Places to Visit

Backbone State Park, South of Strawberry Point
Backbone is Iowa's 1st state park and was dedicated in 1920.  It offers camping, trails, modern cabins, picnic shelters, swimming, trout fishing, and rock climbing for your enjoyment.

Cassville, Wisconsin
Take a ride across the Mississippi River from the Iowa Great River Road to Wisconsin.  Watch the eagles in Bald Eagle Gallery.

Effigy Mounds, Marquette
A National Park and a prime archeological discovery, Effigy Mounds has 206 Eastern Woodland Indian mounds to help us understand the life and times of this Northeast Iowa tribe.

Franklin Hotel
Historic, turn-of-the-century hotel listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. The hotel is located on the site where the stage coach would deliver travelers to and from Strawberry Point.

Froelich Tractor Museum
Most everyone knows the John Deere tractor.  Did you know the Froelich tractor is where the John Deere tractor history began?  John Froelich is listed in the Iowa Inventors Hall of Fame credited with having invented many things: a washing machine, dish washer and dryer, a mechanical corn picker, and the mounting of a gasoline engine on his well drilling outfit.  Check this one out!

Isle of Capri Casino, Marquette
Take a little time for some big city-style gaming in one of the most scenic areas of the Mississippi River. After the gaming excitement, relax and enjoy canoeing, fishing, hiking or just gazing at the incredible scenery.

Montauk Historic Governor's Home, Clermont
The home of Iowa's 12th governor, William Larrabee and Anna Larrabee, his wife. Enjoy a guided tour to see and hear how the family furnished and maintained this 1874 vintage brick and natural limestone mansion for more than 100 years

Motor Mill, Elkader
Motor Mill is on the Turkey River about six miles South of Elkader. It was built by John Thompson and displays the skills of four German masons. Each mason constructed by a wall, trying to outdo the other masons. The 155 acre park affords visitors hiking, bird-watching, camping, canoeing and fishing.

Osborne Conservation Center, North of Strawberry Point
Osborne Park offers a live animal exhibit, a nature center, a gift shop, travel information, a campground, trails, an arboretum, flower gardens, a fishing pond and a pioneer village.

Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor
Excellent picnicking opportunities. Enjoy a leisurely picnic meal while enjoying some of the finest views in the upper midwest from the overlooks and trail viewing platforms.  This state park has 77 camping sites (most are modern) along with walking and bicycling trails.

Spook Cave, McGregor
This cave was formed by nature.  It is a boat tour of Nature's beauty, with the temperature always at 47 degrees.  This tour is totally by boat--no walking.  Along with the cave is over 90 acres of trails, camping, cabins, and fun.

Vesterheim Norwegian Museum, Decorah
The useum embodies the living heritage of Norwegian immigrants to America. Sharing this cultural legacy can inspire people of all backgrounds to celebrate tradition.  The main complex has 16 historic buildings.

Villa Louis Historic Site, Prairie du Chien, WI
A Victorian Country Estate.  Cross the threshold into the elegant front hall of the mansion and step inside the world of upper class Victorian America. The vibrant hues and rich textures that surround you speak of one family's rise to wealth and leisure living — the rewards of decades of crafty frontier entrepreneurship.  While in Prairie du Chien, you might also visit the Fort Crawford Medical Museum.

Volga River State Recreation Area
The majority of the river and lake area is undeveloped.  There are a few parking lots where you can sit in your vehicle, enjoy the scenery and watch for wildlife while you eat lunch.  Enjoy the many trails in summer and in winter.  With the river and the lake, visitors can enjoy picnics, swimming, boating, fishing, and hunting in Frog Hollow.

Wilder Museum -- Strawberry Point
Having started as a doll museum, it has expanded to include arrowheads, tools, historical weapons & newspapers, historical miniature farm, and much more.