Area Attractions and Web Links
While staying at the Thornton House, we hope you enjoy the 1873 Italianate Mansion comfortably held by three generations of the Thornton family. If you do have to leave the luxury of the estate during your stay, we hope you find this information on our small town nestled in the wooded bluffs on the Mississippi River useful! As we are conveniently located within a block of Main St, you will be able to walk to most every store.
Things To Do Within a Ten Minute Walk of Thornton House
While staying at The Thornton House, we are in a truly historic rivertown and these are some of the things that you have just have to try!
Biking! The Mississippi River Trail is a huge Federal project that will soon allow a bicyclist to travel on a designated trail along the Mississippi River from the headwaters in Minnesota all the way down to the Gulf. (click here for more information) Just completed is a brand new bike trail that consists of an 8' marked bicycle easement on both sides of highway #26 that goes north from Lansing to New Albin, approximately 15 miles. The River scenery is unparalleled, the eagles are plentiful and we are happy to have this portion of the bicycle trail ready to ride! The next phase to begin any day will connect Lansing to Harpers Ferry to our south and will include lookouts and adjacent trails. Even if you do not bike, plan to sightsee along our part of The River -I can offer some additional points of interest once you arrive.
Trout Fish! Clear Creek Park in Lansing is a State Water that is stocked yearly and reports are that it is trout-plentiful. There are several spots you can fish from on city property that are well maintained and provide easy access and parking to this truly "clear" creek. If you enjoy fishing or just want to see the creek, ask Frank for details on these spots and others in the area upon arrival.
Mississippi River Explorer- offers regularly guided boat tours on The Mississippi River. Once these boats slip into the backwaters of The River where you cannot see imminent signs of civilization, you will get a real feeling of what early settlers would have witnessed- the fish, the wildlife and the uplifting feeling of being that close to it all is truly an amazing experience. Our guests have all raved about these boat trips! Proceed down Main St. to The River to board these tours.
Mt. Hosmer City Park. Not your average city park, this amazing 104 acre park overlooks panoramic vistas over 800ft above the Mississippi River and beyond. You will want to bring your camera and maybe even a picnic lunch to enjoy... there are ample picnic tables as well as restroom facilities. Some guests have hiked up the road to the park from Thornton House but unless you are ready for a hearty hike up I would recommend driving up to the top where there is ample parking. (Free Admission)
River History Museum, 60 S. Front St. Lansing. Lansing's unique history as a river town comes to life in this specialized museum, featuring a collection of memorabilia from the early development of the town. Authentic wooden boats and artifacts offer visitors a glimpse at the early clamming and clamshell button industries as well as commercial fishing and ice harvesting. An extensive photograph collection documents the growth of this Iowa river town, which was an important ferry point for immigrants crossing the Mississippi River in the early days of westward expansion. Telephone (563) 538-4641 or (563) 538-3943 for more information. Open some summer weekends or by appointment. (Free Admission)
Our new public library offers free computer/internet access along with a great book and magazine collection with attractive and comfortable areas to sit and read. Derva Burke is our helpful librarian. One block from Thornton House.
It's also worth a drive around our river town to see the many historical buildings we have in Lansing- some of which are solid quarried limestone. Many of our historical buildings have markers placed by the road that identify the background and interesting history of these unique buildings.
Things To Do Within a Short Drive of Thornton House
First and foremost, we are located along the Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge in one of the most scenic areas within the 3 state area and a short 30 minute drive north will yield beatiful views of The River as well as various scenic overlooks where the bird and eagle watching is nothing short of fantastic.
Canoe! Here is a spot that was recently finished that offers a great canoe trail on the Mississippi River in New Albin, just about a 15 minute drive North of Lansing. Click Here for more information.
S&S Boat Rentals South Lansing Iowa 800-728-0131,
talk to Sue and rent a houseboat or a smaller boat just for the day.. they
have been operating since 1960 and have all you need to get out on the water
yourself!
Clements Fishing Barge - (a 20 minute drive north) Located in Genoa WI which is just a short drive above Lansing. Since 1937, these folks have ferried fisherman across the River to a barge on an island by the dam where for $15 you can fish The River all day. They are right when they say the fishing there is spectacular! For a fee they even supply the tackle and bait.
Yellow River State Park- (about a 20 minute drive south) The over 8 thousand acres in size this State Park are absolutely stunning in the fall. The park has camping facilities and many groomed hiking trails that take you past clear, cold creeks and ponds that illustrate today what the Indians in our area saw thousands of years prior.
