's newest park! 110 acres of hiking/mountain biking trails!
Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock RoadSouth Bear Creek in and around the small town of Highlandville, located 15 miles north of Decorah. Lots of fishing, hiking and exploring.
South Bear Creek
South Bear Creek in and around the small town of Highlandville, located 15 miles north of Decorah. Lots of fishing, hiking and exploring.
Amazing park! Be sure to hike from Phelps Park along the bluff to the campground.
21 locals recommend
Phelps Park
613 Park StAmazing park! Be sure to hike from Phelps Park along the bluff to the campground.
Dug Road
Dug RoadReally nice 1 mile paved trail. Accessible from the west end of Main Street.
Decorah Fish Hatchery
2321 Siewers Spring RdSearch the internet for Malanaphy Springs. Five miles west of town. Super easy 1/2 mile gravel trail to waterfall. Easy, low investment two hours of enjoyment.
9 locals recommend
Upper Iowa River Access Area
2820 Bluffton RdSearch the internet for Malanaphy Springs. Five miles west of town. Super easy 1/2 mile gravel trail to waterfall. Easy, low investment two hours of enjoyment.
Reach out to us if you're interested in heading up to South/North Bear Creeks. The Bear Creeks are 15 miles northeast of Decorah near the adorable little town of Highlandville. There's a ton of public access and lots of great hiking, assuming you're willing to cross the streams several times. Absolutely gorgeous scenery and great trout fishing.
S Bear Creek Access Area
Reach out to us if you're interested in heading up to South/North Bear Creeks. The Bear Creeks are 15 miles northeast of Decorah near the adorable little town of Highlandville. There's a ton of public access and lots of great hiking, assuming you're willing to cross the streams several times. Absolutely gorgeous scenery and great trout fishing.
170 acre public land located two miles upstream from the cabin. Great fishing, a good amount of hiking and poking around.
Trout River Access Area
170 acre public land located two miles upstream from the cabin. Great fishing, a good amount of hiking and poking around.
Coon Creek Wildlife Management Area, located 10 miles east of town. About 1300 acres of fields, woods, Coon Creek and the Upper Iowa River. There are many access points, but the easiest and most straightforward is from 1276 Coon Creek Rd. From the parking area head east downhill. Once you reach Coon Creek you can hike north or south.
Coon Creek
Coon Creek Wildlife Management Area, located 10 miles east of town. About 1300 acres of fields, woods, Coon Creek and the Upper Iowa River. There are many access points, but the easiest and most straightforward is from 1276 Coon Creek Rd. From the parking area head east downhill. Once you reach Coon Creek you can hike north or south.
Catch and release native brook trout. A few miles of great hiking. Tons of mature red oaks- the colors are incredible in October.
South Pine Creek Wilderness area
Spring Creek RoadCatch and release native brook trout. A few miles of great hiking. Tons of mature red oaks- the colors are incredible in October.
Decorah Community Prairie
4 Ohio StCanoe and kayak rental located 1/2 way between Decorah and Bluffton. The closest option for Decorah.
Hutchinson Family Farms
2299 Scenic River RoadCanoe and kayak rental located 1/2 way between Decorah and Bluffton. The closest option for Decorah.
Bar that also rents canoes and kayaks located in Bluffton, about 10 miles upstream from Decorah. If you know nothing of the Upper Iowa, the stretch upstream from Bluffton beginning at Daley's Bridge is just amazing.
Randy's Bluffton Store
2619 West Ravine RoadBar that also rents canoes and kayaks located in Bluffton, about 10 miles upstream from Decorah. If you know nothing of the Upper Iowa, the stretch upstream from Bluffton beginning at Daley's Bridge is just amazing.
Canoe and kayak rental located just upstream from Bluffton, about 12 miles north of Decorah.
Chimney Rock Campground & Canoe Rental
3312 Chimney Rock RoadCanoe and kayak rental located just upstream from Bluffton, about 12 miles north of Decorah.
Ice cave sits on the former Ice Cave Road 1/2 way between Dunning Springs and Quarry Hill Road. The stone steps leading up to the cave are alone worth a visit. But ice cave isn't just it...there are about 8 miles of hiking trails running the hillside above the cave, between Dunning and Quarry Hill Road. To access them, head to Dunning Springs, and when looking at the water fall, look for the trail to the right (east) and head up the hill to the lookout. Once you're at the lookout, continue on east toward Quarry Hill Road. There are a ton of trails and not much of it makes sense, but if you're looking for several hours of fantastic hiking, look no further!
10 locals recommend
Ice Cave Hill Park
2559-2539 Ice Cave RdIce cave sits on the former Ice Cave Road 1/2 way between Dunning Springs and Quarry Hill Road. The stone steps leading up to the cave are alone worth a visit. But ice cave isn't just it...there are about 8 miles of hiking trails running the hillside above the cave, between Dunning and Quarry Hill Road. To access them, head to Dunning Springs, and when looking at the water fall, look for the trail to the right (east) and head up the hill to the lookout. Once you're at the lookout, continue on east toward Quarry Hill Road. There are a ton of trails and not much of it makes sense, but if you're looking for several hours of fantastic hiking, look no further!
Shopping
Super cool outdoor outfitter! Your town has REI, but does it have the Hatchery?!
8 locals recommend
Decorah Hatchery
406 W Water StSuper cool outdoor outfitter! Your town has REI, but does it have the Hatchery?!
Dragonfly Books
112 W Water StIndependent book store
Agora Arts
102 E Water StAce Kitchen Place
101 E Water StPinter's Gardens & Pumpkins
2475 IA-9Nursery, plants, gardens. What's there not to like?
Seed Savers Exchange
3074 N Winn RdVesterheim Museum Store
502 W Water StScandinavian shopping.
Big Driftless Supply Company
112 Winnebago StreetStop by and say hi to Cody, the maker of amazing outdoor apparel.
Essentials
Fareway Grocery
103 E Main StOneota Community Food Co-op
312 W Water StRent a bike, buy a bike! Tons of e-bikes to rent, too. And skate and ski rentals, too!
11 locals recommend
Decorah Bicycles
101 College DrRent a bike, buy a bike! Tons of e-bikes to rent, too. And skate and ski rentals, too!