Decorah, Iowa

A breath of fresh air is the best way to describe Winneshiek County and Decorah, named one of the seven Prettiest Painted Places by the Quality Paint Institute. Quiet beauty, sparkling streams, pristine trails, smiling faces, and hometown friendliness await you. If you are looking for a place to get away, without the stress this area is the place for you.

If you love the outdoors just bring your gear along and you’re set. The extensive trail system offers biking, hiking, equestrian trails, and cross-country skiing opportunities. Or perhaps you’d like to float in a canoe or tube down the Upper Iowa River, listed as one of the top 100 adventures in the U.S. by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. And don’t forget our world- class trout fishing and hunting are among the finest areas in the Midwest.

Your visit to the Decorah area would not be complete without a glimpse of the rich heritage and history of the area. Each year people come from all over the world to visit the indoor and outdoor museums, learn about Norwegian immigrant life, wander the grounds of a fort built to protect the Winnebago Indians, and take in the beautiful architecture of homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places.