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Fun from A to Z: 26 Iowa Attractions

Learning most Iowa'south destinations is as unproblematic every bit learning your ABC's. Discover these 26 fun family activities for all ages from tots to teens.

A is for AIRPLANES

Iowa Aviation Museum, Greenfield

More than a dozen pre-WWII airplanes pack a hangar at Greenfield'south Iowa Aviation Museum. A red 1932 Glider hanging from the ceiling was once used to teach youngsters how to fly: Horses or an automobile pulled the glider equally teachers ran aslope shouting instructions. Old photos and newspaper clippings line the walls of the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame, spotlighting Iowan's role in aviation. Outside, ii military shipping park on the grass.

B is for BOULDER

The Freedom Rock ^® , Menlo

Every spring, local artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II paints multiple mural scenes honoring the armed services on the 12-foot Freedom Rock^® just south of Interstate 80, north of Greenfield. A green helicopter is one epitome that doesn't change: The paint contains the ashes of Vietnam Veterans. To see previous years' murals, flip through photos and a tattered notebook that doubles equally a guest book. Extend your travels with The Freedom Stone ^® Tour, which will before long incorporate a Liberty Rock in each of Iowa's 99 counties.

C is for Crooked STREET

Serpent Aisle, Burlington

For toddlers, it'southward a teachable moment: Count the curves (seven). For everyone in the car, information technology's hairpin turns as your car slowly makes information technology way down Snake Alley. Ripley's Believe it or Not deems Burlington'south street from Columbia to Washington "unbelievably kleptomaniacal." Houses lining the original, 1894 brick street are even older.

D is for DRAGONFLIES

Reiman Gardens, Ames

While wandering Ames' Reiman Gardens, keep your optics open for native insects like collywobbles, bees, beetles and dragonflies. The large-eyed insects tin can be found around lily-dotted Lake Helen. For more than fluttering insects, the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing houses upwardly to 800 butterflies from six continents.

E is for EMU

Photo Courtesy Blank Park Zoo

Bare Park Zoo, Des Moines

Encounter Buzz, a big bird that can't fly, and his friends at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. Tiny wings (near the size of a person's mitt) render this bird flightless. But, the emu's strong legs brand it a fast runner—up to 30 mph in the wild.

F is for FISH

Decorah Fish Hatchery, Decorah

Brook and rainbow trout jump as children approach long pools with a quarter's worth of nutrient at Decorah's Fish Hatchery. While the fish are entertainment for families, they are an easy meal for the nearby roosting Decorah eagles. For meliorate hawkeye viewing, bring binoculars or log on to the webcam. From the parking lot, pick up the eleven-mile Trout Run Trail, which loops effectually the city.

G is for GRIST MILL

Pine Creek Grist Mill, Muscatine

In the mid-19th century, Pine Creek Grist Manufactory was a hotspot. Locals went there not only to have grain (too known as grist) ground into flour or feed for livestock simply likewise to catch up on community happenings. Melpine, a one-room school with desks, tiffin buckets, books and other memorabilia on brandish, stands about the mill at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine.

H is for HORSESHOES

Eagle Indicate Park, Dubuque

Toss a few shoes at a court with one of the best views in the state at Hawkeye Point Park in Dubuque. After the game, follow the Riverview walk along the edge of the bluff for amazing views of the Mississippi River and Lock and Dam No. eleven.

I is for Water ice Foam

Bluish Bunny Ice Cream Parlor, Le Mars

A crimson tops a four-scoop sundae sculpture at the entrance of the Blue Bunny Water ice Foam Parlor in Le Mars, the official Ice Foam Capital of the World. Create your ain sundae from more than than 30 flavors and 11 toppings. Tin't make up one's mind? Vanilla ranks No. i

J is for JUPITER

Science Eye of Iowa, Des Moines

Learn more about the biggest planet and the remainder of the solar organization at the Why the Heaven experience platform on the 2d floor of the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines. See the night sky in the Star Theater, the museum's digital planetarium and explore the respective exhibits about space exploration.

K is for KAYAK

Honey Creek Resort, Moravia

Kayak on Iowa's second largest lake, Rathbun, while staying at Honey Creek Resort near Moravia. Families choose from more than 100 rooms and suites and more than two dozen cottages. Bank check the resort guide for daily activities. Nearby Honey Creek State Park has an interpretive hiking trail, picnic areas and boat ramps.

L is for LIGHT SHOW

Photo past James Scholz

Tom Hanafan's River'due south Edge Park, Council Bluffs

As the sunday sets over the Missouri River, beams of light come out to play at Tom Hanafan River's Border Park in Council Bluffs. Whether tracking kids dashing across the lawn or grown-ups walking, the lights create an impressive show of vibrant hues and patterns. Come early on for a picnic or views of the riverfront at this park.

M is for MAMMOTH

State Historical Museum, Des Moines

The skeleton of a woolly mammoth that lived more than fifteen,000 years agone greets guests in the iii-story atrium of the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines. Bones from ane of these approximately ten-human foot-alpine beasts were dug upwards in downtown Des Moines in 2001. The free museum includes exhibits exploring the people, places and events that shaped Iowa'due south rich heritage.

