Welcome to the bigroads.com travel guide to Iowa! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Iowa.
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All 50 U.S. states are worth visiting, and I say that without hesitation. While much of Iowa is farmland, there's plenty of natural beauty to be found in the Hawkeye state. Spin through some of Iowa's finest state parks-such as Ledges State Park Maquoketa Caves State Park, and Pikes Peak State Park-and see if you disagree. Iowa has also embraced the rails-to-trail movement, and you'll find some truly exceptional cycling paths there (including the buzz-worthy High Trestle Trail).
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN IOWA
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Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Iowa? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Iowa, in no particular order:
✮ See the six covered bridges of Madison County
✮ Cycle the High Trestle Trail, a fantastic 25-mile paved rail trail with a series of diamond-shaped steel structures to ride through
✮ Marvel at the art sculptures found at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines
✮ Stop at the world's largest truck stop on I-80 in Walcott
✮ Walk among 200 prehistoric Native American mounds in Effigy Mounds National Monument
✮ Step on the famous baseball field shown in the Field of Dreams
✮ Go deep into a cave and see a natural bridge at Maquoketa Caves State Park
✮ See more than 200 motorcycles on display at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa
✮ Score great views of the Mississippi River from Pikes Peak State Park
✮ Visit the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, believed to be the largest grotto in the world
If I could select only one place to visit in Iowa, I would select one of Iowa's amazing rail trails and cycle it. Maybe the High Trestle Trail?
For a list of 10 great attractions in each U.S. state, click here.
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN IOWA
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Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Iowa. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Iowa bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:
Western Iowa (including Sioux City and the Iowa suburbs of Omaha, NE)
✮ Albert The Bull, Audubon - supposedly the world's largest bull statue; this is arguably Iowa's greatest roadside attraction
✮ Danish Windmill, Elk Horn - see an authentic 1848 windmill in the largest rural Danish settlement in the U.S.
✮ Horseshoe Council Bluffs, Council Bluffs - arguably Iowa's best casino
✮ Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux City - one of several great Lewis & Clark museums in the U.S.; on the banks of the Missouri River
✮ Sauk Rail Trail - an excellent 33-mile paved rail trail that travels between Lake View & Carroll
✮ Sioux City Public Museum, Sioux City - a top-rated regional history museum
✮ Smiley Face Water Tower, Adair - one of several water towers in the U.S. that is painted yellow with a smiley face
✮ Trinity Heights, Sioux City - giant statues of Jesus (33ft tall) and the Virgin Mary (30ft tall)
✮ Wabash Trace Natural Trail - a top-rated, partially-paved 63-mile rail trail that travels from Council Bluffs to Blanchard
Central Iowa (including Des Moines, Pella, and Winterset)
✮ Adventureland, Altoona - Iowa's best amusement park
✮ Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines - the only accredited zoo in Iowa
✮ Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, Boone - one of the best scenic railroads in the Midwest
✮ Capitol Building, Des Moines - an impressive gold-domed state capitol building; the building "shines like a Renaissance palace"
✮ Covered bridges of Madison County - visit 6 covered bridges (e.g. Roseman, Imes, Cedar, Hogback, etc.) made famous by Hollywood
✮ Des Moines - the capital and largest city in Iowa has an impressive state capitol building and also a few great museums and green spaces
✮ Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines - one of the best art museums in the Midwest
✮ Des Moines Art Festival, Des Moines - a famous three-day arts festival that is typically held in June
✮ Elwood the Gnome, Ames - the world's largest concrete gnome; a great photo-worthy roadside attraction
✮ Greater Des Moines Botanical Center, Des Moines - a beloved indoor and outdoor botanic garden
✮ Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend - supposedly the largest grotto in the world
✮ High Trestle Trail - a fantastic 25-mile paved rail trail that includes a nationally-famous section with 43 diamond-shaped steel structures
✮ Historical Village Museum & Vermeer Mill Museum, Pella - rumored to be tallest working grain windmill in the U.S.
