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In a modern glass and granite building, discover an exciting, hands-on approach to exploring Iowa's past. This showcase of the State Historical Society of Iowa includes wildlife, American Indian and pioneer artifacts, political and military items, and a new permanent exhibit on Iowa's Civil War Battle flags.
Historical Building

The Family Museum of Arts and Science offers hands-on interactive exhibits for children and families. Touch a tornado, make a cloud ring, hop through a rabbit hole, and explore the workings of the human heart. See traveling exhibits, and enjoy the museum shop.
Family Museum of Arts and Science, Bettendorf

Learn about Iowa's rich prairie heritage. See wildlife, native flowers and grasses, buffalo and elk along auto tour and foot trails. The Prairie Learning Center offers state-of-the-art audiovisuals and a museum.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Prairie City

Before Europeans arrived, a unique American Indian “Effigy Mound” culture developed in the upper Midwest building thousands of earthen mounds in the shape of animals across the landscape. Today, over two-hundred mounds are preserved intact here; thirty-one are effigies in the shape of bears and birds found along hiking trails offering magnificent views of the Mississippi River.
Effigy Mounds National Monument, Prairie City

The Western Historic Trails Center is an interpretive center for the Lewis & Clark Trail, Mormon Pioneer Trail, Oregon Trail and California Trail. See a variety of media, including a 14-minute film, sculpture, and interactive exhibits. Special programs throughout the year. Hiking/biking trails to the Missouri River.
Western Historic Trails Center

An exciting, new, permanent exhibit at the State Historical Society of Iowa, “Mammoth: Witness to Change,” has visitors in awe as they see, feel and hear life as it was 15,000 to 16,000 years ago. The cornerstone of the exhibit is the complete skeleton of the Hebior Mammoth, discovered near Kenosha, Wis., in 1994.
Wooly Mammoth Exhibit

Explore the wild year-round at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. The enclosed Discovery Center includes a butterfly garden, bat cave, coral reef aquarium, hands-on water lab, and Iowa’s largest collection of tropical plants. The 22-acre zoological park feature naturalistic exhibits with more than 800 animals from five continents.
Blank Park Zoo Marmosets

Iowa's lush, rolling terrain is the perfect setting for a long leisurely stroll or an invigorating hike. Whatever path you choose, all trails in Iowa lead to natural beauty and outdoor adventure.
nature trail

Located in the heart of Amish country, Kalona is known as "The Quilt Capital of Iowa." Visit the Quilt and Textile Museum to learn more about these antique treasures, as well as the Mennonite Museum and Archives, one-room school, country store and more, all located in the Kalona Historical Village.
kalona

The nation's foremost institution interpreting Czech and Slovak history and culture. Dedicated in 1995 by presidents of the United States, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic, the museum/library offers permanent exhibits, including Homelands, the Story of the Czech and Slovak People, and a 19th century immigration home.
czech

Inspired by Mason City native Meredith Willson, composer of The Music Man, 76 trombones kick off this festival each June. While here, visit the Meredith Willson Boyhood Home.
North Iowa Band Festival, Mason City

On the east bank of the Des Moines River, the center houses one of the largest collections of plants in the Midwest: tropical, subtropical and desert-growing. It includes a weatherproof conservatory, extensive exterior gardens, free-flying exotic birds, café and gift shop.
Botanical Center

Celebrate Iowa native and jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke at the annual festival that boasts "Bix lives!" Top bands feature live music and fun along the Mississippi River.
Bix Tuba

Hop aboard the tourist line railroad, which makes a 15-mile round trip (dessert and dinner trains are 22 miles) through the beautiful Des Moines River Valley over two great bridges. See displays of historic railroad items and equipment.
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, Boone

Downtown Des Moines, located on the beautiful Des Moines River, is the central hub of the city and features every kind of entertainment imaginable, including shopping, restaurants, music and sporting events.
Des Moines Skyline, Des Moines

Iowa's State Capitol is a century-old building featuring a 275-foot gold-leafed dome flanked by four smaller domes, a grand staircase and beautiful woodwork. Its grounds include monuments commemorating war veterans, including a new WWII memorial and Wall of Memories.
State Capitol, Des Moines

