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Decorah, IA

A drive through our area of northeast Iowa will take your breath away. Decorah/Winneshiek County possesses a charm and beauty unlike anywhere else in Iowa. With a long history steeped in tradition, all of the small-town charisma remains. There is a feeling of security that comes with a friendly place. That quaint charm is married to a rich cultural community to offer a rural setting with an urban flair.

The area boasts four museums, each catering to a different place in time. Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, the only museum of its kind dedicated to a single immigrant group, transports people back in time to tell the stories of our ancestors. The Porter House Museum puts the eccentricity into history by opening the doors of Bert and Grace Porter’s stately Victorian home. The only childhood home to Laura Ingalls Wilder remaining on its original site tells the tale of the pioneers. Finally, the Bily Clocks Museum, a testament to creativity and beauty, houses the exquisite hand-crafted clocks of the Bily brothers. The upstairs of the museum is dedicated to the works of famed composer Antonin Dvorak, who spent a summer in Spillville.

Decorah/Winneshiek County is an inspiration and haven for artists. The famed Storypeople creator, Brian Andreas, has three workshops throughout the Decorah Community. Agora Arts has been recognized as one of the top 100 folk art retailers in the country and offers up much of the local artists’ work. Each fall, the artists open their studios for the Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour. Showcasing everything from basket weaving to painted -masterpieces, more than 40 artists welcome visitors into their personal studios. Organized by the local artists, this event has grown over the years and is considered a premier fall event.

The Center Stage Series presented by Luther College offers audiences the opportunity to see international renowned performances. Take in a Broadway musical, enjoy the music of Japanese drummers, or experience a concert from a Top 40 performer. The series allows residents and visitors the cultural venue of a major metropolitan area.

In addition to Decorah/Winneshiek County’s cultural outlets, the abundance of recreational activities makes this area a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Our rivers offer a great opportunity to canoe, kayak, and inner-tube. Recreational trails and future trail projects throughout link communities and give ample thrills for biking and hiking. These same trails convert in the winter to snow-covered paths for cross-country skiing. Cabins and campgrounds throughout the area offer rest to the multitude of hunters and fishers that come here.

Strong educational values are intrinsic to the culture of this area. Value in education begins at the preschool level with a variety of opportunities for parents with young children. From kindergarten to senior high school, students achieve above the state and national averages on comparative testing. Alternative programs are offered throughout the area to give parents further choices for educating their children. With access to upper-level educational opportunities like Northeast Iowa Community College and Luther College, young students can take college-level classes before they graduate from high school. NICC offers specialized vocational training to prepare students for the workforce. The entire area’s commitment to education creates an ideal environment for businesses to find trained and educated workers.

What makes this area truly special are the people who live here: families, entrepreneurs, artists, retirees, professionals, students, blue-collar workers. Everyone is active in making our communities vital, strong, and unique. We invite you to experience all that Decorah/Winneshiek County has to offer.