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When my lady friends brought up going to Decorah for a weekend get-away, I was hesitant. What was there to do in Decorah? I had vaguely heard of this midwest town, let alone wanting to drive three hours to spend a weekend in northeast Iowa. With a "Thelma & Louise" mentality I ventured on the journey with an open mind. We rode the stunning rolling green hills of southwestern Wisconsin, over the Mighty Miss, and into Iowa. Decorah greeted me with windmills and Toppling Goliath when we arrived on Friday, May 31, 2024. Dorothy's New World Lager started my beer flight and was a great way to start the weekend. The lovely four-beer flight was served to us by Vicky. We immediately began to make pleasantries and connect over the people we knew in common. What I did not know was that this was the start to my weekend, where I felt at home by all the wonderful people I met along the way. Decorah brought me back to my Norwegian roots in a way that I did not expect. The ladies and I stayed at Dolly's Place on Winnebago Street. After settling in, I sat on the front porch to get my bearings. Couldn't help but notice the foot traffic, bikers and dog walkers that traverse Decorah streets and roads. I realized that Dolly's place was in a perfect location for the ladies and me to explore Decorah's downtown and feel "local" as we would blend in perfectly on foot. Sitting across from Decorah Lutheran Church we were entertained by the local musicians and pastors coming and going. We hypothesized that this crew of people were preparing for an upcoming wedding. The large LED screen displayed the temperature of 82 degrees and Hat Day coming up on June 30th. Even though I would not be there, I envisioned a congregation of people all rocking their favorite Luther College, Hawkeye, or possibly a Green Bay Packer ball cap. We decided to eat at La Rana later that evening. La Rana is a hidden gem. At first glance it does not have much curb appeal. With its shades drawn due to the setting sun, it was difficult to see what La Rana had to offer. Once we walked in, however, the vibe was instantly high class. The special of the day, Sea Bass, was paired well with their signature drinks. The wait staff were patient and kind. The kitchen was bumping and the place felt electric. Very fresh and hip. Needing a night cap and a shot of espresso, we headed to Impact Coffee. Rumor was, they had live music. Slim Whimsy was playing. The three-piece band was the perfect energy for the crowd. The music was mellow allowing for conversation and dancing alike. Last stop of the night was T-Bock's to meet up with local friends. The demographics of T-Bock's was much younger than what we experienced earlier in the day. With this youthfulness, the millennial in me expected less-than-stellar customer service. Again, I was pleasantly surprised by the wait staff's polite attentiveness. We woke on day two (Sat. June 1) to a muggy, overcast day. We fueled up with breakfast and a boozy cocktail at Magpie. Delicious! Afterwards, we made a quick visit to the local Farmer's Market. The vendors had all you needed. The quaint lot featured just enough of the typical Farmer's Market fares without overdoing any particular produce. The real "shopping" began with a stroll across Water Street to Modish. This adorable boutique with amazing staff was bombarded with our crew who immediately started grabbing items to try on and showcasing to fellow shoppers. The staff did a great job accommodating and replenishing our potential new tops and bottoms. Bringing us new sizes when needed, they provided great feedback on outfit options. The bathrooms were adorable and well kept. A quick hydration stop at Your Place to fuel our continued credit card purchase was served up by Mo, the clearly well-known bartender. The space felt safe and very much at home. The familiar feeling was only heightened when young mothers and fathers brought their young babies to belly up at the bar….wait….I thought I was in Iowa, not Wisconsin?! J. Tupy's showcased the owner's fine attention to detail and fashion sense. The sales assistant provided many wardrobe suggestions that I never would have chosen for myself. I ended up buying two of her recommendations. The stop at 'Your Place' helped with the important decisions. At the end of Water Street, Don Jose Family Mexican Restaurant's patio greeted us with a pick me up appetizer at the end of our afternoon. Everyone ordered the margaritas along with ample chips, various salsas and a guacamole sampler. With full bellies, we headed back to Dolly's Place for a quick power nap to allow us to continue our Decorah adventures. After quick showers, we sipped a cocktail on the porch while supervising the wedding happening across the street at Decorah Lutheran Church. Next, we hopped in the car for an impromptu Luther College campus tour, before riding out to Luna Valley Farm. The campus was void of students, but one could envision laidback scholars striding between each brick building studying or rushing to class. Luna Valley Farms on the other hand was filled with families and large groups of people, all there for the same reason: pizza. Luna Valley Farms was magical and the sparkling water on tap was a nice touch. After watching the goats on the farm, we returned to town and stopped at Dixie's Biergarten, my favorite stop of the weekend. The variety of beer, ciders and wine was overwhelming. But once selecting our choices, we made our way to the patio where new hops were climbing the pergola providing privacy to the city, but also allowing a bird's eye view to the Upper Iowa River. The patio was filled with what I imagined were locals, laughing, some in intimate conversations. I honestly felt at home. We ended the night at Hotel Winneshiek with delicious martinis crafted by yet again another local lady bartender. The hotel was chic. Its interior design of the lobby was unique and the bar area felt classic. The space was well maintained and a perfect space to have a well-crafted cocktail. Heading back to Dolly's Place on foot was easy and I felt safe. When I awoke on the morning of Sun., June 2, the sound of Decorah Lutheran Church's bells rang welcoming all to worship. Once again I found myself retreating to the front porch to hear the hymns. Basking in the events of the last 48 hours, I reflected on my short trip to Decorah. There was so much more I wanted to see: Twin Springs, hiking trails, Pulpit Rock Brewing Company and Mabe's Pizza, to name a few. All and all, this can only mean that I do need to make it back for Nordic Fest, where the reunion with my Norwegian roots will be complete. Decorah, you surprised me. Editor's note: the guest column appears thanks to a submission by its author. She was so pleased with her weekend in Decorah and requested to have her preceding "documentary" of her weekend published. Become a part of the exclusive circle! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and gain access to special offers, bonus content and insider perks.

Support your local businesses

Decorah: You Earned my Five-Star Review