9 Perfect Destinations For A Long Weekend In Iowa
A photographic, doubly landlocked upper American Midwest state, Iowa is individuated for its stupendous variegated landscape highlighting undulating hills, smooth meadows, sweeping corn fields, and unique east and west state borders formed by Mississippi River and the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers, respectively. Despite the fact that the razzle-dazzle of thriving metropolises, including the state capital Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, and Sioux City, are the biggest crowd-pullers, the numberless picture-perfect locales splattered all over the 55,857 sq. mi terrain of the Hawkeye State are likewise worth discovering. These small, closely allied settlements, with their extraordinary sceneries, historical attractions, spirited cultures, and hospitable locals, are perfect for a rejuvenating weekend break.
Le Claire
This 4,710-inhabitant riverfront town in Scott County is a Quad Cities Metropolitan Area suburb deemed one of the fastest-growing communities in the Quad Cities region. Wanderers on a tour of this gorgeous town must wander through the Cody Road Historic District and glance at the uncounted time-honored properties, vintage stores like Antique Archaeology, foodie havens such as Crane & Pelican Café, and guesthouses like Holiday Inn Express Le Claire Riverfront-Davenport. The Riverboat Twilight’s 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise, a car ride through the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, and a tour of the Buffalo Bill Museum, where you get to know about the town’s bygone years, are not to be missed. In the second weekend of August, head to the towns of Le Claire in Iowa and Port Byron in Illinois for the three-day-long Tugfest event.
Pella
Baptized after ‘Pella of the Decapolis,’ Pella is a pretty town in Marion County located about 40 miles southeast of the state capital. Aside from housing the Central College campus and manufacturing companies like Pella Corporation and Vermeer Company, the town is widely known for the mighty whirling windmills, rainbow-hued tulips, sinuous canals, Dutch-influenced architecture, and stacks of warm pastries on bakery racks, which give holidayers a Netherlandish feel. The Klokkenspel, Pella Opera House, Vermeer Mill & Pella Historical Village, Scholte House Museum & Gardens, Sunken Gardens Park, Molengracht Plaza, and the adjacent Red Rock Reservoir are some popular tourist hotspots. During your holidays, chill at the AmericInn by Wyndham Pella and take part in the Tulip Time Festival yearly on the first weekend of May.
Winterset
One of Iowa’s squeaky-clean towns, Winterset occupies the nucleus of Madison County at the junction of Iowa 92 and U.S. Route 169 highways somewhat 30 miles southwest of the state capital. While in Winterset, embark on a driving excursion over the rolling countryside to observe the town’s six remarkable covered bridges: Roseman Bridge, Cutler-Donabe Covered Bridge, Holliwell Covered Bridge, Imes Covered Bridge, Hogback Covered Bridge, and Cedar Covered Bridge. Coupled with these, stop by the Madison County Courthouse, Winterset City Park and its emblematic Clark Tower, John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, Winterset Stage - a theatrical performance venue, Iowa Quilt Museum, Madison County Historical Society Complex, and stay overnight at Covered Bridge Inn. Take some time off to participate in the Madison County Covered Bridges Festival on the second weekend of October every year, lauding the town’s bridges and timeless traditions.
Clear Lake
Clear Lake, an alluring town in Cerro Gordo County of Northern Iowa, is called after the eponymous natural spring-fed lake along which it is situated. Being a prime stop on Interstate 35 and placed equidistant from the state capital and Minneapolis, the town supports multivarious tourism-related businesses, including truck stops like Pilot Travel Center, full-service marinas like Clear Lake Boats Marina, state parks like Clear Lake State Park, public restaurants like The Other Place and tourist traps like Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Clear Lake. The Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Vallens & Big Bopper Crash Site Memorial, Surf Ballroom, Central Gardens of North Iowa, Clear Lake Fire Museum, Clear Lake Arts Center, PM Park, and the landmark Lake Theatre are some unmissable sites of interest. Addedly, check out the comprehensive River City Greenbelt & Trail System and jump aboard the Lady of Lake sternwheeler ferry boat for a charming cruise around Clear Lake.
