Location: Cresco
Top Things to do in Cresco
Countries
The 10 Best Things to Do in Cresco, United States
Cresco is a city in Howard County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,868 in the 2010 census, a decline from 3,905 in 2000 census. It is the county seat of Howard County.
Restaurants in Cresco
1. Bily Clocks Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 74 reviews
The Bily Clocks Museum & Antonin Dvorak Exhibit has been a favorite attraction of young and old for many years. Visitors return year after year to the enchanting town of Spillville, Iowa, (located thirteen miles southwest of the town of Decorah), to marvel at the unique clocks that two brothers, Frank and Joseph Bily (bee-lee) hand-carved. The clocks depict history, art, religion and culture and are covered with hundreds of expertly carved figures. Some stand over nine feet tall. Also housed in the museum on the second floor is an exhibit in memory of the famous Czech composer, Antonin Dvorak. In the summer of 1893, he along with his family, occupied the second floor of the building. An admission fee is charged. Tours are given regularly.
Reviewed By SuperJ6 - El Paso, Texas
I have always wanted to visit this museum. Took my daughter during the middle of the week to see the hand carved clocks. We joined a tour that had just gotten started. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and knew the stories behind all the clocks and the Bily brothers. It is fascinating to step back into their world to see the fine work that they had done. We also toured the Antonin Dvorak Museum upstairs. This was an assortment of music, instruments and other memorabilia of Dvorak's time in Spillville among other things. The clock tour was about 25 minutes long and then we were free to look at the rest of the exhibits as well as the out buildings.
2. Masters Hotel
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By MB219 - Maryville, Tennessee
Great tour about the part of Laura's childhood she didn't write about, but stayed tuned...her autobiography is being released in August of 2013. Also interesting opportunity to see what a typical "hotel" was like during prairie times. The nearby store/restaurant was not open when we were there.
3. Niagara Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Reviewed By Dix_M123 - Maryville, Missouri, United States
I've visited caves all over the US, but this was a first time at Niagara Cave. It's a limestone cave with some impressive soda straws. Don't look for any large stalagmites or stalactites. The impressive features were the size and depths of the caverns. The tour guides are very interesting; their shared interesting facts about the cave itself and the area. They have an impressive outpost store that is a geology museum in itself with rocks from all over the world. Very nice restroom facilities. They have lovely picnic grounds and 18 hole miniature golf range (first 9 holes are handicap accessible). The grounds are covered with gorgeous plantings of flowers. Lots of great areas for beautiful pictures.
4. Vesterheim
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Through 24,000 artifacts and 12 historic buildings, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum shares the most comprehensive collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world and is a national center for folk-art classes.
Reviewed By keys2manor - Rochester, Minnesota
My wife was keen on exploring some of her heritage, so this German-ancestry husband went along... and I’m glad I did! There are sections on the immigration trip, on early life in America, on their woodworking and artistry, on their work with textiles and crafts, several traveling exhibits of which we totally enjoyed the photos of life on a fjord in the 1800’s by Knud Knudson, and much more, lovely way to spend a couple hours.
5. Dunnings Spring Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By gary19522017 - Franklin, Tennessee
The falls are not spectacular but do provide a nice background for photos. Also if you can catch this place without others around a great place for reflection. Take time to go to the top as it does provide a good view of the falls.
6. Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By LQ4L - Kalamazoo, Michigan
This is a good stop because you learn about a year in Laura Ingalls' life that she did not cover in her Little House series. The tour of the Masters Hotel takes about 45 minutes and the tour was very informative. The hotel looks smaller from the street, but is bigger inside than expected. The old bank across the street is where you sign up for a tour and can purchase Laura Ingalls related items and books. While this is a smaller site than some of the other Laura Ingalls Wilder sites, it is still an important piece of her history and worth a stop.
7. Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Randy K - Des Moines, Iowa
I've lived in the Czech Republic, and while the churches exterior stone work would not be found there (because you have to build with what you have), the design was clearly influenced by Bohemia.
Especially the entrance gate and many of the old tombstones. Like right from Czech Republic. The grounds are immaculate and the interior is ornate.
8. Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
https://www.traillink.com/trail/harmony-preston-valley-state-trail.aspx
Reviewed By AmosRedux - Oshkosh, Wisconsin
This 18 mile trail extends from Harmony through Preston to the Root River Trail. It's mostly flat. However, the six miles just before Harmony involve climbing an 8% grade. You have good protection from sun on most of the trail. The Harmony trail head has water, flush toilets, and food.
9. Trout Run Trail
Overall Ratings
5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By Laura R - Oskaloosa, Iowa
We walked the trailed by the West Main Street access south and walked the trail up through Phelps Park. This portion of the park trail (not part of Trout Run Trail) was pleasant but steep in some areas. The views from the bluff and the bridges made this park stand out from other city parks.
10. Seed Savers Exchange Heritage Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By amarieb22 - Des Moines, Iowa
What an interesting mission! I really enjoyed walking through the clean, organized gift shop. They have an amazing selection of seeds, gardening tools, and books. The grounds are just gorgeous -- gardens, trails, barns, animals. Definitely worth the drive out of town.
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