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 Historic Sites
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. Stockman House Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 199 reviews
This is the only Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style House open to the public in Iowa. Private tours are offered on a daily basis by reservation. Check our website for more detailed information.
Reviewed By tank1050 - Wescosville, United States
Once again we found another gem of a Frank Lloyd Wright home as well as a neat museum next door. The home is located in a neighborhood of similarly well designed homes, some by Wright's pupils. While you wait for your tour to start, take a look at the exhibits in the visitor center . The scale models and renderings and information is great. Bob, our guide, gave us a great tour. he was very friendly and full of information on the house and its details. This Prairie style house was built in 1912. It was well restored and is great to tour. We have loved all of the Wright designed buildings we have toured around the country and this one didn't disappoint us. We didn't have time to do the hotel in town but I wish we could have. Tour was $10 per person with on site parking. Note; no pictures inside house.
2. Historic Park Inn Hotel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By 734liciap
Every person we encountered from guests to staff were friendly. Very clean! This is the ONLY Frank Lloyd Wright-designed hotel still in existence in the entire world. That alone is worth the stay! But also the people of Mason City cared enough to restore this hotel and preserve this historic site! I love that we spent our money on something so special. The rooms are unique—small, very quaint, all restored to the period. Bed was comfy. No room has a king bed, and now I understand why. The queen we slept in filled the room. Our son slept on the pullout couch in the small living room area. I tried the couch bed out and it was not comfortable at all. But what couch bed is? The restaurant attached was delicious and super good service. I can’t brag this place up enough. If you value art, history, or local small business, you won’t want to miss this!
3. Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cathedral Complex
4. Living History Farms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Living History Farms is located in the western suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa in Urbandale and is conveniently located right off Interstates 35/80. It is an interactive outdoor museum which educates, entertains and connects people of all ages to Midwestern rural life experiences. 300 years of agricultural history are represented including a 1700 Ioway Indian Farm, 1850 Pioneer Farm, 1900 Horse-Powered Farm and an 1875 town. Tours are self guided and historic interpreters are at each farm site are dressed in clothing from each era to explain what it would have been like to live in that time. The general touring season is May 1 through October 14th. Many special events and historic dinners take place in the off-season. Visit the website for details.
Reviewed By Juliewz - Saint Paul, United States
Wow this place was great,they actors gave a lot of info about the time period they are recreating and the buildings are well stocked with cool old things. Well done!
5. Kalona Historical Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
The local community developed this site to shield the working farms and community from tourists.
Reviewed By IowaTourism101
A very charming historic downtown in a quintessential small Iowa town. There are so many things to see and do here including stopping by the Kalona Creamery and Golden Delights Bakery. It's only about 20 minutes outside of Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
6. Soldier's Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By 115edwinr
This monument is a tribute to the Men who served the Union Cause during the Civil War. It is well done, and stands in the middle of Main Street across from Central High School.
7. Old Capitol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
This was the seat of government when Iowa City was the state capital.
Reviewed By 773dkc - Rock Island, United States
Beautiful old building that was the State's capitol building back in the day that Iowa City was Iowa's state capitol. Entire building is the museum... every room is as it was back then, old old books in old old bookcases, desks with inkwells and feather quills, gavels, wood stoves for heating each room, really really nice to walk from room to room and see how it was. A tiny little elevator makes the building wheelchair accessible but limited street parking means parking a block away in the parking garage (1st hour free, $1 per hour). Good news is price is right (FREE) plus it's right next door to the Museum of Natural History as well as lots of little shops and restaurants across the street add up to a day of fun!
8. Salisbury House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
The King's House in Salisbury, England, was the inspiration for this Tudor mansion.
Reviewed By Rbb599 - Camp Verde, United States
I was so excited to go back as an adult. I went on a field trip there as a kid and loved it. I do love houses with a history. This one is interesting from the different periods of architecture to the story behind the vision. Once you enter and pay ($10 you can roam where you wish. I think for an hour and 15 min. Don’t miss the informational video playing in what was the kitchen. The the grounds must beautiful in the summer, I went in March. You can also roam outside too. Groups are limited in sizes and there were about 4 or so time slots each day open. I called and reserved my spot.
9. Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 450 reviews
This library-museum commemorates the 31st President of the U.S. and the first born west of the Mississippi River. Exhibits track Hoovers life and political career. The large temporary gallery has changing exhibits that relate to American history. The Museum sits on the grounds of the Hoover National historic site where visitors can tour Hoover's birthplace cottage, blacksmith shop, Quaker meeting house, the local school and the Hoover's gravesite.
Reviewed By RoadDee - Iowa City, United States
I’ve lived in Gettysburg. I’ve visited Hyde Park. Knowledge is predicated neither by acres nor fame. Herbert Hoover’s historical identify is usually synonymous with The Great Depression. This very well done museum, located steps from his boyhood home and burial site, counters the myth and humanizes the man. Unpretentious, yet with great efficiency similar to the life he lived, the National Park Service and the Herbert Hoover Foundation are marvelous caretakers of a superb learning experience befitting our 31st president.
10. Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
The Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace is TEMPORARILY closed, pending maintenance & repairs. Documents & other artifacts of Mamie's life have been moved to the Boone History Center, where they may be viewed in a climate-controlled gallery dedicated to Boone's First Family that is also accessible to the mobility-impaired. The Boone History Center is located at 602 Story St. in Boone, IA.
