8 days in Northeast Iowa Itinerary

Get some historical perspective at Effigy Mounds National Monument and Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Museum-lovers will get to explore Bily Clocks Museum and Locust School. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Decorah: Montauk Historical Site (in Clermont), Driftless Area Wetlands Centre (in Marquette) and McGregor (Spook Cave, Froelich Foundation Museum, &more).

To find ratings, photos, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Decorah trip planner.

Des Moines to Decorah is an approximately 3.5-hour car ride. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Des Moines in August; daily highs in Decorah reach 77°F and lows reach 60°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Waterloo.

Appreciate the collections at John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum and Phelps Youth Pavilion. Get outdoors at Cedar Rock State Park (Lowell Walter Residence) and Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Waterloo: Independence (Heartland Acres Agribition Center & Wapsipinicon Mill and Museum) and Backbone State Park (in Dundee).

For other places to visit, reviews, photos, and tourist information, read Waterloo journey builder website.

Getting from Decorah to Waterloo by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive. August in Waterloo sees daily highs of 81°F and lows of 60°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sun) so you can go by car back home.