If canceled cruises or the travel ban to Europe has you down this summer, don’t overlook the fun you can have close to home. You may not feel safe venturing across the country, but we’ve come up with five different COVID-friendly trips across the state that can get you out of the house and exploring Iowa.

Love to bike? Take a road trip to Decorah to try out the newly finished Trout Run Trail following the Upper Iowa River. The last piece of the 11-mile loop was the bridge over Highway 9, which is outfitted with special LED lighting that will change colors throughout the year. The trail crosses trout streams five times and runs next to the Decorah Trout Hatchery, the second-largest trout hatchery in Iowa. Make a stop at the DNR Trout Hatchery at Siewer Springs and let the kids feed the fish for just a quarter. Don’t forget to look up while on the trail to see the famous Decorah Eagles’ Nest with its live cam at raptorresource.org.

Continue the outdoor fun by taking a short trip to Dunning Springs Park to see the 200-foot waterfall, just a few minutes from downtown Decorah. The waterfall is accessible to persons with disabilities and includes an area for picnicking as well as trails. The park is located on Ice Cave Road.

For a luxurious stay, book a room at the Hotel Winneshiek, a historic boutique hotel over a century old in the heart of downtown Decorah. Enjoy 21st century comfort with 19th century charm in one of 34 rooms and suites. On-site dining and bar options make it a truly full-service hotel with walking access to shops and other downtown attractions. Extra precautions are being taken to provide the ultimate safety for guests, including reduction of high-touch items in rooms and an advanced electrostatic disinfecting process.

Adapted from: Five COVID-friendly trips across Iowa