✮ Iowa State Fair, Des Moines - one of the oldest and largest state fairs in the country
✮ Ledges State Park, Madrid - a state park renown for natural beauty and its Civilian Conservation Corp structures (e.g. arch stone bridge)
✮ Living History Farms, Urbandale - an interactive working agricultural history museum
✮ Matchstick Marvels Museum, Gladbrook - a quirky museum with impressive art pieces made of matchsticks
✮ Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines - a small but impressive outdoor sculpture park in downtown Des Moines
✮ Pella - a very small city known for its Dutch-style architecture and huge windmill; it has a historic downtown area
✮ Rail Explorers, Boone - one of several areas in the U.S. for "rail biking" (ride a pedal-powered machine on a railroad track)
✮ Raccoon River Valley Trail - a 89-mile paved rail trail from Jefferson to Clive; considered one of the best long-distance rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Reiman Gardens, Ames - offers lovely indoor and outdoor gardens
✮ Winterset - a small town close to the six remaining covered bridges of Madison County; location of the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
Eastern Iowa (including Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque, and Waterloo)
✮ Amana Colonies, Amana - visit seven rural villages and 1850's-era buildings
✮ American Gothic House, Eldon - the gothic house used in a famous 1930 painting
✮ Dubuque - a medium-sized city where you can ride one of the world's steepest scenic railways, visit the National Mississippi River Museum and score views of the Mississippi River from Eagle Point Park
✮ Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Dubuque - large and currently free botanical gardens
✮ Dunning's Spring Park, Decorah - green space with natural waterfall
✮ Eagle Point Park, Dubuque - offers great views of the Mississippi River and three states (IA, IL, and WI)
✮ Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry - see over 200 prehistoric Native American mounds
✮ Fenelon Place Elevator Co., Dubuque - one of the shortest & steepest railways in the world
✮ Field of Dreams Movie Site, Dyersville - famous baseball field from beloved Hollywood movie
✮ Figge Art Museum, Davenport - one of the best art museums in the Midwest
✮ Heritage Trail - excellent 29-mile partially paved rail trail from Dubuque to Dyersville
✮ Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, West Branch - library and final resting place of the 31st U.S. president
✮ Iowa 80, World's Largest Truck Stop & Trucking Museum, Walcott - supposedly the world's largest truck stop; good museum on site
✮ John Deere Tractor Assembly Plant, Waterloo - tour one of the U.S.'s most famous manufacturers
✮ Lost Island Water Park, Waterloo - one of the best water parks in the Midwest
✮ Lover's Leap Swinging Bridge, Columbus Junction - walk across a famous suspension bridge that is 260+ feet long
✮ Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa - excellent guided cave tours
✮ Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, Dubuque - rugged, wooded blufflands & burr oak trees
✮ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Dubuque - arguably the best of several Mississippi River-focused museums in the U.S.
✮ National Motorcycle Museum, Anamosa - more than 200 motorcycles on display
✮ Nile Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City - beloved stadium that is home to the University of Iowa's college football team (Hawkeyes)
✮ Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor - score great views of the Mississippi River from 500ft tall bluffs; there's also a good seasonal waterfall
✮ Riverboat Twilight, Le Claire - offers one and two-day riverboat cruises along the Mississippi River
✮ Sitting Man, Iowa City - large limestone sculpture of a 20-foot-tall Buddha sitting on a bench; one of Iowa's best roadside attractions
✮ Snake Alley, Burlington - one of the world's most crooked streets; similar to Lombard Street in San Francisco
Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Iowa? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.
For a list of 5-star attractions in neighboring states, click on any of these links:
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WI
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN IOWA
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These towns and cities in Iowa are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:
✮ Des Moines - the capital and largest city in Iowa has an impressive state capitol building and also a few great museums and green spaces
✮ Dubuque - a medium-sized city where you can ride one of the world's steepest scenic railways, visit the National Mississippi River Museum and score views of the Mississippi River from Eagle Point Park
✮ Pella - a very small city known for its Dutch-style architecture and huge windmill; has a historic downtown area
✮ Winterset - a small town close to the six remaining covered bridges of Madison County; location of the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
My favorite city in Iowa is Des Moines - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 1-2 nights there
Click here if you'd like to see a complete list of towns and cities that I find interesting across the entire U.S.
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Here are some things that Iowa is famous or well-known for:
✮ agriculture industry (e.g. corn, pork, soybeans)
✮ Amana colonies
✮ covered bridges (e.g. Madison County)
✮ farms / farmland
✮ political caucuses
✮ rivers (e.g. Mississippi River, Missouri River)
Click here if you'd like to explore what other U.S. states are famous for.
