Iowa

Region ·🇺🇸 United States

Population 3,190,369

Area 145,516 km²

Time zone America/Chicago

Official website www.iowa.gov

Planning a Trip to Iowa?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Explore Iowa

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.

16 places

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.

18 places

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.

20 places

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.

17 places