Top 10 Things To Do in Iowa
If you like to spend a lot of time enjoying the great outdoors, few places in the world are better than Iowa. The state is homes to lakes and parks galore where the whole family can relax and have fun, or maybe take part in something more adventurous.
Iowa is also home to attractions of historical significance and there is also plenty of entertainment and shopping on offer. Go in the summertime and you will get to enjoy wonderful, hot sunny days. There is so much to do it can be difficult to choose, but here’s a selection of the most popular attractions.
1. American Gothic House
Grant Wood was an American artist that was born in 1891 and died in 1942. He was born in Iowa and was known mainly for his depictions of life in the American Midwest. He is most famous for painting American Gothic, which he finished in 1930, a painting which is among the most famous paintings of the 20th century. The painting itself shows a farmer and his daughter standing outside their home, with the farmer holding a pitchfork. The painting has been parodied countless times and has even appeared in films, including the Ricky Horror Picture Show. Even better is that the actual building in the background is still standing, and you can have your photo taken while standing in front of it.
2. The “Iowa Great Lakes”
Some 210 miles northwest of Des Moines are what have been labeled as the Iowa Great Lakes. These are glacial lakes that cover around 15,000 acres and are also home to a number of small towns. The lakes make for a perfect vacation spot, especially for families that like to be active.
Locals and visitors will enjoy the fishing here, while there is also swimming and other watersports to take part in. Visit Okoboji Boat Works and you will find a beach that is perfect for relaxing in and out of the water, and you can also go on a tour of the lake in a glass-bottomed boat.
3. National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
The Mississippi River is the 2nd longest river in North America at 2,320 miles long. The river’s source is Lake Itasca which is located in Minnesota, and it ends at the Mississippi River delta in the Gulf of Mexico. It has long been an integral part of the states that it flows through, and the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium gives us a look into the river’s past.
Here you will find displays that highlight just how important the river has been for people living here. You will also get the opportunity to get close to some of the river’s wild inhabitants, including otters, alligators, and sturgeon.
4. Lost Island Waterpark
Iowa has a humid continental climate. This means that temperatures can vary from being cold in the winters to hot in the summers. If you are in the state during the summer, you might want to get some relief from the heat. The Lost Island Waterpark gives you the opportunity to do just that. At the park, you will find no fewer than nine waterslides to enjoy as well as other attractions.
There are sections designed with young children in mind and you also get to float peacefully along the park’s Kailahi River. The park is an opportunity for the whole family to cool off, relax and/or have some fun.
5. Amana Colonies
In 1835, German immigrants arrived in Iowa and made the state their home. They have remained in Iowa ever since and their community has become somewhat of an attraction. For a long time, the community remained somewhat isolated from the rest of the world and even today they still live a very traditional way of life.
Visitors get to see just what it would have been like to be living all those years ago. It is also a very idyllic way of life and for many visitors it is a chance to get away from the rat race. The villagers are very welcoming and visitors get to sample their food and drink and they can even take part in their festivities.
6. RAGBRAI
RAGBRAI stands for Annual Bike Race Across Iowa, a name that is rather self-descriptive. The race starts on the Eastern edge of the state and goes all the way through to the Western border. The event attracts thousands of competitors every year and has been taking place for over 60 years. While some people do take the race seriously, many more do not.
For some, the race is an opportunity to take in the celebratory atmosphere and to visit some of the small towns and other attractions that Iowa state has to offer. It is an event that obviously requires a reasonable degree of good health, but it is something that should not be missed for those who can take part.
7. Field of Dreams
Field of Dreams is the name of the movie that was filmed in 1989 and starred Kevin Costner. The movie was a fantasy-drama that has been preserved in the United States National Film Registry for its cultural significance. It was filmed in Iowa and the site still stands today. While it is an obvious attraction to fans of the movie, the site also has more to offer.
The farm where the baseball field is located was first built in 1906 and visitors get a close-up look of what it would have been like to live and work there at the time.
8. State Capitol
American history buffs should not pass up the opportunity to visit Iowa’s state capitol which is located in Des Moines. To learn as much as possible about the building and its history, you can book a guided tour so you don’t have to miss a thing. The building itself is a striking design with impressive architecture, and it boasts a large dome that is covered in 23-karat gold that is easily visible from elsewhere in the city.
Book a tour and you can climb the spiral staircases to get a closer look at the golden central dome and the four other domes.
9. Blank Park Zoo
A trip to the zoo makes for a great day out for the whole family no matter where you may be in the world. Des Moines is home to the Blank Park Zoo and its convenient location makes it easy to get to. Make sure you keep the whole day spare because there is plenty to keep you occupied. The zoo is home to almost 1,500 animals including otters, snow leopards, and Japanese macaques.
For kids and adults, there are camel rides as well as farm animal exhibits that young children can get up close to. For adults without children, there is even the chance to enjoy some zoo brews on Wednesdays during the summer.
10. The Bridges of Madison County
The Bridges of Madison County is the title of a book that was published in 1993 and was then made into a movie of the same name. The movie was directed by Client Eastwood. The book tells the story of an Italian war bride who meets a photographer and the two have a short extra-marital affair that changes their lives. The book is named after the bridges that were so important to the lives of the people that live in the region.
There used to be nineteen, of which six are now remaining. The bridges are worth visiting for their picturesque beauty, while you can also get the chance to visit the birthplace of one of America’s most iconic actors, John Wayne.
