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
What to do and see in Iowa, United States: The Best Arenas & Stadiums
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. Iowa State Fairgrounds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 868 reviews
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Reviewed By P8743KEsusanh - Coal Creek, United States
There is truly something for everyone, whether you browse the vendors under the Grandstand or in the VI Building, or watch the Husband Calling Contest in Heritage Hall. There's the tiny museum of Fair history, and a huge model train display. You can watch demonstrations of Dutch oven cooking at the DNR Buiding, and admire the Butter Cow and other sculptures while strolling through the Ag Building sipping your honey lemonade or munching a sample hard boiled egg from the Egg Council. Visit Little Hands on the Farm with your children. From the Biggest Bull to the newest baby piglets, there's something new to see every day. Many quality free shows and concerts throughout the Fairgrounds, as well as the paid nightly entertainment at the Grandstand . Fabulous food all over the Fairgrounds, including hidden gems like the old-time soda fountain with real old fashioned malts and shakes. Watch a chain saw carver create a work of art in a few minutes, sing along at the Hymn Sing at the little church, or hold your breath while four year old kids try their hands at mutton bustin'. The midway is typical. You can park and ride from Southeast Polk High School on the east and the Capitol grounds from the west. Parking in these two places is free, and the bus ride is $2, with veteran discounts, and discounts for prepurchased Fair admission. Parking on the grounds is available for a fee. You could attend all 10 days of the Fair and never experience it all.
3. Principal Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By kay13_226 - Columbus, United States
We visited last July and I was very pleased with the facility. We rented a box and it was very roomy with great service. I would highly recommend!
4. UNI-Dome / McLeod Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By LovetoWalk51 - Bowling Green, United States
Visited for the Cal Poly vs NIU football game. I was so happy that it was a covered stadium and temperature controlled. It made watching football on an 85 degree day so enjoyable! I hope NIU students and the City of Cedar Falls recognize that they are truly lucky to have such a wonderful stadium!
5. Iowa Wild
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Voted the Best Fan Experience in the AHL's Western Conference in 2015, come see the Iowa Wild (proud AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild) play at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines! Round up your family and friends, and come watch the future stars of the Minnesota Wild take the ice. The season runs October through April. If you're visiting Des Moines and looking for some fun and affordable entertainment, an Iowa Wild game is the place to be.
Reviewed By JerriAL1 - Johnston, United States
We have flex season tickets and love going to the games with family or friends! Having the flex plan is great because we can trade in unused tickets for more tickets to games. The team is having a great season and the games include T-shirt toss, fun activities and entertainment between periods. Happy to have an AHL hockey team in DSM!
6. Community Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
7. Ashford University Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
8. Carver-Hawkeye arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By TLV007 - Rhinelander, United States
I, of course, being a supporter of a College Wrestling team from another state was a little trepidated going to Squawkeye ground zero. I had a wonderful time.....because in part, this was for an international wrestling meet......the 2018 Worldcup. ON the way in, I saw some Squawkeye fans and mentioned that I was going to feel very strange cheering for the same wrestlers that they were....one correctly pointed out the for this weekend, we all cheering for American Wrestlers. The Arena is magnificent. There is not a bad seat in the house. You can watch the action directly on the mat, and/or watch it on all of the screens set up around the perimeter and on the big screen over the mats. Good food, albeit expensive as in $13 for 2 hotdogs (ok, they were a foot long...but still!! And 13 buck for 2 large bottles of water. Considering why we were there, it was worth it. Good time....good place...and I have to admit, that those Iowa fans really know their wrestling and appreciate great performances from wrestlers other than their own. I know that both the Cuban and Japanese teams enjoyed their reception from the crowd.
9. Buccaneer Arena
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By HockeyMom52
Came to Des Moines from Long Island New York to watch some Buccanneers Hockey. The arena is smaller and older than many in the USHL, I guess it's what hockey people would fondly call an old barn, but that didn't stop the fans from being the loudest and most engaged fans. Apparently the new owners have put a substantial amount of money into upgrading the rink - new paint everywhere, new boards, new glass, new safety netting. It was an excellent hockey experience plus the team won 5-2 which of course is always good.
10. Wells Fargo Arena
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By TMay772
I really like this venue for concerts. I live between DesMoines and Chicago and will choose the slightly longer drive to this venue every time. It's so easy to access and it's easy to find parking even when the main lot is full. The arena is very user friendly and the seats are comfortable.
