FAQ

Yes! Communities across the state come together throughout the summer (and sometimes winter!) to support local growers and artists. Here’s a list of the main Farmers’ Markets, but be sure to also check our listings and/or community websites to find smaller markets.
 

Waterloo offers a variety of attractions and activities. Visit one of the many museums that make up the Grout Museum District. For a deep-dive into the area’s agriculture roots, stop by the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum. See stunning art and learn about Haitian culture at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. During the summer, experience endless thrills at Lost Island Waterpark and Themepark. Catch a Waterloo Bucks Baseball game in the summer of Waterloo Black Hawks hockey game in the winter. And more! Here’s how to maximize a weekend in Waterloo.
 

Iowa is filled with fun camping opportunities! Discover unique camping adventures and camping paired with outdoor recreation. If glamping is more your style, check out these year-round cabin rentals and tents, cabins, covered wagons and more vacation rentals on working farms across the state.
 

A must-visit architectural marvel, the High Trestle Trail Bridge spans half a mile with 41 steel frames that highlight the area’s mining history. During the day, you can admire the sweeping views of the Des Moines River Valley. Or visit at night to see the bridge’s steel frame glow with blue LED lights under the moonlight.
 

Iowa has its fair share of spooky spots – like the Villisca Ax Murder House, where an entire family was mysteriously murdered in 1912, and the Edinburgh Manor, a former poor farm and asylum that’s now a hotspot for ghost hunters. Find more haunted attractions.
 

There are endless adventures to discover in Iowa. Find a trip that checks all your bucket list boxes here.
 

Iowa is home to a variety of festivals that celebrate its rich culture and community spirit. In the fall, visit one of the many fall festivals in Iowa. Throughout the year, discover some of the country’s best and biggest music festivals; learn about the many cultures that call Iowa home at these cultural festivals; watch innovative and inspiring independent films at Iowa’s film festivals; and discover other events across the state with the Iowa Events Calendar.

Iowa’s warm weather months are packed with live outdoor music events. Discover some of the country’s best and biggest music festivals or catch a performance at these unique music venues. Discover other music events across the state with the Iowa Events Calendar.
 

The Iowa State Fair offers endless activities. Iconic adventures include racing down the giant slide, visiting the famous Butter Cow, sampling Iowa brews at the Craft Beer Tent, catching big name live music performances at the Grandstand. Visitors can also stop by Thrill Park to experience carnival rides and games, meet farm animals, admire agricultural equipment, catch magic shows and other live music events and more throughout the fair. Here’s an ultimate guide to the Iowa State Fair.

Iowa boasts a plethora of outdoor activities that cater to adventurers and nature lovers alike. Did you know Iowa is the World Capital of Trails? Discover bike trails for every adventure. There’s also plenty of places for mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing and paddling, plus endless opportunities for lake fun. For nature lovers, enjoy these stargazing and birding spots, or check out these nature centers, caves and waterfalls. Iowa offers especially stunning views during the fall – here are 20 ways to experience the stunning fall foliage. During the winter, be sure to check out Iowa’s ski slopes and ice fishing hot spots, plus other winter recreation.
 

Iowa is home to some fantastic farm-to-table dining experiences. You can’t miss Primrose in Corning, all the Big Grove Brewery locations, Brazen Open Kitchen and Bar in Dubuque and more! Here’s a more extensive list, and be sure to also check out Iowa’s farm-to-table dining events and farmers’ markets.
 

We’re known as the “World Capital of Trails” for a reason! Iowa is a perfect place for mountain biking no matter the time of year. Check out this full list of our best mountain biking trails—specifically curated by our mountain biking experts.

Hiking and biking are possible year-round in Iowa, with each season offering a unique trail experience. Enjoy Iowa’s wildflowers at Yellow River State Forest and Pony Creek Nature Center during the spring and escape the summer heat at Brushy Creek by taking a stroll at the beach. Once the weather starts to cool down, you can experience acres at High Trestle Trail and enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing throughout the winter.
 

