Girls' Weekend

Plan a Weekend With The Girls

It’s time for a girls’ weekend - and Guttenberg is the perfect place! Visit PromiseLand Winery, Guttenberg's shops, restaurants, and bars, enjoy live music, art making, and more!

The Court House Inn overlooks the Mississippi River from downtown Guttenberg

Friday:
Noon: After dropping off your luggage at the hotel, head out for a bite to eat. Try the Picket Fence Cafe for tasty soups, sandwiches, and the pie voted Guttenberg’s best in 2014, 2015, and 2016 (be sure to browse their gift shop!), the Stadium - a bar and grill with a variety of menu options, Kaffee 1858 for delicious daily specials, desserts, coffee, craft beer and wine, or Sodes Green Acre Country Market and Cafe — you can’t go wrong with any of these options (descriptions of eateries available here).

Browse the selection at Blooming Branches

See the sights! Check out Guttenberg’s DNR Fish Aquarium to view Mississippi River fish, see a replica of the Gutenberg Bible at the Guttenberg Public Library, and visit the Lockmaster House & Heritage Museum to learn about the history of Guttenberg and Lock and Dam #10! See boats and barges lock through Lock and Dam #10 from a viewing platform, or take a walk along Guttenberg’s two-mile river walk. Visit the scenic overlooks north and south of town for great views, and chat with the “Honey Lady” of Cedar Creek Apiaries for locally made honey at the south overlook.

Saturday:
Note: Guttenberg’s Farmers Market is open from 8 am - 12 pm on Saturdays from May to October. The Farmers Market is located on the 400 block of S. River Park Dr. Call 563-252-2323 for more information.

9:00 am: Start your day out with breakfast at one of Guttenberg’s tasty eateries. Enjoy Rausch’s Cafe, Sodes Green Acre Country Market and Cafe, Kaffee 1858, or the Stadium Bar & Grill.

Guttenberg Creativity Center

3:00 pm: For a truly memorable experience, grab your designated driver and head out to PromiseLand Winery next. Follow Great River Road to PromiseLand just south of Guttenberg and enjoy beautiful scenery along the way. In between tasting locally made wines in the tasting room, by the fire, or in one of the courtyards, check out PromiseLand’s unique shops and boutiques. Vineyard and winery tours are available by appointment.

5:00 pm: If you’re in the mood for a boat ride, you can catch the Cassville Car Ferry just a few miles from PromiseLand Winery. Walk on or take your car across and enjoy crossing the mighty Mississippi River on the only ferry in Iowa or Wisconsin. Check out what Cassville, WI has to offer, but make sure you’re back to the ferry for the last trip back to Iowa! On your way back to Guttenberg, stop at Bootleggers for a pizza, burger, or broasted chicken! Or...

7:00 pm: Head back to the hotel to get ready for dinner at one of Guttenberg’s other tasty eating establishments.

7:30 pm: Check out our restaurant options and call ahead to restaurants and visit our calendar page to see what entertainment is available in town.

Delicious breakfast at Rausch's Cafe

Enjoy the Crazy Day sidewalk sales in August

Where to stay: The Court House Inn, Guttenberg Bed & Bath, Annie's Guest House, Rosemary’s Bed & Bath, Welcome Inn Bed & Bath, Reinitz Haus, Dam Dwellings at Lock #10 (all within walking distance of the downtown and the river), the Acre Street Escape, Great River Outdoors Lodging, the Guttenberg Motel, or Street’s Eagle View Motel. Camp at Guttenberg RV Park, Great River Road RV Campground, Miners Creek Hideaway, or Lakeside RV Park and Campground.
A business directory is available online or at the Welcome Center.

Award winning pie at Picket Fence Cafe

2:00 - 4:00 pm: You’ll want to stop in to Guttenberg’s shops and boutiques, including Blooming Branches Floral & Gifts for stylish decor, accessories and more, Kann Imports for a huge variety of unique items from all over the world, Picket Fence Cafe & Gifts for home made sauces and salsas and more, and Esser’s Shoes & Clothing for a large selection of women’s apparel, shoes, accessories, and Guttenberg souvenirs. Bent Willow Studio & Gallery showcases the artwork of local artist Rabecca Hennessey and offers monthly classes for beginner and intermediate painters. Garments & Goods features a large variety of gently used clothing and housewares, Divine Current Massage & Natural Gifts offers essential oils, natural skincare products, and holistic wellness supplies, and Guttenberg Gallery & Creativity Center features a large variety of locally made artwork. Visit Roots for unique antiques, clothing, furniture, and more, and Starving Artists for antiques and Iowa made artwork. Guttenberg Municipal Hospital’s Gift Shop features unique gift items and accessories, Heaven’s Hill Antiques & More offers antiques and collectibles, F&F Consignment features consigned clothing and goods, and Murray’s Outdoor Store offers a variety of gifts, plants, and gardening supplies. Sodes Green Acre Country Market & Cafe features locally produced gifts and goods. A map is available with phone numbers and addresses - you’ll be able to walk to many of these shops.

Stop by the aquarium on River Park Drive to see Mississippi River fish and turtles up close

6:00 pm: Have supper at one of our many delicious eateries, including Bootleggers, Kaffee 1858 and Public House, Lakeside Ballroom Restaurant & Bar, Joe’s Pizza, which was voted Guttenberg’s best pizza in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and has many flavors of ice cream, or the Stadium Bar & Grill for Guttenberg’s best burger of 2015 and a large variety of other sandwiches, sides, and ice cream (seasonal). Feel like staying in? Order delicious take out from the above restaurants, Casey’s Pizza, or Subway, or pick something up from the local grocer, Bender’s Foods.

Note: River of Music, a free concert series, is held Fridays from June-mid August from 6-8pm in the Ingleside Park bandstand north of Clayton Ridge School (131 S. River Park Dr.). Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a cooler - no glass bottles. Order carry out from one of Guttenberg’s restaurants to bring a picnic supper, and stock your cooler with beverages from Casey's General Store or Bender’s Foods.

8:00 pm: Not quite ready to turn in? No problem! Guttenberg has a great selection of bars to choose from. Try the Stadium Bar & Grill, Bootleggers, the Dam Riverview Sports Bar, Lakeside, or Moxie's Tap. Call in advance for information on DJs and other entertainment.

Visit the Farmers Market on the 400 block of South River Park Drive

11:00 am: Head over to the Creativity Center to try your hand at art making! Trained staff will guide you through your choice of projects, including fused glass, jewelry making, precious metal clay, mosaic, painting, wheel pottery or paint your own pottery, and much more. (Call ahead for information on scheduling a private party and Canvas Uncorked group painting events.)

1:00 pm: Just a few doors down from the Creativity Center is Divine Current Massage and Natural Gifts…so take some time to relax in this calm and inviting space. Call ahead to schedule chair massages, reflexology, or paraffin hand waxes for you and your friends.

Taste PromiseLand Winery's selection of wine in their tasting room, then browse their boutiques

Grab a bite at Sodes, or check out our Dining page for other great options

Sunday:
10:00 am: Stop for a classic and delicious breakfast at Rausch's Cafe before heading out of town.

If you'd like to make it to a Sunday service, a list of Guttenberg churches is available.