A short 40 minute drive to quaint Gays Mills on the Kickapoo River in Wisconsin will yield remarkably scenic valleys, trout creeks, majestic bluffs and in season the apple orchards just a mile outside of the town are truly fantastic. See the site for more details but some must-see events are: Crawford County Fair (July), Spring Festival Mothers Day weekend (has the largest flea market I've ever seen) and finally the not-to-be-missed Apple Festival (last full weekend in September). I recommend taking Highway #35 south to #171 (left). Stay on #171 and it will take you directly to Gays Mills- a very scenic drive! If you go to the orchards in-season, the Fleming Orchard has the best apple dumplings I have ever had, complete with a rich caramel sauce for around $2. Where else can you sit in a dining area and eat a delicious apple dumpling , sip hot apple cider while watching their funny little goats climb around and over their perches in their pen with funny-looking fancy chickens strutting underneath them?
Norskedalen Norwegian Nature & Heritage Center (about a 40 minute drive). Norskedalen, which is located in Coon Valley, Wisconsin began in 1977. Norskedalen means "Norwegian Valley." Dr. Alf Gundersend and his wife, Carroll donated the land to be used as an outdoor laboratory and arboretum. Since the Gundersen family established this beautiful place, Norskedalen has grown to include over 400 acres. Norskedalen includes the Thrune Visitor's Center, the Bekkum Homestead, the Skumsrud-Thrune farm, a heritage trail, the Gundersent Arboretum, numerous hiking trails, streams and spectacular land. November-October, recommended!
Julia Belle Swain Steamboat Rides- (a 35 minute drive) A truly fascinating steamboat with an original steam engine this is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon- they even have breakfast, lunch and dinner cruises! The throaty roar of the original steamwhistle will make you feel as though this boat is 'alive' when you hear it blow. (Opens June 1st)
Villa Louis Mansion: (about a 30 minute drive) Organized guided tours of a beautiful, ornate Italianate mansion and outbuildings. Recommended!
Effigy Mounds State Park: (about a 30 minute drive) A beautiful drive down the scenic River Road, you will pass by the old Wexford stone church just outside of Lansing which is also well worth a stop. The rock mounds in the State Park are in the shape of various animals and are even visible from outer space. If the 'Moonlight Tour' is available in the fall don't miss it!
Pikes Peak State Park: (about a 30 minute drive) Great views just slightly higher than our own Mt. Hosmer in Lansing. If you go, they also feature a small hike to Bridal Veil Falls which is a lower flow waterfall but fascinating nonetheless.
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum (about a 45 minute drive) One of the largest Norwegian-American museums I have ever seen. While in Decorah, check out Dunning's Spring Falls Park where they have a beautiful waterfall with a 40ft drop.
Spook Cave Tours (about
a 45 minute drive) A really interesting tour -by boat- through the cave. Dont
forget to check out their waterfalls
as well!
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum: (about an hour 15 min drive)
A few web links you may find helpful...
Mississippi Valley Realty - serving SW Wisconsin and NE Iowa, let Theresa help you get your vacation property today!Fishing Lodges- a large, searchable database (US and Canada) of fishing trips and lodges.
Lansing Iowa Web Site- Includes current events in Lansing as well as a bit of Lansing history with pictures.
Big River Buttons- materials for weaving, spinning, knitting, playing with beads, buttons and threads .
Moore's IGA Grocery Store- 312 Main St, Lansing Iowa 563-438-4774
Restaurants in Lansing Iowa:
TJ Hunters Pub and Grill. 377 Main St. Lansing, Iowa 563-538-4544 , steaks, chicken and if you are lucky a tasty Thursday BBQ buffet! They also operate the "Tiki Bar " at the Marina. The Tiki Bar offers a tropical or Key West feel right on the Mississippi!
Milty's. 200 Main St. Lansing, Iowa 563-538-4585
Red Barn Resort & Campground (Summer Months). 2609 Main Street Hwy 9 West Lansing, Iowa 563-538-4956
Shops in Lansing Iowa
The Red Geranium, End of Main St. (On The River), Lansing Iowa 563-538-3943
Upscale Resale, 224 Main St., 563-568-9554, womens clothing, antiques and collectibles.
Eagle's Nest Gallery, 249 Main St., Lansing Iowa 563-538-3879
Bartel's Hardware, Main St, Lansing Iowa 563-538-4431 (antiques upstairs)
Riverland Expressions, 317 Main St. Lansing Iowa (563)538-4751
Liquor Store, 417 Main St. Lansing Iowa (563)538-4326
Horsfall's Lansing Variety Store, 300 Main St. Lansing Iowa (563)538-4966
Wall-Marks Antique Gallery, Sandwich & Ice Cream Parlor, 197 Main St. Lansing Iowa (Main St. almost to The River) ..a $2.00 sundae? you bet!
Riverwood Studio, 341 Main St. Lansing Iowa (563)538-4283
A Space Gallery, 267 1/2 Main St. Lansing Iowa (563)538-4691 hours by chance.
