Sanford Museum and Planetarium
The Sanford Museum and Planetarium was the first accredited museum in the state of Iowa. The museum boasts a permanent collection as well as rotating displays on a variety of subjects including: archaeology, art, astronomy, geology, history, natural history, and paleontology. The museum association holds monthly programs. The planetarium was the first in Iowa and is truly a visit to the stars. Public programs about the constellations are given monthly.
Address: 117 East Willow | Phone: 712.225.3922
Visit Their Website at www.sanfordmuseum.org
Depot
The railroad was the key reason for the growth of Cherokee. The depot and entire railroad complex are listed in the National Register of Historic places. The Depot Renovation works to preserve the Illinois Central Railroad Depot located in Cherokee. The depot includes an HO scale model railroad and Northwest Iowa Railroad Museum. In the summer months, the depot is home to the Cherokee Area Farmer’s Market.
Address: 119 South 4th Street | Phone: 712.225.4664
Visit Their Website at www.cherokeedepot.org
Cherokee Golf and Country Club
Golf enthusiasts won’t want to miss this 9 Hole Golf Course with its challenging terrain. The Cherokee Golf and Country Club is home of the annual Sioux Valley Match Play Tournament, Iowa’s oldest Match Play Tournament. While you are there, be sure to visit The Chateau restaurant, located inside the country club.
Address: 800 North 11th Street
Phone: 712.225.4687
Cherokee Parks and Recreation
Cherokee's parks offer many opportunities for enjoyment for all residents and visitors. Koser Spring Lake Park, located near the Little Sioux River, contains over 40 camping spaces with electrical, water and sewer hookups, and nearby shower and restroom facilities. Circling the lake is a 1.1 mile asphalt walking/jogging trail. Modern playground equipment, several shelter facilities and fishing opportunities await visitors.
Directly across Hwy. 59 is Wescott Park, which contains ball diamonds, a shelter, concession stand and restroom facilities.
Check out Gillette Park, home of the Bacon Aquatic Center, a favorite of young and old alike! The aquatic center, new in 2007, has a zero-entry pool with children's features including a sand play area and splash pad. Older swimmers enjoy a flume slide as well as an enclosed tower slide. See the Bacon Aquatic Center page for more information (website). Contained within Gillette Park is a new, large playground area, a walking trail, and an open shelter with tables and benches for your enjoyment.
Phone: 712.225.2715
For more Information visit their website here.
Cherokee County Parks
Cherokee County has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks that are managed by the Cherokee County Conservation Board. These parks vary in development from modern camping sites with electricity to natural areas with no facilities. The diversity of parks available allow residents and visitors to enjoy the individual advantages of each. Enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and canoeing on the Little Sioux River.
Phone: 712.225.6709
Visit Their Website at www.cherokeecountyparks.com
Bacon Aquatic Center
The Bacon Aquatic Center opened in June of 2007, after a hugely successful fundraising campaign. The aquatic center has a zero-entry pool with children's features including a sand play area and splash pad. It holds 293,000 gallons of water and contains a 23' high, 136' long open flume water slide, a 23' high, 82' long enclosed water slide and 12' high and 4' high diving boards. A concession stand, 6 large canopies and over 35 lounge chairs, picnic tables and lockers are also available.
Address: 625 West Bluff Street | Phone: 712.225.1130
Visit Their Website here.
CRMC Wellness Center
This full-service health & wellness facility includes an indoor aquatic center, gymnasium, racquetball courts, walking/jogging track, exercise area, interactive game area, den and locker rooms. The Wellness Center offers a wide variety of classes and programs throughout the year
Address: 320 Sioux Valley Drive
Phone: 712.225.6858
Visit Their Website here.
Cherokee Bowl
Cherokee Bowl is a beautiful 16 lane center that has been family owned and operated since 1977. With state of the art technology and a professional, attentive staff, Cherokee Bowl delivers the best bowling experience around!
Address: 201 East Linden Street | Phone: 712.225.4311
Visit Their Website at www.cherokeebowl.com
Cherokee Symphony
Cherokee could be the smallest city in the country to boast their own symphony orchestra. The orchestra provides the community with the highest quality musical entertainment while giving musicians in the area a semi-professional outlet for their talents. The symphony was founded in 1956 and has been under the direction of Lee Thorson since 1981. This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as “the best kept secret in Northwest Iowa”.
Phone: 712.225.5216 | Visit Their Website at www.cherokeesymphony.org
Cherokee Community Theater
For over 50 years, the Cherokee Community Theater has entertained, enriched, and inspired the Cherokee Community. Throughout the year they produce high quality dramas, comedies and musicals. This thriving organization is self-supporting and operates entirely with volunteers.
Address: 530 West Bluff Street | Phone: 712.225.4440 (reservations only)
Visit Their Website at www.cherokeect.org
Lily of the Valley #5 One Room School
The one-room schoolhouse located in Cherokee is operated seasonally by the Cherokee County Retired School Teachers. Their goal is to create a living history center for children and adults to preserve and promote Iowa’s rich educational heritage. From May through September, the school is available for school trips, curriculum for school use, adult programs and tours.
