Latest News From Thornton House in Lansing Iowa
In addition to the Thornton House B&B, we are also now booking the 'Thornton House Cottage', riverfront accommodations for up to four- see the room tour page for further details and pictures.
Thornton House is built on the gentle slope of Mt. Hosmer, our city park.. drive or walk up -either way you get to enjoy this spectacular view:
In addition to a brisk walk up Mt. Hosmer, what are some of the other fun things to do in Lansing? An event you can always count on year 'round is 'eagle viewing' up and down the Mississippi. Bring a camera and binoculars and look for their huge nests and the eagles will usually be nearby. A short walk and you will also find some nice benches for watching The River go by. Lansing is a quaint river town rich in history not to mention four nice restaurants and some interesting shops. I would also encourage you to drive around our town a bit- many of the older buildings and homes have plaques that designate the reasons behind their historical significance. In any event, there's lots more on our our "Area Attractions" page.. be sure to take a look for many more local things to do!
I have to tell you we've been really busy at Thornton House both inside and out with improvements such as updated bedrooms designed to keep our guests comfortable and your stay relaxing. We just added another accommodation callled 'Thornton House Cottage' which is one mile south of Thornton House and takes full advantage of the beautiful riverfront views with a two story 8'x17' porch equipped with comfortable seating. Relax and watch the barges, paddlewheelers and pleasure boats glide by!
Keeping to the 'busy' theme, we have hosted many retreats including quilting retreats and beading retreats where a group of ladies enjoyed cocktails, the company good friends in beautiful and comfortable surroundings where many of them learned the 'Art Of Beading' necklaces and other interesting items. We would be happly to host your next occasion or gathering and can accommodate with great food, tables with task lighting and comfortable seating to make your event trouble-free and enjoyable at a reasonable price point!
Recently, we also hosted a Friday-Sunday "quilt-in" with nine very talented and high spirited quilting ladies. The Thornton House accommodated the quilters with some delicious food along with work tables, comfortable seating and lighting. The work they did over that weekend was nothing short of remarkable! There are more "quilt-ins" planned and they were so much fun we can't wait! Here are some photos from that memorable (and productive) quilting weekend:
Whether you come for a retreat or other gathering or just by yourself or with your other half, you are within an easy walk of The Mt. Hosmer Park (with fantastic vistas of two states), The Mississippi as well as all of historic Lansing's downtown stores and restaurants!
We invite you to come to Thornton House and enjoy your stay in elegant yet casual surroundings with large, comfortable rooms. In the morning, enjoy a full sized help yourself breakfast served daily between 8:00am-9:30am before you plan your day fishing, cruising the Mississippi, hiking, sightseeing or shopping. Our spacious, fully decorated guests rooms with queen-sized beds also offer a basket of shampoos, conditioners, soaps and even a sewing kit in each bathroom and many rooms also include TV's with cable, couches or sitting chairs. We also offer a double room suite with private bathroom with room for four- all at very reasonable rates.
What is in our help-yourself buffet style breakfast?
At the Thornton House Bed and Breakfast, what we call a 'help-yourself breakfast' consists of a main dish such as a spiral cut ham with brown sugar and sherry glaze or stuffed french toast in addition to rich croissants and butter with gourmet jam (We make our own), danish, muffins, sausage or bacon and fresh fruit. We also offer a selection of cereals and oatmeal and for a beverage, you can choose from orange juice or apple juice, tea, coffee and our own blend of rich cocoa . Nobody goes away hungry!
We are known for our great 'small batch' private label home made jams- flavors like Four Sisters Jam (which is our version of a 4 berry jam) and our house favorite 'Apricot with Vanilla Bean Jam' all of which are rich in flavor as we do not thin our jams with water and corn syrup as is done with many grocery store jams. In all, we make approximately 10 different types of jams in our 'Thornton House Reserve' line which we offer for sale to guests in 8oz jars.
We are also known for our hand carved Santas, Bears and Gnomes we offer for sale which are growing in popularity with collectors nationwide. They are carved and painted by the innkeeper (in his free time) and available for you to browse or buy while at the Thornton House. The Santas range in sizes from 6" to one foot tall and make perfect one-of-a-kind gifts for discerning collectors. We have a few in the collection listed for sale here .
Thornton House on the Upper Mississippi River Calls You Back
The Thornton House's luxurious 4800 square feet (3200 square feet on 2 main levels for guests with lower portion with a private entrance owner-occupied) invite you to stretch out and relax in grand style. An inviting open staircase leads to distinctively decorated bedrooms offering views of the beautifully landscaped yard or the Mississippi River valley. So go ahead- light a fire in the living room's marble fireplace. Dine in a large formal dining room. Step through time into the adjoining parlor and out onto the verandah to sit under the shade of the towering Tamarack pine planted by early settlers and experience the elegance and charm Thornton House offers today.
Where eagles soar...
You'll
find plenty to do in the scenic bluff area that surrounds Lansing Iowa. Lansing
Iowa and the surrounding Mississippi River valley provides an abundance of
water sports, hunting and fishing. Bald eagles are frequently seen soaring
over the Mississippi backwaters. And Lansing Iowa's Mount Hosmer summit provides
breathtaking views of Horseshoe Island, the Wisconsin bluffs and the Mississippi
waterway. Take a side jaunt to Effigy Mounds, Pike's Peak, historic McGregor
or visit the quaint area shops. The more adventurous will find gambling, golfing,
cross country and downhill skiing just over a half hour away.
