Top Things to do in Iowa
Top Hotels in Iowa
- 1. Des Lux Hotel
- 2. Stoney Creek Hotel
- 3. Hampton Inn West Des Moines Lake Drive
- 4. Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines
- 5. Drury Inn & Suites Iowa City Coralville
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Cedar Falls, IA
- 7. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Ames, IA
- 8. Hotel Julien Dubuque
- 9. Cobblestone Inn & Suites - Forest City
- 10. Hotel Renovo
10 Bodies of Water in Iowa That You Shouldn't Miss
History and monuments dot this landscape almost as often as the golden farmlands. Learn about America’s 31st president at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. In northeast Iowa is the Effigy Mounds National Monument, a group of prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds. This part of Iowa is also home to the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage. The 37-county region tells the story of American agriculture, agribusiness and farm life and is affiliated with the National Park Service. In addition, there are five national wildlife refuges here. If you love history, imagine seeing the Amana Colonies, consisting of seven historic villages in 1855 by German immigrants as a religious communal society. Here you can also buy antiques, hand-woven baskets, furniture and clocks and locally made wine and beer. In Ames, take the family to see the Christian Petersen Art Museum, a newer structure that exhibits works of art by Christian Petersen and contemporary artists. You won’t want to miss the state capital of Des Moines, home to Blank Park Zoo with its naturalistic exhibits and more than 800 animals from five continents. You also should enjoy the Brenton Skating Plaza, an outdoor family entertainment venue.
Restaurants in Iowa
1. West Lake
2. Manchester Whitewater Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By blandboy - Bettendorf, United States
What a great find! Took our own tubes and spent a couple of fun-filled Saturday morning hours shooting the white-water rapids. No, it's not Colorado, but for our 6 and 9-year-olds, it was big-time fun! Expected a crowd, so we arrived around 10. Glad we did; dozens arrived as we were wrapping up around noon. It's a popular place for kayaks and canoes, too. There are clean well-maintained restrooms for changing your clothes close to the rapids, as well as a shelter for picnics. And, lots of nearby restaurants, too.
3. Spirit Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Iowegian-Viking - Spirit Lake, United States
The lake shores have many average sized homes and compared it to Lake Okoboji there are relatively few boats. There is a bicycle route around the entire lake consisting of some bicycle paths, but at places you need to ride along the side of a highway. There are a number of boat launches and several campgrounds. There are no restaurants with docks on the lake as there are on East and West Lake Okoboji. You are a canoe or kaya there are several small lakes as well as marshy areas near Spirit Lake with a variety of wildlife. Near the South east corner of the lake is a fish hatchery that one can tour. Also there is a bicycle path from the hatchery that will take you into the commercial area of the town of Spirit Lake several miles to the south.
4. Lake Red Rock
5. Little River Lake Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
6. Trappers Bay State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
7. Saylorville lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By jmw0313 - Iowa, United States
If you like to be around lake recreation, the Saylorville area is a great place to enjoy the great outdoors. Boating, fishing, swimming, hiking & bicycle riding can all be enjoyed around this lake area. Great food at the marina bar & grill too!
8. Lake Wapello State Park
9. Lilly Lake
10. Mosquito Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By AndyKansasCity
Tiny park in north Burlington with a great view of the Mississippi River and the Great River Bridge. Street parking only.