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Iowa currently does not have any national parks, national forests, or national recreation areas. There are a few other federally-managed parks and properties in the state though, including:
National Monuments
✮ Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry - over 200 prehistoric Native American mounds
National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
✮ Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
✮ Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
✮ Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
For more information on Iowa's national parks, visit the Iowa page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all U.S. national parks, click here.
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Iowa has more than 80 state parks. Many would agree that these represent Iowa's finest state parks:
✮ Ledges State Park, Madrid - state park renown for natural beauty and several Civilian Conservation Corp structures (e.g. arch stone bridge)
✮ Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa - excellent guided cave tours
✮ Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor - score great views of the Mississippi River from 500ft tall bluffs; there's also a good seasonal waterfall
To see my list of the top 100 state parks in the country, click here.
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Iowa only has a few natural waterfalls, and they all appear to be highly seasonal. Here are the best waterfalls in Iowa:
✮ Beulah Falls in Spook Cave Campground, McGregor
✮ Bridal Veil Falls in Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor
✮ Malanaphy Springs in Malanaphy Springs State Preserve, Decorah
✮ Woodman Hollow Falls in Woodman Hollow State Preserve, Otho
For a listing of all known waterfalls in Iowa, visit the World Waterfall Database.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN IOWA
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Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Iowa:
✮ Covered Bridges Scenic Byway - a 82-mile mostly-paved route in the famed Madison County that visits six covered bridges
✮ Great River Road - a 2,069-mile paved route along the Mississippi River that travels from Minnesota to Louisiana; 328 miles are in Iowa
✮ Loess Hills National Scenic Byway - a 225-mile paved route from Sioux City, Iowa south to St. Joseph, Missouri
I haven't driven them yet, but the Driftless Area Scenic Byway, Grant Wood Scenic Byway, Historic Hills Scenic Byway, and/or Western Skies Scenic Byway may also be worthy of inclusion in the list above. I can't tell from my research whether or not they have scenery that is notable on a national scale.
Madison County publishes a great guide of the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway. Click here for that PDF guide.
For a list of great scenic drives in each U.S. state, click here.
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Iowa surprises many cyclists with its excellent rail trails. Altogether, they are more than 200 rail trails in Iowa, making it one of the very best U.S. states for rail trails. Here is a list of some of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Iowa:
Western Iowa (including Sioux City and the Iowa suburbs of Omaha, NE)
✮ Sauk Rail Trail - 33-mile paved rail trail
✮ Wabash Trace Natural Trail - 63-mile partially paved rail trail; often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
Central Iowa (including Des Moines and Winterset)
✮ Chichaqua Valley Trail - 27-mile paved rail trail
✮ High Trestle Trail - 30-mile paved rail trail; often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Raccoon River Valley Trail - 89-mile paved rail trail; often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
Eastern Iowa (including Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque, and Waterloo)
✮ Heritage Trail - 29-mile partially paved rail trail
For detailed information on all known rail trails in Iowa, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN IOWA
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There are a few notable amusement parks in Iowa:
✮ Adventureland, Altoona
✮ Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Arnolds Park
✮ Huck's Harbor, Burlington
✮ Lost Island Waterpark, Waterloo
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Iowa has a surprising number of notable museums. The best museums in Iowa include:
Western Iowa (including Sioux City and the Iowa suburbs of Omaha, NE)
✮ Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux City - one of several great Lewis & Clark museums in the U.S.; on the banks of the Missouri River
✮ Sioux City Public Museum, Sioux City - a top-rated regional history museum
✮ Squirrel Cage Jail, Council Bluffs
✮ Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Council Bluffs
Central Iowa (including Des Moines and Winterset)
✮ Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines - one of the best art museums in the Midwest
✮ Historical Village Museum & Vermeer Mill Museum, Pella - rumored to be tallest working grain windmill in the U.S.
✮ John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, Winterset
✮ Matchstick Marvels Museum, Gladbrook - quirky museum with impressive art pieces made of matchsticks
✮ National Spring Car Hall of Fame & Museum, Knoxville
✮ Stockman House Museum, Mason City
Eastern Iowa (including Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque, and Waterloo)
✮ Amana Colonies, Amana - visit seven rural villages and 1850's-era buildings
✮ Figge Art Museum, Davenport - one of the best art museums in the Midwest
✮ Iowa 80, World's Largest Truck Stop & Trucking Museum, Walcott - supposedly the world's largest truck stop; good museum on site
✮ Iowa Children's Museum, Coralville
✮ John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, Waterloo
✮ National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library, Cedar Rapids
✮ National Farm Toy Museum, Dyersville
✮ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Dubuque - arguably the best of several Mississippi River-focused museums in the U.S.
