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 Wineries & Vineyards
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. Penoach Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By LittlePaint - Urbandale, United States
Great wine. Relaxing venue. A setting that is both pastoral and historical. Congenial staff. I can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying the wine and the setting. A perfect Sunday afternoon.
2. Barrel Head Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By 8debt - Clinton, United States
Before visiting we had heard the sparkling wines were very good and were made by the methode champonoise method (the way it is done in France). We were not disappointed! The Curvee Cougar 2018 sparkling was was fantastic. We also sampled the dry reds and found them to be very good. We bought some of both. The whole experience was great. John is good at imparting knowledge for whatever level of wine drinker you are. I even found a new way to display some of my memorable corks. They were in a printer's tray. Picture below. We will be back on our next visit to try some of the dry whites and semi sweet wines. And definitely to buy more sparkling wine!!
3. Deal's Apple Orchard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
We are a family run apple orchard located in Jefferson, Iowa. From humble beginnings dating back to 1917, Deal's Orchard has grown to its present size of 45 acres, selling our produce in many central Iowa grocery stores. We have over 25 varieties of Iowa apples as well as tomatoes, sweet corn, pumpkins, holiday gift baskets, and plenty of other seasonal fruits and vegetables. In 1999 we planted our first crop of Scotch Pine trees and now have a wide selection of Christmas trees on our Tree Farm. In 2011 we started our newest adventure by becoming only one of two establishments in the state of Iowa to produce hard cider. All of our cider is pressed, fermented, and bottled at our orchard.
4. Bodega Victoriana Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By bigdawgtraveler - Plattsmouth, United States
Beautiful location owned by a great couple! Wine was very tasty and so was the food. Very friendly people and animals! Music was awesome and could not of been a better Sunday on the porch with friends! We liked the Rhubarb wine and our friends enjoyed the Walk of Shame! Coco was a blast and spent hours playing fetch!
5. Madigan Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Award Winning wines in the heart of Northeast Iowa’s Driftless Area. Our quaint and comfortable tasting room is a granary, in which the oldest signature we’ve found is from 1895. We planted our first vineyards in 2003, the source of our International Double-Gold awarded dry red. Wines for every taste. Outdoor seating available. Beautiful and Bucolic country setting, way off the beaten track.
6. Oscar Carl Vineyard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
With over 1,000 Frontenac Blanc grapevines, Oscar Carl Vineyard is nestled in rural Woodbury County, just 3 miles east of Sioux City. Come and hear the stories behind the names and discover your new favorite wines! OCV's signature wine was named “Loesscato” to celebrate the Loess Hills area the vineyard is located in and the Moscato style of the wine. And it's not only exceeding expectations - it’s delicious!! In addition to Loesscato, Oscar Carl Vineyard also offers Number Ten (dry red), Tomorrow (dry white), June Marie (off-dry, semi-sweet white), Wiolet (sweet red), and Jerry Wane (sweet rose’). Wine can be purchased by the glass, bottle, or flight. Beer, pop, water and small plates are also available. Or bring in your own snacks or food, or have Jerry’s pizza delivered! With a desire to share their love of Iowa, the beautiful view from the vineyard, and teach others about Iowa wines, the Olsens invite you to see what they’re all about. Cheers!
7. Wide River Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Wide River Winery is located in Clinton IA on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River at its widest point. Enjoy bottles of their locally made, award winning wines with a Cheese & Charcuterie tray while enjoying the serenity of the river view from the deck.
Reviewed By susanwI859FI - Mattoon, United States
Had a great time visiting this winery! The names of the wine were great fun for an individual such as I employed in a legal profession! Sitting on the deck overlooking the bluffs and river drinking a refreshing Blushing testimony slushee was heavenly! The people conducting the wine tastings were friendly and helpful! Definitely recommend a stop here when you’re in town!!
8. Park Farm Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By DayDay34 - Dubuque, United States
Took my fiance here for a lunch date. Menu is very simple. They have a pairing section where they'll pick out the wine that goes with your pizza. We got the Crush pizza. It comes with chicken, bacon, spinach, Asiago, and white sauce. DELICIOUS!! They pair it with Picket fence. It is a white wine. ( we also had a bottle of Wilson, which we got a 2nd to go) We also ordered two appetizers. A charcuterie board (the cheese spread was other worldly) and the Aligator(which happened to be a pizza! A pizza appetizer before a pizza) ????it is covered in shrimp, jalapeños, and BBQ sauce. Again, DELICIOUS. They make the dough fresh everyday. I'm a huge foodie both physically and figuratively ???????? and I HIGHLY recommend this place. You guys have a big Italians approval!
9. Summerset Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Located just minutes outside of Des Moines, Iowa in Indianola. Summerset Winery produces award winning Iowa wines from locally grown grapes. The winery specialises in hosting corporate events, weddings, live music concerts, and has a tasting room that is open Tuesday-Sunday all year long and Mondays by appointment. Check out our website for all upcoming events!
Reviewed By 708pauln - Bowie, United States
Lovely winery with wonderful views and great facilities. Our daughter was married at the facility and they stayed at the attached inn, which can be rented and has 10 bedrooms, most with on-suite bathrooms. Staff was very friendly and accommodating and we had a very nice time in an area with beautiful views and excellent facilities.
10. Tassel Ridge Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By donnasU5231BS
We took my legal aged college son to wine tasting at this winery. They were friendly and we all had a great time!
