Places to Visit in Iowa

For me, Iowa is one of the best states to explore because it combines natural beauty, small-town charm, and unique cultural experiences that always leave me with new favorite memories.

Iowa snuck up on me in the best way. I went in expecting cornfields and quiet towns, and I found...well, yes, those things. But I also found vibrant cities, riverfront charm, quirky museums, and comfort food I still think about. There’s something grounded and generous about the places here.

Whether I was standing on a blustery bluff in Dubuque, listening to live music in Davenport, or wandering a hand-built village in Amana, I kept thinking, “These places aren’t trying to impress me. They’re just being real.” And that’s exactly what made them special.

What I love most about Iowa is how it blends natural beauty with history and creativity. I can spend a morning exploring the rolling hills and prairies, an afternoon walking through historic towns or unique museums, and an evening enjoying one of the best local restaurants. It’s that balance that makes Iowa so unique. It offers me both adventure and relaxation in one trip.

Whether I’m visiting the bridges of Madison County, exploring the underrated charm of Decorah, or enjoying the lively scene in Des Moines and Iowa City, I always feel like Iowa gives me new reasons to love it. Every time I go, I find a new favorite place that makes me appreciate just how special this state really is.

So, where should you visit first? To answer that, think about the experiences that are the best fit for you.

Best Places to Visit in Iowa:

Finding color and culture in Des Moines

We drove about 3 hours east from Omaha (135 miles via I-80) to Des Moines (population around 215,000; metro 750,000+). Founded at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, the city became Iowa’s capital in 1857.

We toured the Iowa State Capitol (completed 1886, with a 275-foot dome covered in 23-carat gold leaf), visited the State Historical Museum of Iowa (free), and strolled the East Village for boutiques and cafés. Overnight we stayed at the Surety Hotel, a boutique 1913 Beaux-Arts bank turned into a stylish downtown property ($185).

Des Moines felt surprisingly alive with energy, quirky, creative, and more layered than I expected. From downtown murals to quiet trails along the Des Moines River, I found a rhythm that was both laid-back and buzzing. I remember standing outside the Pappajohn Sculpture Park thinking, "This city’s got soul, and it’s not afraid to show it."

What I Loved Most: Wandering through the Des Moines Art Center and watching locals picnic among sculptures like it was the most natural thing in the world.

My highlights? Brunch at St. Kilda Cafe, a modern Aussie-inspired spot. I had the avocado toast with poached eggs, chili flakes, and a flat white. Bright, flavorful, and exactly what I needed after a morning of walking and wandering.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Ames: ~45 minutes south
• Vibe: Creative, walkable, fresh
• Highlights: Sculpture Park, Art Center, East Village
• Best Time to Visit: Spring and early fall
• Cost: Free outdoor attractions + affordable eats
• Hours: Most museums open 10 AM–4 PM
• Address: Sculpture Park: 1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Overlooking the Mississippi in Dubuque

We drove about 3 hours west from Chicago (180 miles via US-20) to Dubuque (population around 60,000), one of the oldest settlements west of the Mississippi (founded 1833).

We explored the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium ($23 admission, covering river ecology and history), rode the Fenelon Place Elevator (296 feet up, billed as the world’s shortest and steepest railway, $5 roundtrip), and strolled the historic Old Main district with its 19th-century brick storefronts. Overnight we stayed at the Hotel Julien Dubuque, a restored 1915 landmark where Al Capone once hid out, now a boutique property downtown ($185).

Dubuque instantly felt like a place with stories. Perched on hills above the river, with 19th-century buildings and scenic views, it had this old-soul charm. I rode the Fenelon Place Elevator to the top and looked out over the Mississippi thinking, "This is the kind of view that holds its breath."

What I Loved Most: Exploring the National Mississippi River Museum and seeing how life has always moved with the river.

