Whether it’s winter or summer there’s a lot to love about Morris.
1. The Outdoors
The West Central Research and Outreach Center's Horticulture Display Gardens offers sprawling, beautifully landscaped flowers, plants and vegetables along with some unique species you may not find anywhere else. It's a great place to bring the kids, too! Its children's area gives little ones a chance to see how plants are also food, allowing them to touch, smell and even taste some of the fruits and vegetables. They can also stay busy by checking out the checkerboard, pond, bird garden and the little free library. And if you want to learn more about horticulture and get your hands dirty, be sure to attend Horticulture Night where you tour farm, participate in demonstrations and more.
Just a few yards west of the Horticulture Display Gardens is one of the best views in town at the Pomme de Terre overlook. Take the walking trail through the Pomme de Terre Park and along the Pomme de Terre river. On your way you’ll find several pollinator habitats and two of the area’s massive wind turbines.
Another great outdoor spot we love about Morris is the Wetland Management District, which covers more than 53,000 acres and is home to many species of waterfowl and wildlife. It's a great place to disconnect from the day-to-day and connect to nature. You can drive through the area, stop off at the observation deck or hit the walking trail for an even more immersive experience. Don’t forget your binoculars!
In addition to these great spots, Morris is also a great place for outdoor recreational activities, such as snowmobiling, ice fishing, golfing, hiking and kayaking. And if you need gear, the Regional Fitness Center offers rentals for a range of equipment, including snowshoes, snow skis, kayaks and more.
2. The Events
Morris holds many free, family-friendly events throughout the year, making it a great destination for those short getaways. The Stevens County Fair has been the summer staple for family fun in Morris for 150 years, offering activities the whole family can enjoy, including demo derbies, live entertainment, stunt dogs and of course food, fun and rides. This year’s fair is August 8-13 and like every year, will offer free parking, admission and many free events! Learn more about the 2023 Stevens County Fair here.
The Prairie Harvest Fest is a time to celebrate the history of Morris with a weekend of free, family-friendly fun in the fall! There are food and craft vendors, bounce houses, a parade, fireworks, live entertainment and more!
Morris also offers a great holiday experience with many free activities, including a drive-through lights display, a lights parade, Santa visits, movies and more.
3. The shopping & food
Morris has many unique boutiques and shops to explore and what's even better is checking them out during the town’s several shopping events. From Retail Crawls to Crazy Days, there are multiple opportunities throughout the year to find some great deals and get a chance at winning some Chamber Cash. You’ll also find a variety of great food here, from pizza, award-winning grilled cheese and authentic Mexican to farm-to-table specialties.
These are just a few of the reasons to love Morris. Visit https://www.morrismntourism.com/things-to-do/ to explore them all!