14 Top Tourist Attractions in Iowa

The state of Iowa, in the middle of the Midwest, is a land of cultural and agricultural bounty. And from its wide-open spaces dotted by cornfields to its welcoming cities filled with a Midwestern charm, Iowa offers a fresh breath of air alongside friendly communities.

And there's so much to explore throughout the state. River museums, movie sites, and the Bridges of Madison County are just a few cultural gems worth the travel. Other attractions in Iowa include historic German colonies and a sprawling network of caves.

While the list is long for cities to visit in Iowa, many visitors gravitate toward the centrally located state capital of Des Moines. Here, the State Capitol shines with a gold dome, and serves as a beacon for residents and tourists alike. Des Moines also serves as a great launching pad for day or weekend trips throughout the rest of the state.

Discover more places to visit with our list of the top attractions in Iowa.

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

The Dubuque Historical Society operates the National Mississippi River Museum on the far eastern side of the state. The aquarium features collections, exhibits, and live animals that reflect the cultural and geological importance of the adjacent Mississippi River, and all national rivers defining the country.

The Mississippi River makes up the eastern border of the state of Iowa and defines much of the livelihood of surrounding communities. The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium showcases the important role this river and its watershed plays on the environment and people.

Featuring permanent exhibits like the Mississippi River Discovery Center and an immersive 4D Theater, the museum also features constantly rotating displays that are bound to catch the attention of adults and children alike.

The museum and aquarium also house several live animals that represent the wildlife found in and around river banks, including alligators, otters, and sturgeon. Other exhibits at the museum include a blacksmith shop, a stringray touch pool, and the historic Logsdon Sand & Gravel Barge.

If you want to stay overnight in Dubuque, the historic Hotel Julien Dubuque is only a few blocks away from the museum. The city also has some of the best resorts in Iowa, such as Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark.

Address: 350 E 3rd Street, Dubuque, Iowa

Official site: http://www.rivermuseum.com

State Capitol

The Iowa State Capitol is located on Grand Avenue atop a hill, with excellent views of downtown Des Moines. It houses the Iowa House of Representatives; the Iowa Supreme Court; and many offices of the state's top elected officials, including the governor. But it's much more than just a gold-domed symbol of the city, it's a portal into Iowa's history.

Besides being the central location for much of Iowa's government, the State Capitol also stands as an impressive display of architecture and design. It also features many historical artifacts and interesting Iowa exhibits that you can explore on a self-guided sightseeing tour.

Address: 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa

Official site: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/resources/tourCapitol

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Des Moines

Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair occurs for 10 days in the first half of August every year, attracting over a million annual visitors from the Midwest and beyond. This massive agricultural expo and community celebration is Iowa's largest event and is easily touted as the best state fair in the county.

Countless attractions are found throughout the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Take some time to check out the world-famous Butter Cow and other homegrown fascinations, including barnyard yoga and countless livestock viewing opportunities. Other iconic attractions include a Sky Glider, live music events, and agricultural demonstrations.

The Iowa State Fair also tends to be a dining experience. From several deep-fried concoctions skewered on a stick to meat cuts the size of a dinner plate, the delicacies at the fair tend to be high-calorie options. But, with all the walking to be done in a single day, those calories are put to good use.

Official site: https://www.iowastatefair.org/

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

The National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids is a large institute dedicated to sharing the stories and culture of Czech & Slovak people. It also strives to help the public better understand their own freedoms and how history has led to our present point as a society.

The National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library meets these goals through its permanent exhibits, educational traveling displays, and plenty of special events for the whole family.

Across the 12^th Avenue bridge, the African American Museum of Iowa offers more cultural intrigue.

The downtown district of Cedar Rapids is less than a mile to the north, featuring other attractions like the Paramount Theater to round out a day trip.

