Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast seeking endless trails, a foodie looking for farm-to-table treasures or a culture lover craving live music and art, there’s a corner of Iowa calling your name. Read on to find your next hometown.
Great Outdoors – Fort Dodge, Waterloo/Cedar Falls
The Cedar Valley Trails system spanning Waterloo and Cedar Falls offers more than 120 miles of paved biking and walking paths that lead to restaurants, breweries and entertainment districts. In winter, snow transforms the trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. For water enthusiasts, an extensive network of water trails includes Gateway River Park’s Prairie Rapids, where kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders and casual tubers can ride the whitewater waves along the Cedar River.
Gypsum City OHV Park in Fort Dodge has turned a former mining area into an off-highway vehicle playground, featuring 60 miles of trails and motocross tracks for all skill levels. Make it a weekend getaway with on-site camping or a rentable tiny home. Southeast of town, Brushy Creek State Recreation Area — one of Iowa’s largest state parks — beckons horseback riders with more than 45 miles of scenic trails. The park’s two equestrian campgrounds are equipped with hitching posts and horse wash areas.
Cultural Hotspots – Des Moines, Cedar Rapids
In Des Moines, you’ll find Broadway shows, symphonies and live performances at the Des Moines Civic Center. The Des Moines Playhouse has produced community theater productions since 1919, making it one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in the country. For visual arts lovers, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park boasts artwork by more than two dozen of the world’s most celebrated artists. Cultural festivals include the Des Moines Arts Festival, CelebrAsian and the World Food & Music Festival.
History buffs can dive into Iowa’s rich heritage at places like the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art possesses the largest collection of Grant Wood’s works in the world and owns the studio where he painted “American Gothic” and other works. Once known as the “grandest house west of Chicago,” the Brucemore estate is preserved by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and open for various tours.
Downtown Energy- Dubuque, Iowa City
Dubuque’s city center features beautifully restored 19th-century architecture, with loft apartments and condos offering Mississippi River views. Walk to cafes, boutiques and breweries, or take a stroll on the Mississippi Riverwalk, a peaceful retreat just steps from downtown. The historic Millwork District buzzes with trendy restaurants such as Brazen Open Kitchen | Bar, as well as art galleries and live music. Enjoy riverfront events and the state’s oldest farmers market, near City Hall every Saturday from May through October.
That vibrant, walkable lifestyle makes downtown Iowa City attractive, too. The Pedestrian Mall draws crowds for summer concerts and festivals. The downtown district is home to Bluebird Diner, with its from-scratch menu, and Java House, a coffee shop that roasts its own beans. Check out live music at Gabe’s, a historic two-story venue; take in a performance at the century-old Englert Theatre; browse Prairie Lights Books; or relax along the Iowa River. Link to other parts of the city or North Liberty via the Iowa River Corridor Trail, an 18.2-mile paved path.
Water’s Edge – Decorah, Okoboji
The Upper Iowa River, with its swift current and towering limestone bluffs, is a paddler’s paradise in Decorah. Bikers and hikers will love the Trout Run Trail, an 11-mile loop that winds along the river. The area’s spring-fed streams are known for world-class trout fishing, with the Decorah Fish Hatchery providing a popular spot to learn about trout stocking, feed the fish and catch a glimpse of the world famous Decorah eagles. Nearby, you can hike to a 200-foot waterfall at Dunning’s Spring Park.
Sparkling waters also are waiting in Okoboji, part of the Iowa Great Lakes. Speed across West Lake Okoboji on a jet ski or sail the open waters with a rented sailboat. Arnolds Park Amusement Park, one of the longest operating amusement parks in the world, is located along the shoreline and touts a historic wooden roller coaster and a beach for swimming. Explore the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame & Museum or catch a show at the Pearson Lakes Art Center. Unwind at lakeside restaurants or with a sunset cruise.
Game Day – Ames, Sioux City
Home to Iowa State University (ISU), Ames buzzes with excitement when fans flood into town to cheer on the Cyclones. Football tailgates are a longstanding tradition, with lively gatherings in parking lots and bars and restaurants bustling in the heart of Campustown. For young athletes, ISU’s Recreational Services and Ames Parks and Recreation offer camps and programs, helping kids discover and develop their skills in a range of sports.
In the northwest corner of the state in Sioux City, residents also rally behind local teams, including the Sioux City Explorers (minor league baseball) and the Sioux City Musketeers (junior ice hockey). Youth from across the region participate in training and tournaments through Siouxland Sports Academy. Those with disabilities find a welcoming space to play and compete at The Miracle League of Sioux City, which offers adaptive baseball, basketball, dance, golf and volleyball programs.
Fresh Flavors – Le Mars, Mount Vernon
Farms scattered around the state mean eggs, dairy and meat don’t travel far to get to you. Le Mars (north of Sioux City) is the Ice Cream Capital of the World thanks to Blue Bunny, which has been churning out frozen treats using locally sourced milk for more than 80 years. Try some (or all!) of the 40 flavors at the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor in downtown. Archie’s Waeside is another constant in northwest Iowa. Known for dry-aged beef steaks, the restaurant earned a James Beard Foundation Award in 2015.
In Mount Vernon (near Cedar Rapids), the Local Crumb, where breads are baked using Iowa-milled organic flours, has also received a James Beard nod. According to The New York Times, one of the best pizza places is the country is Lincoln Winebar, which features classic and seasonally rotating pies inspired by locally grown produce. For sweet tooths, Fuel Art & Espresso blends artisan coffee with house-made pastries.
