Northwest Iowa, Iowa


Immerse yourself in Iowa's sun-drenched Great Lakes Region for year-round recreation. Visit Sioux City landmarks, and retrace the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. Experience festival traditions that bring old and young together in celebration.
Explore Northwest Iowa
Lyon County Historical Society Museum Complex
Renovated former Rock Island Depot, caboose, and livery stable. Windmill and Victorian house completely renovated and furnished. Visit a schoolhouse and teacher's house at nearby Lake Pahoja Park.
Rock Rapids, IA MuseumsSpirit of the Lakes Excursions
Vintage coach and dining cars take travelers through the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes region. Saturday excursions, dessert and dinner trains. Sunday family excursion with meal. Passengers can choose meals or excursion-only.
Spirit Lake, IA ExcursionsHumboldt County Historical Museum
1870s old mill farmhouse and outbuildings, log cabin, 1883 schoolhouse, jail. Humboldt College and Frank Gotch displays. Doctor's office, post office, American Indian artifacts, blacksmith and tinsmith shops, 1883 church with stained glass windows.
Dakota City, IA MuseumsBig Spirit Lake Fishing
The lake is a popular fishing destination in the region. As of March of 2012 the Iowa all-time big fish records for freshwater drum and muskellunge were set from catches in the lake. Fresh water Drum -------46 lb. 38 1/2\" Spirit Lake Muskellunge ----------- 50 lb. 6 oz. 52\"
, IA FishingCentral School Museum
Restored 1884 schoolhouse listed on the National Historic Register.
Lake City, IA MuseumsPrairie Log House and Country School
1871 log cabin of Scandinavian construction overlooks lake and park. Also visit 1872 Elk Township one-room school and annual flower gardens.
Storm Lake, IA Historic HomesIowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Museum
Recording studio, musical instruments, period costumes, posters, pictures, awards, jukeboxes, music artifacts and the Hall of Fame Wall of Honor.
Arnolds Park, IA MuseumsCalliope Village
A re-creation of Sioux County's first county seat, which was raided in 1872. Records and the county safe were taken to Orange City, the current county seat. View the safe and 15 buildings, some original to the 1800
Hawarden, IA MuseumsDeBoer Grocery Museum and Little House Museum
Displays in historic main street building. Historical items, area history displays, hand tools, small steam engine. Little House is three-room 1882 home.
Ashton, IA Museums