My highlights? A peaceful lunch at L. May Eatery, tucked into Dubuque’s historic district. I had the fig and prosciutto flatbread with a small arugula salad and a glass of iced tea. It was elegant, local, and full of flavor.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Cedar Rapids: ~1.5 hours northeast
• Vibe: Historic, scenic, elevated
• Highlights: Riverwalk, Fenelon Elevator, River Museum
• Best Time to Visit: Summer and fall for foliage
• Cost: Moderate, museum admission, local eats
• Hours: Most attractions open 9 AM–5 PM
• Address: 350 E 3rd St, Dubuque, IA 52001

Soaking in western charm in Sioux City

We drove about 3 hours northwest from Des Moines (200 miles via I-29) to Sioux City (population around 85,000). The city traces its history to the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Sergeant Charles Floyd, the only expedition member to die, is buried here at the Sergeant Floyd Monument (1930 obelisk overlooking the Missouri, free entry). We also toured the Sioux City Public Museum (free, with Native American and frontier exhibits) and walked Historic Fourth Street’s 1880s brick warehouses now filled with pubs and shops. Overnight we stayed at the Warrior Hotel, a restored 1930s Art Deco landmark turned boutique hotel ($185).

Sioux City brought me a slice of the Wild West with a side of riverfront calm. There’s something sturdy and open-hearted about this town, like it’s seen a lot and still knows how to welcome you in. As I walked along the Missouri River trail, I thought, "This town feels like it belongs to the land."

What I Loved Most: Touring the Sioux City Public Museum and learning about the city’s frontier history through immersive exhibits.

My highlights? A classic meal at M’s on 4th, I had the grilled pork chop with apple chutney, garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots. Hearty, flavorful, and totally satisfying after a history-filled afternoon.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Omaha: ~1.5 hours north
• Vibe: Western, historical, wide-open
• Highlights: Missouri Riverfront, Public Museum, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
• Best Time to Visit: Late spring or fall
• Cost: Low to moderate
• Hours: Museums open 10 AM–5 PM
• Address: 607 4th St, Sioux City, IA 51101

Exploring riverside charm in Davenport

We drove about 2 hours 45 minutes east from Des Moines (165 miles via I-80) to Davenport (population around 100,000), the largest of the Quad Cities along the Mississippi.

Founded in 1836, it grew with river trade and railroads. We toured the Figge Art Museum (opened 2005, $10 admission, with Grant Wood and Midwest collections), visited the German American Heritage Center ($5 admission), and strolled the Village of East Davenport, a 19th-century river port turned boutique district. Overnight we stayed at Hotel Blackhawk, a 1915 landmark restored as a boutique luxury hotel with Art Deco flair ($195).

Davenport felt easy and comfortable, with its blend of riverfront beauty and mid-sized city appeal. I strolled along the Mississippi, caught a free concert at LeClaire Park, and thought, "This is the kind of place that’s quietly confident in what it offers."

What I Loved Most: Browsing the galleries at the Figge Art Museum, where regional art and stunning architecture meet.

My highlights? Dinner at Me & Billy downtown. I had their crispy Brussels sprouts appetizer and the signature Billy Burger with house-made chips. The vibe was playful but polished, just like Davenport itself.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Iowa City: ~1 hour east
• Vibe: Friendly, artsy, riverside
• Highlights: Figge Museum, LeClaire Park, Skybridge
• Best Time to Visit: Summer for festivals and music
• Cost: Low to moderate
• Hours: Museum 10 AM–5 PM; evening events vary
• Address: 225 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801

Romantic Places to Visit in Iowa:

Stepping into art and memory in Cedar Rapids

We drove about 2 hours east from Des Moines (120 miles via I-80 and I-380) to Cedar Rapids (population around 137,000, Iowa’s 2nd largest city). Known as the “City of Five Seasons,” it has deep immigrant roots. We toured the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library ($10 admission), visited Brucemore (a 26-acre 1886 estate with tours, $12), and admired Grant Wood’s studio, where he painted American Gothic (free admission). Overnight we stayed at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, a boutique teaching-hotel with sleek design and farm-to-table dining ($185).

The Grant Wood Studio was my first stop in Cedar Rapids ...and something about standing where “American Gothic” was painted gave me chills. From there, the city unfolded in layers: artsy, industrial, and green in all the right places. I found myself thinking, "There's more heart here than people give it credit for."

What I Loved Most: Exploring the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, where Iowa’s artistic legacy lives front and center.