Decorah
Decorah, the biggest community and shiretown of Winneshiek County, named after the Ho-Chunk tribe leader Waukon Decorah, is set at the crossing of U.S. Highway 52 and Iowa Highway 9 in the Driftless Area of Upper Midwest, just 15 miles south of Iowa-Minnesota state boundary. Past aficionados must discover the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum - considered to be America’s most expansive Norwegian Museum. Furthermore, the town is famed for hosting eclectic art exhibitions, live music gigs, and seasonal events like Nordic Fest, celebrating the town’s Norwegian ancestry. Explore the Decorah Ice Cave State Park, Palisades Park, Phelps Park, and Dunning’s Spring; give the fish food at Decorah Fish Hatchery; taste the flavorful fares at Rubaiyat Restaurant and relax after an exhausting day at Hotel Winneshiek or Fairfield Inn & Suites Decorah.
McGregor
A bewitching river town, McGregor is located in Clayton County of Northeast Iowa across Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, next to the Mississippi River, on the valley base of extremely steep sandstone bluffs: St. Peter Sandstone and Jordan Formation. When in McGregor, saunter the State Highway 76, aka the Main Street, passing through the Commercial Historic District, and have a look at the cornucopia of assiduously restored 19th-century structures, museums like the McGregor Historical Museum, antique stores like Old Time Shoppe, gift shops like Cabin Fever Soaps & More, art venue & education center like the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts, top-class eateries like The Old Man River Restaurant & Microbrewery, and home-like bed & breakfasts like The Little Switzerland Inn. From McGregor, adventurous souls can easily access the nearby Effigy Mounds National Monument and Pikes Peak State Park aside from surveying the snaking hiking paths that provide awe-inspiring vistas of the Mississippi River Valley.
Dyersville
Dyersville, christened after James Dyer - the pioneer settler who immigrated from Banwell, England, spans Dubuque County’s western part and Delaware County’s eastern part along the North Fork of Maquoketa River. Nicknamed “The Farm Toy Capital of the World," holidayers visiting this tiny community are in awe of its noteworthy attractions, including the National Farm Toy Museum, Ertl Company outlet store, Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, Plaza Antique Mall, Field of Dreams movie site, and Dyer-Botsford Doll Museum. Lauded as one of the most scenic trails in the Upper Midwest, the 26-mile-long Heritage Trail is a must-visit by bikers. Have a comfortable stay at Super 8 by Wyndham Dyersville and try to attend the town’s yearly St. Patrick’s Day parade, Downtown Friday Nights, Summer Farm Toy Show, and National Farm Toy Show.
Orange City
Labeled in honor of the sovereign Prince of Orange - William III, this Sioux County seat is noted for its Dutch legacy and amiable inhabitants. Numerous old properties and Dutch-inspired sites such as the Orange City Century Home, Sioux County Courthouse, and the campus of Northwestern College lure travelers to Orange City from far and wide. Acquire knowledge about the distant past at the Dutch American Heritage Museum, walk down at a leisurely pace through Windmill Park and behold the phenomenal flower gardens and the Dutch Canal Bridge by the windmills, unwind at Hampton Inn Orange City, and spare time to be present at the Tulip Festival.
Waverly
Waverly, the administrative center of Bremer County, situated just beside the Cedar River in Northeastern Iowa, forms a part of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. Apart from being home to the private Wartburg College, Waverly invites vacationers to browse Main Street’s countless locally-owned shops like Farmhouse Décor, antique stores like Vintage Farmgirl, eateries like Frederick’s Sips n Eats, and accommodations like Cobblestone Inn & Suites - Waverly. Covering a significant portion of the town’s commercial district is the Waverly East Bremer Avenue Commercial Historic District, which comprises more than 41 contributing and 12 non-contributing properties. The first-class strolling and bicycling pathways of the Waverly Rail Trail provide ample opportunities for outdoorsy types to spend time amidst the green surroundings. Soak in Waverly’s dynamic culture by partaking in ‘Waverly Heritage Days’ - a four-day annual spectacle with lots of fun-filled activities, regional art displays, live musical performances, and scrumptious cuisines.
From Winterset’s covered bridges to Dyersville - ‘The Farm Toy Capital of the World,’ the appealing settlements in the 31st most populous and 26th largest state of the country are superlative destinations for soulful escapades. Whether you are searching for a tranquil location to settle or localities to fraternize on your extended sabbaticals, look no further than these Iowa gems which are assured to leave an indelible impression on every vacationist.
