Story Starters

2010 Iowa Travel Guide

Now available! The 2010 Iowa Travel Guide features listings for hundreds of attractions, hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and RV parks across the state. The cover showcases the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park (see article below) in Des Moines. Additional beautiful photography can be found throughout the guide. Order your copy today by e-mailing traveliowa@iowa.gov. An online guide will be available soon on traveliowa.com.

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Architectural Interpretive Center, Mason City

This new facility will help visitors experience and understand the significance of architecture in Mason City, which boasts properties designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Burley Griffin, William Drummond and Francis Barry Byrne. The design for the $822,000 center was inspired by a Griffin design that was never built. The center will be located adjacent to the Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House and just north of the Rock Crest/Rock Glen National Historic District (the largest collection of Prairie School designed homes on a unified site). Target completion date is June 2010.

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John & Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines

Opened in September 2009, the park currently features 16 works donated by John and Mary Pappajohn. The couple has promised an additional eight new pieces from the couple’s renowned collection of contemporary sculpture and a new commission by artist Deborah Butterfield. The sculptures are appraised at nearly $40 million. The Pappajohns donation is believed to be the single largest public donation of art in Iowa history. The Sculpture Park is located in downtown Des Moines.

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Great Rivers Center, Dubuque

A $40 million expansion to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (2009 Iowa Tourism Award winner for Attraction of the Year) is currently under construction. Set to be completed summer 2010, the addition will be dedicated to the story of the Mississippi River and its watershed and the other rivers of America. An interactive area for kids will include a 32-foot long flowing river and a bicycle-powered water cycle exhibit. Three-dimensional films with 4D special effects reveal the wonder of biological diversity.

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Winter Fun

Yes, it is possible to have fun in winter. In Iowa. In fact, three of the last four Event of the Year Iowa Tourism Award winners have been winter events!

In 1959 three rising stars performed at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake as part of the Winter Dance Party. Tragically, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens perished in a plane crash in route to the tour’s next stop. Each February fans gather at the Surf to remember and celebrate the revolutionary styles of the three performers. The Surf was designated a Rock ‘n’ Roll Landmark by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame during the 2009 event, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the original Winter Dance Party. 2010 dates: February 3-6.

Ice Fest in Dubuque takes place over three weekends in January (9-10, 16-17 and 23-24, 2010) and celebrates winter weather, ice and snow. Grand Harbor Resort, which includes an indoor waterpark, serves as the official “igloo” of Ice Fest.

The University of Okoboji will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Winter Games on January 29-31. The fictional University’s winter festival includes broomball tournaments, cross-country skiing, ice bowling, the Burning of the Greens and more.

Find a current list of events – winter and otherwise – at www.traveliowa.com.

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