Barn at Buffalo Bill Ranch.

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Iowa

The towering bluffs on the Mississippi River and the soaring Loess Hills lining the Missouri River bookend the rolling farmland of this bucolic state. In the middle you'll find the writers' town of Iowa City, the commune dwellers of the Amana Colonies, and plenty of picture-perfect rural towns, including those amid the covered bridges of Madison County.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

    State Capitol

    Iowa

    From the sparkling gold dome to the spiral staircases and stained glass in the law library, every detail at this bling-heavy capitol (1886) seems to try…

  • Arnolds Park Amusement Park

    Arnolds Park Amusement Park

    Iowa

    Dating back to the 1880s, this old-fashioned lakeside amusement park is pure fun. The Legend is the seventh-oldest wooden roller coaster in the world and…

  • Effigy Mounds National Monument

    Effigy Mounds National Monument

    Iowa

    Hundreds of mysterious Native American burial mounds sit in the bluffs above the Mississippi River in this gorgeous corner of far northeast Iowa. Listen…

  • Gull Point State Park

    Gull Point State Park

    Iowa

    The best state park locally is on the west side of West Okoboji Lake. It has a beach, lovely lakeside picnic areas and an excellent 1.3-mile long nature…

  • Grant Wood Murals

    Grant Wood Murals

    Iowa

    The original portion of Iowa State's main library was completed in 1925. In the 1930s it was decided to add some murals designed by none other than Iowa's…

  • Roseman Covered Bridge

    Roseman Covered Bridge

    Iowa

    This 1883 bridge is in a lovely quiet spot as there is no parallel modern bridge or road. Take your time and watch the water lazily flow under the well…

  • Valley Junction

    Valley Junction

    Iowa

    This historic old village is now part of West Des Moines. The five-block-long commercial strip on Fifth St is the most interesting in the region. Over 60…

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Articles

Latest stories from Iowa

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Aerial of Milwaukee skyline with Lake Michigan in the background; Midwest travel ideas

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Midwest travel ideas: 12 under-the-radar destinations to visit in America’s Heartland

Aug 27, 2024 • 5 min read

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