Yes! Iowa offers many accessible options including paved trails like the Heritage Trail (26 miles) and Chichaqua Valley Trail (26 miles). For those interested in unpaved adventures, Woodpecker Singletrack in Iowa City offers a six-mile beginner-friendly trail. Meanwhile, Pony Creek Nature Center, Union Grove State Park, and Pilot Knob State Park offer scenic routes suitable for the entire family with wildlife viewing opportunities.

You can discover a wide variety of distinctive geological features while exploring our trails. The Ice Cave at Bixby State Preserve has cool year-round temperatures, making it a perfect summer stop, and you can find waterfalls and spring-fed streams at Union Grove State Park and along the Trout Run Trail. Ancient animal-shaped Native American mounds at Effigy Mounds National Monument also make for a unique pit stop.

Yes! Many Iowa craft beverage locations offer family-friendly options, such as house-made sodas, floats, and craft ciders.

Iowa's craft beverage scene features live music year-round at many locations like Jasper Winery in Des Moines, Fireside Winery in Marengo, and Park Farm Winery near Durango. The Cellar Winery near Madrid offers free, all-ages, dog-friendly Sunday concerts and Fire Pit Fridays from May-September.

Many of our breweries, wineries and distilleries offer creatively named products celebrating local heritage. Some local favorites are the "Pseudo Sue," "Ruthie," "Loesscato," "Slipknot No. 9 Iowa Whiskey," and "Gable."

A farm-to-table store specializes in fresh, seasonal products directly sourced from local farmers. Some common products include organic vegetables, pasture-raised meats, artisan cheeses, homemade baked goods and artisan goods such as candles, soaps and alpaca wool.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures or indoor escapes, there’s plenty of exciting activities to enjoy during the winter season. Admire the snow-covered landscape on a scenic winter hike, test your skills on Iowa’s slopes or try a new winter activity like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. For fun inside, check out these tropical waterparks and thrilling indoor playgrounds.
 

Summer in Iowa is such a vibrant time! Here’s a summer bucket list to get your planning started, and here’s one specifically for summer events. Otherwise, there’s plenty of other warm-weather must-dos. From Iowa’s theme parks, water parks and splash pads to farmers’ markets, county fairs and baseball games, your weekends will quickly fill up. For outdoor recreation, cool down on Iowa’s water trails or lakes or pedal for sights, scenery and sips. Be sure to also check out these pet-friendly patios.
 

Fall in Iowa is a magical time filled with vibrant colors, festive events and unforgettable outdoor adventures. Kickstart your fall planning with this list of 20 ways to see fall colors or this autumn bingo card. Relax and admire the stunning fall views at these 10 wineries or by taking a scenic drive. For the best of family fun, check out Iowa’s pumpkin patches and apple orchards, or plan a campus town vacation when school is back in session. Embrace spooky season with a visit to Iowa’s most haunted attractions or merge both kinds of spirits with haunted spots and distillery stops.  
 

Spring in Iowa is a delightful time – the weather warms up, and the landscape comes alive with budding trees and blooming flowers. This season is the perfect time to explore Iowa’s hiking trails (more hiking!) and bike trails, and see the state’s beautiful waterfalls. This time of year is also perfect for bird watching (migrating season) and stargazing (shorter days). If you’re especially interested in wildflowers, subscribe to the Iowa DNR’s Wildflowers Bloom report to see what’s bloom where and when.
 

Iowa's art festivals showcase a diverse range of interactive experiences to please everyone! Popular art mediums include paintings, pottery, handcrafted jewelry, sculptures, glass art, metal art, woodwork, photography, fiber art and more! Plus, they’re frequently paired with live entertainment and local food vendors to make every festival unique.

The Des Moines Art Festival is a three-day event held in June at Western Gateway Park. Join us for live music, interactive art activities, a film festival, and hundreds of artists!

