- The covered bridges of Madison County are the most famous sights
- The Mississippi River bluffs of north-east Iowa are surprisingly dramatic
- The Iowa State Fair in August is a classic slice of Americana
- Best as part of a Midwest road trip with Chicago
- Airports
- Des Moines (DSM) via Chicago or another US hub; Chicago O'Hare (ORD) is about 5h30 by car from Des Moines
- Best time to go
- May-October; mid August for the Iowa State Fair
- Type
- State
Iowa is the heart of the American Midwest: rolling farmland, red barns, grain elevators and small towns where life moves at its own pace. It is not a headline destination, and that is the point. Road trippers come for the covered bridges of Madison County, the bluffs and river towns along the Mississippi, the Field of Dreams baseball diamond and one of the best state fairs in the country.
It fits well into a Midwest road trip starting from Chicago. For the wider picture, see our USA guide.
Things to do
- The Bridges of Madison County – historic covered bridges around Winterset, made famous by the novel and film; the Roseman and Holliwell bridges are the best known.
- Iowa State Fair – eleven days each August in Des Moines, with livestock shows, a famous butter cow sculpture, concerts and fried food on sticks.
- Field of Dreams, Dyersville – the baseball diamond from the 1989 film, still on a working farm.
- The Mississippi River – drive the Great River Road through north-east Iowa, with views from Pikes Peak State Park and Effigy Mounds National Monument, where ancient Native American burial mounds are shaped like animals.
- Des Moines – a compact capital with a sculpture park, the gold-domed State Capitol and a good farmers' market.
- Amana Colonies – seven villages founded by German religious settlers, known for crafts, furniture and hearty food.
- Decorah – a pretty river town with Norwegian heritage, trout streams and trails.
- Iowa Great Lakes – Okoboji and Spirit Lake, a popular summer playground.
Where to stay
- Downtown Des Moines and the East Village – hotels, restaurants and bars.
- Winterset – small inns and B&Bs close to the covered bridges.
- Dubuque – a river city with historic hotels and a riverboat museum.
- Decorah – B&Bs and cabins for north-east Iowa.
Getting there
There are no direct flights from the UK. Connect via Chicago or another US hub to Des Moines (DSM), or fly direct to Chicago and drive; Dubuque is about three and a half hours from Chicago, Des Moines roughly five and a half. You will need a hire car: distances are long and public transport is very limited. UK visitors need an ESTA.
Best time to visit
Late spring through autumn is best. Summer is warm, sometimes hot, and green, with fairs and festivals in every town; the State Fair runs in mid August. Autumn is lovely along the Mississippi bluffs, usually peaking in October. Winters are cold and snowy, and spring can bring severe thunderstorms.
Drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi rather than the interstate; it's slower but far more scenic.
Top attractions in Iowa
NatureCentral Park
Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…
LandmarkStatue of Liberty
The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.
Iowa on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Iowa worth visiting?
As part of a Midwest road trip, yes, especially for travellers interested in rural America, film locations and river scenery.
Can you visit the Field of Dreams?
Yes. The diamond in Dyersville is open to visitors, and you can still walk out of the cornfield.
How many days do you need in Iowa?
Two to four days covers Des Moines, Madison County and the Mississippi River towns.
Is the Iowa State Fair worth going to?
If you're in the Midwest in August, it's a memorable, very American day out.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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