My highlights? A satisfying lunch at The Map Room, where I tried the Bangkok Burger with peanut sauce and jalapeños, paired with sweet potato fries. Cozy, clever, and full of flavor, just like the city.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Iowa City: ~30 minutes north
• Vibe: Creative, resilient, relaxed
• Highlights: Grant Wood Studio, CRMA, Czech Village
• Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall
• Cost: Low to moderate
• Hours: Museums open 10 AM–4 PM
• Address: 410 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Finding inspiration in Iowa City

We drove about 1 hour 45 minutes east from Des Moines (115 miles via I-80) to Iowa City (population around 75,000), home of the University of Iowa. A UNESCO “City of Literature,” it has long been a hub for writers and scholars.

We toured the Old Capitol Museum (built 1842, free entry, served as Iowa’s first statehouse), browsed the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk with bronze panels honoring famous writers, and stopped by Prairie Lights Books, a legendary independent bookstore. Overnight we stayed at the Graduate Iowa City, a boutique hotel on the Ped Mall with eclectic collegiate décor ($175).

Wandering through the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, I felt a quiet buzz of thoughtfulness in the air. Bookshops, old brick buildings, handwritten poems tacked on walls, I kept noticing small things that made me smile. At one point I thought, "This place is made for people who love words."

What I Loved Most: Walking through the Old Capitol Building and feeling like I had one foot in the past, one in the present.

My highlights? Coffee and brunch at Bluebird Diner. I ordered the chorizo hash with eggs and a cinnamon roll on the side (because why not). Lively, generous, and oh-so-satisfying.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Cedar Rapids: ~30 minutes south
• Vibe: Intellectual, literary, cozy
• Highlights: Old Capitol, Iowa Writers' Workshop landmarks, indie shops
• Best Time to Visit: Fall for campus energy and color
• Cost: Low
• Hours: Capitol museum 10 AM–4 PM
• Address: 21 N Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52240

Stepping back in time in Amana

We drove about 30 minutes west from Iowa City (20 miles via US-151) to the Amana Colonies (population around 1,600 across seven villages). Founded in 1855 by German Pietists as a self-sufficient communal society, the colonies preserved 19th-century traditions well into the 20th century.

We explored the Amana Heritage Museum (three buildings, $10 admission), browsed craft shops with handmade furniture, and sampled German pastries at a local bakery.

As I wandered into Amana’s woolen mill and watched scarves being loomed by hand, I felt like I had stepped out of the present. Cobblestone paths, weathered barns, handmade everything, it was like a village preserved in amber. I remember thinking, "This isn’t just quaint, it’s rooted."

What I Loved Most: Visiting the General Store and discovering shelves of old-world jams, soaps, and handwoven goods.

My highlights? Lunch at Ox Yoke Inn, a tradition in every sense. I had the fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and buttery spaetzle. Comfort food doesn’t get more honest than that.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Iowa City: ~40 minutes west
• Vibe: Historical, handmade, peaceful
• Highlights: Woolen Mill, General Store, Ox Yoke Inn
• Best Time to Visit: Fall for Oktoberfest or December for Christmas markets
• Cost: Moderate
• Hours: Shops generally open 10 AM–5 PM
• Address: 4420 220th Trail, Amana, IA 52203

Family-friendly Places to Visit in Iowa:

Leaning into college-town charm in Ames

We drove about 40 minutes north from Des Moines (35 miles via I-35) to Ames (population around 67,000). Founded in 1864 as a railroad stop, the city became home to Iowa State University (established 1858). We toured the Iowa State University campus, admired Christian Petersen’s sculptures, and stopped at the Brunnier Art Museum (free admission).

The highlight was Reiman Gardens (17 acres, $12 admission), with seasonal plantings and a glass butterfly wing. Overnight we stayed at the Iowa House, a boutique inn in a restored fraternity house near campus ($155).

Biking through Iowa State University’s leafy campus in Ames gave me the perfect mix of fresh air and nostalgia. Cyclists waved, trees rustled, and the air smelled like books and grass. I caught myself thinking, "This is the kind of place where ideas grow quietly."

What I Loved Most: Visiting Reiman Gardens and seeing butterflies flutter in their tropical conservatory like tiny floating jewels.

