We heard your travel bug bite is still itching. Our first article about unique day trips in Iowa was so popular, we had people asking for more. So, here are 11 more unique day trips in Iowa that you must take this summer!
- Enjoy a night at the drive-in theater.
Flickr / Thomas Hawk Sit back, put the top down, and enjoy a unique end-of-the-day experience at the drive-in theater. There are drive-in theaters in Spirit Lake, Newton, Delmar, Blue Grass, and more. This is a great way to end the perfect day trip, or you can head out here to make a drive-in your whole destination. Stop for snacks and popcorn on the way!
- Discover the Villages of Van Buren
David Wilson/Flickr The villages of Van Buren are definitely one of Iowa’s hidden treasures. There are 12 villages, with some of the bigger ones being Bentonsport, Bonaparte, Birmingham, Farmington, and Keosauqua. With no fast food restaurants, no stop lights, and a historic village feel, the Villages of Van Buren are just the day trip many of us Iowans need to escape the daily grind. For more information, click here.
- Experience German culture in the Amana Colonies
Neal Wellons/Flickr The little villages that make up the Amana Colonies offer a taste of German culture with their German restaurants, brewery, and bakeries. You can also check out more areas of German culture at the Wool Mill, and at their various shops and stores, where they sell many handmade items. Be sure to stop in the Amana General Store! For more information, click here.
- Rent a bike and explore the city of Des Moines.
Phil Roeder/Flickr Rent a bike from the BCycle station in Des Moines, and treat yourself to a tour of the capital city. Des Moines is a very bike-friendly city and you’ll find plenty of places to park along the way. For more information, click here.
- Sip and paint with your friends
Tim Carter/Flickr Gather a group of your friends and enjoy a night of wine and painting. There are a ton of different places to do this: Pinot’s Palette in Des Moines, Creative Spirits in Okoboji, and others in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities.
- Visit the Sioux City Art Center
Ali Eminov/Flickr The Sioux City Art Center is a great place to check out. They have many beautiful exhibits and art pieces, and they offer a ton of different art classes. While you’re in town, stop at the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. For more information, click here.
- Explore Des Moines’ Historic East Village
Mark Hesseltine/Flickr This artsy, cultural district of Des Moines has been compared to New York’s Greenwich Village. It’s a really neat place to spend the day, and if you get hungry, check out Zombie Burger. Their burgers are to die for. For more information, click here.
- Take a scenic train ride in Boone
Jerry Huddleston/Flickr Take a train ride through the scenic valleys of Boone, and over the highest train bridge. They offer dinner and dessert trains, too, and even let you bring your own bottle of wine if you want. For more information, click here.
- Canoe down the Iowa River near Decorah
Ellen Macdonald/Flickr Spend the day canoeing down the Upper Iowa River in Decorah. While you’re there, check out the ice caves, waterfall, and Vesterheim Norwegian Museum. For more information, click here.
- Check out the Grotto of Redemption in West Bend
Laura Bernhardt/Flickr Often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” this giant, religious shrine in West Bend is made completely of gems and stones. For more information, click here.
- Do a little riverboat gambling in Dubuque
IIP Photo Archive/Flickr The Diamond Jo Riverboat Casino in Dubuque is a unique place to spend your day. While you’re there, check out the Fenelon Place Elevator, which is the steepest and shortest tram ride in the country. Once you get to the top, you have a great view of the entire city. For more information, click here.
Think these unique day trips will finally cure your travel bug? Let us know what your favorite day trip destinations are in the comments section, or nominate your favorite spot right here.
Flickr / Thomas Hawk
Sit back, put the top down, and enjoy a unique end-of-the-day experience at the drive-in theater. There are drive-in theaters in Spirit Lake, Newton, Delmar, Blue Grass, and more. This is a great way to end the perfect day trip, or you can head out here to make a drive-in your whole destination. Stop for snacks and popcorn on the way!
David Wilson/Flickr
The villages of Van Buren are definitely one of Iowa’s hidden treasures. There are 12 villages, with some of the bigger ones being Bentonsport, Bonaparte, Birmingham, Farmington, and Keosauqua. With no fast food restaurants, no stop lights, and a historic village feel, the Villages of Van Buren are just the day trip many of us Iowans need to escape the daily grind. For more information, click here.
Neal Wellons/Flickr
The little villages that make up the Amana Colonies offer a taste of German culture with their German restaurants, brewery, and bakeries. You can also check out more areas of German culture at the Wool Mill, and at their various shops and stores, where they sell many handmade items. Be sure to stop in the Amana General Store! For more information, click here.
Phil Roeder/Flickr
Rent a bike from the BCycle station in Des Moines, and treat yourself to a tour of the capital city. Des Moines is a very bike-friendly city and you’ll find plenty of places to park along the way. For more information, click here.
