5 Things to Do in Keokuk, Iowa

Keokuk, Iowa is a lovely little town of about 12,000 people located on the Mississippi River. It's in the extreme southeastern corner of Iowa, and Missouri and Illinois are both only a few miles away. Mark Twain once lived in Keokuk, and the town was named for Chief Keokuk, whose statue has a place of honor in Rand Park. Here are some things that you can do in Keokuk.

1. Stay in a bed and breakfast overlooking the Mississippi River. I stayed in The River's Edge, a 3-story mansion built by a lumber baron in the early 1900s. The huge Tudor house is spacious and filled with fine workmanship, and the proprietors live on the third floor. The Riverview Suite has a wall of windows that overlooks the river, and all of the rooms are comfortably furnished with antiques and decorated with interesting accessories. The veranda overlooks the Lock and Dam Number 19, so you can watch the tugboats and barges go through the lock and see the electric generating plant there. The River's Edge has delicious gourmet breakfasts, and I met many interesting guests while staying there.

The River's Edge
611 Grand Avenue, Keokuk, IA 52632 888-581-3343

2. Stroll down Grand Avenue. This street is lined with grand homes, many built around the early 1900s or earlier, and their backyards overlook the Mississippi River. Many people walk in the mornings on the sidewalks of the avenue, and it winds along the river and down to Rand Park. There is another bed and breakfast, the Grand Anne, on the other side of Grand Avenue; it's a beautiful 22-room inn with lovely gardens in back.

Grand Anne B&B
816 Grand Avenue, Keokuk, IA 52632 800-524-6310

3. Visit Rand Park. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the 50-acre park is peaceful and beautiful. Eat lunch on a bench overlooking the river, feel the cool breezes, watch the river traffic and wildlife, enjoy the gardens and relax. There are walking trails throughout the park, a pond, play areas for the kids, and picnic areas. There are more than 20 gardens that are maintained by different families and businesses of Keokuk; each one is unique and all are colorful and charming. There's also a statue of Chief Keokuk, an interesting pavilion, and sports fields; and during the Christmas season, the park is ablaze in holiday light displays.

4. Relive Keokuk's Civil War history at the Battle of Pea Ridge Reenactment. Held the last weekend in April, the reenactment is one of the largest in the area and includes many events. Keokuk had several hospitals that were used to treat Civil War soldiers during the 1860s, and it also has the National Cemetery, one of 12 that Congress authorized in 1862. There are many Civil War soldiers buried there. It is at 1701 J Street, and the reenactment is held annually at Rand Park.

5. See more eagles than you've ever seen in one place during Bald Eagle Appreciation Days in January. The largest concentration of eagles on the Mississippi hangs out in Keokuk during the winter; the eagles fish around the dam and lock when the river is frozen in other areas. There are presentations and exhibits on eagles during this event. I saw a huge amount of pelicans and other birds there during the summer, and there is abundant wildlife in the area.

I had an enjoyable time visiting Keokuk and wish I had stayed longer. It's a picturesque little town, and there is much to do in the area. Eat at the Hawkeye Restaurant, walk down Main Street and shop, and enjoy the lovely views of the Mississippi River during your stay in Keokuk.