My highlights? Breakfast at The Grove Café, a local legend. I had their famous giant pancake with bacon and eggs. It was rustic, hearty, and worth every bite.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Des Moines: ~45 minutes north
• Vibe: Collegiate, leafy, chill
• Highlights: Iowa State campus, Reiman Gardens, Main Street
• Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall
• Cost: Low
• Hours: Gardens 10 AM–6 PM
• Address: 1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011

Finding quiet magic in Bentonsport

We drove about 3 hours southeast from Des Moines (120 miles via US-34 and IA-1) to Bentonsport (population under 50), part of the Villages of Van Buren. Once a bustling Des Moines River port in the 1830s, it’s now preserved as a historic district.

We toured restored 19th-century buildings, browsed the old general store turned artisan shops, and crossed the pedestrian bridge over the river (once part of an 1880s wagon bridge).

The first thing I noticed in Bentonsport was the stillness. The Des Moines River glided past, and antique shops stood patiently like they’d been waiting for decades. I walked across the old iron bridge and thought, "Not everything needs to be loud to be memorable."

What I Loved Most: Browsing handmade pottery and chatting with a local artist about life in this nearly-forgotten village.

My highlights? A peaceful riverside lunch at Misty’s Malt Shop. I had a cheeseburger and hand-spun vanilla shake while sitting at a picnic table in the sun. Simple. Honest. Lovely.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Burlington: ~1.5 hours west
• Vibe: Quiet, timeless, artsy
• Highlights: Historic Bridge, Artist Co-Op, river views
• Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall
• Cost: Very low
• Hours: Shops open mid-morning to late afternoon
• Address: Bridge St, Bentonsport, IA 52565

Mason City, Iowa: Architecture, Music & Quiet Streets

We drove about 2 hours north from Des Moines (120 miles via I-35) to Mason City (population around 27,000). The town is world-famous for Prairie School architecture — most notably the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Historic Park Inn Hotel (1910, the last surviving Wright hotel in the world).

We toured the Stockman House ($10 admission, Wright’s 1908 Prairie School design) and the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum (free, with American art and marionettes by Bil Baird). Overnight we stayed right at the Historic Park Inn Hotel, restored into a boutique property with authentic Wright interiors ($195).

“It all feels unexpectedly artistic,” I thought, standing beneath the overhang of a Prairie School building, its clean lines softened by summer leaves. Mason City had a gentle pulse, slow-moving but vibrant in the details. It wasn’t flashy, but it was full of thought. The kind of place where someone once cared deeply about design, about beauty, about sound.

I started with a walk through the Rock Crest–Rock Glen Historic District, where Frank Lloyd Wright’s fingerprints linger on stone and glass. The Stockman House stood with quiet pride, Wright’s only Iowa home open to the public, and every angle invited a second look. Downtown, music floated from speakers as I passed murals and ironwork, reminders that Meredith Willson, creator of The Music Man, once walked these same streets.

What I Loved Most: The feeling that art and architecture weren’t add-ons here, they were part of the town’s foundation.

My highlight? Lunch at The Quarry, just off Federal Avenue. I ordered the pork tenderloin sandwich, lightly breaded, thick, with a hint of garlic in the crust. It came with kettle chips and a side of coleslaw that tasted like celery seed and summer. The meat was juicy, the bun buttery-soft. I sat by a big window, watching cars roll slowly past, as the quiet clink of silverware made everything feel easy.

Plan your Mason City day trip:

• Drive Time from Des Moines: ~2 hours north
• Vibe: Artsy, architectural, melodic
• Highlights: Stockman House, Rock Crest–Rock Glen Historic District, Music Man Square, downtown art walk
• Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall for walkable weather and events
• Cost: Stockman House ~$10; most other attractions free or donation-based
• Hours: Museums typically 10am–4pm; restaurants vary

Final Thoughts on Exploring Iowa

If you’re planning a road trip or a weekend getaway, Iowa’s got a quiet magic that’s easy to fall into. These ten destinations are some of my favorites...but they’re just the beginning.

Iowa is one of those states that always surprises me, and I think it’s one of the most underrated places to explore in the Midwest. For me, it’s one of the best destinations if you’re looking for a mix of scenic beauty, small-town charm, and unique cultural stops that make every trip feel special. Honestly, Iowa has become one of my favorite states to recommend when someone wants an experience that feels both authentic and memorable.

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