Are you ready for another beautiful and inspiring Iowa spring? Here are 10 places that deserve a bit of your time and attention over the next few months. From beautiful views to high-flying adventures to delicious food, they are all waiting for you….and they’re all right here in Iowa.
- Sky Tours Zipline 11764 John F Kennedy Road, Dubuque
Sky Tours Zipline/Facebook It made the Des Moines Register’s list of Top 100 Things To Do In Iowa. They opened for their spring season on March 25. What are you waiting for? Learn more about this great Iowa destination, here.
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park 1200 Grand Ave. Des Moines
Des Moines Art Center/Facebook With 4.4 acres of outdoor art, this sculpture park has more than enough to keep you busy for a beautiful spring afternoon. Find out more about this unique Iowa attraction, here.
- Lake Okoboji
Susan T./Yelp Located in Dickinson County in the northwest corner of Iowa, this amazing deep blue lake is Iowa’s deepest. Sailing, canoeing, camping, and even an amusement park, await. Learn more about one of the world’s bluest lakes, here.
- Butch’s River Rock Cafe near Mt. Pleasant
TripAdvisor/Torte_Sue Situated near the river, this secluded restaurant serves amazing down-home delicious food. This mom-and-pop diner has “dam good food.” It’s about ten minutes out of town down a dirt road. Plug 1529 253rd St, Mt. Pleasant into your GPS and go! You can find out more about this incredible Iowa restaurant, here.
- Brucemore Mansion 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids
Brucemore/Facebook You can visit Iowa’s version of Downton Abbey anytime the gates are open. A stroll through the massive gardens and around the grounds is free. For a guided tour of the mansion, stop in at the Visitor’s Center. For more information about Brucemore, click here.
- Santa Maria Vineyard & Winery in Caroll
Santa Maria Vineyard & Winery/Facebook This family owned and operated winery and vineyard is one of the largest urban wineries in Iowa. Dine in the renovated Tuscan-style dining room for a taste of Italy. See it for yourself by visiting 218 W 6th Street in Caroll. For more information, click here.
- Plaza Antique Mall in Dyersville
Plaza Antique Mall/Facebook This amazing antique mall boasts over 22,000 feet of booths and cases of collectibles. You’ll find it at 1235 16th Ave. Ct. SE in Dyersville, located in eastern Iowa. For more information on one of Iowa’s largest antique malls, click here.
- The Dutch-themed town of Pella
Douglas Porter/Flickr Spring is the best time to visit the small southeastern Iowa town of Pella. The Dutch-inspired “Tulip Time” celebration happens during the first week of May. Pella is just off of highway 163 about an hour southeast of Des Moines. For more information, click here.
- Pikes Peak near McGregor
Wikipedia This is one of the most photographed places in all of Iowa. The scenery is breathtaking year-round, but in spring, it’s especially fresh and green. Views of the Mississippi river are all yours from the famous 500-foot bluff. The park is located at 32264 Pikes Peak Road near McGregor. For more information, click here.
- Antique Archaeology in LeClaire
Nash Statesman/Wikimedia The famous American Pickers set up their first retail store in LeClaire, Iowa. If you watch the beloved television show, you’ll see all sorts of familiar items as you wander through their store and giant building next door. Antique Archaeology is located at 115 Davenport Street in the beautiful and quirky downtown LeClaire. There’s plenty to see in LeClaire, so plan to make a day of it. For more suggestions about what to do when you visit this beautiful little Iowan town, click here.
Will any of these awesome Iowa destinations make it on to your list of things to do this spring? What other things do you love to do during the springtime in Iowa?
Sky Tours Zipline/Facebook
It made the Des Moines Register’s list of Top 100 Things To Do In Iowa. They opened for their spring season on March 25. What are you waiting for? Learn more about this great Iowa destination, here.
Des Moines Art Center/Facebook
With 4.4 acres of outdoor art, this sculpture park has more than enough to keep you busy for a beautiful spring afternoon. Find out more about this unique Iowa attraction, here.
Susan T./Yelp
Located in Dickinson County in the northwest corner of Iowa, this amazing deep blue lake is Iowa’s deepest. Sailing, canoeing, camping, and even an amusement park, await. Learn more about one of the world’s bluest lakes, here.
TripAdvisor/Torte_Sue
Situated near the river, this secluded restaurant serves amazing down-home delicious food. This mom-and-pop diner has “dam good food.” It’s about ten minutes out of town down a dirt road. Plug 1529 253rd St, Mt. Pleasant into your GPS and go! You can find out more about this incredible Iowa restaurant, here.
Brucemore/Facebook
You can visit Iowa’s version of Downton Abbey anytime the gates are open. A stroll through the massive gardens and around the grounds is free. For a guided tour of the mansion, stop in at the Visitor’s Center. For more information about Brucemore, click here.
Santa Maria Vineyard & Winery/Facebook
This family owned and operated winery and vineyard is one of the largest urban wineries in Iowa. Dine in the renovated Tuscan-style dining room for a taste of Italy. See it for yourself by visiting 218 W 6th Street in Caroll. For more information, click here.
Plaza Antique Mall/Facebook
This amazing antique mall boasts over 22,000 feet of booths and cases of collectibles. You’ll find it at 1235 16th Ave. Ct. SE in Dyersville, located in eastern Iowa. For more information on one of Iowa’s largest antique malls, click here.
Douglas Porter/Flickr
Spring is the best time to visit the small southeastern Iowa town of Pella. The Dutch-inspired “Tulip Time” celebration happens during the first week of May. Pella is just off of highway 163 about an hour southeast of Des Moines. For more information, click here.
Wikipedia
This is one of the most photographed places in all of Iowa. The scenery is breathtaking year-round, but in spring, it’s especially fresh and green. Views of the Mississippi river are all yours from the famous 500-foot bluff. The park is located at 32264 Pikes Peak Road near McGregor. For more information, click here.
Nash Statesman/Wikimedia
The famous American Pickers set up their first retail store in LeClaire, Iowa. If you watch the beloved television show, you’ll see all sorts of familiar items as you wander through their store and giant building next door. Antique Archaeology is located at 115 Davenport Street in the beautiful and quirky downtown LeClaire. There’s plenty to see in LeClaire, so plan to make a day of it. For more suggestions about what to do when you visit this beautiful little Iowan town, click here.
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