Top Things to do in Iowa
Top Hotels in Iowa
- 1. Des Lux Hotel
- 2. Stoney Creek Hotel
- 3. Hampton Inn West Des Moines Lake Drive
- 4. Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines
- 5. Drury Inn & Suites Iowa City Coralville
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Cedar Falls, IA
- 7. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Ames, IA
- 8. Hotel Julien Dubuque
- 9. Cobblestone Inn & Suites - Forest City
- 10. Hotel Renovo
Countries
10 Architectural Buildings in Iowa That You Shouldn't Miss
History and monuments dot this landscape almost as often as the golden farmlands. Learn about America’s 31st president at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. In northeast Iowa is the Effigy Mounds National Monument, a group of prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds. This part of Iowa is also home to the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage. The 37-county region tells the story of American agriculture, agribusiness and farm life and is affiliated with the National Park Service. In addition, there are five national wildlife refuges here. If you love history, imagine seeing the Amana Colonies, consisting of seven historic villages in 1855 by German immigrants as a religious communal society. Here you can also buy antiques, hand-woven baskets, furniture and clocks and locally made wine and beer. In Ames, take the family to see the Christian Petersen Art Museum, a newer structure that exhibits works of art by Christian Petersen and contemporary artists. You won’t want to miss the state capital of Des Moines, home to Blank Park Zoo with its naturalistic exhibits and more than 800 animals from five continents. You also should enjoy the Brenton Skating Plaza, an outdoor family entertainment venue.
Restaurants in Iowa
1. Mahaney Bell Tower
2. Cedar Rock State Park (Lowell Walter Residence)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
Cedar Rock State Park is the home to the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Lowell and Agnes Walter Estate. The property is a complete and beautiful example of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian design meaning that Wright is as much the interior designer as he was the architect. Those that tour the home experience it almost as if the homeowners stepped out in 1950. The estate is comprised of four Wright designed structures which include the house, council fire, river pavilion, and formal entrance gate. Seasonal guided tours of the property depart the visitor center hourly from 10:00 am-3:00 pm Thursday to Sunday's from late May to mid-October.
Reviewed By dmarkiowa - Davenport, United States
Beautiful setting, open air tractor ride through prairie to the house with a bonus boathouse, the most livable Wright house we've toured. The living room was stunning, designed for entertaining. The tour guide was knowledgeable and personable, performing a piece he composed on the custom Steinway piano.
3. Historic Park Inn Hotel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By 734liciap
Every person we encountered from guests to staff were friendly. Very clean! This is the ONLY Frank Lloyd Wright-designed hotel still in existence in the entire world. That alone is worth the stay! But also the people of Mason City cared enough to restore this hotel and preserve this historic site! I love that we spent our money on something so special. The rooms are unique—small, very quaint, all restored to the period. Bed was comfy. No room has a king bed, and now I understand why. The queen we slept in filled the room. Our son slept on the pullout couch in the small living room area. I tried the couch bed out and it was not comfortable at all. But what couch bed is? The restaurant attached was delicious and super good service. I can’t brag this place up enough. If you value art, history, or local small business, you won’t want to miss this!
4. Catholic Historical Center at St. Boniface
5. Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cathedral Complex
6. St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
7. Grotto of the Redemption
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Reviewed By donnasU5231BS
If you have not been to see "the Grotto" you are missing out! This is a FREE attraction about the birth and death of Christ all done in stones. It is truly amazing and beautiful and did I mention FREE? Kids and adults will both enjoy it.
8. American Gothic House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Come to Eldon, Iowa and view the exterior of the house that inspired Grant Wood to paint American Gothic, one of the most recognized paintings in the world. Tour the adjacent American Gothic House Center which showcases Grant Wood's life and the history of the house. Props on hand encourage visitors to pose in front of the historic American Gothic House and create their own unique American Gothic portrait.
Reviewed By TracyeT42
Drove to Eldon with my niece specifically to see this attraction. The museum, though small, was fascinating. Exhibits from local student art contests, sculptures, and magazine covers are on display. The volunteers today: Fred, Deb, and Jeri were extremely helpful and made the visit rather pleasant. The photo op with the house was great; Deb took the photos with our phones, and her personality and "offbeat" sense of humor kept us smiling (and laughing more than once). I would recommend this experience to anyone who would like to experience a piece of history.
9. Historic General Dodge House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Built in 1869 on the frontier, no expense was spared on this sublime Second Empire Victorian home. The fourteen room, three story mansion stands on a high terrace overlooking the Missouri Valley, and displays such architectural features as parquet floors, mansard roof, cherry, walnut & butternut woodwork, and a number of "modern" conveniences quite unusual for the period: central heating and hot & cold running water. The house was designed by William Boyington, a famous Chicago architect. It has been painstakingly curated with period items, many of them original to the home and the Dodge family.
Reviewed By Lapolla
Our tour guide, Cindy, was an excellent source of information and enthusiasm as she guided us through the historic General Dodge House. General Dodge has history in both the civil war and the building of the railroads, and so a visit to the General Dodge House includes a broad range of history. Beautiful home - nicely presented - leisurely pace - several items in the home are original to the home. I am so glad we included this home tour on our recent visit to Omaha/Council Bluffs.
