Onslow IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Onslow, Iowa.
1. Little Bear Country Club
SCENIC GOLFING DESTINATION
Little Bear Country Club offers a picturesque golfing experience in the heart of Jones County. The club features well-maintained greens and fairways that appeal to both novice and experienced golfers. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful rural setting while testing their skills on this charming course.
2. Onslow City Park
COMMUNITY RECREATION HUB
Onslow City Park serves as the central gathering place for community events and outdoor recreation. The park offers various amenities for families and visitors looking to enjoy the outdoors in this small Iowa town. Throughout the year, the park hosts local celebrations that showcase the tight-knit community spirit of Onslow.
3. Wicks Pizzeria and Ice Cream
LOCAL CULINARY FAVORITE
Wicks Pizzeria and Ice Cream is a beloved local eatery serving homemade pizza and ice cream treats to residents and visitors alike. The restaurant offers a cozy, small-town atmosphere perfect for casual dining experiences. Their menu combines classic comfort food with friendly service that exemplifies Iowa hospitality.
4. Grant Wood Scenic Byway
HISTORIC COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE
The Grant Wood Scenic Byway passes near Onslow, offering travelers a picturesque drive through landscapes that inspired the famous American artist Grant Wood. This 68-mile route winds through rolling hills, farmland, and small towns that showcase Iowa's rural beauty. Visitors can experience the same vistas that influenced Wood's iconic artwork including 'American Gothic.'
5. Wyoming Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Wyoming Historical Museum preserves the rich history of this area of Jones County through artifacts, photographs, and exhibits. Housed in a historic building, the museum showcases the development of the community from its early settlement days. Visitors can discover the stories of local pioneers, agricultural traditions, and the evolution of rural Iowa life.
6. Edinburgh Manor
HISTORIC HAUNTED LANDMARK
Edinburgh Manor is a historic former poor farm and mental health facility located near Onslow that dates back to 1911. The imposing brick structure has gained fame for its reported paranormal activity and spooky atmosphere. Today, the manor attracts history buffs and ghost hunters who can tour the facility to learn about its complex past and alleged hauntings.
7. Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING
Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery offers a delightful wine-tasting experience near Onslow with locally produced wines from Iowa-grown grapes. The family-owned winery features a charming tasting room where visitors can sample various award-winning wines. Guests can enjoy the peaceful rural setting while learning about viticulture in Iowa's unique growing conditions.
8. Whitewater Canyon Preserve
NATURAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Whitewater Canyon Preserve encompasses over 560 acres of diverse habitats including woodland, prairie, and limestone bluffs. The preserve offers hiking trails that wind through stunning natural landscapes where visitors might spot native wildlife and rare plant species. Its unique topography makes it one of the most ecologically diverse natural areas in eastern Iowa.
9. Maquoketa Caves State Park
SPECTACULAR CAVE EXPLORATION
Maquoketa Caves State Park features a remarkable system of caves and rock formations that visitors can explore through a network of trails. The park contains more caves than any other state park in Iowa, including the impressive Dancehall Cave with its lighted walkway. Beyond cave exploration, visitors can enjoy picnicking, camping, and hiking through the wooded landscape.
10. Wyoming Fair
TRADITIONAL COUNTY EVENT
The Wyoming Fair is an annual celebration that brings together residents from Onslow and surrounding communities for agricultural exhibitions, entertainment, and social gathering. The fair features livestock shows, tractor pulls, carnival rides, and local food vendors that showcase rural Iowa culture. This long-standing tradition highlights the agricultural heritage that remains vital to the region's identity.
11. Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL LANDMARK
The Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge is a historic wooden bridge originally built in 1870 and now located in Winterset City Park. The bridge represents Iowa's famous covered bridge heritage that was immortalized in the novel and film 'The Bridges of Madison County.' Visitors can walk through this preserved 79-foot span and admire its traditional timber truss construction.
12. Iowa Old Capitol Museum
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Iowa Old Capitol Museum stands as the most prominent landmark at the center of the University of Iowa's campus. This National Historic Landmark served as Iowa's first permanent state capitol building from 1842 until 1857 when the state government relocated to Des Moines. Today, visitors can tour the restored Greek Revival building to learn about Iowa's early governmental history through exhibits and preserved chambers.
13. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL BIRTHPLACE MEMORIAL
The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site preserves the birthplace and childhood home of America's 31st president. The site features the modest cottage where Hoover was born in 1874, along with a presidential library, museum, and reconstructed blacksmith shop representing his father's trade. Visitors can walk through the tallgrass prairie and Quaker meetinghouse that shaped Hoover's early years before his rise to the presidency.
14. Winterset City Park
HISTORIC PARK COMPLEX
Winterset City Park spans 76 acres of historical landmarks and recreational amenities near Onslow. The park features the historic Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge, a unique hedge maze, and the Clark Tower stone lookout structure. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful landscapes while exploring multiple historic structures preserved within the park grounds.
15. Roseman Covered Bridge
FAMOUS MOVIE LOCATION
The Roseman Covered Bridge is perhaps the most iconic of Iowa's few remaining covered bridges, made famous by its featured role in the novel and film 'The Bridges of Madison County.' Built in 1883, this 107-foot timber structure spans the Middle River and represents a nostalgic piece of American architectural history. Visitors can walk through the bridge and enjoy the peaceful rural setting that has attracted tourists since the movie's release in 1995.