Iowa is no stranger to the distillery scene! With dozens of wine and beer distilleries across the state, we encourage guests to find their favorite spots. We also offer a Distillery Passport for exclusive deals, discounts and a chance to earn prizes.

Iowa offers plenty of you-pick pumpkin patches for fall fun! Some popular locations include Deal’s Orchard, Harvestville Farm, Bloomsbury Farm and more.

If you’re looking to enjoy some apple picking fun in Iowa, check out this list of delightful pick-your-own apple orchards across the state. Some of the top spots include the Center Grove Orchard, Deal’s Orchard, Ditmars Orchard, Little Sioux Orchard and more.

Whether you are looking to tap into your artistic side or brush up on history, Iowa has a variety of interactive and family-friendly museums! At the Science Center of Iowa, you can watch live science demonstrations and enjoy a show at the 50-foot planetarium. The Family Museum is a great place for kids to experience some hands-on activities including operating a crane, shopping for groceries, and climbing a treehouse. The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium offers animal exhibits and immersive experiences including a 4D theatre, barge pilot simulation and water play area. Explore our A-Z guide for recommended Iowa Museums for more ideas.

Wildlife is abundant in Iowa, which makes for great birdwatching opportunities. At Hendrickson Marsh, you can view birds across the 850 acres of wetlands, forests and prairies from the comfort of your car. Coon Creek in Decorah offers dirt paths and winding roads where you can encounter a variety of birds and other wildlife. Maynes Grove is a great spot to look for northern saw-whet and long-eared owls in its woods and evergreen forests. Wanatee Park is home to the state’s largest lek site for greater prairie chickens and the Riverton Wildlife Area is a popular spot for birders to catch unique species, especially during migration season. Discover more in the complete beginner's guide to birding in Iowa.

Many farm stores offer interactive tours and experiences to see the farm-to-table process. Ridge Dairy Farm in Donahue and Frisian Farm Cheese House in Leighton offer an up-close look at cheese making, while Early Morning Harvest in Panora offers free tours of their year-round aquaponics greenhouse and organic flour mill. Lastly, Sunset Hills Bison Ranch in Malcom offers tours to learn about bison.

Spencer offers a blend of history, shopping, outdoor recreation and unique experiences. Enjoy the beautiful trails of Horseshoe Bend Wildlife area, visit the Clay County Heritage Center and shop Downtown Spencer for one-of-a-kind art.

Downtown Oskaloosa's historic town square is a great place to buy a souvenir from one of our many locally owned shops and boutiques. You can also enjoy the dozens of public art installations throughout the town and stop by Rosso & Wine for wine tastings.

The Mahaska County Recreation Trail is a great place to visit year-round. The nearly 15-mile loop is perfect for biking and walking in warmer months or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The Mahaska Environmental Learning Center in Caldwell Park also offers outdoor trails and a brand-new Nature Playscape that’s fun for the whole family.

Yes! Vesterheim, The National Norwegian-American Museum is a world-class museum showcasing over 33,000 artifacts across 12 historic buildings that tell the stories of Norwegian immigrants' experiences, folk art, cultural traditions and Norwegian influence in the Midwest.

Decorah is home to the Trout Run Trail, an 11-mile scenic loop that features waterfalls, trout streams and limestone bluffs—perfect for walking or biking year-round.

Be sure to visit the National Balloon Museum & Hall of Fame, as it’s one of only two balloon museums in the country. Indianola also hosts the National Balloon Classic each summer. Other outdoor activities include hiking the Summerset Trail or visiting the butterfly garden at the Annett Nature Center.

Travel back to 1853 and explore Clarinda Boulevard’s historical buildings. Don’t miss the Glenn Miller Birthplace Home & Museum, Nodaway Valley Historical Museum, and Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum to learn about the town’s history.

Experience world culture within the heart of the Midwest! Stop by the Amana Colonies for Oktoberfest and Decorah for Nordic Fest or celebrate Houby Days in Czech Village and St. Patrick’s Day in Emmetsburg—just to name a few.