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Businesses	Chamber	Community	Development	History	Links	Visitor Guide

Historical Sites	Parks	Outdoors/Wildlife	Recreation

Dining	Lodging	ATMs	Community Events

Historical Sites

Guthrie County Historical Village
Started in 1968, the Guthrie County Historical Village is located on a beautiful 4.5-acre complex just south of Panora's Main Square and two blocks from Lenon Mill Park. The Historical Village promotes Iowa and Guthrie County history and features 10 buildings, including the Panora Depot, the first log house in Panora, the Cass #7 country school, and an original Milwaukee RR caboose.

1851 Log House
Constructed in 1851 by Abram Hurshe, this building was the first residence and supply store in Panora for Mr. Hurshe and Thomas Turner. The cabin changed hands many times over the years and underwent many additions and changes. The original log structure was discovered in 1977 when the house around it was being torn down. The log house was then moved to the Historical Village for preservation.

Milwaukee RR Depot
The Historical Village is also home to Panora's 1906 Milwaukee Railroad depot that was abandoned by the Railroad in 1968. The town's first depot was built in 1884, then replaced by a smaller building around 1890 that was then altered and enlarged to the present depot. The structure was moved to the Village in 1968.

Lenon Mill Park and Wildlife Area
Nestled by the banks of the Middle Raccoon River you'll find the original site of the old Lenon Mill that was built in 1863. First built as a woolen mill but changed to a flour mill in 1877. After years of idleness, the mill was finally torn down in 1959. This charming park of 1236-acres is available for camping (including an RV hook-up, water, bathrooms, and a shelter house) and fishing, and has an access for canoes on the 'Coon River.

Michael Mills Memorial Park
Michael Mills was the first Iowa soldier killed in Desert Storm, 1993. Michael was a graduate of Panora-Linden High School. The spacious memorial park includes a playground, water fountain, shelter and picnic benches, sand volleyball, two ball fields, and a soccer field.

Heritage Park
This small, but eye-catching, park is a nice resting spot along the Raccoon River Valley Trail. The park is located where the Panora Depot once sat along the tracks and includes a water fountain, shelter, and picnic benches.

Outdoors/Wildlife

Western Skies Scenic Byway
Experience rolling meadows, boundless horizons, and wide-open roads while traveling along Highway 44 through Guthrie County. The 140-mile byway is one of five designated routes across Iowa that reveals the true beauty of our state. Look for the Iowa Scenic Byway signs on each route.

Middle Raccoon River
The Middle Raccoon River is one of the most scenic and beautiful rivers in the state of Iowa and offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing and canoeing. In 1981, the Middle Raccoon River, starting from Lenon Mill Park to the Redfield Dam, was designated as one of only 5 protected water areas in the state of Iowa due to its natural, historical, and archaeological value.

S. E. Robinson Wildlife Area
This 1101-acre wildlife area is located along the Middle Raccoon River just 5.5 miles southeast of Panora. It is an excellent habitat for many native wildlife species, including deer, wild turkeys, pheasants, and quail, and is designated as a public hiking and hunting area.

Greenwood Cemetery Prairie
Just 3 small acres remain of an original prairie remnant that has never seen the plow. Sitting next to one of the older cemeteries in Guthrie County, the prairie is located 1 mile east of Panora and 1/2 miles south. A variety of native prairie grasses and flowers inhabit this spectacular site.

Bays Branch State Conservation
Bays Branch is a large 990-acre state wildlife area that offers excellent waterfowl and upland bird hunting. Bird-watching, such as geese, swans, and even endangered/high priority species, such as the black-billed cuckoo and the northern herrier, is also common. The area is located 2 miles north and 2 miles east of Panora.

Marlowe Ray Wildlife Area
Located 6 miles southeast of Panora along the Middle Raccoon River, this state wildlife area is 187-acres of heavily timbered land available for public hunting. The wildlife area adjoins with the S. E. Robinson Wildlife area.

Recreation

Lake Panorama National Golf Course
Since its establishment in 1972, Lake Panorama National Golf Course has offered 18-holes of challenging golf to its players. One of the finest courses in Iowa, Lake Panorama National has hosted numerous events, including the Iowa Open. The course is open to the public and gladly accepts tee-time reservations over the phone.

