-
October 2024 by Jeff Munger
This is a neat place to explore
-
October 2024 by Shelly Ware
Stop here each year on our road trip to replenish my candle stock … please do not miss the tour it is well worth the visit. The film is very interesting and the tour is not very long The shop is well stocked with wonderful gifts. Lots of Danish goods, several Scandinavian choices. Beautiful candles. Wish the ornaments I collect for my tree were available in silver but they only have the gold option. If you are in the area DO stop by and spend some time…. Great little bakery shop just down the street ?
-
September 2024 by Dani The Girl
Excellent attraction full of Danish history and quality craftsmanship. It features the story of how the U.S.'s largest rural Danish settlement bought a Windmill and had it shipped here, and the community built it. Very cool cultural spot to stop and see!
-
August 2024 by Destiny
Very beautiful! Fun to learn about the history and use of wind mil would go again
-
August 2024 by Sarah Trader
We visited the Elk Horn Danish windmill on a whim, as we were driving by and needed a good place to stretch our legs! It was interesting to learn the history of the windmill, as well as to go inside and see the inner workings. There is a video you watch that shares how the windmill came to Iowa and after that you're on your own to explore the windmill itself. There is also a small campus to walk around that has some replica houses, statues, etc.
-
July 2024 by G D
Charming place run by incredibly nice people. Just 5ish miles off the interstate. Really worth a stop, and probably a tour! I didn’t get to one this time around, however others were touring and it looked like fun. Overall a beautiful and picturesque place to stop and visit!
-
July 2024 by Jason L Vrooman-Flynn-ONeal
Authentic... Informative and beautiful
-
June 2024 by Greg Schamberg
Always a fan of unique roadside places to stop on road trips. We didn't plan this one, but were happy we did go afterwards. It's a bit of a drive off the interstate, so be advised. Restrooms are clean. The woman working the counter was very nice. The windmill itself is cute. You can tour it if you're into that for $5, but we didn't do it. It has a gift shop with all sorts of things you don't need, hit a couple things did catch my eye. Firstly, they had a substantial section of Danish goods for sale, including foods, candies, decor, etc. The other was the incredible cold soda selection. We snagged a couple local ones for the ride. They were less than $2 each, too, which is fantastic.
-
June 2024 by Alicia Millon
My husband and I stopped here on our way back home from a weekend camping trip. We had low expectations, but really enjoyed it! It's only about a 15 minute drive from the main road, and easy to find.
Tours are $5/person and take less than 30 minutes. It starts with a brief, informative video about the history of the windmill and a bit about how it works. Then you are free to climb the 4 levels in the little windmill tower (ladder style steps for the top 3 - not ideal for anyone unsteady on their feet) and walk around the catwalk outside. It's a small windmill, but the construction is impressive!
The gift shop is awesome. Incredible product variety with a wide range of price points - everything from 10¢ stickers to $300 handmade shoes. We saw felted flowers and animals, acrylic ornaments, wooden swords, holiday decor, cider, Aebleskiver pans, candy, delftware, kitchen tools, games... just to name a few! Most of the products were things we had not seen for sale elsewhere, and prices seemed fair (the few things I had seen available online were actually cheaper in this shop). We were pleased to come home with far more souvenirs than we planned!
The older woman working on site seemed genuinely sweet and helpful. She was the only one working, and she apologized a few times for going back and forth between tours and the shop checkout, but we weren't inconvenienced at all. She seemed to have no trouble keeping up, and is clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the mill.
As for why we felt it was four stars instead of five... the windmill only operates on special occasions, so we didn't get to see it in action. Totally understandable (they give reasons for it during the tour) but still a little disappointing. Next to the mill there's also a Viking Hjem, and a little garden area with a tiny chapel. The Viking Hjem and chapel were locked and have no windows to look in, which was also a bummer.
It turns out the secret is to visit during one of their festivals or event weekends, when most things in Elk Horn are open to the public for demonstrations. Now we know for next time - we're already planning to seek out an Aebleskiver festival for a future visit!
-
May 2024 by Lucy Galbraith
Just got a flagpole! Got my American flag up! Next I ordered a Danish vimple. I've wanted one forever. Nice quality.
-
April 2024 by Chris Hall
Fun little stop with a great gift shop.
-
April 2024 by Steven Koppen
Great story of how 1 man help bring a windmill to the town.
-
February 2024 by William Hemmerling
I have not visited this facility, but have ordered products on line from their store. The website catalog offers a variety of goods to choose from. In my orders I purchased fruit jellies and pickles. The store personnel called me prior to packing the order to make sure I was able to place the order successfully and offered any changes that I might want to make. Shipments arrived quickly for me in Missouri. The prices are fair and the service is excellent. The jellies I order are perfection in every way, these jellies are a Scandinavian brand. I recommend this store and I will order again.
-
January 2024 by Deb Miller
Excellent turn around time and very good packaging. No items arrived broken and are great quality.
-
December 2023 by Mel P
Iowa has a literal Danish windmill. It was brought over from Denmark and rebuilt and preserved. After paying for the tour, you watch a short video on the history of the windmill and how it came to be. Then you can explore the windmill and climb up. The kids loved climbing the ladders and going as high as we could. They loved the Lego model of the windmill also. Very large gift shop when you’re done. Neat items from Denmark and other countries. Our family enjoyed our time.
