Northboro IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Northboro, Iowa.
1. Shenandoah Golf Course
SCENIC GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Shenandoah Golf Course offers golfers a picturesque setting for their game just over 10 miles from Northboro. The course features well-maintained greens and fairways that provide a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Visitors can enjoy a complete golfing experience with amenities including a clubhouse and practice facilities.
2. Wabash Trace Nature Trail
HISTORIC RAIL TRAIL
Wabash Trace Nature Trail offers outdoor enthusiasts a scenic path through Iowa's countryside with a trailhead in Shenandoah. The converted railroad corridor provides hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers with miles of recreational opportunities. Visitors can experience the natural beauty of southwest Iowa while exploring this well-maintained trail.
3. Greater Shenandoah Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVED
Greater Shenandoah Historical Society Museum showcases the rich history of the Shenandoah area through engaging exhibits and artifacts. The museum offers visitors insight into the development of the region and the lives of its early settlers. History enthusiasts can explore collections that highlight significant events and cultural milestones that shaped the community.
4. Nodaway Valley Historical Museum
VALLEY'S PAST REVEALED
Nodaway Valley Historical Museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts and exhibits documenting the region's past. The museum provides visitors with a glimpse into rural Iowa life through various historical periods. Guests can explore displays featuring agricultural implements, household items, and photographs that tell the story of Nodaway Valley.
5. Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum
SWING ERA LEGEND
Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum celebrates the life and legacy of the famous big band leader who was born in Clarinda. The museum features an extensive collection of memorabilia, including personal items, recordings, and photographs from Miller's influential career. Visitors can learn about Miller's contributions to music and his impact on American culture during the swing era.
6. Painting Barn
CREATIVE ARTS CENTER
The Painting Barn offers visitors a creative outlet in the heart of Northboro. This arts center provides classes and workshops for aspiring artists of all ages and skill levels. Guests can express themselves through various painting techniques while enjoying the rustic charm of this converted barn setting.
7. Devonian Fossil Gorge
ANCIENT MARINE DISCOVERIES
Devonian Fossil Gorge showcases remarkable rock formations dating back over 375 million years. Visitors can observe the fossilized remains of ancient marine life that once inhabited the area during the Devonian period. The site provides a fascinating opportunity to step back in time and experience Iowa's prehistoric past.
8. American Gothic House
ICONIC ARTISTIC LANDMARK
The American Gothic House is the iconic backdrop featured in Grant Wood's famous painting. Visitors can pose with prop pitchforks to recreate their own version of the celebrated artwork. The adjacent visitor center offers period costumes for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the American Gothic experience.
9. Maharishi Vedic City
IDEAL CITY LIVING
Maharishi Vedic City was established in 2001 as a model of ideal city life near Fairfield. The city features the Maharishi Vedic Observatory which displays the structure of the universe in compact form. Visitors can also experience The Raj, an internationally acclaimed health center and spa focused on Ayurvedic treatments.
10. Matchstick Marvels
MINIATURE MATCHSTICK MASTERPIECES
Matchstick Marvels features incredible sculptures created entirely from ordinary wooden matchsticks by artist Patrick Acton. Since 1977, Acton has crafted intricate scale models of famous structures like the Challenger spacecraft and Notre Dame Cathedral. Visitors can marvel at these detailed works that required millions of matchsticks to construct.
11. National Sprint Car Hall of Fame
RACING HISTORY PRESERVED
The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame preserves the rich history of sprint car racing and its notable achievers. The museum houses an impressive collection of historic race cars, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits celebrating this exciting motorsport. Every August, thousands of racing enthusiasts flock to Knoxville for the prestigious Knoxville Nationals event.
12. Historic Squirrel Cage Jail
UNIQUE ROTATING CELLS
The Historic Squirrel Cage Jail features a rare rotary jail design that once housed inmates in pie-shaped cells. Built in 1885, this architectural oddity is one of only three remaining examples of this unusual prison concept in the United States. Visitors can tour this National Register of Historic Places site and learn about its innovative but problematic rotating cell block system.
13. Swinging Bridge
HISTORIC PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
The Swinging Bridge offers visitors a thrilling pedestrian crossing experience high above Monkey Run Creek. This historic suspension bridge has been a landmark in the area since its original construction in the early 1900s. Adventurous travelers can enjoy the gentle sway of the bridge while taking in scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
14. All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club
GRASSCOURT TENNIS EXPERIENCE
The All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club features a meticulously maintained grass court inspired by Wimbledon. Tennis enthusiasts can experience playing on this unique surface, which is rare to find in the United States. The private court, built by a devoted tennis fan, offers players a chance to enjoy the game in a setting that replicates the prestigious English tournament.
15. Buddy Holly Crash Site
MUSIC HISTORY MEMORIAL
The Buddy Holly Crash Site marks the tragic location where rock and roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson perished in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. A memorial featuring a steel guitar and three records commemorates the musicians at this solemn site often referred to as "the day the music died." Music fans make pilgrimages to this historic location to pay their respects to the influential artists whose lives were cut short.