You may think you’ve seen all that Iowa has to offer, but you’ll be surprised by some of the hidden gems yet to be explored. To add a little adventure to the end of your summer, here are 10 of Iowa’s hidden gems that you must see before you die.
- Phelps Park, Decorah
Flickr/Justin Berndt Phelps Park in Decorah is a lovely park that really gets you away from it all. The park offers hiking trails, a fountain, a large playground, a band shell for outdoor concerts and incredible scenery.
- Three Mile Lake, Afton
Facebook/Three Mile Lake Recreation Area-Union County Conservation Board Three Mile Lake is a true hidden gem, a beautiful and serene lake area that offers fishing, boating, swimming, camping and more.
- Pierce Mansion, Sioux City
English Wikipedia/Ammodramus This beautiful Victorian-era mansion was built in 1893. Previously the Sioux City Public Museum, it is now open to the public during open houses. You can also rent it out for special occasions. Click here to visit their website to find out more about the mansion’s calendar.
- The Swinging Bridge, Columbus Junction
Flickr/Chris Brooks This swinging bridge, also known as Lover’s Leap Bridge, is surrounded by enchanting trees and hovers over a beautiful, heart-stopping ravine. The legend is that the bridge is haunted by a young Native-American maiden who jumped from the bridge when she learned her lover had died in battle.
- Hedge Maze, Winterset
Flickr/Courtney “Coco” Mault The Winterset hedge maze in Winterset City Park will help you get lost in a magical world. Take some time wandering through it and then admire the sundial at the center.
- Clark Tower, Winterset
Flickr/WindRanch After you’re done in the hedge maze, pay a visit to the castle tower, also in the park. This lovely tower looks like it was plucked right off the top of a medieval castle, and it offers amazing views. Just be prepared for a bit of a hike to get there.
- Lake Ahquabi State Park, Indianola
Wikimedia/Kvhuegel Ahquabi means “resting place” in the Fox language, and that’s what you’ll find here. It’s a beautiful state park where you can relax and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, like camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and more.
- Trinity Heights Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace and Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sioux City
Flickr/Rose Miller The Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace statue is an impressive 30-foot stainless steel sculpture. She is pointing at her son, Sacred Heart of Jesus, a 33-foot statue. Once you’ve seen the statues, there are plenty of other places to visit at Trinity Heights.
- Castles of Ida Grove, Ida Grove
Flickr/Jim Hammer Ida Grove, also known as “Castle Town,” features eight castle-like structures that will make you feel like you’ve gone back to medieval times.
- Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend
Flickr/Kelli Koob The grotto is often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, and it’s easy to see why. This breathtaking grotto is the largest man-made grotto in the world, and it houses the largest collection of precious stones and gems that can be found in one location anywhere.
Have you visited any of these hidden gems? What did you think? For more of Iowa’s hidden treasures, Here Are The 14 Best Kept Secrets In Iowa.
Flickr/Justin Berndt
Phelps Park in Decorah is a lovely park that really gets you away from it all. The park offers hiking trails, a fountain, a large playground, a band shell for outdoor concerts and incredible scenery.
Facebook/Three Mile Lake Recreation Area-Union County Conservation Board
Three Mile Lake is a true hidden gem, a beautiful and serene lake area that offers fishing, boating, swimming, camping and more.
English Wikipedia/Ammodramus
This beautiful Victorian-era mansion was built in 1893. Previously the Sioux City Public Museum, it is now open to the public during open houses. You can also rent it out for special occasions. Click here to visit their website to find out more about the mansion’s calendar.
Flickr/Chris Brooks
This swinging bridge, also known as Lover’s Leap Bridge, is surrounded by enchanting trees and hovers over a beautiful, heart-stopping ravine. The legend is that the bridge is haunted by a young Native-American maiden who jumped from the bridge when she learned her lover had died in battle.
Flickr/Courtney “Coco” Mault
The Winterset hedge maze in Winterset City Park will help you get lost in a magical world. Take some time wandering through it and then admire the sundial at the center.
Flickr/WindRanch
After you’re done in the hedge maze, pay a visit to the castle tower, also in the park. This lovely tower looks like it was plucked right off the top of a medieval castle, and it offers amazing views. Just be prepared for a bit of a hike to get there.
Wikimedia/Kvhuegel
Ahquabi means “resting place” in the Fox language, and that’s what you’ll find here. It’s a beautiful state park where you can relax and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, like camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and more.
Flickr/Rose Miller
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace statue is an impressive 30-foot stainless steel sculpture. She is pointing at her son, Sacred Heart of Jesus, a 33-foot statue. Once you’ve seen the statues, there are plenty of other places to visit at Trinity Heights.
Flickr/Jim Hammer
Ida Grove, also known as “Castle Town,” features eight castle-like structures that will make you feel like you’ve gone back to medieval times.
Flickr/Kelli Koob
The grotto is often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, and it’s easy to see why. This breathtaking grotto is the largest man-made grotto in the world, and it houses the largest collection of precious stones and gems that can be found in one location anywhere.
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