Visit Decorah

Name: Visit Decorah
Address: 507 W Water Street, Decorah, IA, 52101, US
Telephone: (563) 382-3990
Rating: 4.5

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Visit Decorah

Be sure to bring your binoculars, fishing gear, love of craft beer, and interest in Norwegian history, along with your artsy tastes and intrepid curiosity.
(22)

Glaciers missed us. Be sure you don't.

11/03/2024

Get your last Sugar Bowl servings for the season today!

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween! Grab you favorite costume, along with your family members or friends, to Trick or Treat during official hours all around Winneshiek County tonight.

4-7 PM: Ossian, Fort Atkinson, & Calmar
5-7:30 PM: Decorah
6-8 PM: Spillville

10/29/2024

ICYMI -- There is a new store to explore in Downtown Decorah -- Jubilee Decorah!

📍 218 W. Water Street, Decorah
⏰Hours: Closed / Monday & Tuesday, 11AM-6PM / Wednesday - Saturday, 11AM - 2PM / Sunday

Owned by Kendra and Aaron Marable, Jubilee has goods for inner elevation: modern furniture, lighting, housewares, records + books, pantry goods, apothecary. Items are thoughtfully-sourced, handmade, handcrafted, and ever-expanding.... so be sure to visit each and every time you are in town!

10/24/2024

Welcome home to Decorah, Luther College alumni!

This weekend Luther College celebrates Homecoming, giving alumni of the college an opportunity to return to the area to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and friends and enjoy the beauty of the Luther campus and Decorah in the fall.

At Luther College, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society --- all while living on campus in Decorah and/or using it as their home base when traveling for worldwide opportunities! Luther's academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu

The town of Decorah is as ready to celebrate Luther Homecoming as we are! Check out a couple of the fun ways the Decorah community is ready to welcome you back this weekend:

Impact Coffee is hosting a “Luther Homecoming” trivia night tonight, Thursday Oct 24, starting at 7:30pm! Head on down to have a refreshment with friends and rock your deep knowledge of Luther College at trivia!

Pulpit Rock Brewing Company is hosting live Music tomorrow night, Friday Oct 25 from 7-10pm, featuring Michael McElrath. Alma Matter beer is back in cans for the big weekend—part of the proceeds of this beer go to the Luther Fund!

Not to mention the variety of shops, restaurants, and hiking trails Decorah has to offer—our town is ready for your arrival!

10/07/2024

October 8-12 is Decorah Pride Festival Week in Decorah! While LGBTQIA+ Pride month is held nationally in June, the Decorah Pride Festival week is intentionally scheduled annually in the fall to include Luther College students in the festivities.

Decorah Pride aims to increase visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community, celebrate diversity, and unleash fabulous creativity in Northeast Iowa! Find the full schedule of weekend events and ways to get involved at https://decorahpride.org.

09/21/2024

Looking for suggested activities in our area? Iowa Road Trip shares a great roundup of outdoor adventures to take, sites to see, and bites to eat around town!

Decorah is one of Iowa's favorite small towns, especially for outdoor adventurers. It's nestled in the northeast corner of Iowa, just 15 minutes from the Minnesota border. This corner of the state is sometimes referred to as the Driftless area, which means that it was not impacted by the most recent...

09/21/2024

Welcome to Decorah, Luther College family and friends!

09/19/2024

This weekend -- Saturday, September 21 from 12PM-10PM -- marks the triumphant return of Live on Winnebago, a one-day, all inclusive, free-to-attend music and arts festival and celebration in the heart of Decorah!

Live on Winnebago originally began in 1999. After its long hiatus, this year's event looks to uphold the tradition of highlighting local and regional artists and musicians. It is sure to be a great event for all ages!

⏰Where: Winnebago Street in Downtown Decorah, between Water Street and Main Street
📅When: Saturday, September 21, 12PM-10PM
🎼What: Live music, pop-up entertainers, artisans
💰Cost: Free, with opportunities to purchase items from local artisans
🚘Parking: Free parking available throughout the downtown area, within a short walk of the event location

08/19/2024

What a beautiful shot of Decorah’s Dunning’s Spring!

