Day 1
Discover more than 25,000 vegetable varieties at the heirloom-seed mecca of Seed Savers Exchange. Then kick back with The Frog (vodka and cranberry soda) while munching on seasonally inspired entrees at La Rana Bistro.
Seed Savers Exchange
Learn about immigrant life through 24,000-plus artifacts and 12 historical buildings at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Shop for handmade works downtown at places like Agora Arts Center.
Toppling Goliath is the place to get award-winning craft beer.
At Rubaiyat, local ingredients infuse creative dishes like the apple Dijon Iowa pork ribeye or grilled Norwegian pesto salmon (some dishes also include Norwegian lingonberries).
The restored 1905 Hotel Winneshiek is within walking distance of every major attraction.
Just outside of town, Little House on the Farm, a tasteful bed-and-breakfast modeled after the home on TV’s Little House on the Prairie, promises gracious hospitality.
Day 2
Walkers and cyclists are thrilled with the 11-mile Trout Run Trail, leading to the popular Decorah Fish Hatchery (a quarter’s worth of food incites a feeding frenzy among trout).
Though the menu constantly changes at The Angry Pickle, the house-made spicy pickles are a mainstay. Or act like a local and picnic in a shady spot at Dunning’s Springs.
About 45 minutes southeast, the prehistoric Effigy Mounds inspire contemplation.
More information: (800) 463-4692; visitdecorah.com