Things to Do
Things To Do Within 15 Minutes of the Hotel
Lowden Historical Society: Have an interest in history? Visit our community historical society and see where all the pictures in the lobby came from. Local historians who are descendents of our early settlers have kept history current. In the park in downtown Lowden. (By appointment only) Ruth Kruckenberg 563-944-7700 or Eunice Boedeker 563-941-5859.
3-30 Golf & Country Club: Bring your clubs and enjoy golf at our beautiful 9-hole course developed in the 1960's. Or bring you suit and take a dip in the pool. Open from May through October, the course is open to the public when tournaments aren't scheduled. 101 Country Club Lane, Lowden. Phone: 563-941-7695.
Suggested Day Trips (Within 30 minutes of hotel)
Antiquing: Discover antique shops in Lisbon, Mount Vernon, Maquoketa, and Tipton and scattered in between. The drive to any of these towns can be made in about 30 minutes. While on the journey you will enjoy the beautiful rolling hills of rural Eastern Iowa.
Aquatic Center: Head to Tipton if you enjoy swimming, bring the kids and enjoy water play at the Aquatic Center. Open year round. Phone: 563-886-2271.
Bicycling: Many bicycle organizations plan bike trips through the area and you can bring your bike and enjoy the journey from here. The Lincoln hotel is located at the junction of Herbert Hoover and Old Lincoln Highway, both historic and scenic byways that serve bikers from all over the country.
Eagle Roost: a lovely 20 minute drive from here the Wapsi River Environmental Center offers the eagles a place to roost in the evenings from November through March. Observe the majesty of nature in an environment where informed naturalists share their knowledge. North of Dixon, Iowa
Your Guide to Bed, Breakfast and Biking: Welcome to our web site, biking and hiking vacations are becoming more popular than ever. So here is a handy helper, Your Guide to Bed, Breakfast and Biking ("the Bike/Hike Guide")!
Eastern Iowa Tourism: As you travel one of our Scenic Byways or Historic Routes you'll see the beauty of meandering streams, the mighty Mississippi River, rolling hills, towering limestone bluffs, patchwork countrysides, unexpected wildlife, and quaint villages.
Eden Valley Refuge: Eden Valley Refuge is situated on 201 acres of beautiful forested hills and is a wonderful place to commune with nature. The park has 4 miles of trails, camping, a swinging bridge, and an observation tower.
Horseback Riding: enjoy riding over 200 acres of wooded timber, meadows and riverside trails with a friendly guide at Cedar Valley Stables in Tipton. Phone: 563-886-3752.
Jackson County Historical Museum: This local history museum has a country school, antique agricultural equipment, period rooms, and changing events and displays.
Tipton: Enjoy Tipton's charming shops while strolling their newly restored downtown. Stop at the 1903 Carnegie Library and view an exclusive Grant Wood Art Collection. If you're a history buff visit the Cedar County Historical Museum or the Old Jail, and while in town cruise the residential areas to view the many lovely restored Victorian Homes.
Tabor Vineyards and Winery: Home of award-winning wines, the Tabor winery is the oldest vineyard in the state. One of their featured wines was served at Governor Vilsack's inaugural dinner. Wine tasting. 3570 67th Street, Baldwin, Iowa. Phone: 563-673-3131.
Voy Outdoor Theatre: Enjoy an old-fashioned "drive in" theatre on the outskirts on Highway 64 south of Maquoketa. The theater is one of the few still operating in the United States. Open April - October. Phone: 563-652-3535.
Walnut Grove Park Toronto, IA: 24 acres along the Wapsipinicon River. Camping, boat ramp, boating, fishing, picnicking, playground.
Seasonal Attractions
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library: The permanent galleries tell the story of Hoover's fifty years of public service and the large temporary gallery features changing exhibits. The Library and Museum also includes a 180 seat auditorium, a multi-purpose room and a conference room.
Rock Island Arsenal Museum: Rock Island Arsenal Museum is the Army's second oldest museum. It first opened to the public on July 4, 1905. The primary mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island.
LeClaire Information Center: Home of the "American Pickers" as seen on HISTORY Channel. The two-story former fabrication shop is the home base for the American Pickers and now houses some of the best picks and a merchandise store. Open to the public"
Buffalo Bill Museum: The Buffalo Bill Museum was established in 1957 by the LeClaire's Women's Club (now defunct), and was originally located in a store front on Cody Road (Hwy. 67) in LeClaire, IA. Its primary exhibits featured local river pilot artifacts, Buffalo Bill memorabilia, local Indian history, and items common to homes in the early 1800's throughout the region.
Figge Art Museum: The premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building on the banks of the Mississippi, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, is home to one of the Midwest's finest art collections, and hosts world-class traveling exhibitions. Its studios, auditorium and spacious lobby are alive with art classes, lectures and special events that attract visitors of all ages.
Putnam Museum and Science Center: Almost 150 years after its founding, the Putnam continues to thrive, offering unique, immersive, hands-on learning experiences to 150,000 visitors annually, including 35,000 school children each year.
National Mississippi River Museum & Acquarium: The Mission of the Dubuque County Historical Society and its National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is to explore life of Dubuque, the Mississippi River, and the Rivers of America and their global connections, and to research, interpret, educate and promote the conservation of their historical and natural environment.
The Lowden Garden Walk: The Lowden Garden Club organizes a bi-annual event in June (on even years) that features 5 or 6 beautiful gardens and gardening experts. Ph:Barb McCreight 563-941-5829.
Lincoln Highway Festival: Enjoy a parade, tournaments, carnival rides, picnics, cake walks, and dances at the Clarence Park in August annually.
Upper Mississippi Wine Trail: Tour through 5 wineries and a Cider business. Enjoy a holiday wine & food tour in November and in April visit the wineries for a Spring Wine 7 Cheese open house. A lovely drive to view our up and coming Iowa Wine industry.
Adventurous Activities
Sky Tours at YMCA Union Park Camp: Experience all NINE (9) ziplines on a 2-hour guided tour of historic Union Park! Tour start times vary with the day of the week. To check availability for a certain day, click "Reserve Online Now" or call 563.484.4248. [The Iowa Public Television video (below) was produced shortly after Sky Tours opened with its seven initial ziplines. Since then, we've added two more ziplines.
Celebration River Cruises: Celebration River Cruises is a family owned and operated business. The Schadler family is involved in every aspect of the boat's day to day operations from cooking the food fresh daily, helping serve their guests, keeping the engines running smooth, and even piloting the vessel.
Dubuque's American Lady Cruises: Since 2006, Dubuque's American Lady has provided the enchantment behind hundreds of events. There's no better way to take in the beauty of the sparkling river caps on the Mississippi River, the majestic limestone bluffs rich with seasonal foliage, and the scenic Dubuque skyline than aboard our 80 foot Skipperliner yacht. She is two stories of spacious and luxurious river fun.
Blue Heron Eco Cruises - Comanche, IA: The Blue Heron is a 26-passenger pontoon boat that gives cruisers an up-close and personal look at the Mississippi River. It's a fun way for people to talk, laugh and celebrate nature together. A naturalist will conduct tours through backwaters, sloughs and the main channel. Call 563-259-1876 for more details.