Plan a weekend of wine tasting, golf, spa treatments, caving, boating or hiking at one of these unique getaways in Iowa. Spend a few days relaxing with a view of the Iowa Great Lakes, explore the Crystal Lake Cave just south of Dubuque, or play a game of mini-golf with the family. In the summer, attend outdoor concerts, hike along scenic trails with views of the Mississippi River, or simply relax surrounded by calm country views. Driving times from Des Moines to some of the best Iowa destinations are included to help you plan your trip.
Iowa Weekend Getaways
Martha Walker/stock.adobe.com
| From Des Moines, Iowa To | Driving Time |
| Dubuque, IA | 3 hours |
| Algona, Iowa | 2 hours 20 minutes |
| Indianola, Iowa | 30 minutes |
| Bentonsport, Iowa | 2 hours 20 min |
| Fort Madison, IA | 2 hours 50 min |
| Cedar Rapids, Iowa | 2 hours |
| Cedar Falls, IA | 2 hours |
| Milford, Iowa | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Allison, Iowa | 2 hours |
| Altoona, Iowa | 20 minutes |
| Ames, IA | 40 minutes |
| Johnston, IA | 40 minutes |
| Marion, IA | 2 hours 10 minutes |
Ready to go?
Step 1: Visit the website and book directly and/or call ahead to confirm their hours.
Step 2: If you are spending the night, search for Hotel Deals nearby. Call the hotel directly to book and ask for a romantic, kid-friendly or pet-friendly amenity if you need it.
Step 3: If you are flying, compare Flights. Book directly with the airline, add your frequent flier number and reserve your seat.
Step 4: Estimate your driving time using Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).
Need some more help?
Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.