100+ Things to Do in the Elkader Area

Elkader Cultural &
Entertainment District
What is an Iowa Cultural and Entertainment District?
  • Golf at Elkader Golf and Country Club: 9 Hole Public Course. Open Apr-Oct. 563-245-2230
  • Fishing Public fishing areas include: Turkey and Volga Rivers, Bloody Run, Sny Magill, Big Springs (DNR)
  • Canoe the Turkey River Turkey River Outfitters: 563-245-3802
  • Play Tennis/Volley Ball or Horse Shoes in City Park: Open Year Around. Tennis court lighted.
  • Swim at the Municipal Pool in City Park- 563-245-1510: Open Memorial Day to 1st Day of School.
  • Bowling at CJ Lanes 563-245-2460
  • Hike and Bike Pony Hollow Trail: Begins near City Park at end of Elkader’s East River Walk and follows old railroad tracks for 4.4 miles. Open Year Around.  Also reference IA DOT maps for country roads to bike.
  • Tubing on the Turkey River: Bring your own tubes and put in and take out at your leisure.
  • Horseback Riding with Whistlin’ Bit Saddle Club: Visit www.whistlinbit.net for more  information.
  • Hay rides/Wagon Rides: Contact Julie and Casey Brazell at 563-767-4850 or Linda Beck at Clip Clop Wagon rides and Carriage Service 563-880-0663 or email ClipClop@mail.com
  • Carriage Rides: Contact Linda Beck at Clip Clop Wagon rides and Carriage Service (see #10 for info)  or Julie Kane at The Elkader Jail House Inn 563-245-1159
  • Snowmobiling: Trail begins at Pony Hollow. Obtain map of Iowa Snowmobile trails from DNR
  • Osborne Nature Center Located five miles south of Elkader on Hwy 13; 563-245-1516
  • Sledding at Osborne
  • Snowshoeing at Osborne: Workshop in February
  • Ice Skating on Osborne Pond
  • Enjoy Osborne Nature Center Animal Exhibits
  • Have a picnic in Elkader City Park or Osborne Park. Stop local grocers for picnic supplies.
  • Archery located at Osborne Park: 50 Station, 3D Shot Archery Range. .
  • Walk the River Walk. Start at the Keystone Bridge on Bridge Street across from the Courthouse. River Walk connects to Pony Hollow Trail.
  • Elkader Public Library, Jill Sanders, Director130 North Main Street
    Phone: 563-964-9321
  • Elkader Churches
  • Walking Tour of Elkader’s Cultural and Historical District (Sites on the National Register of Historic Places)
    • St. Joseph’s Church 330-1st Street Southwest 563-245-2548
    • Carter House Museum 100 High Street SE; open 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM weekends and Holidays and by appointment; 563-245-3450
    • Keystone Bridge Crosses the Turkey River on Bridge St. Built in 1888, noted as longest keystone bridge west of The Mississippi River
    • Opera House 207 North Main Street. Built in 1903 and Renovated in 2003-famous for Opera House Players Performances. Elkader City Hall in lower level. Call City Hall to arrange a tour of the Opera House 563-245-2098.
      Private Residences:
    • Davis-Kramer House 405 -1st Street NW
    • Stemmer House 113 Oak Avenue NW
    • Schmidt House 101 Oak Avenue
    • Price House 206 Cedar Street NW
  • Farm Tours: Contact ISU Extension office Clayton County Extension Service, 120 S Main St.,  563-245-1451
  • See a first run movie at the Elkader Cinema.
  • Attend a concert or play at the Elkader Opera House: 207 N Main St., 563-245-2098
  • Enjoy Music in Keystone Park Rhythm by the River: Check calendar of events at www.elkader-iowa.com
  • Tour Motor Mill: www.motormill.org  Clayton County Conservation Board, 563-245-1516
  • See George Maier Rural Heritage Center: Adjacent to City Park, 563-245-1849; Open Fri. Sat. & Sun April-October
  • Osborne Nature Center and Clayton County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens: 5 miles south of Elkader on Hwy 13, 563-245-1516
  • Take a drive on our scenic byways and back roads: www.claytoncountyiowa.com/
  • Farmer’s Market: late spring until fall Located at Keystone Park by the Keystone Bridge.
  • Red Horse Fisheree: 1st Saturday in May check Calendar of Events at www.elkader-iowa.com
  • Sweet Corn Days: Last weekend in July
  • St Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration: March 17th every year
  • Antique Shopping at several shops in Elkader
  • Visit the Amish settlement in the Elkport area, about 15 miles SE of Elkader.
  • Experience our unique variety of lodging opportunities:
  • Camp in the rustic Elkader City Park: located at 605 High Street SE. Open April 1 Nov 1. Shower/Safe Room. 70 sites, water available and dump station adjacent to park.
  • Camp at beautiful Deer Run Resort, 563-245-3337
  • Take the kids to the playground at City Park (see info #56)