Iowa's tallest waterfall is Dunnings Spring in Decorah, Iowa

07/23/2024

Drift less….
🥾 EXPLORE MORE at Pulpit Rock Overlook at Will Baker Park
🍻 TASTE MORE at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company
⛺️ STAY MORE at Decorah Parks and Recreation’s Pulpit Rock campground

Pulpit Rock at Will Baker Park

In Decorah, Iowa, park across the road from the Pulpit Rock Camp Grounds and take the short hike up the trail to this outlook. You might also want to stop by the Pulpit Rock Brewing Company before hand, to make sure don't get thirsty on the hike!

07/22/2024

UFF DA -- It's Nordic Fest week in Decorah! Always held the last full weekend in July, this year's festivities kick-off at 6:45PM on Thursday, July 25 and continue until the end of the day on Saturday, July 27.

Nordic Fest is an annual three-day festival in Decorah that celebrates community and the area's Scandinavian heritage. First held in 1967, Nordic Fest has food, fun, and entertainment for the whole family. Explore this year's program online for free at nordicfest.com or pick a print copy for $5 at the Decorah Visitor Center.

Can't make it this year? Save the date for next year --- July 24-26, 2025.

07/10/2024

The Winneshiek County Fair in underway in Decorah! Just a short walk from Downtown Decorah, the Winneshiek County Fair is proud to be "the biggest little fair in Iowa".

Learn more at http://www.winneshiekcountyfair.org

07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July!

Communities around the greater Decorah Area are excited to welcome you for their annual fireworks shows. This round-up list includes communities that are all short drives from Decorah.

Save the date: The big annual July fireworks show right IN Decorah will take place later this month on Saturday, July 27 as part of Nordic Fest festivities!

Here is a comprehensive list of fireworks shows happening this weekend! Many of them also feature family fun events, so be sure to check each city's page for more information!

Let us know in the comments if we forgot any shows!🎆

06/26/2024

Bikes, Brews, and Blues...Oh, My! Join the fun this Saturday - June 29 - at Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. with BIKEIOWA.com. It's free to participate and enjoy the post-ride musical stylings of the Avey Grouws Band.

Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. Bikes Brews and Blues is June 29th in Visit Decorah. Choose from an self-paced Road, Gravel or Mountain Bike ride and join back up at the brewery for LIVE MUSIC with Avey Grouws Band. It's all FREE, but please sign up so we know how much to prepare! https://www.bikeiowa.com/Event/15734

06/26/2024

Are you looking to get on the Upper Iowa River and other Iowa waterways this summer? Travel Iowa has tips, tricks, and trails to keep you safe, prepared, and exploring all season long. 👉https://tinyurl.com/4uhfvsvf

The Upper Iowa River, shown in this great Soul of Iowa video, originates in LeRoy, Minnesota before meandering 136 miles --- including many, many miles in Winneshiek County and directly in Decorah -- to find its way to the Mississippi River near New Albin, Iowa. The river and corridor change along the way, going from a narrow and winding savanna river to a wider and more dynamic river flanked by dramatic vertical limestone palisades and forested bluffs.

Drift less. PADDLE AND FLOAT MORE! Connect with local outfitters for equipment and trip shuttle options. *Note: Water levels around the midwest, including in Winneshiek County, have been high in recent days due to heavy rains. Rental opportunities will pause and resume throughout the season, as needed, for safe water levels.
🛟Tubing: Decorah RiverTubes (Decorah)
🚣Canoeing and Kayaking: Bluffton Resort & Bar (Bluffton), Decorah Canoe & Kayak (Decorah - New!), Harvest Farm Campground Resort (Cresco), HUTCHINSON FAMILY FARM CAMPGROUND (Decorah), Chimney Rock Campground (Cresco), Upper Iowa Resort & Rental (Dorchester)

06/24/2024

Save the date for Saturday, August 10! Enjoy a magical benefit concert under the stars and among the gardens at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah. Ticket sales support SSE’s non-profit mission to protect and promote America’s garden and food heritage.

