Iowa is a Midwestern state that is home to about three million people. Iowa is bordered by the Mississippi River in the east and the Missouri River in the west, with a landscape of lakes, prairie, and plains in between. With several big cities, such as Des Moines and Sioux City, there are plenty of cultural and entertainment attractions, in addition to the plentiful outdoor recreation in the spacious Iowa countryside.
Central Iowa is mainly focused around the Des Moines area and its suburbs. This region has a high concentration of the population of Iowa, including about five hundred thousand in the Des Moines metropolitan area.
Altoona is just west of Des Moines at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Interstate 80. Altoona features the exciting Adventureland Theme Park, with more than one hundred rides and attractions, as well as the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.
Boone is located on the historic Lincoln Highway in Des Moines Township. Although Boone is a small city of twelve thousand residents, there are numerous attractions. Boone Scenic Valley Railroad travels through the Des Moines River Valley on a fifteen mile track, and the Ledges State Park is one of the most popular in Iowa.
Clarion is a small city in northern-central Iowa. Here you can visit the Heartland Museum, Clarion Aquatic Center, and historic downtown buildings from the 1800s. Nearby Lake Cornelia offers outdoor recreation and a park.
Mason City is a northern-central Iowa city within Cerro Gordo County. Mason City is noted for its Prairie School style of architecture, with many unique buildings, including two buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Mason City is also known for its musical heritage and live music scene.
Clear Lake is a small city located on the scenic Clear Lake, where you can take a cruise on the riverboat Lady of the Lake or go camping and sightseeing in Clear Lake State Park.
Burlington is situated along the Mississippi River. This area features Crapo Park, with an arboretum and botanical garden among its eighty-five acres. Visit the scenic limestone bluffs in the two hundred acre Starr's Cave Park and Preserve. Burlington also contains the famous crooked street known as Snake Alley.
Des Moines is the capital of Iowa and its largest city. Des Moines is a national center for business and finance, with major headquarters like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Wells Fargo, and ING Group. The Des Moines Civic Center is a great place to see live entertainment shows, and Des Moines has its own Opera and Symphony. Visit the State Historical Museum, Des Moines Art Center, and Fort Des Moines Museum and Educational Center to take in some of the area history and culture. Families will enjoy the Blank Park Zoo and nearby Adventureland Park. Des Moines is centrally located within Iowa and is easily accessible by Interstate 235, Interstate 35, and Interstate 80.
Clive is a residential Des Moines suburb. Clive is a historic railroad town with some preserved old buildings. Clive contains part of the scenic Iowa Greenway Trail.
Stuart is a small city in the West Des Moines area. Here you can visit the Nationâs Bridge Park, Raccoon Ridge Archery, and Raccoon Ridge Music Hall. Stuart is just over half an hour from all the attractions of Des Moines.
Urbandale is a primarily residential community of the West Des Moines area. Urbandale is located on Interstate 35 and Interstate 80. Be sure to see the Living History Farms and Welcome Center.
Perry is situated on the North Raccoon River. The Raccoon River Valley Trail runs from Clive to Perry, with nature observatories, hiking and biking paths, and canoeing and kayaking. Also visit the Historic Hotel Pattee and Soumas Court, and the Forest Park Museum.
Ankeny , just north of Des Moines, contains the 4 Js Horse Ranch and Park, and also several golf courses, hotels, and museums.
Ames is thirty minutes north of Des Moines. Ames is a city of fifty thousand that is the home of Iowa State University. Campustown and Somerset are two neighborhoods where nightlife, entertainment, shopping and dining can be found. Ames also features the Remain Gardens, Ada Hayden Park, and Brunnier Art Museum.
Marshalltown is located west of Cedar Rapids, along Route 30. Marshalltown features a family aquatic center, hiking and biking trail, National Historic District, 12-level tree house, art gallery, golf courses, and more. Visit landmarks like Riverside Park, Fisher Theatre, and Willard Mansion.
Osceola is a city of five thousand in Clarke County. Osceola is conveniently located near Interstate 35 in southern Iowa. Osceola features fishing, camping and hunting, along with scenic lakes and golf courses in Hopeville Square County Park and East Lake County Park. Browse through downtown shops, osee a show at the award-winning Art Deco Lyric Theater, sample wines at Southern Hills Winery, and gamble at Terrible's Lakeside Casino.
Knoxville is south of Des Moines around Lake Red Rock, the largest lake in Iowa. Here you can visit the exciting English Creek Speedway and Knoxville Raceway. Parks and campgrounds abound in this secluded area, including the Marion County Park, North Overlook Campground, and Elk Rock State Park.
Pella is a Dutch-influenced manufacturing city. Some local landmarks are the Vermeer Mill and the Pella Opera House, which was built in 1900. Lake Red Rock is just a few miles away.
Newton is a rural and manufacturing city known as the home of the Maytag Dairy Farms. Newton is located directly on Interstate 80. The Jasper County Historical Museum, Iowa Speedway, and several vineyards are the local attractions.
