Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit the Midwest state of Iowa. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Iowa, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your trip to Iowa.
Don’t Miss the Bridges of Madison County
It’s not just a movie; there really are six covered bridges in Iowa’s Madison County. They are less than one hour from Des Moines, so a tour of the bridges makes a great day trip through the Iowa countryside. Pack a picnic lunch and plan to spend the day on the road; you’ll even get to leave the main highway and enjoy some backroads. Just don’t expect to drive on the bridges. They are historic, so they are closed to traffic, but you can walk through them.
(Don’t drive on gravel roads like you would the highway, drive in the middle unless someone is coming!)
Don’t Think Iowa is Just Cornfields
Yes, there is a lot of corn in Iowa. Iowa produces more corn than any other state, and more than most countries. But, there’s more to Iowa than the cornfields. The capital city of Des Moines (the “S” is silent in both words!) is often ranked as a top city for young people to move to. It’s a great city with a vibrant downtown and a lot of cultural things to do. You also have big college towns, like Iowa City and Ames. Then there are lots of fun towns along the rivers, like Keokuk Cedar Rapids, and Davenport.
That said, there are a lot of farms in Iowa and a lot of farm equipment on the roads. Give them a wide berth and the right of way.
The Official Travel Iowa Website: CLICK HERE
Don’t Forget to Fill Up on Gas and Snacks
Depending on where you are in Iowa, gas stations may be few and far between. Always make sure you fill up on gas before heading out into the countryside. Iowa gas stations also have some great snacks to fill up on. Casey’s is like the Midwest version of Buckee’s; I found Puppy Chow, Scotcharoos, and Casey’s is famous for its pizza.
Don’t Count on Cell Service
You might not always have cell service in Iowa. Of course, the cities and towns will have cell towers, but driving out in the countryside, you may lose your signal. It’s always a good idea to have a paper map or download maps so they’re available offline just in case you go out of cell range.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Midwest Travel
Don’t Call RAGBRAI a Race
Every summer, thousands of cyclists make their way across Iowa in the Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa or RAGBRAI. It’s not a race, it’s a bike ride. It’s really just an excuse to party. Every year, it’s a different route with different start and endpoints, and it’s a blast. The towns selected for the stops each year roll out the red carpet, and a few kegs, for the riders passing through. There’s no medal for the fastest rider, it’s all just about having a good time.
Don’t Call Iowans Hicks
If you assume that Iowa is all corn, then you might also assume that all Iowans are hicks. Iowa is actually one of the most educated states in the country. It has one of the highest literacy rates and one of the highest graduation rates. Iowa also has one of the lowest crime rates, so they’re obviously doing a few things right.
Don’t Miss the Amana Colonies
Iowa is in the top ten states of the US for the Amish population. There are several Amish settlements in Iowa, a couple of which predate statehood! The Amana Colonies are one of the largest settlements of Amish in Iowa and have become a bit of a tourist attraction as well. Located northwest of Iowa City, it’s a great place to shop for handcrafted goods and indulge in some Amish comfort food.
The Amish still drive a horse and buggy, so you do have to be careful when driving through Iowa’s Amish areas. There are usually signs warning you, but anytime you are not on the Interstate, use caution especially when cresting a hill.
Don’t Skip Pella, Iowa
Pella is a little Dutch town southeast of Des Moines. It was founded by immigrants from the Netherlands and is the most Dutch town I’ve ever seen outside of the Netherlands. It’s adorably quaint and feels like a step back to the 1950s. They have Dutch architecture, windmills, and a huge tulip festival in the spring. Most importantly, they have a Dutch bakery that sells Dutch Letters. If you’ve never had a Dutch letter pastry, this is a great place to try one!
Don’t Miss the Grotto of Redemption
Of all the places to visit in Iowa, this is one of the most unusual. If you happen to be near West Bend in north-central Iowa, check out the Grotto of the Redemption. It’s the largest man-made grotto in the world, and it can be a bit overwhelming as there’s a lot going on. It’s like a homemade shrine that almost looks like ruins; it’s very unique.
Don’t Miss Out on Iowa Cuisine
Of course, the corn is fresh in Iowa, but there are plenty of other great things to eat in Iowa. Some of the best places to visit in Iowa are the local mom-and-pop restaurants in some of the smaller towns.
- Go to Maid-Rite for a “Maid-Rite” sandwich, which is also called a “loose meat burger.” It’s basically a sloppy joe without the sauce; good, seasoned ground beef on a bun.
- Casey’s Pizza is amazing! They sell it by the slice, and they even have breakfast pizza, which is so good. Casey’s Pizza is a staple for many Iowans. Don’t knock gas station pizza until you’ve tried Casey’s. (Happy Joe’s Pizza is also really good Iowa pizza!)
- Pork Tenderloin is practically the state sandwich of Iowa. Each restaurant tries to outdo the next with the largest pork tenderloin. (The St. Olaf Tap in Olaf holds the current record, with a tenderloin that overlaps FOUR hamburger buns!)
- Iowa State Fair food. If you visit Des Moines during the Iowa State Fair, don’t miss it. They have some of the craziest food. They’ll deep-fry anything, and they have over 80 different foods served on a stick!
Simply Jocelyn shares the “must eat” foods of Iowa
Don’t Confuse Iowa and Iowa State Fans
There may not be a bigger rivalry than that of the University of Iowa and Iowa State. The University of Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City and Iowa State University Cyclones in Ames are major rivals, especially when it comes to sports. Whichever team you root for, don’t doubt Iowa Pride. Iowans are proud of their state, and rightly so!
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Like many states in the Midwest, Iowa is truly underrated. There are some great towns, fantastic food, and some of the friendliest locals you’ll ever meet. They have cosmopolitan cities, farm towns, and everything in between. You’ll have a great time on a trip to Iowa. Want more travel tips for traveling in the Midwest US? Check out some of our other blog posts: