Iowa

2016: A Year in Review

Earlier this week, I shared some of Olio in Iowa readers’ favorite posts from the past year. But when I sat down to look back on my year in travel, I realized there were so…

Olio in Iowa's Best of 2016

Olio in Iowa’s Best of 2016

It’s been a bit of a crazy year—both personally and from a travel perspective. I’ve traversed across the Midwest and explored new areas of the south in my trusty old Acura (RIP, old friend) and…

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

Visiting the Vesterheim Museum

What do you do while celebrating Decorah, Iowa’s 50th annual Nordic Fest? Visit the Vesterheim Museum—the National Norweign-American Museum and Heritage Center—of course! But even when it’s not the town’s biggest summer celebration, the Vesterheim Museum is a great place to learn more about the area’s rich heritage.

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

Sips: SingleSpeed Brewing

A few months ago, we made a detour in Cedar Falls for lunch on our way back to Des Moines and stumbled across a welcome surprise: a craft brewery. Not only is SingleSpeed Brewing a great place to grab a drink it’s also home to some truly delicious brews.

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

Blown Away by the Bily Clocks Museum

If you would have told me a few months ago that one of the world’s most incredible handmade clock collections is located in a small northeast Iowa town, I’m not sure I would have believed you. But after stumbling upon Spillville’s Bily Clock Museum I was blown away.