Eastern Iowa is the cultural and historical destination of the state. Eastern Iowa contains many smaller cities and towns along its Mississippi riverfront border. This region also contains several schools including the University of Iowa.
Cedar Falls is the home of the University of Northern Iowa and is located along Route 218. Downtown offers a cultural and entertainment district, with attractions like the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, and the Hearst Center for the Arts and Sculpture Garden. There are two large parks for camping and sightseeing: the Hartman Reserve Nature Center and the George Wyth State Park.
Waterloo is a city of seventy thousand in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area. Waterloo is an industrial and agricultural city along the Cedar River. The Grout Museum District, Downtown Waterloo, and the Cedar Trail Network are popular areas. Two more exciting attractions are the Lost Island Waterparrk and The Isle Hotel and Casino.
Toledo is half an hour south of Waterloo. The Otter Creek Lake and park offers outdoor recreation. Another interesting site is the Tama County Historical Museum and Genealogy Library.
Williamsburg is located along Interstate 80 and Route 149. Williamsburg is a small farming community. Shopping can be found at the Tanger Factory Outlet Center.
Independence is centrally located in Buchanan County, on the Wapsipinicon River. Visit the Buffalo Creek Area for campgrounds. Independence also features the Wapsipinicon Mill, Heartland Acres Agribition Center, and a lovely riverfront area with hotels, restaurants, historic attractions and more.
Cedar Rapids is the second-largest city in Iowa and is located on the Cedar River. Cedar Rapids is a thriving state center of technology, economy, and arts and culture. A few of the arts attractions are the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Paramount Theatre, and the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra. Visit the Czech Village, Vernon Heights, and several other unique neighborhoods. Cedar Rapids also features the Indian Creek Nature Center, Sac and Fox Trail, and Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area.
Bellevue lies along the Mississippi River on the eastern border of Iowa. Riverfront entertainment including cruises, shopping, and restaurants can be found all around. Visit the Bellevue State Park and Pleasant Creek for campgrounds and more.
Dubuque is located on the Mississippi River at the junction of the Iowa-Illinois-Wisconsin tri-state area. Dubuque is the oldest city in Iowa, officially settled in 1833, and today is nationally recognized as one of the best residential and business cities in the state. Places to see include the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, Grand River Center, and Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino.
Clinton has about thirty thousand residents and is located along the eastern border of Iowa. This riverfront city contains many parks, including the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, River Point Park, and Eagle Point Park. US Highway 30 and US Highway 67 both run through Clinton.
Muscatine is located along the eastern border of Iowa and Route 61. The Riverfront is known for its breathtaking sunsets as described in the Mark Twain Scenic Overlook. Also visit the Muscatine Art, History and Industry Center, Kent Stein Park, and Weed Park and Aquatic Center.
Clermont is a small city that contains many historic buildings, including Montauk, the former mansion of Iowa governor William Larrabee.
Bettendorf is part of the Quad Cities area, which includes Davenport and the cities of Moline and Rock Island, Illinois. Some things to do in Bettendorf include the Family Museum, Penguins Comedy Club, and Island of Capri Casino and Hotel.
Davenport is a large city on the Mississippi River, with nearly one hundred thousand residents. Davenport has many unique neighborhoods dating back to the 1840s, with a variety of architecture. A few places to see in Davenport are the Figge Art Museum, Davenport Skybridge, and the Putnam Museum and IMAX Theatre. Two local parks are the Modern Woodmen Park and the Vander Veer Botanical Park.
Coralville is a suburb of Iowa City. Coralville has many interesting museums including the Johnson County Historical Society Museum, the Iowa Children's Museum, and Antique Car Museum of Iowa. The local F.W. Kent Park is situated on one thousand acres with a lake and forests.
Western Iowa is less densely-populated and urbanized than the rest of Iowa. Western Iowa contains beautiful and dramatic scenery, with its landscape of Loess Hills and the Iowa Great Lakes.
Council Bluffs is seated on the east bank of the Missouri River, along the border of Western Iowa. The history of Council Bluffs is shaped by its Native American heritage and the Gold Rush of the 1850s, with the city being a major hub of the transcontinental railroad. There are two museums to commemorate this heritage, the Union Pacific Museum, and the Railswest Railroad Museum.
Sioux City is a large city with eighty-five thousand residents, located on the western border of Iowa. Sioux City is seated confluence of the Missouri and Floyd Rivers, at the corner of the Iowa-Nebraska-South Dakota junction. In this area of forests and rivers there are many parks, including Stone State Park, Grandview Park, Riverside Park, and many more. Also visit the Sioux City Public Museum, Historic Fourth Street, and Sioux City Art Center. Sioux City is directly on Interstate 29.
Oakland is located along the West Nishabonta River is southwestern Iowa. This is a small town with under two thousand residents. One attraction to visit is the Nishna Heritage Museum.
Iowa is a great state to visit for those looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation that still offers plenty to do. Iowa is an especially nice place to enjoy camping, hiking, and spending time in the great outdoors.
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