Learn how Iowans transformed fertile prairies into the world's most productive farmland. Travel through five time periods spanning 300 years: the 1700 Ioway Indian village, the 1850 pioneer farm, the 1875 frontier town of Walnut Hill, the 1900 horse-powered farm and the modern crop center.
Living History Farms, Des Moines

Old World charm and annual tradition peaks in Pella, Iowa, each December at the Christmas Tour of Homes.
Christmas

Visit six historic covered bridges scattered across the countryside, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Feel the romance surrounding the bridges as portrayed by Iowa novelist Robert Waller in The Bridges of Madison County.
Madison County Bridges, Madison County

Experience the Old World charm and tradition of Holland at Pella's annual Tulip Time Festival. See windmills and acres of tulips; taste Dutch letter pastries; watch Klokkenspel, the animated musical; and stroll through courtyards and sunken gardens.
Pella Tulip Time, Pella

See clocks Joseph and Frank Bily hand-carved over a 45-year period. Don't miss the Antonin Dvorak Exhibit upstairs. Dvorak lived in the building during the summer of 1893.
Bily Clocks, Spillville

San Francisco scenic in Iowa! Mississippi River history and Victorian mansions carved into towering limestone bluffs; an authentic paddlewheeler; antiques and boutiques for shopping; bed-and-breakfast inns for stopping. Visit vintage neighborhoods, old churches and the waterfront district. Celebrate the history of this city and its river at the annual Dubuquefest and Riverfest.
Dubuque, Iowa

The nation's foremost institution interpreting Czech and Slovak history and culture. Dedicated in 1995 by presidents of the United States, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic, the museum/library offers permanent exhibits, including Homelands, the Story of the Czech and Slovak People, and a 19th century immigration home.
czech

For the winter outdoors person, there's no time like snow time in Iowa. When the temperatures dip, spirits soar with the promise of winter adventure.
Cross Country Ski

Displays tell of the life and careers of Herbert Hoover. Tour the birthplace cottage of Herbert Hoover, Friends meeting house, reconstructed blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, and grave sites of President Hoover and Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover.
Herbert Hoover Historic Site, West Branch

Seven authentic German villages founded the Amana Colonies as a religious commune in the mid-1800s. This preserved culture is a National Historic Landmark and one of Iowa's most famous travel attractions. Peruse craft shops, wineries, bakeries, woolen mills and much more.
Amana Colonies Shops, Amana Colonies

The mighty Mississippi River forms the entire eastern border of Iowa and draws thousands of tourists each year for festivals, riverboat excursions, and many other activities honoring this great river.
Mississippi River, Lansing

The flower blooms in shades of pink and was chosen as an Iowa symbol in 1897 because it decorated the silver service Iowans presented that year to the battleship USS Iowa.
Wild Rose

Designed in 1917 and officially adopted in 1921, the state flag of Iowa contains an eagle carrying the state motto, "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain."
State Flag

Enter a gateway to Iowa's outdoors — a one-of-a-kind adventure found only when family is gathered at the campsite, playing in the sunshine, sleeping beneath the nighttime skies, waking at dawn to the smell of coffee and the music of song birds.
FamPicnic

Visit the original baseball field and house where Field of Dreams was filmed, located on a 94-year-old family farm. Bring your bat, ball and glove — play catch, run the bases, or sit and dream on the bleachers.
Field of Dreams, Dyersville

Celebrate the history of Grant Wood and the area around Stone City and Anamosa, Iowa, at the Grant Wood Art Festival, held annually the second Sunday in June. Explore the vision of this world-renowned artist, best known for his piece "American Gothic," by visiting the Grant Wood Art Gallery year-round and taking a drive along the picturesque Grant Wood Scenic Byway.
Grant Wood Art Festival

No matter how you hook, muff or slice it, golfing in Iowa means good times are "par for the course" with beautiful fairways, reasonable greens fees and challenging play for beginners and avid golfers.
Golf

In the Maquoketa area, explore the unusual rock formations, natural bridge and 13 limestone caves of Maquoketa Caves State Park. The nearby Hurstville Lime Kilns, established in 1871, once provided 1,000 barrels of fine lime per day.
MCaves

