Newhall IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Newhall, Iowa.
1. Amana Colonies National Historic Landmark
HISTORIC GERMAN SETTLEMENT
Amana Colonies National Historic Landmark is a captivating collection of seven villages established by German immigrants in the 1800s. Visitors can explore preserved buildings, sample traditional German cuisine, and shop for handcrafted goods. The colonies are renowned for their well-preserved buildings, distinctive culture, and rich historical significance.
2. Wickiup Hill Learning Center
NATURAL EDUCATION HUB
Wickiup Hill Learning Center offers interactive exhibits about Iowa's natural history and Native American heritage. The center features hiking trails through diverse ecosystems including woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. Visitors can participate in educational programs and witness local wildlife in their natural habitats.
3. Nick's Bar & Grill
LOCAL DINING FAVORITE
Nick's Bar & Grill serves as a community gathering spot in Newhall offering hearty American fare and cold beverages. The establishment features a casual atmosphere where locals and visitors alike can enjoy comfort food classics. Its friendly service and welcoming environment make it a popular dining option in the area.
4. Ushers Ferry Historic Village
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Ushers Ferry Historic Village recreates an early 20th century Iowa town with over 20 historic buildings. Visitors can step back in time as they explore the schoolhouse, church, general store, and other period structures. The village hosts living history demonstrations and special events throughout the year that bring Iowa's past to life.
5. Walnut Woods State Park
PICTURESQUE WOODLAND HAVEN
Walnut Woods State Park encompasses over 400 acres of majestic walnut trees and natural beauty. Visitors can explore scenic hiking trails, enjoy picnic areas, and observe diverse wildlife throughout the seasons. The park offers recreational opportunities including fishing, bird watching, and nature photography in a tranquil setting.
6. Youngville Cafe & Visitor Center
HISTORIC ROUTE 30 STOP
Youngville Cafe & Visitor Center is a restored 1930s gas station and cafe located along the historic Lincoln Highway. The site serves as both a museum documenting early automobile travel and a visitor information center for the region. Travelers can explore exhibits about America's first coast-to-coast highway while learning about local attractions.
7. 2 Jo's Farm
FAMILY-FRIENDLY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE
2 Jo's Farm offers visitors an authentic farm experience with opportunities to interact with animals and learn about agricultural practices. The working farm welcomes guests to participate in seasonal activities such as pumpkin picking and corn mazes. Families particularly enjoy the educational demonstrations and hands-on farming experiences.
8. Herbert Hoover Birthplace
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL SITE
Herbert Hoover Birthplace preserves the humble cottage where the 31st U.S. President was born in 1874. The grounds include President Hoover's grave site, a reconstructed blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, and a 76-acre tallgrass prairie restoration. Visitors can explore the National Park Service visitor center which interprets Hoover's early life in Iowa through engaging exhibits.
9. Historic General Dodge House
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Historic General Dodge House is an impressive 14-room Victorian mansion built in 1869 for Civil War general and railroad pioneer Grenville Dodge. The three-story historic home features innovative amenities for its time including central heating and hot and cold running water. Tours of this architectural treasure provide insights into 19th-century upper-class life and the accomplishments of this significant historical figure.
10. Terrace Hill
GOVERNOR'S MANSION LANDMARK
Terrace Hill is an opulent Victorian mansion built in 1869 that now serves as Iowa's governor's residence. The historic home sits on eight beautifully landscaped acres featuring Victorian formal gardens and overlooks downtown Des Moines. Visitors can tour this National Historic Landmark to admire its exceptional architecture, period furnishings, and historical significance.
11. Toolesboro Mounds
ANCIENT CULTURAL SITE
Toolesboro Mounds preserves significant archaeological remains of the Hopewell culture that flourished from approximately 200 BC to 300 AD. The five-acre site features several large surviving burial mounds that provide insights into ancient Native American societies. Visitors can explore the education center and prairie demonstration plot to learn about this important prehistoric cultural complex.
12. Farm House Museum
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SHOWCASE
Farm House Museum is the oldest building on Iowa State University's campus and serves as a testament to Iowa's agricultural heritage. The historic structure was built in 1860 and has been restored to reflect various periods of its 150-year history. Visitors can explore period rooms furnished with 19th-century artifacts that illustrate the evolution of American domestic life.
13. George M. Verity Riverboat
HISTORIC MISSISSIPPI VESSEL
George M. Verity Riverboat is a preserved steam-powered towboat that operated on the Mississippi River from 1927 to 1960. This National Historic Landmark offers visitors a glimpse into the golden age of river transportation and commerce. Tours of the vessel showcase the engine room, pilot house, and crew quarters, providing insight into life and work on America's inland waterways.
14. Blood Run Site
INDIGENOUS CULTURAL LANDMARK
Blood Run Site is an important archaeological area that was once a thriving Native American trading center between 1500 and 1700 AD. The site contains remains of lodges, burial mounds, and other cultural features from the Oneota Indigenous people. Visitors can explore interpretive trails while learning about the significant role this settlement played in pre-European Native American commerce and culture.
15. Cedar Rock State Park
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MASTERPIECE
Cedar Rock State Park features a stunning Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence completed in 1950 for local couple Lowell and Agnes Walter. The Usonian home exemplifies Wright's organic architecture philosophy with its integration into the natural landscape overlooking the Wapsipinicon River. Visitors can tour the meticulously preserved home with its original Wright-designed furniture and experience the architect's vision of harmony between structure and environment.