8 Incredible Vacation Spots In Iowa

Iowa is often overlooked as a vacation spot, partly due to its location within the Midwest and its reputation for a flat landscape filled with cornfields and not much else. However, within its small towns, you can find some pretty incredible vacation spots that offer beautiful riverside bluff views, icy caverns, affluent immigrant communities and culture, and the home of a significant U.S. movie star and author. Many of these towns have a laid-back atmosphere that will make for a relaxing vacation. Read on to learn more about these eight incredible vacation spots in Iowa.

Spirit Lake

This delightful town is situated within the Iowa Great Lakes region, also known as the Okoboji, in Northwestern Iowa. Spirit Lake is a great base town for exploring these lesser-known lakes. It's the closest to West and East Okoboji Lakes, with parks on both lakes to visit. Elinor Bedell State Park has trails and camping sites on East Okoboji, while Pikes Point State Park has a beach on the shores of West Okoboji. Hikers can explore the entire region by hitting the Iowa Great Lakes Trail, which runs through multiple beaches and forests. There are plenty of other activities to enjoy in Spirit Lake, such as catching a show at the Okoboji Summer Theatre, going ice skating at the Lakes Ice Arena, or searching for treasures at the Spirit Lake Antique Mall. For accommodations, there are several hotels in the nearby community of Okoboji, including AmericInn by Wyndham.

Waverly

Waverly sits within the Driftless Region, an area that was spared from the glaciers that drifted down the hills during the last Ice Age. As a result, it doesn't have the same flat landscape as other Iowa regions. You can explore some of this rolling prairie landscape at the Rail Trail, a 7-mile asphalt trail that begins at the Cedar River and goes across seven bridges. There are many spots around the river for fishing or taking a boat out, such as at Three Rivers Park. For other attractions in town, consider learning the fascinating history of the Winnebago people and pioneers at the Brewer County Historical Society Museum, try one of the 15 beers on tap at the Brewer Brewing Company, or catch a show by the small Shades of Rhythm Amphitheatre at Kohlmann Park by the banks of the Cedar River. There are a few chain hotels in Waverly, such as the Cobblestone Inn & Suites.

McGregor

Also located in the Driftless region, McGregor has many majestic river bluffs right on the Mississippi River. It has one of the best places to view the River at Pikes Peak State Park, which has panoramic overlooks, 11 miles of trails, a waterfall, and camping sites. There's also a chilling cave in the area you can visit by taking a boat tour of Spook Cave, which is always 47 degrees Fahrenheit. On Main Street, visitors can explore the McGregor Historical Museum, which showcases exhibits on the steamboat and railroad industries, as well as fascinating local figures like Andrew Clemens, a renowned sand bottle artist. McGregor is also a reader's paradise, as it offers modern books at Paper Moon and rare historic manuscripts from Rivertown Fine Books. There's a charming, locally owned hotel called the Little Switzerland Inn, which initially served as the North Iowa Times Newspaper in 1860, making for a lovely stay.

Pella

With its vast tulip fields and historic windmills, Pella is one of the most beautiful towns in Iowa. It gained this aesthetic from its Dutch heritage, as 800 Dutch immigrants settled the area in 1847. You'll feel like you're in Amsterdam in the many locales here in Pella, such as the Vermeer Mill, the largest windmill in North America, or Central Park, where you can walk by beautiful tulip beds. Windmills aren't the only tall structures in Pella; there's also the Observation Tower at Cordova Park. Standing at 106 feet tall, it's the tallest of its kind in a Midwestern Park. For those interested in agriculture, Pella's Vermeer Museum & Global Pavilion showcases the very best in agricultural equipment. You can experience the essence of Dutch agriculture by trying out Dutch Gouda cheese from the Frisian Farms Cheese House. Enjoy all these landmarks while staying at The Amsterdam Hotel.

Winterset

Some towns have a star-studded reputation due to their famed residents. Winterset, Iowa, was the birthplace of one of the most famous actors in American history: John Wayne. Despite this reputation, he only has one museum in the world, and it's right here in Winterset: the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum. For those who aren't big movie fans, Winterset has other museums, such as the Iowa Quilt Museum or the Madison County Historical Complex, which features a large number of historic structures, including the 1856 Bevington House, the Pleasantview Log Post Office, a Log School, and other notable sites. Winterset also contains six historic covered bridges within the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, relics of a bygone era. For a fun, modern activity, head to Rusty Stars Alpacas, a farm that allows you to interact with these South American creatures and purchase products made from their fiber. Speaking of historic places, travelers can enjoy a great bed and breakfast while staying at the 1867 Judge Lewis House.

Cherokee

Despite the name, Cherokee, Iowa, isn't a large center for Cherokee Native Americans, as it was founded in 1870 and most of the Cherokee had been removed from the region by the U.S. government in the 1830s. Despite this sad history, Cherokee is a lovely little town with its own claim to fame: it is home to the first accredited museum in Iowa, the Sanford Museum and Planetarium. This is also the first planetarium in the state and has a wide range of displays on archeology, art, astronomy, history, and other topics. Another museum in town is the Northwest Iowa Railroad Museum, which features a model railroad and hosts the Farmer's Market during the summer. Due to the town's location on the Little Sioux River, there are numerous charming parks in the area, including Koser Spring Lake Park, which features hiking trails and fishing directly on the river, the Silver Sioux Recreation Area with two swinging bridges, and the Inkpaduta Water Trail for kayaking. For a place to stay, go to The Morning Glory bed and breakfast.

Algona

Algona has an unusual history, as the area once served as a literal prison camp for German prisoners of war during World War 2. At the Algona POW Museum, visitors can see how these 10,000 prisoners lived and even view a Nativity scene featuring 65 figures crafted by three of the prisoners. There are two other intriguing museums in town, including the Thoreson Museum of Pharmacy, which preserves artifacts from early 20th-century pharmaceuticals, and the Kossuth County Agriculture & Motorsports Museum, which features both vintage race cars and farming equipment. This relaxing destination also features several hiking trails, such as the wooded trails at Ambrose A. Call State Park or the Algona Recreation Trail, which cuts through the residential areas and onto farmland. For those looking to shop without breaking the bank, Exceptional Treasures keeps a variety of high-quality second-hand items in stock. Several chain hotels in Algona offer vacation stays, including GrandStay Hotel & Suites and Brookstone Lodge & Suites.

Decorah

This town has a unique cultural background as it was a major center for Norwegian immigration in the 1800s. Decorah celebrates this heritage at the Versterheim Norwegian American Museum & Folk Art School, which preserves traditional Norwegian artwork. This historic boat crossed the Atlantic Ocean, carrying pioneer artifacts and more. In addition to Norwegians, the famous American author Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of "Little House on the Prairie," also lived in Burr Oak, near Decorah. You can learn about her life and work at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum. Lastly, due to Decorah's position in the Driftless region, it offers majestic hills and ravines to explore within several local parks, such as the 120-acre Barbara Barnhard Van Peenen Park, which is close to the Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve, a cavern known for having ice in it almost year-round. Enjoy your vacation in Decorah in style at the Hotel Winneshiek & Opera House.

While none of these towns is as bright or flashy as the big cities of the eastern United States, they have a lovely charm all their own, making them great vacation destinations. Visitors can immerse themselves in the art and architecture of the Old World in Decorah and Pella without leaving the United States, or they can explore a vast network of historic buildings and covered bridges in Winterset. From picturesque mansions to icy caverns and hilly riverside bluffs, these Iowa towns are incredible vacation spots.