5 things to do in the state of Iowa that you may not know or remember

Iowa is a midwestern state located between Illinois and Nebraska and sandwiched between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Boasting a population of 3.15 million people in 2019, the state typically isn’t known for its touristy destinations.

Nicknamed the “Hawkeye State”, Iowa is a beautiful place to visit with rolling hills and plenty of spots to visit, some of which you may have heard about and forgotten.

Field of Dreams: Filmed on location in Dyersville, Iowa, the baseball field in the middle of a cornfield served as an homage to fathers, sons, and baseball history. The Kevin Costner vehicle remains a tourist site long after the movie premiered. You can visit the field and tour the house on the grounds.

Lewis and Clark: Several stops through Iowa will bring you up close to the travels of the Lewis and Clark expedition. In Sioux City, you can visit the Sergeant Floyd monument. The Washington Monument-looking obelisk marks the burial place of the only member of the expedition who died.

In Council Bluffs, you can visit the Lewis and Clark monument and scenic overlook. The view over the river and the city of Omaha have been described as “breathtaking” by some visitors.

Asian Gardens of Des Moines: Japanese culture and art come together at the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens center. Located in Des Moines, the Gardens offer a great place to relax and escape the hustle of the city while you find time to reflect.

For more monuments and interesting points of interest across the state of Iowa, check out this list from TripAdvisor. 

Grotto of Redemption: Located two hours from Des Moines, the Grotto of Redemption is a unique attraction and free. It tells the story of Christ’s birth to death. The interesting part of this, not to say Christ is not, is the fact the entire thing is done in stone. Check out this link for images.