Guttenberg – An Iowa “Great Place”
Designated as an Iowa Great Place, Guttenberg is a charming community nestled between the scenic limestone bluffs of Northeast Iowa and the mighty Mississippi River. Located along the Great River Road, Guttenberg is rich in German heritage and boasts the last remaining lockmaster’s house on the Upper Mississippi. Guttenberg’s past is preserved today in the many limestone structures built by German immigrants in the mid to late 1800’s.
The Guttenberg area offers boundless recreation opportunities and breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and surrounding bluffs. The Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge borders the community and provides high quality access to the river for boating, kayaking, fishing, and bird watching.
When not on the river, visitors and residents alike enjoy walking one of the longest riverfront trails in Iowa (2.2 miles), hiking the shorter Buechel Hill (0.3 mile), exploring the 11-acre Big Springs Nature Area, biking along Riverfront Drive, playing a round of golf or just sitting on a bench along the Mississippi enjoying the sunset or a passing paddlewheel riverboat.
Other opportunities in Guttenberg include visits to the observation deck overlooking Lock & Dam #10, unique retail shops, new community swimming pool, and The Department of Natural Resources Aquarium and Hatchery where children get hands-on contact with river catfish and turtles.
Vibrant community spirit, extraordinary natural beauty, hardworking reliable workforce, comprehensive health care facilities, excellent schools and year-round recreation make Guttenberg a “Great Place” to do business, live, work and play.
Named one of “America’s 20 Prettiest Towns” by Forbes.
“It’s like a page ripped out of a Mark Twain novel where the Main Street storefronts face the mighty Mississippi,” says Vander Stelt. “The local city park hugs the shoreline and is reminiscent of Seurat’s painting ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.’ This quaint village is a laidback slice of Americana.”
Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce
City of Guttenberg
