We’ve hit August, which means it’s time to get out there and make the most of the rest of the warm weather and sunny skies this summer. Whether you’re into hiking or swimming or checking out the sights and eating delicious food, here are 11 destinations you definitely need to visit before summer’s over.
- Iowa State Fair, Des Moines
Flickr/Phil Roeder From rides to fried foods to live music to livestock competitions, the Iowa State Fair is an Iowa institution, so be sure to check it out. It runs August 11-21.
- Maquoketa Caves, Maquoketa
Flickr/Michael Kappel The Maquoketa caves are a beautiful and fascinating destination for outdoor lovers. They consist of plenty of hiking trails with an abundance of scenic beauty to enjoy, as well as cave systems to explore.
- Iowa Quilt Museum, Winterset
Facebook/Iowa Quilt Museum The Iowa Quilt Museum is a new attraction, celebrating its grand opening on June 4th, 2016. The museum offers rotating exhibits with new and vintage American quilts. You can also learn a lot about the history of quilting, and enjoy the many other attractions available in and around Winterset.
- Swinging bridge in Columbus Junction
Flickr/Chris Brooks Also known as Lover’s Leap Bridge, the swinging bridge is a beautiful site, although some say it’s haunted. The legend goes that a Native-American maiden was so heartbroken when her lover died in battle that she jumped off the bridge to her death. Legend has it that she is buried at the bottom of the ravine and that her spirit still lingers.
- Lost Island Waterpark, Waterloo
Facebook/Lost Island Waterpark Lost Island Waterpark is a great way to beat Iowa’s August heat and humidity. Situated on 24 acres, there are plenty of fun water activities to choose from, like slides, lagoons, lazy rivers and more.
- Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Arnolds Park
Flickr/Sam Klein Situated on Lake Okoboji, Arnolds Park Amusement Park is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, having been built in 1889. The main attraction is the Legend Roller Coaster, which is the 13th oldest in the world. There are plenty of other activities to do there, as well, and if you get too hot, you can visit one of the many nearby beaches for a swim.
- Loess Hills Lavender Farm, Missouri Valley
Facebook/The Loess Hills Lavender Farm This lovely lavender farm is located in the Loess Hills, a place of fascinating natural beauty. The farm offers tours and events, and you can even take a Loess Hills bus tour. Plus, in August, there’s great butterfly watching.
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum, Burr Oak
Facebook/Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum - Burr Oak, Iowa Get a taste of history at this interesting museum. The family moved to Burr Oak in 1876, after two years of grasshopper plagues in Walnut Grove, MN. This is the only childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder that is still on its original site.
- Valle Drive-In Theatre, Newton
Facebook/Valle Drive-In Enjoy a lovely summer night as you take in a movie, old-fashioned style. The Valle Drive-In is Iowa’s oldest drive-in theater, and you can take in a double feature while you enjoy delicious movie snacks from the concession stand.
- DNR Aquarium and Hatchery, Guttenberg
Facebook/Iowa Department of Natural Resources Watch live Mississippi River catfish and take in exhibits featuring a large selection of live Mississippi River fish and trout found in local streams. This is a great place to learn more about the habitat and wildlife of the Mississippi River.
- The Lady of the Lake, Clear Lake
Facebook/Lady of the Lake Take a cruise on the Lady of the Lake at Clear Lake. They offer public and private cruises, where you can just relax and enjoy the beauty of the lake and expansive skyline.
For more awesome summer activities, check out these 12 Activities To Add To Your Iowa Bucket List This Summer.
Flickr/Phil Roeder
From rides to fried foods to live music to livestock competitions, the Iowa State Fair is an Iowa institution, so be sure to check it out. It runs August 11-21.
Flickr/Michael Kappel
The Maquoketa caves are a beautiful and fascinating destination for outdoor lovers. They consist of plenty of hiking trails with an abundance of scenic beauty to enjoy, as well as cave systems to explore.
Facebook/Iowa Quilt Museum
The Iowa Quilt Museum is a new attraction, celebrating its grand opening on June 4th, 2016. The museum offers rotating exhibits with new and vintage American quilts. You can also learn a lot about the history of quilting, and enjoy the many other attractions available in and around Winterset.
Flickr/Chris Brooks
Also known as Lover’s Leap Bridge, the swinging bridge is a beautiful site, although some say it’s haunted. The legend goes that a Native-American maiden was so heartbroken when her lover died in battle that she jumped off the bridge to her death. Legend has it that she is buried at the bottom of the ravine and that her spirit still lingers.
Facebook/Lost Island Waterpark
Lost Island Waterpark is a great way to beat Iowa’s August heat and humidity. Situated on 24 acres, there are plenty of fun water activities to choose from, like slides, lagoons, lazy rivers and more.
Flickr/Sam Klein
Situated on Lake Okoboji, Arnolds Park Amusement Park is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, having been built in 1889. The main attraction is the Legend Roller Coaster, which is the 13th oldest in the world. There are plenty of other activities to do there, as well, and if you get too hot, you can visit one of the many nearby beaches for a swim.
Facebook/The Loess Hills Lavender Farm
This lovely lavender farm is located in the Loess Hills, a place of fascinating natural beauty. The farm offers tours and events, and you can even take a Loess Hills bus tour. Plus, in August, there’s great butterfly watching.
Facebook/Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum - Burr Oak, Iowa
Get a taste of history at this interesting museum. The family moved to Burr Oak in 1876, after two years of grasshopper plagues in Walnut Grove, MN. This is the only childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder that is still on its original site.
Facebook/Valle Drive-In
Enjoy a lovely summer night as you take in a movie, old-fashioned style. The Valle Drive-In is Iowa’s oldest drive-in theater, and you can take in a double feature while you enjoy delicious movie snacks from the concession stand.
Facebook/Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Watch live Mississippi River catfish and take in exhibits featuring a large selection of live Mississippi River fish and trout found in local streams. This is a great place to learn more about the habitat and wildlife of the Mississippi River.
Facebook/Lady of the Lake
Take a cruise on the Lady of the Lake at Clear Lake. They offer public and private cruises, where you can just relax and enjoy the beauty of the lake and expansive skyline.
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