Tourism Be Our Guest

There are countless ways to enjoy yourself as a visitor to Maquoketa. Besides the breathtaking beauty of Maquoketa’s mysterious caves, unique land formations and winding waterways, Maquoketa boasts a plethora of area attractions sure to delight any tourist.

The Jackson County Historical Society, housed in the Pearson Memorial Center, offers assorted programs, shows and displays open to the public all year long. The Jackson County Historical Museum showcases the history of Maquoketa and Jackson County through various exhibits, period rooms, a general store, a country school, a church and a blacksmith shop.

Tantalize your palate at the Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery, located near Baldwin, a short drive from Maquoketa. The winery includes a tasting room with cathedral ceilings, a gift shop, a Civil War-era barn and a modern production facility. Tabor Home is one of the few wineries that produces La Crosse wines, a versatile white hybrid, and has won several "Best of Class" awards at International wine competitions across the country.

Visit the Hurstville Lime Kilns, located off old Highway 61 north of town. Alfred Hurst built the first kiln in 1871 and they were used to make lime until the early 1900s. Lime was shipped in barrels throughout the Midwest.

For those in need of a good night's rest, the historic Decker Hotel & Restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere for casual dining and elegant lodging in an 1875 Italianate structure. A favorite place for tourists, travelers and businesspersons, the rooms in the Decker Hotel have been restored to reflect the era of origin, furnished with antiques, and even decorated with turn-of-the-century wallpapers.

Squiers Manor Bed and Breakfast, also conveniently located in Maquoketa, is a brick Queen Anne style mansion that was built in 1882. The woodwork and décor reflect the late nineteenth century, but the conveniences are entirely modern, including in-room telephones, private baths with single or double Jacuzzis, televisions and queen size beds. A special candlelight dessert is served in the dining room each evening and every morning guests awaken to a full gourmet breakfast and homemade baked goods.

If rustic scenery is more your style — but you still can’t do without modern conveniences — Whispering Meadows Resort in Springbrook is home to luxurious cottages nestled in a 200-acre remote area in central Jackson County, only 20 minutes from Maquoketa. At Whispering Meadows, spend your days hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, canoeing or simply gazing in marvel at the wildlife — spend your nights relaxing in the spacious cottages, complete with a kitchenette, fireplace, central air conditioning, whirlpool, TV/VCR, refrigerator and stove.

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