Hancock IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hancock, Iowa.
1. Botna Bend Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURE TRAILS
Botna Bend Park is a 119-acre park located on the Nishnabotna River. The park features hiking trails and is home to bison and elk herds that visitors can observe. It also provides access to the West Nishnabotna River Water Trail for water activities.
2. West Nishnabotna River Water Trail
SCENIC RIVER ADVENTURES
The West Nishnabotna River Water Trail offers outdoor enthusiasts a chance to explore southwestern Iowa by water. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and fishing along this scenic waterway. The trail provides a peaceful retreat with opportunities to observe local wildlife and natural landscapes.
3. Armstrong House Museum
HISTORIC VICTORIAN MANSION
The Armstrong House Museum in Britt is a large Victorian house built in 1896 for Lewis Larson at a cost of $15,000. This well-preserved historical residence showcases the architectural grandeur and lifestyle of the late 19th century. Visitors can tour the home to learn about local history and the prominent families who once lived there.
4. Antique City Drive
VINTAGE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Antique City Drive offers visitors a charming journey through Iowa's history with numerous antique shops and vintage finds. Collectors and casual browsers alike can explore a variety of unique items, from furniture to collectibles. The drive has earned a 4.1 rating from visitors who appreciate the nostalgic atmosphere and treasure hunting opportunities.
5. The Back Forty
LOCAL FOOD AND DRINKS
The Back Forty is a popular local establishment that has earned a solid 4.6 rating from visitors. This bar and club offers a taste of authentic Iowa hospitality with good food and drinks. It serves as a gathering spot for both locals and tourists looking to experience small-town charm.
6. Reverend George B Hitchcock House
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY
The Reverend George B Hitchcock House is a historic site with a 4.3 visitor rating that played a significant role in the Underground Railroad. This historic home once served as a safe haven for enslaved people seeking freedom in the mid-1800s. Visitors can tour the property and learn about its important place in American civil rights history.
7. Nishna Heritage Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Nishna Heritage Museum located on Main Street in Oakland preserves the rich history of the region. The museum houses artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the area's development and its people. Visitors can explore exhibits that highlight local agriculture, industry, and daily life from bygone eras.
8. Old Settler Picnic
ANNUAL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
The Old Settler Picnic is an annual tradition that brings the Hancock community together for celebration and nostalgia. This beloved event features tractor enthusiasts, food vendors, and opportunities for locals and visitors to share memories. The picnic highlights the agricultural heritage of the area while providing family-friendly entertainment.
9. Desoto National Wildlife Refuge
MIGRATORY BIRD HAVEN
Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area spanning over 8,000 acres along the Missouri River floodplain. The refuge is renowned for hosting hundreds of thousands of migratory birds each year, particularly snow geese and ducks. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking trails, fishing, and the Bertrand steamboat exhibit, which features artifacts recovered from an 1865 shipwreck.
10. Loess Hills Scenic Byway
UNIQUE GEOLOGICAL FORMATION
The Loess Hills Scenic Byway winds through a rare geological formation of windblown silt deposits found in only two places in the world. This 220-mile route offers breathtaking panoramic views, access to prairies, forests, and cultural sites. Travelers can explore numerous overlooks, hiking trails, and small towns that showcase Iowa's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
11. Danish Windmill Museum
AUTHENTIC EUROPEAN HERITAGE
The Danish Windmill Museum features an authentic 1848 windmill that was dismantled in Denmark and rebuilt in Iowa. This working windmill stands as a testament to the Danish immigrants who settled in the area during the 19th century. Visitors can tour the mill, explore the museum's exhibits on Danish culture, and purchase traditional Scandinavian goods in the gift shop.
12. Union Pacific Railroad Museum
RAILROAD HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum houses one of the oldest and most comprehensive corporate collections in the United States. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits chronicling the development of the transcontinental railroad and its impact on American history. The museum features artifacts, photographs, and documents spanning over 150 years of railroad innovation and westward expansion.
13. Western Historic Trails Center
PIONEER JOURNEY EXPERIENCE
The Western Historic Trails Center commemorates the Lewis and Clark, Mormon, Oregon, and California trails that converged in the Council Bluffs area. Interactive exhibits and displays tell the stories of the pioneers who traveled west in search of new opportunities and adventures. The center also features outdoor walking paths that follow the Missouri River and provide views of the surrounding landscape.
14. Hitchcock Nature Center
LOESS HILLS ECOSYSTEM
Hitchcock Nature Center encompasses over 1,200 acres of the unique Loess Hills landform with miles of hiking trails through prairies and woodlands. The center features a 45-foot observation tower that provides panoramic views of the Missouri River Valley and surrounding hills. Visitors can participate in educational programs, bird watching, and seasonal events that highlight the area's natural history.
15. Historic Squirrel Cage Jail
REVOLVING CELL DESIGN
The Historic Squirrel Cage Jail is one of only three remaining rotary jails in the United States, built in 1885 with a unique revolving cell design. This architectural oddity features pie-shaped cells that rotated around a central axis, allowing guards to access only one cell at a time for increased security. Today, the building serves as a museum where visitors can learn about historical incarceration methods and the facility's infamous inmates.