Iowa might not be the next big tourist destination, but it is certainly one of the best places for offbeat traveling. A guide can certainly help, and this article is meant for that.
Here, we will look at some of the most prominent and iconic Iowa locations you can explore as a tourist or a new resident. Therefore, stick around as we take you on an informative journey about Iowa.
Best Iowa Locations For Tourists & New Citizens
Nestled between Mississippi, Missouri, and the Big Sioux River, Iowa is the 26th largest state in the USA regarding acreage. This might not mean much, but it is certainly makes Iowa perfect for exploration.
Therefore, in this section, we will look at some popular yet offbeat Iowa places you can travel. If you get bored while traveling, you can easily check out popular games like Ninja Casino Suomi, Big Top slots, etc.
These games will not just help you pass time but also enable you to earn some moolah. With that out of the way, we are all set to explore the offbeat places in Iowa.
All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club
All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club might not be where you can take a soiree or explore freely. However, it is certainly one of the best places to start your tour of Iowa. All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club or AILTC is simply one of the only grass tennis courts in the country. The court is located near Charles City and operates on a reservation basis.
Buddy Holly Crash Site
Buddy Holly was one of the most popular names in the music industry in the late 50s. However, the dream came to a screeching halt when Buddy Holly, along with Ritchie Valens and The Big Popper, died in a crash. The 59 Crash killed the music icon and the place of the collision is a marker of the days gone by. As a music lover, you can visit this site to pay your respect to the artist who died.
Reed/Niland Corner
Only in Iowa could a motel and a highway cafe become iconic spots for traveling and exploration. The Reed/Niland Corner is like a place that has been frozen in time. The location is seen as an important stop for people traveling on the highway. This place offers the perfect place for travelers to rest and replenish themselves—a perfect place for some lunch and further planning.
Swinging Bridge
Bridges have always been iconic and poetic in some senses. However, the Swinging Bridge of Columbus Junction is not your ordinary bridge. It was built in 1866 and is over 250 feet in length. The bridge has many stories attached to it. One story goes that a young Indian maiden committed suicide from the bridge.
Historic Squirrel Cage Jail
The name might misguide the unwary travelers, but the historic Squirrel Cage Jail is not a place to incarcerate squirrels. It is an old jail that rotates. This is one of the only jails in the country that could do that. The rotating jailhouse is a dark chapter in history in AMerica, but an interesting one.
Dunnings Springs
If you are in the downtown area of Decorah, you are in for a treat. You need not travel long to come across a perfect waterfall. This 200-foot-tall waterfall is located just a short drive away from Decorah. Therefore, visit your friends and family to this majestic waterfall in Iowa.
Avenue of Flags
If you are a flag enthusiast, then you must definitely consider visiting the Avenue of Flags. This is certainly a one-of-a-kind place to visit since it houses almost all the flags from different states and the flags of different armed forces. Therefore, take your young ones to this majestic place to make them realise their history and lineage.
Fenelon Place Elevator
Small trains are the cutest. If you are like us and have a fascination with trains, then you will love the Fenelon Place Elevator. This is more of an elevator than a train, but it is certainly one of the best and shortest railway experiences in the world. The train can elevate its passengers to an altitude of 200 feet in just one city block. Hence, this elevator is not just the shortest but also the steepest.
American Gothic House
Remember Grant Wood’s popular painting known as the American Gothic? Well, if yes, then you are certainly visiting the right place. Grab a pitchfork and pose infront of the house. The house is one of Iowa’s most iconic and historic places to visit. Therefore, do not miss out on the chance.
Maharishi Vedic City
Maharshi Vedic City was established in 2001. Due to its structure and scale, it is one of Iowa’s iconic places to visit. The Vedic City is one of the newest incorporated cities in the country. However, it is not an open tourist spot. In fact, it was built by the Raj, a world-renowned spa and ayurvedic healthcare centres.
Matchstick Marvels
Imagine a complete structure made out of matchsticks. A Gladbrook artist named Patrick Acton has made that dream a reality and has constructed countless structures made out of matchsticks. All of these structures are housed in a museum called the Matchstick Marvel, which is one of the most iconic Iowa locations to visit.
Roller Coaster Road
Are you a biker who enjoys traveling and unique roads? Then Roller Coaster Road of Iowa can certainly scratch that niche itch. This topsy-turvy road will give you that thrill of riding uncharted trails. The best part is that the road is smooth and is perfect for light trailing and other semi-offroading activities.
The Final Thought
Iowa is a huge state. There are so many nooks and crannies to explore and lose yourself in. Hence, it is a perfect area for tourists who want to lose themselves in the winding backroads of the state. Next time you plan on exploring a state, Iowa might be perfect for you.