Planning A Trip To Iowa? Don’t Forget To Check These Places Out!

Iowa is bordered on two sides by the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and is a Midwestern agricultural state filled with different small towns, caves, flea markets, lakes, resorts and a plethora of roadside attractions. In short, you will never visit Iowa and be bored!

It has more than it’s fair share of history and culture, being the birthplace of President Herbert Hoover and western film star John Wayne but in this article, we are going to look at just a few of the many, many attractions that this state has to offer.

The Capitol Building

The Iowa Capitol Building is situated in Des Moines and is home to the legislative and executive branches of government for the state. The building, which dates back to the 19th century,  is the only five-domed capitol building in the United States. Guided tours are available, but if you want to explore this fantastic piece of architecture for yourself, you can do one of the self-tours for free. The grounds surrounding the building are full of monuments, and the hilltop location of the Capitol means you are treated to some fabulous panoramic views of downtown Des Moines.

Des Moines, by the way, is home to a primary commercial service airport, It is an ideal base for starting your visit to the state, especially if you find a hotel near Des Moines International Airport to head back to after a long day of exploring the region.

Blank Park Zoo

If you are traveling with the kids, this is a must-visit attraction. The Blank Park Zoo is located in downtown Des Moines and spreads over a whopping 25 acres of land. The species here come from all over the globe, so you can expect to see a vast variety of animals, from sea life to African elephants.

Des Moines Art Center

This is one for the art buffs! It first opened in 1948, and if you have an interest in modern art, this is somewhere that you will not want to miss. It is built in an art-deco style, making not only the contents of the building but the building itself enjoyable. There are permanent collections featuring iconic artists such as Matisse and Rodin, as well as rotating exhibitions from around the region.  Not only are there paintings, but sculptures and other forms of art. In the grounds, you will find a beautiful ornamental rose garden, also featuring a range of figurines.

The Farmers Market

Des Moines is famous for its huge farmers market, situated in the historic court district of the city. It is a great place to visit if you want to support the local community, with more than three hundred local vendors, from bakers to farmers to artisans, selling their goods all in one place. It has been running for over 40 years and does not appear to be waning in popularity! While you are perusing the ranges of local fruits and vegetables, cut flowers and herbs and meat and baked goods, you are treated to all day entertainment from live musicians and other street entertainers and performers.

Lovers Leap Swinging Bridge

Heading around 150 miles East of Des Moines is Columbus Junction, which is home to the dramatic Lovers Leap Swinging Bridge. A warning though – this is certainly not for the faint -hearted eight stories high, swinging over a deep ravine. It is said that in 1920, two young boys were walking over it when the planks gave way, sending them tumbling into the gorge below. Miraculously, they ended up upright on their feet at the bottom, unscathed from the fall! It was rebuilt a couple of years later, and there have been no more incidents, thankfully!

Villisca Axe Murder House

Head a few hours west of Columbus Junction, and you hit Villisca, which is home to the infamous axe murder house. It is not one for the kids or any one of a nervous disposition but if you are into morbid and gruesome, this is one for you! In 1912, six children and two adults were bludgeoned to death with an axe, and to this day, the crime has never been solved. If you are feeling really daring, you can even stay at the house for around $400 a night!

Captain Kirk’s Future Birth Place

If you fancy yourself as a bit of a Star Trek fan, head East to Riverside and visit Captain Kirk’s future birthplace. A stone tells us that the Federation of Planets hero will be born there in 2228! It is particularly buzzing during the annual Trek fest where Trekkies and other science fiction geeks gather. On those days you can meet people dressed in space uniform alongside the 18th century-styled Amish who ride horses and do not use any form of modern technology.

Jasper Winery

We now loop back around to Des Moines and to an attraction perfect for the wine buffs. Jasper Winery originally opened in 2000 as a result of the grape planting in Newton and quickly turned into a wine production business. It moved to Des Moines in 2008 and now supplies many of the big companies from across the state. Sample the delicious beverages on sale and take a tour of the winery followed by a 90-minute educational session, where you will learn about the best chocolate and cheese pairings!

As you can see, Iowa is full of things to do and places to visit from the fabulous and fun to the downright creepy and morbid, but whatever sort of thing you are into, you will no doubt find an attraction for you and your family in this great state! Let us know what you recommend in the comments.

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