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
The 10 Best Water & Amusement Parks in Iowa, United States
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. All Seasons Center: Siouxnami Waterpark and Vernon Arena
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Year round family fun facility. Amenities include the Vernon Ice Arena, the Siouxnami Indoor and Outdoor Waterpark, and Senior Center. Vernon Arena: open a variety of hours September-March, Admission $5 Skate Rental $3 Siouxnami Outdoor Waterpark: (June-August) Sunday-Friday 12-8pm, Saturday 12-6pm, Sunday 1-5pm Admission: Adults $7 Youth $6 Prek $2 Siouxnami Indoor Waterpark: open year round School year hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm, Fridays 6-8:45pm, Saturdays 1-4pm & 6-8:45pm and Sundays 1:30-4:30pm School Year admission Adults $6 Youth $5 PreK $2 Summer hours: Monday-Friday 1-8pm, Saturdays 12-6pm, Sundays 1-5pm Summer Admission included with Siouxnami outdoor admission
Reviewed By bestdayeva - Sioux Falls, United States
This place makes me feel like I’m on vacation! So fun! There’s lots of things for the kids to do- body slides, tube slides, zip line, diving boards. The concessions are cheap too!
2. Lost Island Water Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Lost Island is a tropical getaway hidden in the heart of the Midwest! Have you ever seen palm trees in Iowa? How about mysterious ancient ruins? Walking through the gates at Lost Island will make you feel like you just stepped off a plane in some far away destination. We offer a wide range of attractions for all thrill levels. Enjoy the Wailua Kupua - one of the first hydromagnetic watercoasters in the country! Splash around in Tsunami Bay, race your friends down Ta'Katipo, lounge in a deluxe cabana, or float around the Kailahi River. With over 20 attractions available, it won't take you long to get lost.
Reviewed By themnkid - Minnesota, United States
Came here on a Saturday in 95 degree weather. There was already a long line before they opened. Due to lack of signage or staff there are multiple lines that form. Note to someone who bought tickets online: Go into the middle between the lines. No need to wait in the sides to buy your tickets. Once inside there are lockers to your left. It is really nice that they do not use keys any longer. The credit card reader wasn't working on them. No problem as long as you have exact cash. The lockers really need to have more space between the sets. If others are at their lockers, you are at their mercy and just have to wait for them to get out of the way. This park has a wavepool which does get crowded.They have a good amount of tubes. I wouldn't want anymore in, as it would really crowd the pool space for "non tube users". As others have said, a few of the family slides have very few tubes. They need a few more in the pipeline. On Molokini Crater, there are less than 10 tubes. You must wait at the bottom for a tube to come down and then carry up these large heavy tubes up the many stairs. I strongly suggest to the park to change this. This is my biggest issue at the park. There are many other fun parts though to make up for it. There is a lack of signage for which paths go to which slides... just follow the colors painted on the posts though to the corresponding slide. I also suggest bringing a picnic lunch and eating outside.
3. Richard Petty Driving Experience
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Get behind the wheel in one of our 8 – 80 lap driving programs or Ride-Along shotgun for 3 high-speed laps at over 20 tracks nationwide – including Iowa Speedway!
4. Splash Landing Aquatic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
5. Clive Aquatic Center
6. Preservation Plaza
7. Center Grove Orchard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By 112473TinaW - Ames, United States
When we went here it was packed with people, but it didn't matter. There was parking assistance. There was plenty to do and any "lines" went fast. This orchard has everything for everyone. Corn pool, huge pumpkin patch, tug of war tractor pull, kids toy tractor rides, feed goats, train, hay ride, discovery barn, giant slide, combine slide, haystack climb, 3 little pigs houses, a corn maze, and more. They have places as you walk with fresh grilled food, lemonade, ice cream, kettle corn, etc. When you first get there you go through a big building that has a coffee kiosk and you can see freshly made donuts being made in the window. Next to it is a cafe. Next to that is the country store jam packed with homemade pies, caramel apples, donuts, and much more to take home. It's a great way to spend the day. There were a lot of teens having fun, too.
8. Furman Aquatic Center
9. Muscatine Aquatic Center
10. Adventureland
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 677 reviews
Adventureland Amusement Park and Adventure Bay Waterpark contain over 100 rides, shows, and attractions including some of the country's most exciting roller coasters and thrill rides that can challenge the most avid amusement park enthusiasts. There are also plenty of rides for less adventurous guests including great water rides as well as a full compliment of children's rides spread throughout the park. But the entertainment doesn't stop with rides - Adventureland presents a full array of shows in the park - from thrilling circus acts and magic shows to live music and juggling - there's always something to suit everyone's taste. Simply the most fun you will have all year!
Reviewed By robertmL6917SK - Perry, United States
Spent the day here from open to close. Was an absolute blast for our kids as well as us parents. The staff we encountered were very nice, friendly, and accomodating. Lines were normal as to be expected except for the Raging River, that line was brutal. Loved the experience in Adventure Bay. Our kids left absolutely exhausted! Thank you for the wonderful time. We hadn't been here in a couple years and forgot what we were missing!