06/21/2024

Look at this great bird’s eye view of the Upper Iowa River!

Kayaking on the Upper Iowa River in Decorah, Iowa

06/12/2024

The Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon!

A production rearing station for growing rainbow trout, the Decorah Fish Hatchery raises about 130,000 catchable-size fish each year. Decorah fish hatchery personnel are responsible for then taking those fish and stocking 15 put-and-take streams in Allamakee, Howard, Mitchell and Winneshiek counties in Iowa. The hatchery also stocks five seasonal Iowa urban lakes in Mason City, Sioux City, Spencer, Ames and Ankeny or Bondurant.

Access the Decorah Fish Hatchery by car, or walk or bike to it from Decorah on the paved Trout Run Trail. The fish hatchery is open to the public 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.

Insider tip: Bring quarters to purchase food to feed the fish!

Friends of the Decorah Fish Hatchery

Address

507 W Water Street
Decorah, IA
52101

Telephone

(563) 382-3990

Website

http://www.visitdecorah.com/

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Videos

Nordic Fest in Decorah, IA, USA

UFF DA -- It's Nordic Fest week in Decorah! Always held the last full weekend in July, this year's festivities kick-off at 6:45PM on Thursday, July 25 and continue until the end of the day on Saturday, July 27. Nordic Fest is an annual three-day festival in Decorah that celebrates community and the area's Scandinavian heritage. First held in 1967, Nordic Fest has food, fun, and entertainment for the whole family. Explore this year's program online for free at nordicfest.com or pick a print copy for $5 at the Decorah Visitor Center. Can't make it this year? Save the date for next year --- July 24-26, 2025.

Soul of Iowa - The Upper Iowa River / Winneshiek County

Are you looking to get on the Upper Iowa River and other Iowa waterways this summer? Travel Iowa has tips, tricks, and trails to keep you safe, prepared, and exploring all season long. 👉https://tinyurl.com/4uhfvsvf The Upper Iowa River, shown in this great Soul of Iowa video, originates in LeRoy, Minnesota before meandering 136 miles --- including many, many miles in Winneshiek County and directly in Decorah -- to find its way to the Mississippi River near New Albin, Iowa. The river and corridor change along the way, going from a narrow and winding savanna river to a wider and more dynamic river flanked by dramatic vertical limestone palisades and forested bluffs. Drift less. PADDLE AND FLOAT MORE! Connect with local outfitters for equipment and trip shuttle options. *Note: Water levels around the midwest, including in Winneshiek County, have been high in recent days due to heavy rains. Rental opportunities will pause and resume throughout the season, as needed, for safe water levels. 🛟Tubing: Decorah RiverTubes (Decorah) 🚣Canoeing and Kayaking: Bluffton Resort & Bar (Bluffton), Decorah Canoe & Kayak (Decorah - New!), Harvest Farm Campground Resort (Cresco), HUTCHINSON FAMILY FARM CAMPGROUND (Decorah), Chimney Rock Campground (Cresco), Upper Iowa Resort & Rental (Dorchester)

