Highest-rated free things to do in Iowa, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Iowa.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Iowa using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Roseman Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (242 reviews)
- Address: Elderberry Ave. Winterset, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Trinity Heights
- Rating: 5/5 (140 reviews)
- Address: 2511 33rd St. Sioux City, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. East Village
- Rating: 4.5/5 (176 reviews)
- Address: Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Antique Archeology
- Rating: 3.5/5 (911 reviews)
- Address: 115 Davenport St. Le Claire, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Rhythm City Casino Resort
- Rating: 3.5/5 (314 reviews)
- Address: 7077 Elmore Ave. Davenport, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Vander Veer Botanical Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (182 reviews)
- Address: 215 West Central Park Ave. Davenport, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Union Pacific Railroad Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (307 reviews)
- Address: 200 Pearl St. Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Stone Cliff Winery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (230 reviews)
- Address: 600 Star Brewery Drive Dubuque, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Davenport Skybridge
- Rating: 3.5/5 (227 reviews)
- Address: W River Drive Davenport, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Gray's Lake Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (329 reviews)
- Address: 2100 Fleur Drive Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Effigy Mounds National Monument
- Rating: 4.5/5 (259 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Plane Crash Site of Buddy Holly
- Rating: 4.5/5 (287 reviews)
- Address: Gull Ave. Crash site is located west of intersection of 315th St. and Gull Avenue. Clear Lake, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Diamond Jo Casino
- Rating: 3.5/5 (542 reviews)
- Address: 301 Bell St. Dubuque, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Devonian Fossil Gorge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (153 reviews)
- Address: 2850 Prairie Du Chien Road Northeast Iowa City, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Des Moines Art Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (315 reviews)
- Address: 4700 Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. High Trestle Trail Bridge
- Rating: 5/5 (228 reviews)
- Address: 2335 Qf Lane West on Hwy 210, then South on QF Lane to parking lot; 3/4 mi from trestle bridge Madrid, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
- Rating: 4.5/5 (274 reviews)
- Address: 3800 Arboretum Drive Dubuque, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Dunnings Spring Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (233 reviews)
- Address: Ice Cave Road Decorah, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Pikes Peak State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (358 reviews)
- Address: 32264 Pikes Peak Road McGregor, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Snake Alley
- Rating: 4.5/5 (290 reviews)
- Address: 600 Washington St. 6th St. between Columbia & Washington Sts Burlington, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (298 reviews)
- Address: 900 Larsen Park Road Sioux City, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
- Rating: 5/5 (637 reviews)
- Address: 505 Sterling Drive I-80 Exit 284 Walcott, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Mines of Spain Recreation Area
- Rating: 4.5/5 (248 reviews)
- Address: 10426 Mines of Spain Road Dubuque, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Horseshoe Council Bluffs
- Rating: 4/5 (8,612 reviews)
- Address: 2701 23rd Ave. Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (742 reviews)
- Address: 1330 Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Downtown Farmers Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (422 reviews)
- Address: 231-299 Water St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Capitol Building
- Rating: 5/5 (892 reviews)
- Address: 1007 East Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Grotto of the Redemption
- Rating: 5/5 (282 reviews)
- Address: 208 1st Ave. Northwest West Bend, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Maquoketa Caves State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (235 reviews)
- Address: 9688 Caves Road Maquoketa, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Field of Dreams Movie Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,083 reviews)
- Address: 28995 Lansing Road Dyersville, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
