A white gravel road leading through corn fields to windmills in Iowa

Things to do in  Iowa

Cooler than you might think

Often flying under the radar—or casually mistaken for Idaho—Iowa tends to get lost in a sea of flyover vowels. Use the Midwest stereotypes to your advantage: Here you’ll find uncrowded, unpretentious small towns buzzing with great beer, great food, and great bike trails. In bigger cities like Des Moines, you’ll get your pick of metropolitan adventures, from sculpture parks to James Beard Award-winning dining at spots like Harbinger. In short, open yourself to being surprised. (Spoiler: It’s not all flat!)

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Top 1 attractions in Iowa

#1
Lost Island Water Park

Lost Island Water Park

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A tropical paradise transplanted into the heart of the Midwest, Lost Island Water Park combines palm trees and luxurious cabanas with exciting rides and splash zones. Race your friends down the waterslides, try out a hydromagnetic roller coaster, bask in the lazy river, or explore villages and lagoons.More

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Top activities in Iowa

Personal Guided Tour of the Covered Bridges of Madison County

Personal Guided Tour of the Covered Bridges of Madison County

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36
From
$30.77
Kayak Rentals at Quarry Springs Outfitters

Kayak Rentals at Quarry Springs Outfitters

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3
From
$15.39
Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Cedar Rapids by Operation City Quest

Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Cedar Rapids by Operation City Quest

From
$10.00
Des Moines Airport (DSM) to Des Moines - Round-Trip Private Transfer

Des Moines Airport (DSM) to Des Moines - Round-Trip Private Transfer

From
$109.69
Holiday Scavenger Hunt in Des Moines by Holly Jolly Hunt

Holiday Scavenger Hunt in Des Moines by Holly Jolly Hunt

From
$20.00
per group
Cedar Rapids City Scavenger Hunt by Zombie Scavengers

Cedar Rapids City Scavenger Hunt by Zombie Scavengers

From
$20.00
per group
Murder Mystery Detective Experience Ames, IA

Murder Mystery Detective Experience Ames, IA

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1
From
$14.99
Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Des Moines by Zombie Scavengers

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Des Moines by Zombie Scavengers

From
$20.00
per group
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Des Moines - Arrival Private Transfer

Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Des Moines - Arrival Private Transfer

From
$54.84
Private Day Trip From Munich To Eagle's Nest And Salzburg

Private Day Trip From Munich To Eagle's Nest And Salzburg

From
$493.59
Des Moines City Scavenger Hunt by 3Quest Challenge

Des Moines City Scavenger Hunt by 3Quest Challenge

From
$10.00
Iowa City Scavenger Hunt: City of Literature

Iowa City Scavenger Hunt: City of Literature

From
$12.31
Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by Crazy Dash

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by Crazy Dash

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1
From
$10.00
Creative Cedar Rapids Scavenger Hunt

Creative Cedar Rapids Scavenger Hunt

From
$27.00
Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by 3Quest Challenge

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by 3Quest Challenge

From
$10.00
Explore Cedar Rapids with a Unique Scavenger Hunt by Wacky Walks

Explore Cedar Rapids with a Unique Scavenger Hunt by Wacky Walks

From
$10.00
Des Moines Dash Scavenger Hunt
Special Offer

Des Moines Dash Scavenger Hunt

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1
From
$21.60
$27.00  $5.40 savings
Participate in a Fun Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by Zombie Scavengers

Participate in a Fun Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by Zombie Scavengers

star-3.5
2
From
$20.00
per group
Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by Operation City Quest

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by Operation City Quest

From
$10.00
Explore Des Moines with a Unique Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest

Explore Des Moines with a Unique Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest

From
$10.00
See all Iowa tours

All about Iowa

When to visit

The shoulder seasons in Iowa are nothing short of spectacular. In spring, the state’s rolling hills turn lush with vivid greens. In fall, the hardwoods take on beautiful reds, golds, and oranges—in both seasons, temperatures are cool and days tend to be sunny. Despite falling largely into one climate, the southern portions of the state—like around Des Moines—do trend warmer year-round.

Getting around

Bisected by Interstate 80 with even music festivals named after highways—looking at you, 20/35—Iowa is built for four wheels. You’ll want a car pretty much wherever you are, though the downtown areas in larger cities like Des Moines are certainly walkable. For what it’s worth, the RAGBRAI state is obsessed with biking—the proof seen in its 1,800 miles (2,897 kilometers) of bike trails.

Traveler tips

Don’t write off small towns in Iowa—those can be some of the most pleasantly surprising spots. Take Grinnell, for example (population 9,500). About an hour from Des Moines, it’s here you’ll find “The Harvard of the Midwest,” the New York Times-reviewed Prairie Canary (a restaurant boasting inspired comfort food), midcentury modern hotels, wine bars and breweries, and more. Mason City, Pella, and McGregor are a few more small-town standouts.

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
CDT (UTC -6)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
1
Tours
22
Reviews
47
EN
90c1fbc9-d2e1-4052-8740-825de661e3e1
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People Also Ask

What is the number 1 attraction in Iowa?

The Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa, has seen a massive resurgence in popularity—the MLB started an annual tradition of playing in the famous cornfields in 2021; thanks to this renaissance, an $80 million expansion is in the works. Other excellent Iowa sites include the Grotto of the Redemption, the largest manmade grotto in the world, and Effigy Mounds National Monument.

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Is there anything exciting to do in Iowa?

Yes, there are exciting things to do in Iowa. If you enjoy the outdoors, head to the state’s northeast, where you’ll find towering river bluffs, hardwood forests, and endless views of the Mississippi. If you love exploring dining scenes, hit up downtown Des Moines—one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation—for spots like Centro and Americana.

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What is Iowa famous for?

Iowa is famous for a few things (even besides corn). The Field of Dreams has rediscovered glory—an annual MLB game held right in the fields at the famous movie site. The Hawkeye State is also famous for the works of Grant Wood, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in Iowa City, and RAGBRAI, the longest bike “race” in the US.

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How white is Iowa City?

By the numbers, Iowa City is 73.8 percent white. Other racial groups present include Black (8.2 percent) and Asian (7.7 percent). This is considerably lower than the state’s average, where 90 percent of citizens identify as white—largely due to the diverse student population of the University of Iowa and the liberal hub the university has created.

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What are the seven wonders of Iowa?

The seven wonders of Iowa are as follows: The Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend; the Devonian Fossil Gorge, Iowa City; the Loess Hills of western Iowa, near Pisgah; Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry; Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa; Snake Alley, Burlington; and the Iowa Great Lakes, including Lake Okoboji, in Dickinson County.

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Does Iowa have hot springs?

No, Iowa does not have hot springs—but it does have a few rare freshwater springs, like Richmond Spring in Backbone State Park, that are uncrowded and great for a dip on a hot day. Ozark Spring, also freshwater, turns into a trout stream that connects to Iowa’s 70,000 miles (112,654 kilometers) of rivers.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the top things to do in Iowa?
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