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 Traveler Resources 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. Drake Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 516 reviews
The Iowa 80 Trucking Museum was a dream of Iowa 80 Truckstop founder Bill Moon. His love for trucks and the trucking industry laid the foundation for this museum. Over 100 vintage trucks are on display, as well as antique signs and gas pumps. The museum also features the REO Theatre where visitors can enjoy watching films about trucks and trucking.
Reviewed By GeekHistory - Dover, United States
This is no tourist trap, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum is a first class transportation museum with a large collection of some of the nicest antique trucks I have even seen. So if you are travelling plan for lunch at Iowa 80 World's Largest Truck Stop next door, then cruise across the parking lot to stop at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum. Browse for free, but well worth giving a donation for the visit.
3. University of Iowa Special Collections & University Archives
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Rare book room, University Archives, scrapbooks, photographs, sci-fi pulps, artists' books, fine press, comics, broadsides, fanzines, letters and more. Open for researchers, students, and the public. Visit our exhibit space anytime the library is open. Located on the third floor of the University of Iowa Main Library, 8:30AM-5PM Monday-Friday during the summer and 8:30-5:30PM during the school year.
4. Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By psmith198 - Chicago, United States
Carnegie libraries are great places to go to see architectural history. This is one of the largest I've seen and it has a grand look to it with the columns. Inside, the feature I liked the most was the molding on the ceiling. The upper level was closed to the public, which was unfortunate.
5. Pella Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
You are always welcome at the Pella Public Library! Stop by for local information, free WiFi, and the latest magazines and newspapers. Or, simply relax and enjoy watching the birds in our aviary! We also offer meeting space, study rooms, computer access, and public restrooms. Our friendly staff is always ready to help, and we hope to see you soon!
6. Greater Ottumwa Convention & Visitors Bureau
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
The Greater Ottumwa Convention & Visitors Bureau has all you need to know when visiting Wapello County. Full of local travel literature, the Ottumwa CVB can assist visitors with finding great places to eat, stay, and entertainment. The Greater Ottumwa CVB can also assist with group tour planning, family reunions, and other related events.
7. Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
The Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce is your one stop shop for everything community and tourism related! We have information on local and surrounding area attractions and also offer a step-on-guide service for groups or buses. Let us help you plan your next trip and set up your itinerary!
8. Codfish Hollow Barnstormers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Live music in a barn in the Hollow. We host live local and national indie bands in our barn. Come on out and take a hayrack ride down to the barn with Marvin. Vendors on site selling food and non-alcoholic beverages. We DO sell alcohol. No coolers on the hay rack or past the ticket booth! ALL SHOWS ARE ALL AGES! Bring your kids Bring your grandparents! Bring your lawn chairs. Bring a blanket.
9. Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By barkus1968 - Saint Louis, United States
This interpretive center is top notch. It’s a gorgeous building, free admittance, nice gift shop, and awesome exhibits about history, geology, nature, and culture.
10. Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 450 reviews
This library-museum commemorates the 31st President of the U.S. and the first born west of the Mississippi River. Exhibits track Hoovers life and political career. The large temporary gallery has changing exhibits that relate to American history. The Museum sits on the grounds of the Hoover National historic site where visitors can tour Hoover's birthplace cottage, blacksmith shop, Quaker meeting house, the local school and the Hoover's gravesite.
Reviewed By RoadDee - Iowa City, United States
I’ve lived in Gettysburg. I’ve visited Hyde Park. Knowledge is predicated neither by acres nor fame. Herbert Hoover’s historical identify is usually synonymous with The Great Depression. This very well done museum, located steps from his boyhood home and burial site, counters the myth and humanizes the man. Unpretentious, yet with great efficiency similar to the life he lived, the National Park Service and the Herbert Hoover Foundation are marvelous caretakers of a superb learning experience befitting our 31st president.
