Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7102.2 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue
Explore the area
Ossian, IA
Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail
Place, Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail
11 min drive
Bily Clocks Museum
Place, Bily Clocks Museum
19 min drive
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
Place, Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
21 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 7)
Guest room
1 Single Bunk Bed
Main Bedroom
1 Queen Bed
Queen bed- main living area
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
About this property
The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country
Take the road less traveled and wind down a peaceful mile long gravel driveway to find our fun and relaxing industrial "Shouse!" The "Shouse" is built next to our main home on 36 acres of quiet country rolling hills near Ossian, Iowa. We are about 20 minutes from Decorah, Iowa. My husband grew up in the main home and it has a lot of family history as his grandfather helped drive the horses and wagons that carried the wood to build it. We built the "Shouse" originally to house our family screen printing business and then to house a small shrimp farming set up. After we got out of both of those the shed sat empty. A couple years ago my husband, Kevin, and I bought a small cabin in Eastman, WI that we rented on VRBO and it was then that we decided the shed should not sit empty but should be loved by others. That is how the "Shouse" came to be. It features a small kitchen and an industrial bathroom that has a shower with corrugated paneled walls, wood tiles, and a relaxing rain shower head! There are two bedrooms. The first is a smaller bedroom with twin/full bunk beds and a desk to provide space to work if need be. The main bedroom has a queen bed and features lots of natural light from the patio doors. The most amazing part of this space is the large open room that provides lots of space to unwind and relax with your loved ones! The living space features a large retro modern couch we like to call "Sherbet." The whole family can snuggle up and watch the 65" TV that is on a rotating wall. When you are ready to go lay down, all you have to do is unhook the wall and spin it so that the TV can be seen in the bedroom. The living space also features a small bar height table and stools and there is a queen sized bed if you have extra guests staying. Outside the kids can have a good time playing on the wooden swing set and with the outdoor farm cats and two dogs. If you are willing to take the road less traveled you will find a fun, rustic, industrial piece of paradise tucked away in the rolling hills of the driftless area!
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Similar properties
Country setting 2-3 miles from the River, Luther College and downtown Decorah
Decorah
Country setting 2-3 miles from the River, Luther College and downtown Decorah
Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Please ket us know if you are bringing a pet
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Please keep out of old shed and barn. And if walking, please stay on mowed paths.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 15
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Ossian
Located in Ossian, this holiday home is in a rural area. Fort Atkinson State Park and Decorah Bald Eagles reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Decorah Fish Hatchery and Amundsons Clothing. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail - 11 min drive - 10.6 km
Bily Clocks Museum - 19 min drive - 20.5 km
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. - 21 min drive - 25.6 km
Decorah Fish Hatchery - 21 min drive - 23.1 km
Luther College - 26 min drive - 35.1 km
Restaurants
PIVO Brewery and Blepta Studios - 13 min drive
The zipper - 8 min drive
The Horseshoe - 11 min drive
The Bar - 11 min drive
Tj's Pizza - 11 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country?
As of 2 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country on 29 June 2026 start from AU$126, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country located?
Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is 5.3 mi (8.5 km) from Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail and within 12 miles (20 km) of Fort Atkinson State Park and Goeken County Park. Bily Clocks Museum and St Wenceslaus Catholic Church are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This house perfectly met our needs. It was great for our dog. We could take him for walks in the mornings. Kitchen had everything we needed. We only ate breakfast there. Hosts were very welcoming.
The hosts were excellent, as were the accommodations. We were a relatively close drive to anywhere we wanted to go. We will be returning.
William W.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Nicholette
26 Sept 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Wonderful place to stay! Very comfortable and plenty of room. Great location to feel the like you are in the country but a short drive to the surrounding towns. Owners were delightful and provided easy to follow directions. Would definitely stay again!
Secluded, quiet location with very friendly hosts. Excellent communication and suggestions on local events. Great family getaway- the kids loved the cats, dogs and new friends! We loved it and will be back!
Georgia J.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Thank you guys so much for staying. We would love to get your address as I’m sure Ella would love to send Julia a card;)
Overall it’s as pictured. The window air does actually keep the property cool. Lots of places to sleep inside. Close by many restaurants, breweries. Owner is very responsive and helps you immediately with anything needed. Only issue we had was with the toilet constantly running, but understand how that goes sometimes.
Our 2nd timing staying and we had just as much fun as the first time. Nice and quiet, close to Decorah and Calmar for hiking & breweries! Looking forward to coming back again.
I've stayed at the "Shouse" before and I'll stay again. Perfect location for NE Iowa Decorah area fishing and hiking trails. Hosts will help you with anything you need. Had a great stay again!
Truly a "getaway" in a peaceful setting. Host is nearby, if needed, in a beautiful historic farmhouse, but our stay felt quite "private" nonetheless. Very spacious lodgings in The Shouse would easily accommodate larger family groups. TV viewing space and game-playing space for all.
We had a nice stay - plenty of room for the family. Owners were really helpful and responsive. Close to Decorah which was our main place to visit. Kitchen well stocked with the things we needed for meals and cooking. Plenty of towels and wash cloths.
Very nice experience. We had fun. The outdoor griddle thing was convenient and worked well for making bacon, eggs, and other foods without adding heat to interior of the building.
We had a good time time at the "Shouse." It was very quiet and secluded. The property and building were clean and well maintained. The only issue we had is that there was not "real" sitting area for us to eat, the hot water for showers didn't last for our whole group, and we had to continually open the back of the toilet to stop it from running. I am sure the property owner would have fixed it if we asked, but it wasn't that big of a deal. But overall, it was a nice stay. It is definitely out of the way and isolated from all towns and cities.
Dan M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Edwin
26 Sept 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We loved everything about the shouse. Our stay was a quick overnight go to a wedding and overnight and leave. So a lot of the nice amenities we didn't get a chance to enjoy. Would definitely recommend to family and friends! The hosts were super nice and very accommodating!
Edwin
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
About the host
Hosted by Kevin and Heidi Bohr
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests