Just over a year ago, my wife and I spent two nights at the historic Ellis Sanders House in Nauvoo, Illinois. While it’s not a mansion a la the Dayton House, it is a beautiful old home and a fabulous bed and breakfast destination.
Rooms are well-appointed, and we arrived to evening dessert and sparkling grape juice; the subsequent night, chocolate torte was served in the study. Breakfast was spectacular both days - two of the finest morning meals I have ever experienced – served once in the formal dining room and once outdoors on the patio.
The hosts were very gracious and offered a bevy of suggestions of things to do in Nauvoo during the day. The small community is a few miles from Fort Madison, Iowa, and a stay at the Ellis Sanders House bed and breakfast is highly recommended.
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Published June 29th, 2007 |
Brian McMillin |
Illinois, Lodging, Places |
The Dayton House isn’t technically in Iowa, but its location in Worthington, Minnesota makes it close enough for consideration in this blog.
The beautiful home was built in the late nineteenth century for George Dayton, the founder of Dayton’s department stores. After extensive restoration, the house is now available for the public to rent for functions such as meetings and weddings, while it also serves as a bed and breakfast.
The exterior is impressive, while the inside features amazing woodwork and many furniture pieces straight from the time period the house was built. If you’re in Worthington, it’s well worth driving by; even better, call ahead and schedule a tour or arrange to stay the night at one of the two spacious guestrooms. You won’t be disappointed.
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Published June 27th, 2007 |
Brian McMillin |
Minnesota, Places |
Last weekend, Amanda and I stopped by Hawkeye Point, which has the distinction of being the highest point in the state of Iowa. The 1670-foot peak is on private property, but it is easy to access, just a short walk from the road. The official landmark is at the end of a feeding trough and is marked with a wooden cutout in the shape of Iowa.
There’s a metal box encouraging visitors to register, where we wrote our names and bought two of the souvenir keychains, which go for a mere $1 each. Located just north of Sibley, Iowa, Hawkeye Point provided a break from driving and nice view of northwest Iowa farmland.
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Published June 27th, 2007 |
Brian McMillin |
Sites, Western Iowa |
