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EssentialIowa
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LETTERS FROM READERS:
Dear Essential Iowa,
I am still droolin' over my keyboard thinking about the pork tenderloin sandwich!!!
I am thinking of a road trip to the Dairy Sweet in Dunlap -- Is it open
year-round? What else is there to see in that neighborhood?
T.W., Omaha, Neb.
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Restaurants close at 10 p.m. Learn to eat when the rest of us do or you're probably going to be hungry.*
Restaurants close at 10 p.m. Learn to eat when the rest of us do or you're probably going to be hungry.*
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T.W.,
Thanks for writing. Late summer and fall would be a glorious time to travel from Omaha to Dunlap, especially if you chose a route through the Loess Hills. I'd recommend taking U.S. Interstate 29 from Omaha to Missouri Valley and then grab U.S. Highway 30 to Dunlap. If you leave by 10:30 a.m. you'll arrive in plenty of time to beat the lunch crowd.
After you finish your tenderloin, get back on Highway 30 and head north to Dow City. From there, head east on County Road through Bucks Grove, then jog south a few miles to Iowa Highway 151, which will get you to Manning, the home of the German Hausbarn.
The Hausbarn is a 300-year-old building imported to Iowa from Germany a few years back. Guides will show you how the combination barn and house made it economical to care for livestock. There's a good restaurant and tavern there with a selection of German beers.
Country Road M66 takes you south out of town through picturesque Iowa farmland. After 18 miles, the road becomes Iowa Highway 173. This short drive delivers you to Elk Horn and Kimballton, two Danish communties that have gained a reputation for hospitality. In Elk Horn, stop by the Little Mermaid, a recreation of the statue that sits on the harbor in Copenhagen.
Elk Horn is home to a working Danish windmill with a terrific gift shop at its base. Nearby, is the Danish Heritage Museum, easily worth two hours of your time. The museum tells the story of immigration to the midwest and features an array of attractions, including a piano once owned by Victor Borge.
If you're still hungry, check out the Danish Inn for a nice buffet featuring both Danish and American dishes. Looking for a lighter snack? Try the bakery downtown for some great cookies and pastry.
Your trip home is a straight shot back to Omaha on Interstate 80. Stop by Walnut on your way home if your thing is antiques.
Thanks for writing,
Essential Iowa
Got a question about travel in Iowa? Send us an e-mail at essentialiowa@gmail.com.
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