✮ National Motorcycle Museum, Anamosa - more than 200 motorcycles on display
✮ Putnam Museum & Science Center, Davenport
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Iowa offers a few great hiking trails/areas, including:
Western Iowa (including Sioux City and the Iowa suburbs of Omaha, NE)
✮ Brent's Trail, Gleason-Hubel Wildlife Area
✮ Hitchcock Nature Center trails
✮ Loess Hills State Forest trails
✮ Mincer Trail & Sunset Ridge Trail Loop, Waubonsie State Park
Central Iowa (including Des Moines and Winterset)
✮ Canyon Road and Table Rock Loop, Ledges State Park
✮ Lost Lake Loop, Ledges State Park
Eastern Iowa (including Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque, and Waterloo)
✮ Catfish Trail, Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
✮ Effigy Mounds National Monument trails
✮ Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
✮ Maquoketa Caves Loop, Maquoketa Caves State Park
✮ Pikes Peak State Park trails
✮ Wildcat Den Trail, Wildcat Den State Park
✮ Yellow River State Forest trails
The highpoint of Iowa is Hawkeye Point (1,670'), located in the northwestern section of the state. A short walk is required to reach the top.
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN IOWA
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Iowa offers a few backpacking opportunities, including:
✮ Backpack Trail in Yellow River State Forest
✮ Preparation Canyon State Park
✮ Stephens State Forest
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN IOWA
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Iowa offers a few great outdoor adventures, including these classics:
Backpacking the Backpack Trail in Yellow River State Forest
Bouldering in the Ozark Wildlife Area
Canoeing/kayaking the Boone River
Canoeing/kayaking the Lower Des Moines River
Canoeing/kayaking the Maquoketa River
Canoeing/kayaking the Raccoon River
Canoeing/kayaking the Upper Iowa River
Cycling the High Trestle Trail
Cycling the RABGRAI event (cycling the entire state from west to east)
Cycling the Raccoon River Valley Trail
Cycling the Wabash Trace Natural Trail
Mountain biking the Decorah MTB trails
Mountain biking the Sunderbruch Park trails
Mountain biking the Whiterock Conservancy trails
Rock climbing in Backbone State Park
Rock climbing in Indian Bluffs State Wildlife Management Area
Rock climbing in Pictured Rocks County Park
Skydiving in Brooklyn and Winterset
Tubing the Des Moines River
Tubing the Nishnabotna River
Tubing the North Fork of the Maquoketa River
Tubing the Raccoon River
Tubing the Upper Iowa River
Tubing the Wapsipinicon River
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There are currently three ski areas in Iowa, and all three are small on a national scale:
✮ Mt. Crescent - 11 trails
✮ Seven Oaks - 11 trails
✮ Sundown Mountain - 21 trails
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN IOWA
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Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Iowa:
✮ breaded pork tenderloin
✮ chili with cinnamon rolls
✮ cinnamon rolls
✮ corn dogs
✮ fried pork chops
✮ ham balls
✮ loosemeat
✮ pickle wraps
✮ puppy chow
✮ scotcharoos
✮ snickers salad
✮ sour cream raisin pie
✮ steak de burgo
✮ sweet corn on the cob
✮ taverns
✮ tenderloin
✮ turkey and dressing sandwich
For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Iowa (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each of the 50 U.S. states, click here.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Iowa (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY IOWA INFORMATION
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Here is some helpful key information about Iowa:
State Capital:
Des Moines
Major Airports:
Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Largest Cities:
Des Moines (216,273), Cedar Rapids (139,986), Davenport (102,132), Sioux City (86,419), Iowa City (76,222), Ankeny (72,347)
Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-29, I-35, I-80
State Highpoint:
Hawkeye Point (1,670') in Sibley in northwestern Iowa; a short walk is required to reach the top
Professional Sports Teams:
None
Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Beebeetown and What Cheer
Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.
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Albert the Bull in Audubon, Iowa
In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any book cover to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com.
 
 
 
 
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MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or those that come highly recommended by trusted peers.
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