01/02/2026
❄️Ports of Discovery January Guide❄️
Events:
🎥Winter Film Festival: “Animals of the Midwest,” Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry | Saturday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m.
❓National Trivia Day Celebration, Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette | Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 3 and 4
🦅Eagle Viewing Hike, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry | Saturday, Jan. 10, 11 a.m.
🎉McGregor's First Inaugural Crawl, Downtown McGregor | Saturday, Jan. 10, 1 p.m.
🪡Free Mending Workshop, Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, Marquette | Sunday, Jan. 11, 2-6 p.m.
📖The Pikes Peak Page Turners Book Discussion First Meeting: “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon, McGregor Public Library | Monday, Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m.
🎲Winter Game Fest, Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette | Saturday, Jan. 17
🧩Jigs and Swigs Puzzle Contest, Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette | Saturday, Jan. 31, 2-4 p.m.
🗣️Burns Poetry Night hosted by the McGregor Historical Museum, Pocket City Pub, McGregor | Saturday, Jan. 31, 6 p.m.
Ongoing Activities:
☕️Pocket City Fellowship , McGregor's Convention, Conference & Community Center (former Methodist Church) | Mondays, 8 a.m.-noon
🧶Adult and Kids Crochet Groups, McGregor Public Library | Mondays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. (adults) and 3:30-4:30 p.m. (kids)
🎶Acoustic Music Jam, McGregor's Convention, Conference & Community Center (former Methodist Church) | second Mondays, 6-8 p.m.
📚Preschool Story Time, McGregor Public Library | Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.
✨SPARK! Nature Program, Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, Marquette | third Tuesdays, 10-11:30 a.m.
✍️Writer’s Group, McGregor Public Library | Tuesdays, 3-4:30 p.m.
🐢Wetland Explorers: Nature Tots, Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, Marquette | Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
🦅Golden Eagles Club, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry | Thursdays, 10 a.m.
🀄️Game Group, McGregor Public Library | Thursdays, 3 p.m.
🧘♀️Yoga Class for Beginners, McGregor's Convention, Conference & Community Center (former Methodist Church) | Thursdays, 3-4 p.m.
🧠Trivia, Backwoods Bar and Grill, McGregor | Thursdays, 7 p.m.
📕Children’s Winter Story Time, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry | Saturdays, 10 a.m.
🧑🎨Children’s Craft Times, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry | Sundays, 2 p.m.
Other Things to Do:
🎨Sign up for winter art workshops at The Left Bank, McGregor | https://www.leftbankshopandgallery.org/events
🥾Experience the beauty of Pikes Peak State Park, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Yellow River State Forest and Bloody Run County Park in winter
🥰 Start the new year feeling refreshed | Book a massage at Indigo Sky Massage, Marquette, Iowa, or schedule an adjustment, sauna session and more at Strutt Chiropractic Clinic or Primitive Health Chiropractic and Wellness Center, LLC
🏈Watch the game at Pocket City Fellowship , McGregor
🎣Go ice fishing at Sny Magill or Sturgeon Slough (find wax worms at Jayco Fish and Cheese in McGregor)
🎰Hit the jackpot at Casino Queen Marquette
❤️Start your path to balance, healing and growth at Steady North in McGregor
🖍️“Color Your Journey in the Ports of Discovery” with the new coloring book highlighting McGregor and Marquette - purchase one at Paper Moon, By The Spoonful or Eagles Landing Winery
Eat/Drink:
🍔From barbecue and burgers to chicken and fish, enjoy a tasty meal at Backwoods Bar and Grill in McGregor - now open at 238 Main St.
☕️Get your caffeine fix at The Brim Coffeehouse - McGregor
🍻Try all the locally-brewed beers at The Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery in McGregor
🧁Satisfy your sweet tooth at Sadie's Sweet Shop in McGregor
🫖Warm up with a pot of tea at McGregor SpecialTea Shoppe - also try the quiche, tea sandwiches, soup and desserts
🍽️For cozy winter days at home, stock up on meals and snacks from By The Spoonful in McGregor
🐟If you don’t want to fish yourself, find smoked varieties at Jayco Fish Mobile Fish Fryer in McGregor
🧋Enjoy lit teas, protein-packed shakes and healthy treats from Peak Fuel Nutrition and Wellness in McGregor
Shop:
👚Embrace the cozy vibes with warm, stylish clothing from navy rose & co. in McGregor
🖌️If you’ve resolved to be more artistic this year, find a variety of art/craft supplies at Paper Moon in McGregor
👖Discover size-inclusive women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, gifts and self care items at Free Spirit Boutique By Laura Davies Carlson in McGregor
📘Settle in with a book from Rivertown Fine Books in McGregor
✨ Find more inspiration, including lodging, at www.portsofdiscovery.com ✨