  • Spook Cave only 15 minutes north of Elkader 563-873-2141; Open May October, Cave tours, 71 campsites.
  • Research Genealogy  at the Elkader Public Library: 130 N Main St. Phone/fax 563-245-1446
  • Dine in one of our unique eateries:
    • Schera’s Restaurant and Bar: Algerian, Mediterranean and American Cuisine. 107 S Main St.
      563-245-1992 .
    • Fennellys' Irish Pub and Food: 105 1st St. NW  563-245-FOOD (3663); Wonderful menu available at lunch and dinner. Try their delicious desserts.
    • Johnson’s Restaurant: 916 High St. 563-245-2371;  Full menu available plus buffet and bar. Catering available and private party room.
    • Treat’s etc: 110 W Bridge St. 563-245-2242;  Lunch, Gourmet coffee, ice cream and more
    • Drew’s Sports Bar and Grille: 203 S Main St. 563-245-2541; Lunch buffet, home made pizza, short orders from menu. Buffalo wings and Beer specials during the game. Music entertainment twice a month.
    • Subway: 120 S Main St   563-245-2722; 
    • CJ Lanes: 821 NE High St  563-245-2460;  Bowling, lunches, homemade pizza, party room and  Lounge
    • J-N-J Pizza: 127 N Main 563-245-2800
    • Two Mit Burgers: Downtown Elkader at the corner of First and Bridge St.
      Open May-October 4-9PM. Serving hamburgers, cheeseburgers and brats
    • The Burger Barn: 688 Sunburst Lane at Highway 13  563-245-3074 Variety of sandwiches, broasted chicken and great ice cream
    • Visit St. Olaf Tap: 10 minutes from Elkader “World’s largest tenderloin”
    • Visit The Irish Shanti in Gunder: 15 minutes from Elkader “World’s Largest Hamburger
  • Shopping - See our Business Directory for a complete list of shops and services.
  • The Buttery ~
  • Elkader General Store ~
  • Moser’s Pharmacy and Gifts ~
  • The Backstitch ~
  • Holly's Bridal Boutique ~
  • Willow Creek Wine and Garden ~
  • Turkey River Mall ~
  • Antiques on Main ~
  • Carnes TV, Music and Audio ~
  • Elkader Floral and Gifts ~
  • Ishman’s Jewelry ~
  • True Value Coast to Coast ~
  • Witt’s Custom Framing and Gallery ~
  • Bridge St. Boutique ~
  • Elkader Carpet & Design Center
  • Shop at Wilkes Grocery Store: 204 S. Main St.
  • Pedretti’s Bakery: Corner of Main and Bridge Streets
  • Enjoy downtown Elkader, Winner of Great American Main Street Award 2001. Designated as an Iowa Cultural and Entertainment District and part of the Turkey River Corridor Iowa Great Places. Brochures available at City Hall.
  • Attend a Decorating Class at The Buttery, 118 W. Bridge St, 563-245-1406
  • Heritage Days at Osborne in October, 29973 Hwy 13, 563-245-1516
  • Find Lover’s Leap?
  • Visit/Fish Big Springs Trout Hatchery off Gunder Road, 16212 Big Spring Rd., 563-235-2446.
  • Visit/Fish at Elkader City Park. For Information Regarding Elkader City Park Activities contact:
    Elkader City Hall: 207 N. Main St., P.O. Box 427, Elkader, IA 52043, 563-245-2098,
    Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. including the noon hour
  • Do the exercise program on the trail surrounding City Park.
  • Observe Table Rock site of the first Independence Day Celebration in Elkader, and location where Declaration of Independence was first read in Iowa. Located in City Park.
  • Visit Veteran’s Memorials at Clayton County Court House and near City Park.
  • Horseshoes in the City Park
  • Observe training of Standard Bred horses by Dr. Dale Hein near City Park.
  • Enjoy annual fly-ins at Elkader Municipal Park and Emerald Valley Air Park
    Elkader Municipal Airport/Tegeler Aviation, 563-245-2899 or 563-880-2905, 21193 Grape Rd.; Emerald Valley Air Park, 563-245-1701, Hwy 13 South of Elkader
  • For #74-76 below: State Land may be available - contact: Clayton County Conservation, 29862 Osborne Road, Elkader, IA 52043, 563-245-1516. Please respect landowners and state hunting regulations.
  • Deer hunting
  • Turkey hunting
  • Mushroom hunting in the spring
  • Civil War Living History Camp at Motor Mill: 1st weekend in June.  563-245-1516
  • Candlelight Holiday Walk: 1st Thursday in December at Osborne Park 563-245-1516
  • Visit dishntunes.com for all you need to know for food and fun in Northeast Iowa and SW Wisconsin
  * Sites on the National Register of Historic Places

Compiled by the Elkader Lodging Association. The Elkader Lodging Association is a collaborative group providing a variety of quality lodging opportunities and support for the continued growth and culture of Elkader.

Back to Top
Home | Visitors | Residents | Business | Calendar | Attractions | City Hall | Chamber | Contact

© Elkader Area Chamber of Commerce