Decorah Area
Our students inevitably list Luther's location in Decorah, Iowa, among its greatest assets.
Nestled among the dramatic limestone bluffs that overlook the Upper Iowa River, Decorah offers miles of hiking and bike trails, some of the most scenic canoeing in the Midwest, great coffee shops and restaurants, and a vibrant arts community.
In fact, its distinctive blend of landscape, down-to-earth people, and culture has earned it recognition as one of the 120 Best Small Towns in America.
Luther students have a great relationship with Decorah residents. Students serve the community through neighborhood clean-up days, adopting grandparents at the local nursing homes, and interpreting at the free clinic.
And downtown Decorah serves as an extension of campus, inviting students to enjoy legendary pizza at Mabe's, grab an ice cream treat at the Whippy Dip, or stock up on locally grown organic produce at the Oneota Co-op. There's even a Luther student representative on the city council.
From the Decorah Chick Hatchery (home of the Quality Chick t-shirt) to T-Bock's (famous potato salad and a great open-mic night), Decorah has a unique spirit all its own--and it begs to be experienced. So come for a visit!
We're just a short drive from the Rochester (Minn.), La Crosse (Wis.) and Waterloo (Iowa) airports and about 2.5 hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul. It's worth the trip.