Drift less. EXPERIENCE MORE. You’ll find many ways to connect with local farms and producers in Decorah and Winneshiek County! Located in a top agriculture state, locations in our area love providing experiences to connect with growing processes, to form personal connections with producers, and to have fun along the way! Make a reservation at Luna Valley Farm for wood-fired pizza with locally-sourced ingredients and engage in community surrounded by their fields and animals. Seed Savers Exchange to learn how the organization stewards America’s culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations. While there, shop for seeds, add items to your garden collection, and hike around the property to see what makes this site so special. Explore at Pinter's Gardens and Pumpkins to find a great collection of plants and homemade goods. Be sure to visit in October to enjoy their pumpkin patch, which offers hours of entertainment with agriculture-inspired activities for all ages. And don’t forget to shop at the Decorah Farmers Market Wednesdays 3-6PM and Saturdays 9AM-12PM May to October in Downtown Decorah to have the best selection of local food and goods from Northeast Iowa’s small producers and artisans. *It’s National Travel and Tourism Week, and we are excited to share highlights of some of the locations and activities that make Decorah and Winneshiek County so great! The video features 4 of many sites around Winneshiek County that work to offer opportunities for visitors to connect with farms and producers. #NTTW24 #NTTW #ThisisIowa #TravelIowa #decorah #visitdecorah

Celebrating the Decorah Area's Small Businesses

The Decorah Area is home to more than 300 small businesses. ❤️ Some just opened this past year, like Driftless Botanicals — a one-stop destination for all things houseplants. Others are celebrating decades long anniversaries and store expansions. No matter where you stop in Decorah and Winneshiek County, we think you’ll love meeting the small business owners and staff that call this area home! Drift less. DISCOVER MORE. *It’s National Travel and Tourism Week, and we are excited to share highlights of some of the locations and activities that make Decorah and Winneshiek County so great! The video features some of the 300+ locally-owned small businesses. #NTTW24 #NTTW #ThisisIowa #TravelIowa #decorah #visitdecorah

Trout Run Trail - Decorah, IA

Are you ready for your next outdoor adventure? It's extra easy to opt outside in Decorah and Winneshiek County! Bike, hike, camp, swim, paddle, ski, snowshoe, and more. From miles of single-track trails, to miles of the Upper Iowa River, this area of the Driftless Region is known as an outdoor oasis for adventure pursuits year-round. Drift less. EXPLORE MORE. *It’s National Travel and Tourism Week, and we are excited to share highlights of some of the locations and activities that make Decorah and Winneshiek County so great! The video features a portion of the paved 11-mile Trout Run Trail loop, which travels throughout Decorah and Winneshiek County. #NTTW24 #NTTW #ThisisIowa #TravelIowa

Decorah - John McGivern's Main Streets Preview

The Decorah episode of John McGivern's Main Streets debuts today! Take a look at this sneak peak, but then be sure to watch the full episode too. Where to watch: ⭐️On PBS Wisconsin today - Thursday, March 21st at 7pm ⭐️On the John McGivern's Main Streets YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Lf4nNwdf8 ⭐️On the free PBS App Featured from Decorah: Hammel Jewelers, Seed Savers Exchange, Nordic Fest, Downtown Decorah Betterment's Lawn Chair Night, Gravestone Cleaning Service of Northeast Iowa, Big Driftless, Decorah Parks and Recreation, The Decorah Impact Crater and Sea Scorpion, Luther College, Friends of the Decorah Fish Hatchery, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Iowa Rotocast Plastics, Decorah Community School District High School Garden, Porter House Museum, Twin Springs Supper Club, The Whippy Dip - Decorah, Iowa, Sugar Bowl, and glimpses of so much more! Travel Iowa Visit Northeast Iowa Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Winneshiek County Development & Tourism, Inc.

Decorah Views from the Winneshiek County Courthouse

POV: Looking out over Decorah, from the Winneshiek County Courthouse. ❤️ 📸: Summer 2023

See Yourself Here: Local Flavors in Decorah, Iowa

Decorah needs your VOTE! USA TODAY 10Best has launched their 2024 Readers' Choice contests, and Decorah is in the running for two awards: 1. Best Small Town Beer Scene 2. Best Beer Label -- Radiant Haze / Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. THE DETAILS: Vote, using the links below, until Monday, February 26th. You can vote once per day for the run of the contest! Best Small Town Beer Scene: https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-small-town-beer-scene-2024/ Best Beer Label: https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-beer-label-2024/ We love our local breweries and cidery! Toppling Goliath Brewing Co., Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, PIVO Brewery and Blepta Studios, Convergence CiderWorks Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Winneshiek County Development & Tourism, Inc. DecorahNews.com Decorah Newspapers Travel Iowa Visit Northeast Iowa

