hurstville interpretive center

This is a great place to come to get an education. We attended a short session on geodes. We were able to interact by breaking open our own rock after learning about these types of rocks. We then did some geocaching on the site and in nearby parks. This is a great place to bring children.

We were there in the late fall, so it wasn't a good time to do any of the outdoor activities, but we enjoyed the museum. It was small but had a lot of good information. The most interesting to us was learning about the limestone kilns. It inspired us to go see them. This is a good place to visit if you're in the area. It's on the Grant Wood Scenic Byway.

New clean interesting, great windows to view nature from and path to walk around. Lots of information on other things to view in the area.

Great exhibits, clean facility, well maintained grounds..beautiful! Age range for our group was 5 to 82 and everyone had a great time. We loved walking out to the marsh and sitting in the sheltered viewing area and seeing swans on the water!

My granddaughters had a very fun visit and plan to go next time they come to my house. There are so many things to look at and feel and read about that we didn't have enough time on our visit. I was surprised at all that was available. The girls were even told that next time they should bring their swimsuits and go in the pond. That's their plan. Children are encouraged to ask and touch. Wonderful!!

We attended an excellent program by Liz Garst about a 1959 visit to her grandfather's Iowa farm by Nikita Khrushchev. Liz is a superior speaker with a great story to tell. The center is a modern building currently featuring a traveling Smithsonian agriculture exhibit. The permanent collection concerns the local flora, fauna and geology. I always enjoy a glass beehive. Acres of restored tall grass prairie surround a marsh. A pair of captive trumpeter swans were raising a pair of cygnets as were a wild pair in the marsh. Short trails and a blind offer opportunities for wildlife spotting. The center has a small gift shop. Tourist information is available. Clean rest rooms make this a good place for a quick stop. Check out the nearby Hurstville Lime Kilns, too, or Maquoketa Caves State Park, if you have more time.

This is another fine site to enjoy. Very informative for all. Friendly and helpful staff make the visit even more worthwhile. Nice wildlife area at the site. Enjoy lunch or a snack and watch the wildlife.