Grant IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Grant, Iowa.
1. Reverend George B Hitchcock House
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY
The Reverend George B Hitchcock House is a historic site that served as a station on the Underground Railroad. Visitors can tour this landmark to learn about Iowa's role in helping enslaved people escape to freedom. The house represents an important part of the area's abolitionist history.
2. Main Street Bar & Grill
LOCAL FOOD FAVORITE
Main Street Bar & Grill is a popular local establishment serving American fare in a casual atmosphere. The restaurant offers a welcoming environment for visitors and locals alike to enjoy meals and drinks. It serves as a community gathering spot in Grant.
3. Villisca Axe Murder House
HISTORIC CRIME SCENE
The Villisca Axe Murder House is the site of one of Iowa's most notorious unsolved crimes from 1912. Visitors can tour the restored house where eight people were murdered, learning about the history and mystery surrounding the case. The location has become known for historical tours and paranormal investigations.
4. Griswold Golf Course
SCENIC GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Griswold Golf Course offers a pleasant golfing experience in the rolling hills of southwestern Iowa. The course features well-maintained greens and fairways accessible to golfers of various skill levels. Visitors can enjoy the scenic landscape while playing a round of golf.
5. Cass County Historical Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Cass County Historical Museum preserves and displays artifacts representing the area's rich cultural heritage. Exhibits showcase pioneer life, agricultural development, and the evolution of local communities. The museum offers visitors a glimpse into Iowa's past through its extensive collection.
6. Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
HISTORIC MIGRATION ROUTE
The Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail commemorates the 1846-1847 journey of Mormon pioneers from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake Valley. Visitors can explore interpretive centers and markers that tell the story of this significant religious migration. The trail represents an important chapter in American western expansion.
7. Viking Lake State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
Viking Lake State Park offers 1,000 acres of natural beauty centered around a 137-acre lake. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and hiking along scenic trails through oak-hickory forests. The park provides year-round recreational opportunities in a tranquil setting.
8. Pikes Peak State Park
SCENIC MISSISSIPPI OVERLOOKS
Pikes Peak State Park features dramatic overlooks of the Mississippi River from 500-foot bluffs. Visitors can hike through wooded trails to see unique geological formations and Native American burial mounds. The park offers some of the most spectacular views in Iowa's Driftless Area.
9. Grant Wood Scenic Byway
ARTIST-INSPIRED LANDSCAPE ROUTE
The Grant Wood Scenic Byway winds through the limestone bluffs and patchwork farm fields that inspired Iowa's famous artist. The route connects multiple communities while showcasing the rural landscapes that appeared in Wood's iconic paintings. Travelers can enjoy the natural beauty and cultural significance of this designated scenic corridor.
10. Wapsipinicon State Park
LIMESTONE CAVES WONDERLAND
Wapsipinicon State Park features walking trails, numerous caves, and stone arch bridges built from local limestone. The bridges were constructed by inmates from the nearby Anamosa State Penitentiary, adding historical significance to the natural beauty. The park offers one of the best nature experiences in Grant Wood country with its unique geological features.
11. Anamosa State Penitentiary Museum
HISTORIC PRISON EXHIBITS
The Anamosa State Penitentiary Museum tells the story of the towering gothic revival prison that has operated for more than 150 years. Visitors can learn about the facility's history, including its construction by the inmates who would be housed there. The museum highlights the impressive architecture that resembles a European castle transported to a small Iowa town.
12. Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
UNIQUE GEOLOGICAL FORMATION
The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway traverses a rare geological formation of wind-deposited silt found in only two places in the world. The route offers stunning vistas of prairies, forests, and farmland across western Iowa's distinctive landscape. Visitors can experience both natural beauty and cultural sites along this 220-mile scenic corridor.
13. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
MISSOURI RIVER HABITATS
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge protects important habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife along the Missouri River. The refuge houses the Bertrand steamboat collection, artifacts from an 1865 steamboat recovered from the river mud. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, fishing, and historical exhibits throughout the year.
14. Western Skies Scenic Byway
RURAL HEARTLAND JOURNEY
Western Skies Scenic Byway stretches across rolling hills and farmland showcasing Iowa's agricultural heritage. The route passes through small towns with unique attractions, historical sites, and natural areas. Travelers can experience authentic rural Midwest culture while enjoying changing seasonal landscapes along this 142-mile corridor.
15. Lewis and Clark State Park
MISSOURI RIVER RECREATION
Lewis and Clark State Park commemorates the famous expedition's journey along the Missouri River with a full-size replica keelboat. The park offers camping, fishing, and boating on Blue Lake, an oxbow lake formed from the Missouri River's changing course. Visitors can enjoy both historical interpretation and outdoor recreation in this riverside setting.