North is for NATIVE AMERICANS

Figure Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry

Mounds in the shape of bears and birds date back 850 to 1,400 years at Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry. Learn about the mounds and the Native Americans who made them during a 15-infinitesimal picture and children's please-touch showroom in the visitors center. Afterward, set out to explore the 206 mounds.

O is for OWL

Mines of Spain Recreation Area, Dubuque

Odds are y'all'll hear a nifty horned owl before you'll see 1. The distinctive phone call might be a clue where to look in Dubuque's Mines of Espana Recreation Area. Not up to dawn or dusk stroll to see the owls? Spot other birds along nature trails winding through restored prairie and forests. Learn more than at the East.B. Lyons Interpretive Centre.

P is for PRECIOUS STONES

Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend

The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption attracts visitors to biblical displays studded with precious and semiprecious gems in nine grottos in West Bend. Pearls, rubies, sapphires and a 300-pound amethyst sparkle in the Christmas Chapel. For more information, join one of the hourly tours.

Q is for QUILTS

Photo Courtesy Business Publications Corp.

Hamilton County Barn Quilts

Colorful 8x8-foot quilt panels adorn more than 100 barns and farm buildings throughout Hamilton County. On the self-guided driving tour yous'll see the bright patterns, which include blades in reference to a nearby current of air subcontract in Webster City, a sunflower in Stanhope and a Dala equus caballus on a Stratford century farm. Kids have fun playing the game I Spy and hollering when they spot a quilt on a side of a barn or building.

R is for ROLLER COASTER

Arnold's Park, Okoboji

Giggles erupt and hands from the curt fix (under 54 inches) wave as they ride Lightheaded Dragons, Freddie the Fish and Pirates Revenge at Arnold'south Park in Okoboji. The Legend, the park's best-known coaster and globe's 13th oldest operating wooden coaster, tops out at 50 mph. Teens rock, curlicue and flip upside downward—if they cartel—on the Rock-O-Plane.

South is for STATUE

Albert the Bull, Audubon

Albert the Bull isn't just any statue; he's the world'due south largest balderdash. The voice of Albert shares details about himself when visitors press the push at the information kiosk. Close to twenty,000 people come up to Audubon annually to run across the 30-foot-tall, concrete-and-steel, doe-eyed statue that weighs 45 tons.

T is for Tower

Pilot Knob Country Park, Forest City

While the 35-foot observation tower isn't necessarily skyscraper peak, it does sit on the second highest point in Iowa. From Forest Metropolis'southward Airplane pilot Knob State Park lot, it's a short but steep climb to the top of the tower congenital with local glacial boulders.

U is for UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Lewelling Quaker Museum, Salem

On their journey due north from Missouri, most slaves overnighted in Salem, 25 miles northward of the state line. Iowa'southward first Quaker customs was a key stopover on the Underground Railroad to freedom. Abolitionists used railroad terms such as conductor, engineer and amanuensis as lawmaking words. The Lewelling Quaker Museum, once a residential home, was known as the ticket office, or depot. Tour the dwelling and see leg shackles and a trap door in the kitchen.

V is for VALENTINE

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, W Branch

Kids get a wait into the childhood of the 31st president at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch through items like a valentine and toy train. In improver to his boyhood home, tour a blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and meetinghouse at the National Celebrated Site. Fun facts: He was an avid fisherman, the first president born w of the Mississippi River and the just president from Iowa.

Due west is for WINDMILL

Vermeer Windmill, Pella

Within the tallest working windmill in the United States, you'll see how its 82-foot-long blades plow the millstones that grind wheat into flour. Buy a gift pocketbook of flour, or gustation the end event at some of Pella'south local bakeries and restaurants. At Vermeer Windmill and Historical Village side by side door, tour 22 original, restored and relocated buildings, including Wyatt Earp's adolescence home.

X Marks the Spot

Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum, Decorah

To meet more than 24,000 artifacts scattered across 16 historical buildings, programme at least a day (and a return trip) when visiting the Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum in Decorah. It's the Usa' nearly comprehensive museum dedicated to Norwegians. Begin your visit on the start Th of the month, when admission is free.

Y is for YURT

Pammel Park, Winterset

Winterset & Articulate Lake

Yurts are soft-sided round structures traditionally used by nomadic tribes in Fundamental Asia. In Iowa, yous tin can also discover yurts as unique lodging amenities in Pammel Park near Winterset and McIntosh Woods State Park virtually Clear Lake. The yurts characteristic oestrus and air conditioning and sleep four to viii people comfortably.

Z is for ZUCCHINI

Farmers' Markets

Find the prolific zucchini at area farmers' markets like the Des Moines Farmers' Marketplace, Iowa's largest, or Dubuque Farmers' Market, the state'due south oldest. Browse our events calendar for more farmers' market dates.

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Source: https://www.traveliowa.com/getinspireddetails/fun-from-a-to-z--26-iowa-attractions/116/

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