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
Things to do in Iowa, United States: The Best Fun Activities & Games
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. Lacey Recreation Complex
2. Ewing Park
3. Phelps Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By 246carrien - Eagle Grove, United States
Phelps Park is always a great place to hang out. It's great for getting out and hiking in nature, bringing kids to play, have a picnic, or to relax and work or read a book on one of the benches or in one of the shelters.
4. Field of Dreams Movie Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,272 reviews
Is this Heaven? No, it’s Iowa. A place of fertile soil, traditional values and simple pleasure. And, in Dyersville, Iowa, at the century-old Lansing family farm with its quaint, and oh-so-recognizable house, baseball still ranks as a favorite pastime for all ages. What better place to carve a baseball diamond from a corn field and to make a movie about pursuing one’s dream, no matter how much effort it takes? From tours of the inside of the iconic Field of Dreams Farm House, to our retail store, to our concessions stand, there certainly is plenty to do at the place dreams come true! Is this Heaven? We sure think so!
Reviewed By 129julied - Dayton, United States
Our family had a blast!!! Clarence was a wonderful tour guide!!! I'm so glad we stopped - my husband had a chance to play catch with our boys!!!
5. Nile Kinnick Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By 449brycep - Iowa City, United States
First thing to know, it is only known as "Kinnick Stadium." The stadium was named after the only Heisman trophy winner from the University of Iowa. Kinnick died in a training accident in 1943 flying his plane from the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16), which was off the coast of Venezuela in the Gulf of Paria. Also the first Heisman trophy winner ever to die. Second thing to know, that picture is from a wrestling match where UIOWA set the attendance record for a wrestling team dual at 42,287 in 2015.
6. Bacon Creek Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By beamhanson - Mondovi, United States
Great relaxing time, whether you need the exercise or just time to enjoy nature - walking, fishing, boating, or biking. Many off paved trails as well.
7. Veterans Memorial Stadium
8. The Iowa Greyhound Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Live Greyhound racing May thru October each year. Full card simulcast racing from the top greyhound and thoroughbred tracks. Open Wednesday thru Sunday - May to October and Friday thru Sunday - October to May. Mutuel windows open at 10:30am each simulcast day.
Reviewed By CarlS2238
My wife and I took my sister-in-law who was visiting from Korea to Galena. We decided cross the Mississippi and to go to Dubuque. We took a wonderful horse drawn carriage historic tour. We later went to the Casino for awhile and then to watch the greyhound races. It was the first time we had ever been to see greyhound racing. I'm from Chicago so I've seen the various types of horse races. However, I was extremely surprised to find it SO EXCITING !!! We wagered on just about every race, and win or lose we were totally entertained. BTW: We all left winners ! WE WILL BE RETURNING OFTEN AND WILL BRING FRIENDS !!!!!!!!!
