The Midwest state of Iowa is a beautiful place to visit. It is surrounded by water on two sides, with the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River to the west. It is mostly made up of gently rolling hills and farmland. There are many cute rural towns and villages there, and some have a lot of Dutch, German, and Scandinavian culture and history.
It has beautiful scenery, and some great natural tourist spots, like the sparkling Iowa Great Lakes and the well-known Pikes Peak State Park.
1. Okoboji
The Iowa Great Lakes are a group of beautiful natural lakes in the northwest of the state. They are sometimes called Okoboji. The resort area is very famous because of its beautiful scenery and beaches, and there are lots of fun things to do outside.
Big Spirit, West Okoboji, and East Okoboji are the three main lakes. They cover a large area and are surrounded by beautiful beaches, coves, and small, relaxed towns. Arnold’s Park is the biggest of these. It has restaurants and cabins along the lakes as well as a great amusement park with rides and games.
Guests can enjoy the lakes’ beauty as well as swimming, fishing, or water sports in their calm waters. Along the lakeshore, you can also enjoy great hikes and golfing. Aside from that, the Okoboji Summer Theatre puts on great theatre and live music shows during the summer.
2. Cedar Rapids
There are two rivers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It is the state’s second-largest city and is about 20 miles (30 km) north of Iowa City. In 2008, 2016, and 2020, storms destroyed a lot of the city. However, in the last few years, it has been rebuilt and new businesses are opening all the time.
It used to be mostly known as an industrial city, but now it has a thriving arts and culture scene, with great museums and theatres. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is one of the city’s most famous spots to visit. It looks at the history, heritage, and culture of many of the people who live there.
Also, you should visit the African-American Historical Museum and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. The latter has the biggest collection of Grant Wood paintings in the world. You should not miss the NewBo City Market. It has many shops and cafes and often has culture shows and community events.
3. Madison County
Madison County’s scenery is pretty and charming. It is about 30 miles (50 kilometres) southwest of Des Moines. Formerly a quiet but beautiful area, it became famous after the great 1995 movie The Bridges of Madison County, which was based on the same-named book.
Tourists now love to visit its farmland and fertile fields, as well as its cute country roads and stop in picture-perfect towns and villages like Winterset and St. Charles. Its charming and unique covered bridges—of which there are still six—are without a doubt the highlight.
Drive through Madison County’s beautiful and historic wooden bridges. The county also has some great wineries and breweries. The area’s gentle hills and beautiful scenery make it great for all kinds of outdoor activities. Hiking and biking through the parks and farms are two of the most popular.
4. Effigy Mounds National Monument
The Effigy Mounds National Monument is one of the most mysterious and interesting places to visit in Iowa. It is located between the Mississippi River and the Yellow River. More than two hundred amazing ancient burial mounds can be found here, along with beautiful forests and wide river valleys.
Indigenous people built these amazing earthworks more than a thousand years ago. Many of them are shaped like birds, mammals, or snakes. There are many groups and peoples that believe these ancient burial grounds are holy. The largest and most impressive is the Great Bear Mound, which is 42 metres long.
The park’s tourist centre is where people can find out more about the park’s forests, prairies, and rivers, as well as the archaeological site and what it all means. A great way to see the Effigy Mounds National Monument is to hike through the beautiful scenery and look at the amazing grave mounds at the same time.
5. Decorah
The small and cute town of Decorah is in the northeast of Iowa. The city is known for its Scandinavian history, and it is set in beautiful scenery, close to parks and the Upper Iowa River.
Decorah was formed around 1840, and many Norwegian families moved there. They built the large and famous Luther College, which is still an important part of the town’s life today. The Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum has a huge collection of items and folk art that people can look through to learn more about the settlement’s interesting past. Besides that, the town also holds Nordic Fest every year, an event that honours the traditions and cultures of Scandinavia.
Deborah has a lot of history and culture to learn about. Visitors can also go camping, biking, or kayaking along the fast-moving river. It also has one of the biggest ice caves in the Midwest. Dunning’s Spring and Siewers Spring are two of the most beautiful places to visit there.
7. Pikes Peak State Park
Over in the northeast of the state, near the border with Wisconsin, Pikes Peak State Park is situated where the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers meet. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will love this famous Iowa destination for its stunning scenery and natural beauty.
It was started in 1936 and is named after the extremely tall hill that dominates the state park. Peak visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Mississippi River, with lush woods and wild waters extending as far as the eye can see.
Within the park’s varied scenery and wilderness, there are some beautiful hiking trails and remote, scenic campsites that are hard to find. Walking through its paths, tourists will see lush forests and quiet valleys. The sparkling Bridal Veil Falls is one of the park’s most beautiful and photographed features.
FAQ’s
Q1. Why is Des Moines a notable destination in Iowa?
The capital city of Iowa, Des Moines, has a variety of culture sites, museums, and outdoor activities. People can experience the State Capitol, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and the lively East Village, where they can eat and shop.
Q2. What makes the Amana Colonies a unique cultural experience?
There are seven German Pietist religious organisations that can be seen in the Amana Colonies. People can walk around the historic towns, eat traditional German food, and look at the crafts and art made in the area.
Q3. Why visit the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville?
If you loved the movie Field of Dreams, you have to check out the Movie Site. People can walk through the baseball field, check out the home and feel the magic of this famous movie set.