Located in the heart of Amish country, Kalona is known as "The Quilt Capital of Iowa." Visit the Quilt and Textile Museum to learn more about these antique treasures, as well as the Mennonite Museum and Archives, one-room school, country store and more, all located in the Kalona Historical Village.
kalona

The Iowa State Fair is Iowa's great celebration, a salute to the state's best in agriculture, industry, entertainment, and achievement. Enjoy Iowa's largest tourism event, held each August for 11 days.
Iowa State Fair

Harveys Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs, Iowa includes 900 slots and 48 table games, a hotel, a convention center, a rooftop restaurant, a buffet and a lounge.
Harveys

The Hitchcock House was one of Iowa's premier Underground Railway Stations in the mid-1800s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it has been restored and features special exhibits and music events.
Hitchcock House, Lewis

Water parks around Iowa provide hours of entertainment for kids of all ages. Whether it's a watery winter getaway at an indoor facility, or sunny summer escape at a water park in the outdoors, great memories are a guarantee.
wwuni

Observe Danish pride in the twin villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton, and celebrate their heritage during Tivoli Fest in May and Julefest in November. The communities make up the largest rural Danish settlement in the nation.
Danish Dancers, Elk Horn

Explore the rare natural landscape of the Loess Hills, with unique flora and wildlife atop rugged windblown hills. The only other natural formation of windblown hills with these depths exists in China. Scenic byway signs guide you through scenic areas, farms and villages.
Loess Hills, Western Iowa

Relive the journey of Lewis and Clark on the Missouri River at this yearly festival. See a full-size replica of the Lewis and Clark Expedition keelboat.
Lewis and Clark Festival, Onawa

Sway to the Big Band sounds of Glenn Miller as Clarinda honors its famous band leader with an annual festival in June. Tours of the Glenn Miller Birthplace Home are also available.
Glenn Miller Festival, Clarinda

Visit this authentic windmill from Denmark built in 1848 and transported to Elk Horn in 1975. The mill grinds wheat and rye by wind power. Take a tour of this 60-foot mill, complete with gears and grinding stone.
Danish Windmill, Elk Horn

Iowa's Great Lakes resort region is Iowa's vacation destination, with 50 resorts, motels, inns and campgrounds; three amusement parks; seven golf courses; over 14 miles of recreational trails and horseback riding; fishing; and unique gift and antique shops.
Lake Okoboji, Okoboji

More than 8,000 acres of wetlands, grasslands, woodlands and croplands along the Missouri River provide refuge for migrating waterfowl, especially geese and ducks. Bald eagles roost here in the winter.
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri Valley

Take a step back in time and visit more than 120 antique and specialty shops in Historic Valley Junction. Located in West Des Moines, Valley Junction offers something for everyone, including art, jewelry, furniture and gift shops; dining; and seasonal events.
Valley Junction Antique Shops

Sometimes called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the Grotto of the Redemption is a composite of nine separate grottos portraying scenes from the life of Christ, built with stones and gems from around the world.
Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend

The Missouri River forms the western border of Iowa and was traveled by explorers Lewis and Clark during their expedition in 1804. Displays on that expedition and on transportation along the Missouri River are found at the Sergeant Floyd Riverboat Museum.
Missouri River, Sioux City

Built in 1997, this art center contains a three-story glass atrium, hands-on gallery for children, 900-piece permanent collection, traveling exhibitions and gift gallery. Its annual outdoor art festival — ARTSPLASH — is held Labor Day weekend.
Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City

This 1869 Victorian mansion, home of Iowa's governor, was built by Iowa's first millionaire, Benjamin F. Allen, and restored to the late 1800s period. It overlooks downtown Des Moines and is situated on eight and one-half acres with a re-created Victorian formal garden.
Terrace Hill Red Room

Munch on chili, try your hand at mini-golf on ice, or pick up a broom for a unique game of broomball. Enjoy all that an Iowa winter offers at the University of Okoboji Winter Games, held each January in the Iowa Great Lakes region.
Okoboji Games 99

Stroll along the 1912 River City Streetscape, featuring set designs from the Warner Brothers motion picture The Music Man. It's a tribute to Iowa native and legendary band master Meredith Willson.
Music Man Square