Bridget & Tim's Driftless Area Guidebook
Sightseeing
Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than 200 prehistoric mounds built by Native Americans. Numerous effigy mounds are shaped like animals, including bears and birds. Wonderful hiking trails.
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Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center
151 IA-76Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than 200 prehistoric mounds built by Native Americans. Numerous effigy mounds are shaped like animals, including bears and birds. Wonderful hiking trails.
Breathtaking views of the Mississippi River. Pikes Peak State Park is a hiker's delight with 11.5 miles of trails. The scenic overlook is a must see!
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Pikes Peak State Park
Breathtaking views of the Mississippi River. Pikes Peak State Park is a hiker's delight with 11.5 miles of trails. The scenic overlook is a must see!
Walk through the doors of the Villa Louis Mansion and step into the life of one of Wisconsin’s most prosperous historic families. Stroll through the extravagant lifestyle of the Dousman family from the fur trade industry to the end of the 19th century. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien. A historic attraction on the Great River Road!
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Villa Louis Historic Site
521 N Villa Louis RdWalk through the doors of the Villa Louis Mansion and step into the life of one of Wisconsin’s most prosperous historic families. Stroll through the extravagant lifestyle of the Dousman family from the fur trade industry to the end of the 19th century. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien. A historic attraction on the Great River Road!
We had a great time taking our kids to the fish hatchery. We had a nice picnic lunch at the park and then they got to feed the fish and see all the trout. After that, we hopped on the bike trail and road into town for some ice cream.
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Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery
2321 Siewers Spring RoadWe had a great time taking our kids to the fish hatchery. We had a nice picnic lunch at the park and then they got to feed the fish and see all the trout. After that, we hopped on the bike trail and road into town for some ice cream.
This is a great place to hike or come for a picnic. It's a bit further away from the Guesthouse but worth the scenic drive.
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Yellow River State Forest
729 State Forest RdThis is a great place to hike or come for a picnic. It's a bit further away from the Guesthouse but worth the scenic drive.
Our kids love this place. Learn about the wetlands and plants and animals that live there. They even have nets to try to catch things in the water.
Driftless Area Wetlands Centre
509 US-18Our kids love this place. Learn about the wetlands and plants and animals that live there. They even have nets to try to catch things in the water.
Pony Hollow Trail
26184 IA-13This is a great biking or hiking trail. We love biking here with the kids.
Food scene
Some of our favorite places to eat that are within a short drive of the Monona Guesthouse.
Enjoy a free wine tasting or bottle of award winning Iowa wine. Sit in the patio area while listening to live music. I love the Volga Lake White Wine.
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Eagles Landing Winery
127 North StEnjoy a free wine tasting or bottle of award winning Iowa wine. Sit in the patio area while listening to live music. I love the Volga Lake White Wine.
Katie sells specialty beers, local meats, cheese, dips, specialty coffee drinks and fresh sandwiches. She also offers fun classes like cheese making and salsa/sangria nights.
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By The Spoonful
221 Main StKatie sells specialty beers, local meats, cheese, dips, specialty coffee drinks and fresh sandwiches. She also offers fun classes like cheese making and salsa/sangria nights.
Our favorite traditional Wisconsin Supper Club features retro bar area and salad bar. I highly recommend the Bourbon Glazed Pork Chop or the Filet Mignon and baked potato! Reservations recommended but not required.
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Jones' Black Angus LLC
37640 US-18Our favorite traditional Wisconsin Supper Club features retro bar area and salad bar. I highly recommend the Bourbon Glazed Pork Chop or the Filet Mignon and baked potato! Reservations recommended but not required.
Maggie's Diner
28534 US-18Great place to stop for breakfast or lunch!
Great brewery tours and wonderful food and brews. I recommend the Dorothy's.
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Toppling Goliath Brewing Co
1600 Prosperity RdGreat brewery tours and wonderful food and brews. I recommend the Dorothy's.
The wine tasting room has a fun & relaxed atmosphere so you can meet friends to taste & enjoy a glass of wine, sangria, pint of craft beer, cider or cans of your favorite beer A personal favorite for me is the free popcorn to munch on!
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Empty Nest Winery
1352 Apple RdThe wine tasting room has a fun & relaxed atmosphere so you can meet friends to taste & enjoy a glass of wine, sangria, pint of craft beer, cider or cans of your favorite beer A personal favorite for me is the free popcorn to munch on!
I love the Chipotle Turkey Sandwich and the waffle fries are the best around!
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Fort Mulligan's Grillpub
214 W Blackhawk AveI love the Chipotle Turkey Sandwich and the waffle fries are the best around!
Great place to grab a bite to eat. They are famous for their giant pork tenderloin sandwich. We love sitting out on the patio.
St. Olaf Tavern
106 S Main StGreat place to grab a bite to eat. They are famous for their giant pork tenderloin sandwich. We love sitting out on the patio.
Local pizza place right in Monona dine or carry out we like the Mild Milly.
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TJ's Pizza
218 Mill StLocal pizza place right in Monona dine or carry out we like the Mild Milly.
Pulpit Rock Brewing Company
207 College DrThe Brim Coffeehouse
Love everything about this place, great food, drinks and service!
MJ'S Bar & Grill
103 East Center StreetLocal tavern with good bar food and only 5 minute walk from the house.
Entertainment
Casino Queen Marquette
100 Anti MonopolyGreat place to bowl with tasty food and cheap beer! We had a blast bowling with our kids.
Leisure Time Sports Bar & Bowl
1618 S Marquette RdGreat place to bowl with tasty food and cheap beer! We had a blast bowling with our kids.
This is the perfect place to visit with kids or to bring out the kid in all of us. Bumper cars, mini golf and go karts - what more do you need!?
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Prairie Fun Land
515 E Paquette StThis is the perfect place to visit with kids or to bring out the kid in all of us. Bumper cars, mini golf and go karts - what more do you need!?
Prairie Cinema
1205 Prairie StOur favorite movie theater - at a great price.
Bigfoot Canoe Rental
409 Deer RdCanoeing the Yellow River less than 10 minutes away from the house.
Childrens Ranch
38371 U.S. 18Offers guided trail rides May through October Thursday - Sunday nights.
Open May through October, you can't beat the view of the Mississippi and local bands on the weekends.
Big Buoys Tiki Bar
Open May through October, you can't beat the view of the Mississippi and local bands on the weekends.
Shopping
Elkader
Elkader has a beautiful downtown with lots of cute boutique shops.
Tipps für Reisende
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The Trout Fishing!
There are 3 trout streams within 20 minutes of Monona. Yellow River, Hickory Creek and Bloody Run Trout streams. Fisk Farm and Home in town sells Iowa Fishing Licenses.
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Trails for biking or hiking
There are lots of trails around the area. In town is Monona's Butterfly Garden & Trail is only two blocks from the house and is great for a quiet stroll or bike ride around the town. Further away is the Pony Hollow Trail in Elkader, IA - we loved biking this trail during the summer with our kids!