Page 17 - Central Iowa 2023 Travel Guide

clear lake LADY OF THE LAKE EXCURSION colfax corydon
BOAT
CENTRAL GARDENS OF NORTH Seawall, City Park TRAINLAND U.S.A. PRAIRIE TRAILS MUSEUM OF
IOWA 641-357-2243 3135 Hwy 117 N WAYNE COUNTY
cruiseclearlake.com
North 8th St & 2nd Ave North May-Sept. Cruises depart from city seawall 515-674-3813 / trainlandusa.com 515 E Jefferson (Hwy 2 East)
641-357-0700 / centralgardensnorthiowa.com area. See website for cruise schedule. Enjoy the MemDay-Labor Day 10-6:00 daily. April- 641-872-2211
Open dawn till dusk, May-Oct. Nestled in scenery around Clear Lake during a 1.5 hour October. Special rates available to schools Mon-Sat 10-5 June, July, Aug; Daily 1-5 April
the heart of Clear Lake is North Iowa’s only narrated cruise aboard the “Lady.” This true and organizations. By appt. only (minimum 15-May 31 and Sept 1-Oct 15;
public garden. The 2.5 acre site is made up paddle wheeler once worked the Missouri River. of 15 people). Operating toy train museum, off-season group tours by appt.
of many different gardens that you can enjoy The vessel contains a cash bar, dance floor, and displaying Lionel trains and accessories. prairietrailsmuseum.org
as you stroll along winding brick pathways Depicting railroad development across the Southern Iowa’s rich rural heritage is
and over unique bridges. The reunion and restrooms. The lower level is enclosed. United States. All scenery is hand painted and showcased in this outstanding display of over
naturalist terraces provide gathering places THE SURF BALLROOM & MUSEUM glass enclosed with push buttons operating 90,000 items. Visitors learn how prairie trails
for individuals and groups. Themed gardens 460 North Shore Dr accessories. influenced settlement.

include Meadows, Woodlands, Bird, Wetland, 641-357-6151 / surfballroom.com Impressive Mormon Trail exhibit features an
Pond, Wildflower, Butterfly, an Ornamental Mon-Fri 8-4 colo ox-drawn wagon. Pioneer heritage brought
Grass garden with kinetic wind sculptures, and to life with turn-of-the-century “Main Street”
The legendary Surf Ballroom has been
the home to big band and rock ‘n roll REED / NILAND CORNER by Jesse James, early farm machinery,
more. shops, bank safe robbed
CERRO GORDO WIND FARM entertainers for over 50 years, and is famous
as the site of Buddy Holly’s last concert. 24 Lincoln Highway and more.
10586 Balsam Ave 515-460-9500
641-829-3933 reednilandcorner.org
Farming has taken on a whole new meaning PLANE CRASH SITE MEMORIAL Self-guided tour during daylight hours. davis city
in the Clear Lake area. The wind farm consists OF BUDDY HOLLY, RITCHIE The Reed/Niland Corner offers a living history
of 55 wind turbines, each approximately 265 VALENS, & JP “THE BIG BOPPER” of the Lincoln & Jefferson Highways. The NINE EAGLES STATE PARK
feet high. The wind farm spans a 10-mile area one-stop restoration design has focused on
RICHARDSON RR 1 / 641-442-2855
and can be viewed by driving by. recreating the same experience that travelers Daily, year-round
Contact the Clear Lake Chamber for Directions once experienced during their travels on the
CLEAR LAKE ARTS CENTER 641-357-2159 Lincoln and Jefferson Highways. Rugged wooded hills and valleys abundant
clearlakeiowa.com with oak trees makes Nine Eagles one of
17 South 4th St Southern Iowa’s most scenic parks. Visitors
641-357-1998 Year-round conrad enjoy bridle and hiking trails, swimming,
A stainless steel monument marks the exact
clartscenter.com spot where the plane came to rest. The fishing and shaded picnic spots throughout
Tues-Fri 11-5; seasonal weekend hours. this 1,100-acre park.
A 21st century addition to the downtown monument is on private property, visitors are HERITAGE HALL MUSEUM
scene, the center showcases art and fine crafts asked to respect their rights while visiting 204 E Center St UNION BRICK CHURCH
“The Place the Music Died.”
through changing exhibit spaces highlighting 41-366-2240 East Clark / 641-442-8222
local and regional artists. There is also a sales THREE STARS PLAZA By appt. By appt. - 24 hrs notice
gallery and gift shop, and several events, Displays and collections are changed Built in 1877 by John Clark, the church
shows, and performances are staged in the Just West of the Surf Ballroom frequently and pertain to local history. features four clock faces at the top which still
Outdoors, visible year-round.
Performing Arts Wing. keep good time. Located two blocks east of
Rock & roll icons Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens,
CLEAR LAKE FIRE MUSEUM & JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson are Hwy 69.
remembered with a
112 North 6th St
641-357-2613 central art feature: a spindle with three did you know? dawson
Tues-Fri 11-5; Sat 11-4; Sun 1-4 Summer only stacked records. The bottom record has
the performer’s names inscribed and are
or by appt. illuminated by a blue neon light that also Clarion’s Heartland SPORTSMAN PARK
A showcase museum that was the first of its
kind in Iowa. Features a unique collection of encircles the plaza. Museum houses an 13821 130th St / 515-465-3577
antique fire-fighting equipment, including a dallascountyiowa.gov/conservation
1924 Ahrens-Fox pumper truck, a hand-pulled clutier impressive collection of May-Oct 8 am-10 pm. Nov-April 8 am-5 pm
hose cart, fire extinguishers, steel from the Enjoy camping, hiking, picnicking, and
vintage tractors, farm nearby access to the Raccoon River Valley Trail
CLUTIER MUSEUM and Dawson Boat Ramp on the North Raccoon
World Trade Center and much more.
GUARDIAN ANGEL 227 Main St toys & more in their over River. Also features Sportsman Lodge, and
ROADSIDE CHAPEL 319-479-2518 16,000 SF agricultural hall. enclosed, reservable shelter for groups up to
May-Sept by appt. 120, with attached modern restrooms, full-
South 24th St size fridge, sink and serving counters.
South of exit 193 on I-35 Displays and memorabilia related to the
history of Clutier. Also showing a short slide
Dawn to dusk daily
Chapel is open to travelers and is visible show featuring the town of Clutier. The
along I-35 both day and night. Built in historic town jail is next door to the museum.
memory of an individual whose life was
saved by an angel, the tiny chapel features ZCBJ CZECH MUSEUM &
windows and pews from other churches.
1902 LODGE HALL

501 Main St
IOWA TROLLEY PARK 319-439-5432 / By appt.
3429 Main Ave Museum is located on the second floor.
641-357-7433 / iowatrolleypark.com Exhibits feature an old cook stove and dishes
Mem Day-Labor Day, Sat-Sun 10-4 or by appt. formerly used in the meeting hall, historic
Experience pieces of railroad history firsthand, photos, and books (many of which are in
aboard a hand car which is powered by Czech).
passengers, or ride a speeder railway motor
car. The Civil War era V&T Lyon is under
restoration and nearing completion. surf ballroom - Clear lake
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