Mabes Pizza, Decorah, IA / Pizza Box Assembly Competition

Downtown Decorah is where you want to be this Thursday night (August 10)! Join for a full evening of free, family-friendly events on Washington Street, outside of Impact Coffee! 6 PM Lawn Chair Night Music, 7 PM Pizza box assembly competition with Mabes Pizza (celebrating 70 years!), 7:30 PM Trivia! 6 PM Lawn Chair Night: Featuring the talents of Clare Doyle Music! Lawn Chair Night has been a program of Downtown Decorah Betterment for more than 25 years, and will continue every Thursday night this year until August 31. This week's LCN sponsor is Mabes Pizza. 7 PM Pizza box assembly competition with Mabes Pizza: Founded in 1953 by Mabel White, Mabes Pizza is now 4th generation owned and celebrating 70 years of business in Decorah. They are best known for their square-cut, thin-crust pizza --- with 100,000+ served each year! Join Steve and Collin White in a battle of the boxes and a chance to win some Mabe's swag. Can you put together a pizza take-out-box faster than a past Mabe's employee? Be there or be square (like the pizza) to find out! 7:30 PM C&C Trivia: Put your knowledge to the test! Create or join a team, register to play for free on site, and then submit your best answers throughout three thematic rounds.

Nordic Fest / Decorah, IA

Vikings & Gnomes & Trolls, Oh My! You can find these Scandinavian symbols AND SO MUCH MORE at the 56th annual Nordic Fest July 27-29 in Downtown Decorah! Stop by the Decorah Visitor Center / Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce to pick up the 2023 program + a button for $5, or download the free pdf at www.NordicFest.com.

IowansUnite Community Contest 2023: DECORAH

Decorah is officially in the #IowansUnite Community Video Contest with the Iowa Economic Development Authority! Now we just need 500 votes before June 29 to move into the next round. Show your love for Decorah by voting at https://woobox.com/oqhd3r/gallery/obbdIeLTRN8 ❤️ In the end, one Iowa community will win a custom mural by Iowa artist Ben Schuh. Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Winneshiek County Development & Tourism, Inc. Northeast Iowa RC&D City of Decorah Inspire(d) Media Driftless Journal Decorah News Decorah Parks and Recreation

Run Decorah

Drift less. RUN MORE! Registration is now open for three big annual summer races in the Decorah area. Join one or join all (and have additional reasons to visit Decorah again and again and again🤩)! Saturday, June 3: Crater Trail Run 📍 Van Peenen Park / Quarry Hill Road, Decorah https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=101205 Think Iowa is flat? Think again with these routes, offering 613-5500+ feet of climbing! Run the 5K, 10K, 25K, 50K, or kids 1 mile. Tuesday, July 4: Pulpit to Pulpit 📍 Pulpit Rock Brewing Company / 207 College Drive, Decorah https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/Decorah/PulpitToPulpit This family-friendly, dog-friendly event strives to raise money for local organizations -- with this year's list including Decorah Community Free Clinic and Friends of the Decorah Public Library. Join the 5K or ~1 mile fun run/walk! Saturday, July 29: Nordic Fest Elveløpet 📍 Decorah City Hall, 400 W Claiborne Street, Decorah https://nordicfest.com/elvelopet/ Are you faster than a troll? Find out while running alongside 500+ other runners during Decorah's annual town celebration, Nordic Fest. Race in the 5K or 15K!