Tim Carter/Flickr
Gather a group of your friends and enjoy a night of wine and painting. There are a ton of different places to do this: Pinot’s Palette in Des Moines, Creative Spirits in Okoboji, and others in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities.
Ali Eminov/Flickr
The Sioux City Art Center is a great place to check out. They have many beautiful exhibits and art pieces, and they offer a ton of different art classes. While you’re in town, stop at the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. For more information, click here.
Mark Hesseltine/Flickr
This artsy, cultural district of Des Moines has been compared to New York’s Greenwich Village. It’s a really neat place to spend the day, and if you get hungry, check out Zombie Burger. Their burgers are to die for. For more information, click here.
Jerry Huddleston/Flickr
Take a train ride through the scenic valleys of Boone, and over the highest train bridge. They offer dinner and dessert trains, too, and even let you bring your own bottle of wine if you want. For more information, click here.
Ellen Macdonald/Flickr
Spend the day canoeing down the Upper Iowa River in Decorah. While you’re there, check out the ice caves, waterfall, and Vesterheim Norwegian Museum. For more information, click here.
Laura Bernhardt/Flickr
Often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” this giant, religious shrine in West Bend is made completely of gems and stones. For more information, click here.
IIP Photo Archive/Flickr
The Diamond Jo Riverboat Casino in Dubuque is a unique place to spend your day. While you’re there, check out the Fenelon Place Elevator, which is the steepest and shortest tram ride in the country. Once you get to the top, you have a great view of the entire city. For more information, click here.
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Address: Villages of Van Buren, Inc, 809 1st St, Keosauqua, IA 52565, USAAddress: Amana Colonies, 622 46th Ave, Amana, IA 52203, USAAddress: Des Moines, IA, USAAddress: Decorah, IA 52101, USAAddress: Sioux City Art Center, 225 Nebraska St, Sioux City, IA 51101, USAAddress: Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad | James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, 225 10th St, Boone, IA 50036, USAAddress: Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, 208 1st Ave NW, West Bend, IA 50597, USAAddress: Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque, 301 Bell St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
unique day trips in Iowa May 21, 2021 Kim Magaraci What’s the most beautiful hike in Iowa? One of our favorite hikes in Iowa is one that will take you through enormous and towering caves, and let you hop and skip across a creek. Of course, we’re talking about Maquoketa Caves State Park! Take the loop trail to see all of the park’s namesake caves and you’ll find yourself enjoying sights you would never expect to see here in the Hawkeye State. What is the most scenic town in Iowa? It’s hard to top Decorah when it comes to being the most scenic town in Iowa. Not only can you paddle down the Upper Iowa River to see the Bluffton Palisades, but you can hike to an ice cave and a waterfall in one loop, or take a riverside stroll to the gorgeous Malanaphy Springs cascade, which is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. What are the best little-known attractions in Iowa? Some of the coolest sights in Iowa are often overlooked. For example, did you know that there’s a replica of the entire town from the Music Man in Mason City? How about an enormous observatory on the Drake Campus in Des Moines? We bet you’ve never visited either, and if you haven’t, add them to your list of places you’ve got to see.
The OIYS Visitor Center
unique day trips in Iowa
May 21, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What’s the most beautiful hike in Iowa? One of our favorite hikes in Iowa is one that will take you through enormous and towering caves, and let you hop and skip across a creek. Of course, we’re talking about Maquoketa Caves State Park! Take the loop trail to see all of the park’s namesake caves and you’ll find yourself enjoying sights you would never expect to see here in the Hawkeye State. What is the most scenic town in Iowa? It’s hard to top Decorah when it comes to being the most scenic town in Iowa. Not only can you paddle down the Upper Iowa River to see the Bluffton Palisades, but you can hike to an ice cave and a waterfall in one loop, or take a riverside stroll to the gorgeous Malanaphy Springs cascade, which is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. What are the best little-known attractions in Iowa? Some of the coolest sights in Iowa are often overlooked. For example, did you know that there’s a replica of the entire town from the Music Man in Mason City? How about an enormous observatory on the Drake Campus in Des Moines? We bet you’ve never visited either, and if you haven’t, add them to your list of places you’ve got to see.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
What is the most scenic town in Iowa? It’s hard to top Decorah when it comes to being the most scenic town in Iowa. Not only can you paddle down the Upper Iowa River to see the Bluffton Palisades, but you can hike to an ice cave and a waterfall in one loop, or take a riverside stroll to the gorgeous Malanaphy Springs cascade, which is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day.
What are the best little-known attractions in Iowa? Some of the coolest sights in Iowa are often overlooked. For example, did you know that there’s a replica of the entire town from the Music Man in Mason City? How about an enormous observatory on the Drake Campus in Des Moines? We bet you’ve never visited either, and if you haven’t, add them to your list of places you’ve got to see.
