Attractions

Seed Savers Exchange, Inc.  
3094 North Winneshiek Road
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: 563-382-5990
Fax: 563-382-5872
www.seedsavers.org


Seed Savers Exchange is dedicated to preserving and sharing heirloom seeds to preserve the world's heritage of plant diversity. SSE's Heritage Farm, located just north of Decorah maintains over 25,000 endangered vegetable varieties including 6200 tomatoes, 5100 beans, 1300 squash and 1100 varieties of lettuce. SSE also maintains 700 pre-1900 apple varieties in their Historic Orchard. Heritage Farms, SSE's 890 acre headquarters is visited each year by thousands of gardeners who enjoy the Lillian Goldman Visitors Center, touring the Preservation and Display gardens and visiting the herd of Ancient White Park Cattle, dating back to the British Isles two thousand years ago, also being maintained on the farm.

Visitors are welcome at Heritage Farm from April through October. The Lillian Goldman Visitors Center is open weekdays from 9a.m. to 5p.m. Donations are suggested to help us out with our preservation work. Guided tours and bus tours are available for a charge of $3.00 per person. Please contact Seed Savers Exchange at 563-382-5990 for more information or to arrange a tour.

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum  
523 W. Water Street, PO Box 379
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: 563-382-9681
Fax: 563-382-8828
www.vesterheim.org
vesterheim@vesterheim.org

With a main complex of 16 historic buildings in downtown Decorah, Iowa, a farmstead and country church about seven miles outside the city, Vesterheim is the most comprehensive museum in the United States dedicated to a single immigrant group. The museum houses over 24,000 artifacts and preserves living traditions through classes in Norwegian culture and folk art, including rosemaling (decorative painting), woodcarving and woodworking, knifemaking, and textile arts. Museum complex includes a museum and folk art supply store. Open year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Easter. May 1 - October 31 open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and November 1 - April 30 closed Mondays and open Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m to 4 p.m. FREE THURSDAYS are sponsored by Decorah Bank & Trust Co. Every Thursday admission is free and the museum is open until 8:00 p.m. And dont forget to check out the Free Thursdays specials at the museum stores!

Winneshiek Wildberry Winery   
1966 337th Street
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: 563-735-5809
www.wwwinery.com
sales@wwwinery.com

Come spend a day in the country at Winneshiek Wildberry Winery. Taste our Midwestern grape and fruit wines, tour the vineyards and winery and visit the 1,300 square foot artisan shop. You will also find wine accessories, walking trails, and over 30 varieties of flowers nestled along the landscaping. The facility is also available to rent for your event and includes an indoor rose garden and a large tiled patio. This 140-year family farm is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a taste of the country. Group tours welcome.

Luther College
700 College Dr.
Decorah, IA 52101-1045
Phone: 563-387-2000
Fax: 563-387-1336
www.luther.edu

Luther college is a nationally ranked, residential liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran church in America. Founded in 1861, Luther was the first college established by Norwegian immigrants in the United States. Widely known for its excellence in academics, music, athletics, and study abroad opportunities, Luther attracts over 2500 students from nearly 40 countries and 37 other states. It doesn't take long for Luther students to feel at home in Decorah. The unique shops, cultural offerings, recreational opportunities, and natural beauty of the area make Decorah the "perfect college town."

Porter House Museum 
401 W. Broadway, P.O. Box 115
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: 563-382-8465
www.porterhousemuseum.com

The Porter House Museum reflects the lifestyle and interests of its former owners, Grace and Adelbert Field Porter. Bert Porter, a naturalist and artist, made collecting butterflies his life's work. His collections of rare and exotic butterflies, moths, insects, birds and bird eggs, Indian relics, rocks, minerals, and shells, along with many unique works of art created from moths and butterflies by Porter, are housed in the museum. An unique rock wall, designed and built by Porter from his collection of rocks, surrounds the property; floral borders including many spring-blooming native wild flowers create a cool and peaceful refuge inside the garden wall. Cost of Admission, Adults: $4.00; Students and Seniors: $3.00, Children under 6 are admitted free. Unfortunately they're closed for the season, however large group tours may call Midge at 563-382-3164 to make special arrangements.

Northeast Iowa Dairy Center  
PO Box 400
Calmar, IA 52132
Phone: 563-534-9957 ext. 107
Fax: 563-534-3004
Toll Free: 866-474-4692 (only for IA residents)
www.iowadairycenter.com
info@iowadairycenter.com

Visit the dairy center and see cows being milked in a state-of-the-art facility, dairy artifacts from the past, nutrition displays, the Hall of Breeds and more. Self-guided tours available Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Group tours arranged by calling 563-534-9957 ext. 107 or emailing info@iowadairycenter.com. Do not miss the milking times from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Mission Statement: The Northeast Iowa Community-Based Dairy Foundation is a private, not-for-profit charitable foundation comprised of dairy farm families and other citizens who care about the future of the dairy industry. This grassroots foundation has partnered with Iowa State University (ISU) and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) to develop a strategic plan for the long-term success of the region. The Foundation has created a dairy advocacy, education and applied research center that will improve the quality of life for dairy farmers. The governor of Iowa has designated this effort as the first Iowa "Center of Excellence for Value-Added Agriculture." The Dairy industry is a major component of Iowa agriculture, contributing more than $561 million to the economy through the sale of milk, cull cows, and calves. The annual economic contribution of dairy to the Iowan economy, including the value of labor, support services and materials, is in excess of $1.5 billion. About 70 percent of Iowa dairy cows are in Northeast Iowa, contributing $16,000 annually per dairy cow to the rural economy - cows help make local economies strong!

Bily Clocks 
GEORGIANN ECKHEART
323 Main Street, P.O. Box 258
Spillville, IA 52168
Phone: 563-562-3569
Fax: 563-562-4373
www.bilyclocks.org
bilyclocks@mchsi.com

Beginning in 1913 Frank and Joseph Bily spent the long winter days and evenings carving clocks of various woods. This was a hobby for the two bachelor brothers who always worked as a team. These uniquely designed clocks have attracted people from all areas of the US., Canada, and from many foreign countries. In 1946 they moved their entire collection to the historic landmark in Spillville - occupied by Antonin Dvorak in 1893. There are 40 clocks and 2 church models in the collection which is considered priceless. Also housed in the museum is an exhibit on the memory of the famous Czech composer. The Bily Clocks Museum and Dvorak Exhibit is on e of the most unique treasures in America. Hours are May-October - Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last tour is at 4:00 PM), April - Daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Last tour is at 3:00 PM), March & November Weekends only, 10:00 - 4:00 PM (Last tour is at 3:00 PM) and closed December, January, & February. Hours may be subject to change. Admission is Adults $5.00, Seniors (65 & older) $4.00, Children/Young Adults (Ages 6-17) $3.00, Under 6 years of age, Free! Family Rate is $14.00, Group Rates (for 20 or more)are Adults, $4.00 and Children $1.50.