Enjoy Waterfalls, Fly Fishing, and Norwegian Culture in Decorah, Iowa

When most people think of the Midwest, they envision a vast expanse of tornado-prone plains. Despite its flat-as-a-pancake reputation, the Midwest has quite a bit of geologic diversity. The bluffs and gushing waterfalls that surround the small, scenic town of Decorah, Iowa, are part of a stretch of the upper Midwest that was never covered in sheets of ice during the Ice Age, known as the Driftless Area.

Decorah is dotted with rolling hills, pristine rivers, and fertile farms that cultivate heirloom seeds. Add a dash of robust Norwegian culture that continues to flourish over 170 years after the first Norwegian settlers arrived in Decorah, and you have a culturally vibrant, gorgeous town that is very much worth visiting.

One of Decorah’s grand highlights is an 11-mile paved loop called the Trout Run Trail that passes by forests, farmlands, and the Upper Iowa River. You can walk, run, or bike along a well-maintained path that leads to several prime fly-fishing spots where you can attempt to catch some trout. You can also enjoy the gushing waters of Siewers Springs Waterfall and stop by the Decorah Fish Hatchery. For 25 cents, you can feed fish of all sizes and learn how they develop.

The residents of Decorah are immensely proud of the town’s Norwegian roots. Decorah is home to a Norwegian museum known as Vesterheim that showcases traditional Norwegian clothing, woodwork, and ships. Vesterheim is Norwegian for “western home,” so the museum celebrates immigrants who relied on skills that they learned in Norway—such as building a sturdy cabin out of a single tree—to flourish in America. Vesterheim also features a collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures created by Norwegian-American artists.

Every July, the city of Decorah hosts Nordic Fest—a 3-day celebration of Norwegian culture. The festival includes a spirited parade, Norwegian dancing and singing, and a fashion show where models wear traditional Norwegian folk costumes. Visitors can sample Norwegian food such as Christmas cookies, pretzel-shaped pastries called kringla, and delectable Norwegian meatballs. Nordic Fest also features an Arts and Crafts Center where visitors can purchase handcrafted wooden gnomes, Norwegian needlework, and other artisanal items such as soap.

Plant lovers can stop by Decorah’s Seed Savers Exchange, which grows and protects diverse and endangered crops. The Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit organization staffed by gardening enthusiasts who will talk to you for hours about how to successfully cultivate a rare specimen such as the “1500 Year Old Cave Bean,” which was discovered in a sealed pot in an Anasazi cave dwelling in New Mexico. If you have ever dreamt of planting virtually extinct heirloom seeds in your garden, a trip to the Seed Savers Exchange is an absolute must.

Decorah’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and quaint charm ensure that this small Iowa town is the ideal spot for a relaxing getaway. Decorah is home to several elegant hotels and numerous cozy eateries that prove that you don’t have to travel to a big city to enjoy the best things in life.