Keokuk, Iowa is a charming town of about 12,000 people located on the Mississippi River. It is in the extreme southern corner of Iowa, and Missouri and Illinois are only a few miles away. Mark Twain once lived in Keokuk, and the town was named after Keokuk, the capital, whose statue has a place of honor in Rand Park. Here are some things you can do in Keokuk.
1. Stay in a bed and breakfast that overlooks the Mississippi River. I was 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 Suite’s wall has windows overlooking the river, and all rooms are comfortably furnished with antiques and decorated with interesting accessories . It passes the Veranda Lock and Dam Number 19, so you can go by tugboats and charges through the lock and you can see the electric generating plant there. Horse River has a delicious gourmet breakfast, and I met many nice guests while staying there.
River’s Edge
611 Grand Avenue, Keokuk, IA 52632 888-581-3343
2. Walk along Grand Avenue. This road is lined with large spans, many built around the early 1900s or earlier, and their developers bypass the Mississippi River. Many people walk in the morning on the sidewalks, and on the river and up to Rand Park . Another bed and breakfast, Grand Anne, across Grand Avenue; It is a beautiful 22 room inn with beautiful gardens at the 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 quiet and beautiful. Have lunch on a bench overlooking the river, feel the cool breeze, watch the river market and wildlife, enjoy the gardens and relax. Walking trails through the park, pool, areas for kids and play areas. There are more than 20 gardens that feed Keokuk’s diverse families and businesses; each one is unique, and all are joyful and charming. There is also a statue of Keokuk’s capital, an interesting hide, and a playground; and at Christmas time, the park lights up in holiday displays.
4. Keokuk brings to life Civil War history at the Battle of Pea Ridge Reenactment. Held the last weekend in April, the performance is one of the largest in the area and includes several events. Keokuk had many hospitals that were used to treat soldiers in the Civil War 1860s, and also a National Cemetery; one of the 12th Congress in 1862. There are many civil soldiers buried there. It is located at 1701 J Street, and is held annually at Rand Park.
5. See more eagles than ever in one place during the LAUS Bald Eagle Fly Days. The largest concentration of eagles in Mississippi hangs out in Keokuk during the winter; The eagle fish is tied around the mother and the lock with the river in other places. Presentations and exhibitions at this event are in eagles. I saw pelicans and other birds there in the summer, and the area abounded in wildlife.
I had a great time visiting Keokuk and wish I could have stayed longer. The town is beautiful, and there is much to do in the area. Eat at the Hawkeye Restaurant, walk and shop the main street, and enjoy beautiful views of the Mississippi River during your stay in Keokuk.
