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Hawkeye State

Iowa travel guide

Rolling farmland, covered bridges and one of America's great state fairs.

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Capital
Des Moines
Best time to go
May–Sep (State Fair: Aug)
Daily budget
$ about $120–170 a day
Fly into
DSM Des Moines

History

Top places to visit in Iowa

  1. Iowa State Fair

    Ten days of food on a stick and the famous butter cow.

  2. Field of Dreams

    The movie baseball field in a Dyersville cornfield.

  3. Bridges of Madison County

    Historic covered bridges near Winterset.

  4. Effigy Mounds

    Ancient animal-shaped mounds above the Mississippi.

  5. Amana Colonies

    Seven historic German villages with craft shops.

What to eat in Iowa

  • Loose-meat sandwich
  • Pork tenderloin
  • Sweet corn
  • Scotcheroos

When is the best time to visit Iowa?

May–Sep is usually the best time to visit Iowa (State Fair: Aug). Budget-friendly: about $120–170 a day for one person, including a shared hotel room and meals.

More of the Midwest

IllinoisIndianaKansasMichiganMinnesotaMissouriNebraskaNorth DakotaOhioSouth DakotaWisconsin

Budgets are rough mid-range costs per person, including a shared hotel room and meals. Always check opening times and prices before you go.