| Destination |
The Ultimate Iowa Travel Guide
Iowa is a relaxing Midwest destination filled with the best of the Midwest. From charming small towns, to friendly city-folk. You’ll find Iowa as a surprisingly delightful place to visit. And don’t forget the quiet scenery of the rolling farmland. So if you’d like to see wide open expanses of beautiful county, Iowa is the place for you. Keep reading for more information to help you plan your Iowa vacation.
Why Visit Iowa?
Iowa is full of small-town charm and we think it makes a great place for a relaxing slow-paced vacation. We think the best way to visit Iowa is on a road trip, hoping from small town to small town and exploring antique shops, small businesses and quaint B&Bs.
Our Top 3 Things to do in Iowa
- Visiting the Bridges of Madison County (and the wineries): Read all about it in our 4-day road trip.
- Touring the State Capitol building: One of the best things to do in Des Moines, and one of the best capitol tours we’ve been on.
- Driving the Great River Road: Drive along the Mississippi River and explore the charming towns and rural sights along the way.
The best time to visit Iowa is in September and October. Fall in Iowa is beautiful. Temperatures are mild, the plentiful farms look beautiful, and the trees may even be colorful.
Iowa does experience four seasons and there are benefits of visiting year round. However, winters can be full of snow and wind storms. And summers can be brutally hot.
One wonderful thing about visiting Iowa is that it isn’t a popular vacation destination. This means that you generally can chose to visit at any time with minimal markup in pricing.
Getting Around:
You will need a personal vehicle to get around in Iowa. Travel destinations are spread out and public transportation is generally non-existent. This means Iowa is a great destination for a relaxing road trip.
Des Moines is the main airport in Iowa.
Know Before You Go
Currency and Budget:
The US dollar is the currency in the United States. Cash and cards are widely accepted. The most common credit cards are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. However, many small business will offer a cash discount, usually between 3-4%.
Safety:
Iowa is a relatively safe place to visit. The two things to keep in mind are spaced out gas stations and weather. So make sure you keep your gas tank full when traveling between cities. Also, ensure that you keep an eye out for severe weather like high winds, lightening and tornados, especially if you are participating in outdoor activities.
Language:
English is an official language of the United States. It is rare to hear other languages spoken in Iowa.
Read More Before You Go
Top 12 Things to do in Des Moines, Iowa
12 Interesting Things to do in Iowa