Address: 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Official site: http://www.ncsml.org

Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Cedar Rapids

Maquoketa Caves State Park

For a unique natural side of Iowa, Maquoketa Caves State Park offers a look into the world beneath your feet. This popular state park has numerous above-ground hiking trails that explore bluffs, woodlands, and an interesting natural wonder known as Balanced Rock. But the main reason to explore this park in Eastern Iowa is the caves.

For claustrophobes, the Dancehall Cave is a lighted cave with high ceilings and a walkway. And for those that don't mind squeezing into tight spaces, Maquoketa Caves State Park also lends access to more than a dozen other caves that require a flashlight to explore and probably a change of clothes. A large campsite in the park is set up for RVs and tents.

Address: 10970 98th Street, Maquoketa, Iowa

Official site: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610127

University of Iowa Campus, Iowa City

The University of Iowa, founded in 1847, is the cultural backbone of Iowa City – the state's first capital city. The sprawling campus on either side of the Iowa River offers several outlets for community attractions. Some of the largest include lively sporting events at places like Carvery Hawkeye Arena and Nile Kinnick Stadium.

The University of Iowa is also home to the world-renowned Writers' Workshop, well regarded as the best writers' workshop in the country. This esteemed institution helps earn Iowa City a UNESCO City of Literature designation and brings a certain literary flair to the streets.

Amana Colonies

The Amana Colonies of Eastern Iowa comprises seven villages that take visitors into the past and away from the hustle and bustle. The history of the Amana Colonies dates to the mid-19th century, when German Pietists first broke soil in this isolated Iowa location. For many years, no outside influences interfered with their communal lifestyle.

Today, the Amana Colonies is listed as a National Historical Landmark, and the community encourages tourists to experience this slower pace of life. Ways to enjoy the Amana Colonies include touring their historical structures, shopping and dining in their local establishments, and exploring the scenic surroundings on bike paths and walkways.

Annual festivals at Amana Colonies also beckon tourists from across the state. From the sausage-making Wurstfest to the springtime Maifest, it's fun to explore the German traditions at Amana Colonies.

For a full experience of the Amana Colonies, it's worth spending a night or two in the area.

Address: 622 46th Ave, Amana, Iowa

Official site: http://www.amanacolonies.com/

RAGBRAI

Perhaps one of the most quintessential things to do in Iowa, RAGBRAI is a week-long bike race that spans the entire state. The route travels from east to west, and showcases Midwestern culture with friendly people, small towns, and open landscapes.

The Register's Annual Bike Race Across Iowa has taken place for nearly 50 years, and this summer event attracts thousands of cyclists, support vehicle drivers, and racing enthusiasts every year.

Competitiveness isn't the factor pushing cyclists across the state during RAGBRAI. Instead, it's much about the journey along the way and the community celebrations that line the entire route. Small towns blossom with roadside attractions, including live music and fresh watermelon slices. Costumes and customized bicycles are also a big part of the event.

The route changes every year, and the cities and small towns selected for overnight stops transform into a major block party. The entire RAGBRAI route and experience are fun for the whole family, with younger kids (and adults) often opting to ride less than then the average 60 miles the route covers every day.

Official site: http://ragbrai.com/

The Bridges of Madison County

The Bridges of Madison County provide a scenic adventure in Winterset, approximately 30 miles southwest of Des Moines. These beautiful bridges have inspired countless photographs, numerous visits, and even a best-selling novel turned movie.

Before The Bridges of Madison County became a blockbuster, the bridges were simply a part of life for people living in this area in the late 19th century. Today, six of the original 19 covered bridges remain, five of which are on the National Historic Register.

The 82-mile-plus Covered Bridges Scenic Byway is a great way to tour the bridges, as well as the stunning natural scenery. Three of the bridges require travel on a gravel road.

Group and personal tours of the covered bridges are offered by the Madison County Chamber of Commerce (by reservation only). A culminating cultural experience takes place every year with the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival in October.