Decorah, IA See Yourself Here: Love it here, Start it here

More than 300 small businesses call the Decorah Area home. ❤️ Some just opened this past year, like Blazing Star -- a vegetarian cafe with a seasonal menu highlighting produce grown in the Driftless Region. Others are celebrating decades long anniversaries, like 100 years of Decorah Hatchery -- a clothing and gear store offering premium brands to help you make the most of outdoor adventures and beyond. Yep, 100! 🎂 No matter where you stop in Downtown Decorah or beyond, we think you'll love meeting the Decorah Area small business owners and staff. Featured businesses in the video include Sugar Bowl, Cardboard Robot, Magpie Cafe & Coffeehouse, The Getup, Blazing Star, LuLu & BB's Pet Market, Big Driftless, Impact Coffee, and Driftless Yoga Center . That's just 9 of the 300+ small businesses in the area. What's your favorite small business to visit in the Decorah Area? Help us celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week by giving a shout-out to your favorite(s) in the comments! #NTTW23 and #ThisIsIowa

Soul of Iowa: Decorah Episode Luna Valley Farm

Over the weekend, Luna Valley Farm opened their gates to welcome back Pizza Nights for the 2023 season! Plan ahead to join owners Maren, Tom, and Fritz at this Decorah area favorite eatery [and 2022 Iowa Tourism Industry Award winner for Outstanding Attraction!] on Friday and Saturday nights now through August. Luna Valley Farm is a certified organic farm that uses regenerative farming practices to grow food, protect soil and water, and to provide a happy life for cattle, sheep, and pigs. They love good food and love sharing their food and farm with the community on Pizza Nights. Their wood-fired pizza provides an opportunity to share ingredients they've grown on their farm or sourced from veggie farmer friends. The pizza menu changes seasonally, making the most of those fresh, locally raised ingredients. In addition to pizza, Luna Valley Farm offers a great list of locally crafted beverages from Toppling Goliath Brewing Co., Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, Convergence CiderWorks, and PIVO Brewery and Blepta Studios. 🍕Insider Tip: Reservations are required. Reservations can be made starting at Noon the Sunday before the upcoming weekend. It's a crowd-favorite place, so look to reserve right away if you can when the form opens for your desired night at www.lunavalleyfarm.com. 📸: Part of Travel Iowa's Soul of Iowa: Decorah Episode. This felt like the perfect time to share it again since its National Travel & Tourism Week! #NTTW23 #ThisIsIowa

Looking for events in the Decorah area? Find live music, trivia, festivals, art openings, and so much more [year round!] on the Events calendar at www.VisitDecorah.com. www.visitdecorah.com ➡️ PLAN MORE ➡️ EVENTS ⭐️ Enjoy an opportunity to hear from Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Dr. Steinar Bryn tonight at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company at 7 PM. Dr. Bryn is the current King Olav V Scholar in Residence at Luther College. A Norwegian native, Dr. Bryn travels internationally to speak and teach on the importance of maintaining dialogue in conflict situations. Tonight's event is sponsored by the NE Iowa Peace & Justice Center, Inc..

Shortcuts

We’re here to make your visit to Decorah & Winneshiek County as memorable as possible.

The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce is here to help you plan your visit to the Upper Iowa River Valley. Located in the rolling hills of Northeast Iowa’s Driftless Region, Decorah offers a palette of rich activities that are sure to please.

Attend live performances at historic ballrooms, the charming Highlandville School House, or Luther College. Experience the vibrant culture of the county’s annual community celebrations, like Nordic Fest, Ossian Fest, Laura Ingalls Wilder Days, the Winneshiek County Fair, or Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days.

The outdoor-enthusiast will find a vast natural playground across Winneshiek County. The rolling landscape provides the perfect backdrop for adventurous recreational opportunities. Mountain bike, kayak, canoe, hike, fish, run, snowshoe, cross-country ski-- the options are endless.

Local food and flavor abounds in Winneshiek County, so come hungry. Eat your way through fresh farmer’s markets, grab a bite at one of many restaurants utilizing local ingredients, or stop into enchanting coffee houses throughout the region. Not to mention-- some of America’s best beer is brewed right here in Winneshiek County, so don’t miss Pulpit Rock, Toppling Goliath, and PIVO Breweries.