Decorah, Iowa travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Decorah is a town in Northeast Iowa.

3 sights · 1 bars & cafés

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Decorah

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

This museum has the most extensive collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world, with an emphasis on folk art. Free admission on the second Saturday of each month.

Porter House Museum

About travel, history, nature, and art in the Victorian era.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum

Laura Ingalls Wilder's family lived in The Masters Hotel in 1876. The family's stay there is not described in any of the books she wrote about her childhood, but it is the only building she lived in that is still standin…

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 11°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Waterloo)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
LSE La Crosse Regional Airport, La Crosse — 48 mi away. Directions
RST Rochester International Airport, Rochester — 55 mi away. Directions
MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 130 mi away (major hub). Directions

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Porter House Museum
Afternoon Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum
Evening Magpie Coffeehouse

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

Decorah is home to Luther College, an undergraduate school of approximately 2,500 students. It is also notable for its Scandinavian heritage, present in institutions such as the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

Get in

Go Decorah Municipal Airport (DEH)

General aviation airport. No scheduled passenger service.

⚠ Last checked Aug 2020 — confirm before you go

Maps

See

See Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

This museum has the most extensive collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world, with an emphasis on folk art. Free admission on the second Saturday of each month.

📍 520 W. Water St🕒 Open daily May–Oct: 9AM–5PM; Nov–April 10AM–4PM💲 $10 adults; $5 children; $8 seniors (65+)☎ +1 563-382-9681⚠ Last checked Aug 2020 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Porter House Museum

About travel, history, nature, and art in the Victorian era.

📍 401 West Broadway StreetLocated in the Broadway Historic District, two blocks south of downtown Decorah.🕒 Open daily June–Aug, Mon–Sat 10AM–4PM, Sun 1–4PM; open May, Sept, Oct. Fri–Sun 1–4PM☎ +1 563-382-8465⚠ Last checked Aug 2015 — confirm before you go

Maps Website