Location: Boone
Top Things to do in Boone
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Top 9 Things to do in Boone, United States
Boone (/ˈbuːn/ BOON) is a city in Des Moines Township, and county seat of Boone County, Iowa, United States. It is the principal city of the Boone, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Boone County. This micropolitan statistical area, along with the Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area comprise the larger Ames-Boone, Iowa Combined Statistical Area. The population of the city was 12,661 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Boone
1. Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad
Overall Ratings
4 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By RaleighNCtravel - Raleigh, NC
Four of us took the dinner train on Sept 23, a little before the trees started to turn. We all four enjoyed it. You are invited onto the train by name and taken to an assigned table for four. Waiting at your place was an appetizer (creamy spinach dip and special chips) and a salad. You order your entree when making reservations. There was a choice of pork, beef, fish, chicken and vegetarian. Two of us had the beef and my wife and I had an Iowa pork chop. Everybody was very pleased with the food. My pork chop was outstanding in flavor and tenderness as I could cut it with a fork. For dessert, everyone got raspberry cheese cake. The hostess on our car did a super job of serving everyone and keeping drinks fresh.
The train ride was slow but scenery better than I expected as we were in a wooded area much of the time. The train did rock a little bit. It was warm on the car as the ceiling fans were not running.
There was ample parking. Do heed the advice on the website and plan to get there a little early as we were held up about 1/2 mile before we got there by one of the 60 trains that go thru Boone daily.
2. Ledges State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Diane T - Roland, Iowa
There are nice hiking trails and plenty of spots to have a nice picnic. During normal weather, there's a nice creek running through the ledges. There are several places you can park your car. Not into hiking, pick a spot and relax. Plenty of room to play ball or any other game.
3. Seven Oaks Recreation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Seven Oaks, “Your Destination for Outdoor Recreation” offers a wide range of activities, many unique to Iowa, including snow boarding, skiing, snow tubing, river floats and more. We provide fun and relaxation for diverse ages that want to socialize and participate in the great outdoors to remain mentally and physically healthy. Seven Oaks is a family owned and operated “beginner friendly” resort for individuals and groups of all sizes.
Reviewed By lucky9862 - Des Moines, IA
We were cancelled on Thursday due to high water (not their fault). We rescheduled for Friday. Emailed again that the trip was cancelled due to high water (again not their fault). Even though we had indicated that Friday was the last day that we were...MoreI am sorry that we could not make it work for you. With the high waters mid week, our phone was ringing non stop with people re-booking their floats with us. Our most popular time slots were filling up quickly. Thank you for your input.
4. Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
The house in which Mamie Eisenhower was born is now a museum. Open 1 June - 31 October
Reviewed By Randy K - Des Moines, Iowa
Wife of WWII Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower who was later U.S. president was born in this house. Her and her husband later visited during the dedication.
It gives an idea of how life was back then. Immaculate grounds and house exterior. The trees out front almost certainly were alive when she was born.
The interior is interesting in its contents (life a hundred years ago) and for its historical value because of who she was.
5. Kate Shelley High Bridge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By K1436YZsandram - Quitman, Arkansas
I loved seeing the bridges together and taking pictures. The setting hasn't been changed it a tourist place and is just down a dirt road. No fanfare or anything and with a little imagination you can picture the history of this place. Very neat and remote.
6. Boone Valley Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Becca M - Baker, Nevada
I wasn't expecting to find a brewery of this caliber in Boone, IA but if you are a beer lover then definitely check this place out. They have a large selection of styles for their production size (quite small, but currently expanding) and their staff is friendly and excited to talk to you about beer and things to do in the local area. Highly recommended place if you are a fan of delicious beer from the tap!
7. Honey Creek Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By RonJac - Minneapolis, MN
My wife and I played an early season round of golf March 21st and had a great time. The course will surprise you after driving through the flat lands of Central Iowa you come onto a very hilly golf course. The clubhouse is nothing fancy but check-in was very quick and the employee very pleasant. The grass was still dormant but the fairways and greens were in great shape. There must be 100’s of deer in the area judging by the amount of dropping’s on the course.
The course is very interesting and the back nine is very hilly and scenic. They are doing a bit of work on some retaining walls so there are a couple areas off the fariways that are torn up.
We had a great time and managed to keep from losing too many golf balls.
8. McHose Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By init4keeps - Des Moines, Iowa
This is a huge park, buried in the small town of Boone. There are playgrounds, picnic tables, baseball diamonds, a swimming pool, disc frizbee golf cages, and even some grills. There are modern toilets in a couple places. And an old log cabin. Many wildlife passed in front of us, including a deer, too quick for me to take a picture of. Very family friendly. Marcydiner tantrum scale of 5/5-no screaming kids. See pics.
9. Boone History Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By init4keeps - Des Moines, Iowa
Since TripAdvisor has still not put up the address to the big yellow caboose at 1308 S. Story street, I figured I'd talk about it here. It is the Boone Convention and Visitors bureau Yellow Caboose. Easy to spot when you drive north on Story from Highway 30. See pics. Volunteers staff this place. It is a wealth of historical info with info about Boone and the surrounding community. And fun for the kids. Family friendly. Free! Gives you an idea how the railroad men lived on the train. Even has a wood burning stove! Marcydiner tantrum scale of 5/5-no screaming kids.
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