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 Visitor Centers 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. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. Travel Dubuque Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Explore the land that Iowa settlers once discovered. Ride the world's shortest, steepest railway and see the city's largest, widest view. Dine or shop in a district that was once home to a booming warehouse industry. With history around every corner, Dubuque is #WhereIowaStarted.
6. Harrison County Historical Village & Iowa Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Featuring Lincoln Highway/Loess Hills Interpretive Center with films, road demonstration area with Smartphone interpretation, trail and scenic overlook; five-building historical complex including an original log cabin and one-room school; transportation-themed playground, and more! Check out the Iowa travel information and the Iowa-themed gift shop while enjoying a sample of cherry drink that's been mixed and bottled at the facility since the 1930's.
Reviewed By 478LeonardS - Albert Lea, United States
This isn't your typical visitor center. Outside features information boards about the Loess Hills and history about U.S. 30. Also, boasts of three Lincoln Highway markets, a large "map" showing the Lincoln Highway across Iowa and the U.S. Walk up a few stairs outside for a very cool overview of the valley and U.S. 30. For the adventurer, you can walk on an extensive walking path on the grounds. Don't miss the wooden culvert on display, and there's an interpretive area for children. A few historical buildings top off the outside attractions. Inside you'll see displays of pioneer wagons, history about the Lincoln Highway and you can watch a video about the Harrison County area. If you're needing brochures about destinations throughout Iowa, this is the place to go. Plan for nearly an hour at this site.
7. RiverCenter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
8. Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By IndySwimRun - Richmond, United States
The Welcome Center had lots of Iowa and Nebraska information and a knowledgeable staff. The Museum itself was extraordinarily well done. It covered the Lewis/Clark expedition and also the history and technology of riverboats on the Missouri. And it is FREE!
9. Madison County Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Madison County is the Covered Bridge Capital of Iowa, with the largest group of covered bridges that exists in one area in the western half of the Mississippi Valley. Six of the original nineteen covered bridges remain, five of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Roseman Covered Bridge and Holliwell Covered Bridge were both featured in the film "The Bridges of Madison County", and the Cedar Covered Bridge was featured on the cover of the novel "The Bridges of Madison County". The Madison County Chamber of Commerce specializes in guided personal and group tours of the covered bridges and other historic sites around Madison County.
Reviewed By 718teresag - Alamosa, United States
The welcome center is located in 1 of the historic buildings on the square in Winterset. They carry a very nice assortment of high-quality gift items, such as hand-crafted cutting boards, hotpads, etc, all at very reasonable prices. The staff was very helpful in supplying us with a map which directed us to the covered bridges in the area (those bridges are a MUST SEE if you're anywhere near this area!). We visited the little bakery (also located in 1 of the historic buildings on the square) & had some nice treats there while visiting with the couple who own it. We also visited a few of the shops on the square, including Ben Franklin. We drove up to a stone structure (they can direct you at the welcome center) that basically went through the forest (very pretty). Winterset is the birthplace of John Wayne, so there is a John Wayne museum there, as well as the house that he grew up in. Some of the covered bridges were featured in "The Bridges of Madison County" & they are amazing! We also visited the Covered Bridge Winery, which is just outside Winterset...very good wine!
10. Mason City Visitor Information Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Our friendly personnel are here to provide you with the most accurate visitor information available. Travel Specialists are available Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. 24-hour access to brochures and community information. Mason City souvenirs also available.
