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Villages Folk School Quilting Classes Villages Folk School Container Candle Classes |
("Things to do, Places to go, People to see") Bentonsport: www.bentonsport.com Shopping: Most shops open daily: 10am to 5pm, April - Oct. and weekends only in Nov. and Dec. The Greef General Store is where you can find antiques, crafts, and delicious homemade fudge! (319) 592-3579 www.greefstore.com Iron & Lace features Queen Anne's Lace pottery and hand-forged artistic ironwork by our own artists-in-residence, Bill and Betty Printy. (319) 592-3222 www.ironandlace.com
Bill and Betty at work. Gems 4 Me offers stones and gems and Bentonsport collectable objects. www.gems4meonline.com Things to see: Indian Artifact Museum: Home to an extensive collection of Native American Indian artifacts including an impressive display of arrowheads (open by chance or appointment).
Old Presbyterian Church Building:
Visit this historic building on the hill north of the
village. Open daily 10am to 5pm, May - Nov. The building is
available to rent for weddings, programs, services, etc. Call the
Historic Bridge: Built in 1882 for horse and buggy traffic, this bridge is the oldest and longest iron truss bridge still in use across the Des Moines River. Open to foot and bicycle traffic. (Photo by Steve Stimmel)
Vernon Schoolhouse:
On the south side of the river (and up the hill a little ways) stands the
handsome three story Vernon Schoolhouse. Built in 1868, it was in use
until 1960. It is now a private home and studio. (Open by chance or
appointment.)
Rose Garden: Set within the rock walls of the old Mill foundations, this garden is complete with walkways, benches, water garden, and a variety of perennial plants. A great place for a picnic or wedding, or just sit and read in the peace and quiet.
Things to do: Have a picnic in the park. * Hike the Nature Trail north of town. * Take the Self-Guided Walking Tour of Bentonsport. * Hunt, fish, and watch the eagles during the winter season. * Enjoy the sunrise and sunset on the river. (Photo by Steve Stimmel) *Take a class with the Villages Folk School -
Bonaparte: www.bonaparte-iowa.com Shop for crafts and antiques at Cottonwood Corner and Midwest Memories Antiques. Tour the Historic Bonaparte Pottery Archeological Site (www.bonaparte-pottery.com) Restaurants: 1. Bonaparte's Retreat in the old grist mill (319) 592-3339 2. Jet Stop - convenience store with gas, pop, sandwiches, pizza, eat in or take out. (319) 592-3281
Keosauqua: www.keosauqua.com Hiking, fishing, swimming at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park and Lake Sugema Swimming pool, golf course, tennis courts at Riverview Country Club (319) 293-3200 Restaurants: 1. Riverbend Pizza - pizza, steak, salad, sandwiches (319) 293-9900 2. Cup and Cakes - (319) 293-8200 3. Misty's Malt Shop- Open Sundays. Hamburgers, BBQ sandwiches, ice cream OPEN SUNDAYS 4. Mike & Niki's Pizza and Steakhouse - pizza, steak, salad, sandwiches, pasta, OPEN SUNDAYS (319) 293-3999 Hawkeye Canoe Rental: rent a canoe for fun on the river (319) 293-3550 Van Buren County Fair - July Whispering Pines Winery - Owned and operated by Steve & Becki Tucker, 18356 222nd Street, Keosauqua www.whisperingpinewinery.biz Kaiser Home Winery - Located 7 miles west of Keosauqua on J-40. Open weekends 9am to 5pm. (319) 293-6154 www.KaiserHomeWinery.com Crane Winery - A new, small family owned business in a small town setting. (641) 936-4355 Open Fridays 5pm to 10pm, Sat. & Sunday 11am to 5pm 11420 Main St., Hwy 16, Selma. Stone Fox Winery - Newly opened, located in Birmingham. Open weekends. 210 E. Cedar, Birmingham (319) 498-4331 Cantril: http://cantril-iowa.com Dutchman's Store: bulk food items, fabric, shoes & boots, homemade items, fresh produce and other grocery items. (Run by Mennonites for the Amish.) Walk the lovely Waubonsie Park trails. Visit the 4-story round barn at Wickfield Farm (open by appointment). Built in 1918. (319) 293-3129 Milton Creamery - Delicious cheeses and cheese curds, made on premises. 202 East Hwy 2, Milton (641) 656-4094 miltoncreamery@emypeople.net Farmington: http://farmingtoniowa.com Shimek State Forest is the largest of Iowa's three state forests with 9,000 acres. Four large ponds are stocked with fish. Electric trolling motors allowed. Public hunting in season. Winter sports and equestrian trails. Indian Lake Park is located SW of Farmington on Hwy. 81. The park is 177 acres, including a 44-acre lake with great fishing. There is a 2-mile multi-purpose trail around the lake. Boat rentals and swimming available. Farmington's Strawberry Festival is the 2nd weekend in June. Crafts, flea market items, and lots of free ice cream with strawberry topping! Bridge Cafe & Supper Club - Open Tues - Sat. Homemade pies, entree menu, Sunday noon buffet. (319) 878-4000 H & K Pony Express - Salad, sandwiches, dinner buffet OPEN SUNDAYS
Mt. Pleasant: Don't miss the Old Threshers Reunion held annually in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Always 5 days ending on Labor Day. This year's dates: Sept. 1 - 5. Only 45 minutes north of Bentonsport on Hwy. 218. www.oldthreshers.org . Spend the day there, and have a pleasant nights rest here!
Nauvoo: Visit the historic town and shops. See the rebuilt Mormon Temple. Golf in Nauvoo at the Great River Road Golf Club (800-233-0060). www.golfnauvoo.com
Baxter Winery:
Baxter's Vineyards is a small family-owned winery
in Nauvoo, Illinois. The winery was established in 1857 by Emile Baxter and
continues in the family. Kelly Logan is the fifth generation Baxter to grow
grapes and apples. He and his wife Brenda are still producing and bottling
Baxter's Old Nauvoo Brand wines. Baxter's Vineyards offers free wine tasting
& self guided winery tours daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday &
Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit their website at
Fort Madison: Tour the old Fort, the museums and shops.
Heartland Harvest Winery:
Heartland Harvest Vineyard & Winery is a two family
owned company that sets just outside historic Fort Madison Iowa on the bluff
overlooking the Mississippi River with a seven acre developing vineyard in
the country. They offer quality wines made from French Hybrid and American
varietals. They also make country fruit wines. They offer free tasting in
the
spacious tasting room and wine shop with many made-in-Iowa area items.
They
have live music in the Wine Garden April thru October. Ask how they can help
you plan for your upcoming special outdoors event.
Phone: 319-372-7552
Keokuk: See the lock and dam system in action! Experience a Civil War Reenactment in Rand Park, April TBA. Reenactments take place Saturday at 3pm and Sunday at 2:30pm. Check their Events Calendar for more fun things to do at www.leecounty.org . Spend the day there and have a pleasant nights rest here!
Local Area: 1. WHO Radio Great Iowa Tractor Ride: TBA
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