Iowa

Region · 🇺🇸 United States

Population 3,190,369

Area 145,516 km²

Time zone America/Chicago

Official website www.iowa.gov

Printable tourist map

Iowa

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Featured Lists

NateWoolsey / CC BY-SA 4.0

Iowa's Essential Experiences

Iowa's landscape features the historic covered bridges of Madison County and the 19th-century Shot Tower in Dubuque. Architectural highlights include the Tudor-style Salisbury House and the Victorian Terrace Hill mansion in Des Moines. Cultural institutions like the Figge Art Museum and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium showcase the state's artistic and maritime heritage, while the Dubuque Arboretum and Blank Park Zoo provide extensive green spaces and wildlife education.

Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domain

Iowa's Christian Heritage Sites

Iowa's landscape features a diverse array of architecturally significant Christian sites, from the Romanesque Saint Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines to the Gothic-style Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville. This collection highlights the region's religious history, featuring the historic Little Brown Church in Nashua and the Nauvoo Illinois Temple. These sites represent a range of traditions including Catholic, Methodist, Greek Orthodox, and Seventh-day Adventist, showcasing both pioneer-era landmarks and modern community churches.

Jftl6y / Public domain

Iowa's Historical & Heritage Trail

Iowa’s heritage is preserved through a diverse collection of architectural landmarks and historical sites. This list features the Tudor-style Salisbury House and Terrace Hill, the state’s official Governor's Mansion. Engineering history is highlighted by the 1880 Holliwell Covered Bridge and the rare Dubuque Shot Tower. Maritime legacy is showcased through the USS Hazard minesweeper and the National Mississippi River Museum. Cultural highlights include the Figge Art Museum’s encyclopedic collection and historic religious structures like the Romanesque Saint Ambrose Cathedral in downtown Des Moines.

Coalfather / CC BY-SA 4.0

Parks, Gardens & Recreation

This collection spans Iowa's diverse recreational landscape, from the limestone formations of Maquoketa Caves State Park to the historic grounds of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. It features prominent botanical gardens in Des Moines and Dubuque alongside major sporting venues like Kinnick Stadium and the Iowa Speedway. The list also includes archaeological sites, regional parks, and several public golf courses, offering a mix of natural beauty, local history, and outdoor activity.

Iowa — Map

Iowa — Map

Iowa — Printable Tourist Map Open the interactive map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: May, September

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

-1° (feels like -7°) · extremes -21°–9°
-10° at night
6 rainy days
10 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor

3° (feels like -4°) · extremes -19°–14°
-8° at night
6 rainy days
13 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Poor

10° (feels like 4°) · extremes -11°–22°
-2° at night
8 rainy days
13 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Fair

17° (feels like 12°) · extremes -4°–26°
4° at night
11 rainy days
13 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Great

23° (feels like 20°) · extremes 3°–30°
11° at night
13 rainy days
12 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Good

28° · extremes 10°–34°
17° at night
14 rainy days
14 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in July

Fair

30° (feels like 31°) · extremes 14°–37°
19° at night
13 rainy days
15 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in August

Fair

30° · extremes 13°–37°
18° at night
12 rainy days
15 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

26° (feels like 25°) · extremes 6°–34°
13° at night
9 rainy days
16 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Good

18° (feels like 14°) · extremes -2°–28°
6° at night
8 rainy days
15 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Poor

10° (feels like 4°) · extremes -8°–21°
0° at night
6 rainy days
12 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor

2° (feels like -4°) · extremes -17°–12°
-6° at night
6 rainy days
9 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency: US Dollar USD $ · Card payments · Widely accepted
Emergency numbers: 911 Police · Ambulance · Fire brigade
Electricity: Type A / Type B
120 V · 60 Hz

Languages: English
Tap water: Safe to drink
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +1

Tours & Activities

Related destinations

United States Princeton Wildlife Management Area

Other Destinations

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