20 Attractions to Explore Near Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

Lock and Dam No. 15 is a vital waterway infrastructure located in Davenport, Iowa, along the Mississippi River. Constructed in the early 1930s, it serves as a crucial component of the Upper Mississippi River navigation system, facilitating the movement of commercial and recreational vessels through the river.

Lock and Dam No. 10 is located on the Upper Mississippi River, situated near Guttenberg, Iowa. The primary purpose of Lock and Dam No. 10 is to facilitate navigation on the Upper Mississippi River. It is one of a series of locks and dams that form the Upper Mississippi River 9-Foot Navigation Project, allowing boats and barges to navigate the river by raising or lowering water levels in the lock chamber.

St. Mary's Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The church is located in Guttenberg, Iowa, United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as St. Mary's Catholic Church Historic District. In addition to the church, the historic district includes the parish rectory, convent, and school building.

First Congregational Church, also known as Garnavillo Historical Museum, was a church whose historic building is located on Washington Street in Garnavillo, Iowa, United States. It was built in 1866 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Turkey River Mounds State Preserve is a historic site located near the unincorporated community of Millville, Iowa, United States. The 62-acre preserve contains thirty-eight of forty-three Native American mounds located on a narrow Paleozoic Plateau at the confluence of the Mississippi and Turkey rivers. They vary in size and shape and are 1.3 feet (0.40 m) to 6 feet (1.8 m) in height.

Pikes Peak State Park is situated in northeastern Iowa, near the town of McGregor in Clayton County. It is named after the tall limestone bluff within the park.The park is renowned for its breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. Scenic overlooks, such as Point Ann and Bridal Veil Falls, provide visitors with stunning vistas of the river valley and surrounding landscapes.

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge is a unique and ecologically important refuge located in the Upper Midwest of the United States. It spans parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, covering an area known as the Driftless Region. The refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Five Points Mall in Grant County, Indiana, was a significant retail and community hubformerly North Park Mall, was an enclosed shopping mall in Marion, Indiana, U.S. Opened in 1978, the mall's anchor stores are Roses Discount Store. Planet fitness & Applebee's are other major tenants. There are 3 vacant anchor stores that were once Sears, Carson's, and JCPenney. Outparcel properties include Subway, Buffalo Wild Wings, Ruler Foods, Jo-Ann Stores, and Dollar Tree.

Roberts Creek State Preserve is located in rural Clayton County, Iowa, in Wagner Township, near St. Olaf, Iowa, and a few miles north of Elkader, Iowa. Roberts Creek is a tributary of the Turkey River.The Preserve contains algific talus slopes, a rare ecosystem unique to the Driftless Area and hosts a threatened wildflower.

Carter House in Elkader, Iowa, also known as W. C. Reimer House, is a Greek Revival building built in 1850 as a duplex by brothers Ernest and Henry Carter.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1976. Its 1975 NRHP nomination document calls it a "lovely Greek Revival home" which "contributes substantially to the historic ambience of Elkader", having greater effect due to its location across from the historic Clayton County Courthouse.

Effigy Mounds National Monument is situated in northeastern Iowa, primarily in Clayton County. The monument overlooks the Mississippi River and is near the town of Marquette.

Effigy Mounds National Monument is a significant archaeological site located in the northeastern part of the state of Iowa, USA. The monument preserves a collection of prehistoric Native American mounds, including numerous effigy mounds shaped like animals, particularly birds and bears. These mounds were constructed by indigenous peoples of the Woodland Period, primarily between 600 and 1300 CE.

Bixby State Preserve is a nature reserve located in southwestern Clayton County, Iowa, in the midwestern United States. It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Edgewood. It is operated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as one of the Iowa state preserves.

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church is a parish church in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The church is located in the unincorporated community of Petersburg, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

Yellow River State Forest is a public recreation and conservation area located in the northeastern part of Iowa, USA.It encompasses thousands of acres of land, offering a mix of rugged terrain, woodlands, and open spaces.

The National Farm Toy Museum, located in Dyersville, Iowa, is a captivating destination that celebrates the nostalgic charm and agricultural history encapsulated in miniature form. Established to preserve and showcase the rich heritage of farm toys, this museum offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors of all ages.

Heritage Trail, located in Dubuque, Iowa, is a scenic and historic recreational trail that winds its way through the picturesque landscapes of the Dubuque area. This multi-use trail offers residents and visitors an immersive journey through nature, connecting them to the region's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Backbone State Forest, also known as Backbone State Park, is the first and oldest state park in Iowa and offers 125 campsites, including both electric and non-electric options. The campgrounds have modern restrooms, showers, a trailer dump station as well as picnic areas. In the early 1800s, European settlers began arriving in the region, primarily for farming purposes.

Backbone State Park is Iowa's oldest state park, dedicated in 1919. Located in the valley of the Maquoketa River, it is approximately three miles (5 km) south of Strawberry Point in Delaware County. It is named for a narrow and steep ridge of bedrock carved by a loop of the Maquoketa River originally known as the Devil's Backbone.

The Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, nestled in the heart of Dubuque, Iowa, is a verdant oasis that invites visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of diverse plant collections, serene landscapes, and educational opportunities. This botanical haven serves as a vibrant testament to the city's commitment to horticulture, environmental education, and community engagement.