Even without the scenic covered bridges, Madison County and the city of Winterset are worth a visit. After spending a sunny afternoon exploring and photographing the covered bridges, it's well worth your time to check out Winterset's Historic Town Square.

Winterset is also home to the birthplace of John Wayne and an adjoining museum dedicated to America's most recognized cowboy, The Duke.

Des Moines Art Center

The Des Moines Art Center has provided a venue for locals and visitors to enjoy art since 1948. It features rotating works of photography, sculpture, and painting. The museum also includes mixed-media displays and permanent collections ranging from Georgia O'Keefe to Edward Hopper. Entry to the Des Moines Art Center is free.

The Des Moines Art Center also oversees an eye-catching collection of sculptures in the heart of downtown. The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown is hard to miss. Between Grand and Locust, near the Des Moines Public Library, this well-manicured sculpture park features rotating works and a few permanent installations that have come to symbolize the city.

Address: 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa

Official site: http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

The 31st President of the United States, Herbert Hoover, is currently the only president to come from Iowa. Surrounding his birthplace in the small town of West Branch, a commemorative National Historic Site celebrates his life, history, and influence on the nation and beyond.

During a visit to West Branch, it's worth checking out his humble beginnings and the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, as well as other preserved landscapes and buildings that helped shape the young president-to-be.

The park is also home to the gravesite of Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. While it's fascinating to see these buildings seemingly stuck in time, most of your visit to the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site will be taken up by the Presidential Library and Museum. This impressive and curated collection features rotating exhibits and a permanent exhibit focusing on Hoover's life and legacy.

Address: 210 Parkside Drive, West Branch, Iowa

Official site: https://www.nps.gov/heho/index.htm

American Gothic House

Grant Wood, an Iowa native, is arguably one of the most culturally significant artists of the 20^th century. Many of his most significant works incorporate his Midwest roots as inspiration.

Of particular note, Wood's American Gothic, which depicts a farmer and his wife outside their single-story white home, is recognizable to nearly every American and international art enthusiast.

The house that serves as the backdrop of this masterpiece is open for anyone to see for themselves in real life. Visitors often pose for a picture as the frowning farmer or his wife in front of the house.

The adjacent American Gothic House Center offers details on the life of Grant Wood and the history of the house he famously painted.

Address: 300 American Gothic Street, Eldon, Iowa

Official site: http://www.americangothichouse.net/

Field of Dreams Movie Site

Field of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner, was filmed here in 1989. And while visiting this Movie Site in Dyersville, you may find yourself asking, "Is this heaven?" Rest assured though, it's Iowa, and with all movie quotes aside, the Field of Dreams Movie Site is a fun location for fans of the film. The site features interactive exhibits, plenty of photo opportunities, and a scenic backdrop.

On select Sundays throughout the year, the Field of Dreams also hosts a Ghost Sunday Show. These movie reenactment events feature costumed baseball players from the past stepping out of the cornstalks to put on a family-fun show.

For a full weekend visit, Field of Dreams is located 30 minutes outside Dubuque, where other attractions like the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium beckon for other adventures.

Address: 28995 Lansing Road, Dyersville, Iowa

Official site: http://fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/

Grotto of the Redemption

The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend is truly a unique attraction in Iowa. Also called the West Bend Grotto, it is comprised of nine separate grottos all built from precious stones and gems and handcrafted by a local pastor and a few other helping hands.

No matter your denomination or religion, the West Bend Grotto is an impressive example of what one man with a mission can accomplish in a lifetime.

The grotto is open to the public every day of the year.

Address: 300 N Broadway Ave, West Bend, Iowa

Official site: http://www.westbendgrotto.com/

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More Places to Visit in Iowa: The capital city of Des Moines is the cultural epicenter of the state. The next biggest city in Iowa, Cedar Rapids, is also filled with fun things to do and unique cultural events. For the ultimate way to relax in Iowa and see the state's natural side, our guide to the top weekend getaways in Iowa will have you falling in love with the state in no time.