Raccoon Ridge Music Hall
Located just a few miles south of Panora, IA, and just 45 minutes from Des Moines, Raccoon Ridge Music Hall is the area's largest and most modern facility of its kind. Remember to bring your own drink (alcohol ok for adults) and food, unless otherwise noted!

Every 3rd Saturday of the month - Chet & The Roadrunners , old country dance band. This is a feel-good, fun, friendly band. Every 4th Sunday 1-5 PM Country/Bluegrass Jam All jammers welcome! Movie night, karaoke, dances, and many, many bands for your entertainment. Check their online schedule for upcoming events. FREE WILL OFFERING UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED!!!!

Raccoon River Valley Trail
The Raccoon River Valley Trail is a 56-mile multi-use recreational trail that extends from Clive, in the Des Moines metropolitan area, to Jefferson. The trail is built on a former Milwaukee RR track now owned by the Dallas, Guthrie, and Greene County Conservation Boards. The trail winds its way through the Middle and North Raccoon River corridors with area of prairie and canopies of timber that remind us of what Iowa was like in the 1870s. Common uses are hiking, biking, in-line skating, jogging, bird watching, or cross-country skiing in the winter.

Dining

Breadeaux Pizza
411 E Main
Phone: 641.755.2402

Carmen's Mexican Restaurant
316 NE 3rd Street
Phone: 641.755.2525

Casey's Carry-Out Pizza
303 E Main Street
Phone: 641.755.3295

Chad's Restaurant
Located in historic Hotel Panora, Main Street
Phone: 641.755.4554

Chann's Chinese & Thai Restaurant
112 E Main Street
Phone: 641.755.3900

44 Drive-In
104 NW 5th Street
Phone: 641.755.3377

Fuzzy's
124 W Main Street
Phone: 641.755.2473

Hometown Deli
601 E Main Street
Phone: 641.755.2213

The Links - Lake Panorama National Resort
5071 Clover Ridge Rd
Phone: 800.879.1912 or 641.755 2080

Log Cabin BBQ
108 W Main St.
Phone: 641.755.3255

P.J.'s Drive-In
600 E Main Street
Phone: 641.755.4264

The Port
5405 Chimra Road - Lake Panorama
Phone: 641.755.2900

Subway
607 E Main Street
Phone: 641.755.2122

Melissa's B&M Tavern
110 W Main Street
Phone: 641.755.2455

Lodging

Lake Panorama National Resort
5071 Clover Ridge Road
641.755.2080
Townhouses are two bedroom/two bath units. Use of pool, beaches, and tennis courts. Next to Lake Panorama National Golf Course.

Lake Panorama Motel
Motel with one- and two-bed units. Use of pool, beaches, and tennis courts. Next to Lake Panorama National Golf Course.
5071 Clover Ridge Road
Phone: 800.879.1917 or 641.755.2080

Pedaler's Inn Bed & Breakfast
3 guest rooms. Next to Raccoon River Valley Trail.
*Outdoor kennel for hunting dogs.*
622 East Main
Panora, Iowa 50216
Phone 641-755-3711 or 515-491-3789

Prairie View Bed & Breakfast
3 guest rooms. Fire place, swimming pool, and full breakfast. Next to Guthrie County Regional Airport.
2711 Hwy 44 (2 miles west of Panora)
Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115
Phone: 641.755.4356
Email: info@prairieviewbb.com

The Lakeside Inn
The newest location at Lake Panorama is the Lakeside Inn which opened May 2006. This 22-room all-suites hotel can serve your every need for your special day or event. Most rooms have fireplaces and some have hot-tubs. All have their own private balcony overlooking Lake Panorama. We offer an outdoor pool and hot tub that is open to all guests of the Lakeside Inn. We also have an executive bridal suite as well as meeting space.
5401 Chimra Road
Panora, Iowa 50216
641.755.4240
Email: reservations@lakesideinnpanorama.com

ATMs

Casey's General Store
303 E Main Street

Guthrie County State Bank Drive-Up - Available 24 hours
505 E Main Street

Hometown Grocery Store
601 E Main Street

Community Events

See the Calendar for more events, dates, times, and locations.

Panorama Days - First Full Weekend of August