Hillsboro IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hillsboro, Iowa.
1. Lewelling Quaker Museum
HISTORICAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD SITE
The Lewelling Quaker Museum is a historic site that served as a station on the Underground Railroad. Visitors can explore the preserved home and learn about the Quaker family who risked their lives to help enslaved people escape to freedom. The museum offers a glimpse into 19th century life and the abolitionist movement in Iowa.
2. East Grove Farms
WINERY AND FARM EXPERIENCE
East Grove Farms combines a working farm with a popular winery destination near Hillsboro. Visitors can sample locally produced wines while enjoying the picturesque rural Iowa setting. The farm offers seasonal events and activities throughout the year for guests of all ages.
3. Indian Artifact Museum
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
The Indian Artifact Museum houses an impressive collection of Native American artifacts and natural history exhibits. Visitors can view ancient tools, weapons, pottery, and other items that tell the story of Iowa's indigenous peoples. The museum provides educational displays about the cultural heritage and archaeological significance of the region.
4. Bentonsport Bridge
HISTORIC RIVER CROSSING
The Bentonsport Bridge spans the Des Moines River, connecting the historic village to Vernon. This restored structure offers both pedestrian access and stunning views of the surrounding natural landscape. The bridge serves as a centerpiece for the Bentonsport National Historic District.
5. Bentonsport National Historic District
PRESERVED 19TH CENTURY VILLAGE
The Bentonsport National Historic District preserves a charming 19th-century riverfront village along the Des Moines River. Visitors can stroll through the district to explore historic buildings, artisan shops, and period architecture. The district offers a glimpse into Iowa's past as a thriving river port during the steamboat era.
6. Midwest Electric Railway
VINTAGE TROLLEY EXPERIENCE
The Midwest Electric Railway offers visitors the chance to ride on restored vintage trolleys and streetcars. The museum preserves the history of electric railway transportation through its collection of historic vehicles and exhibits. Visitors can experience what travel was like in the early 20th century during seasonal trolley rides.
7. Midwest Central Railroad
HISTORIC STEAM TRAIN RIDES
The Midwest Central Railroad features authentic steam locomotives and vintage train cars that provide a trip back in time. Visitors can take rides on these restored trains during special events throughout the year. The railroad preserves an important part of Iowa's transportation history through its collection and educational programs.
8. Midwest Old Threshers
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM
Midwest Old Threshers celebrates Iowa's agricultural heritage through extensive collections of vintage farm equipment and demonstrations. The museum hosts the famous Old Threshers Reunion, one of the largest steam power and agricultural heritage events in the United States. Visitors can experience rural Iowa history through hands-on exhibits and operating steam engines, tractors, and other historic farm machinery.
9. Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana
CELEBRATING THEATRICAL HERITAGE
The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana preserves the history of American traveling theatre companies and tent shows. The museum houses an extensive collection of costumes, props, scripts, and promotional materials from the golden age of touring theatre. Visitors can learn about this unique form of entertainment that brought drama, comedy, and music to small towns across America before the era of radio and television.
10. Lake Ahquabi State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Lake Ahquabi State Park offers visitors a beautiful 115-acre lake surrounded by forested hills and recreational facilities. The park features swimming beaches, fishing opportunities, boat rentals, and picnic areas for day visitors. Hikers and nature enthusiasts can explore several miles of trails that showcase Iowa's natural landscapes and wildlife.
11. Maquoketa Caves State Park
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDERS
Maquoketa Caves State Park features a spectacular system of caves and rock formations that visitors can explore. The park contains more caves than any other state park in Iowa, with highlights including Dancehall Cave, Natural Bridge, and Balanced Rock. Hiking trails wind through wooded areas connecting the various geological features throughout the park.
12. Old Capitol
IOWA'S FIRST STATEHOUSE
The Old Capitol served as both the last territorial capitol and the first state capitol of Iowa between 1842 and 1857. The restored Greek Revival building now functions as a museum with period furnishings and exhibits about Iowa's early political history. Visitors can explore the impressive central dome, legislative chambers, governor's office, and supreme court room to learn about Iowa's journey to statehood.
13. Herbert Hoover Birthplace
PRESIDENTIAL HERITAGE SITE
The Herbert Hoover Birthplace preserves the modest cottage where the 31st President of the United States was born in 1874. The site includes the presidential library and museum, the graves of President and Mrs. Hoover, a reconstructed blacksmith shop, and a one-room schoolhouse. Visitors can also explore the 76-acre tallgrass prairie restoration project that surrounds the historic buildings.
14. Historic General Dodge House
VICTORIAN MANSION TOUR
The Historic General Dodge House is an impressive 14-room Victorian mansion built in 1869 for Civil War General Grenville Dodge. The three-story home features advanced amenities for its time including central heating and running hot and cold water. Visitors can tour the elegantly preserved interior which showcases the life of this important figure in Iowa's history who worked as a railroad builder, banker, and politician.
15. The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD STATION
The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House, built in 1856, served as an important station on the Underground Railroad helping enslaved people escape to freedom. The home was constructed by Reverend Hitchcock, a Congregational minister and dedicated abolitionist. In 2001, the site received recognition from the National Park Service as part of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.