Highest-rated things to do in Iowa, according to Tripadvisor
When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.
If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.
Indeed, even if you've lived in Iowa your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for Iowa reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated 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 3, 2024.
Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Iowa, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.
#30. John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (196 reviews)
- Address: 500 Westfield Ave. Waterloo, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. 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
#28. Plane Crash Site of Buddy Holly
- Rating: 4.5/5 (285 reviews)
- Address: Gull Ave. Crash site is located west of intersection of 315th St. and Gull Avenue. Clear Lake, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Des Moines Art Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (314 reviews)
- Address: 4700 Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Effigy Mounds National Monument
- Rating: 4.5/5 (258 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Roseman Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (242 reviews)
- Address: Elderberry Ave. Winterset, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Snake Alley
- Rating: 4.5/5 (289 reviews)
- Address: 600 Washington St. 6th St. between Columbia & Washington Sts Burlington, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Dunnings Spring Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (233 reviews)
- Address: Ice Cave Road Decorah, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
- Rating: 4.5/5 (274 reviews)
- Address: 3800 Arboretum Drive Dubuque, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Blank Park Zoo
- Rating: 4/5 (648 reviews)
- Address: 7401 Southwest 9th St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Pikes Peak State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (357 reviews)
- Address: 32264 Pikes Peak Road McGregor, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Reiman Gardens
- Rating: 4.5/5 (366 reviews)
- Address: 1407 University Blvd. Ames, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Mines of Spain Recreation Area
- Rating: 4.5/5 (248 reviews)
- Address: 10426 Mines of Spain Road Dubuque, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
- Rating: 4.5/5 (368 reviews)
- Address: 1400 Inspiration Place Southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (298 reviews)
- Address: 900 Larsen Park Road Sioux City, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (500 reviews)
- Address: 205 S. John Wayne Drive Winterset, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Rating: 4.5/5 (381 reviews)
- Address: 909 Robert D. Ray Drive Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Eagle Point Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (584 reviews)
- Address: 2601 Shiras Ave. Dubuque, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (487 reviews)
- Address: 210 Parkside Drive P.O.Box 607 West Branch, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Maquoketa Caves State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (235 reviews)
- Address: 9688 Caves Road Maquoketa, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (742 reviews)
- Address: 1330 Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Downtown Farmers Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (422 reviews)
- Address: 231-299 Water St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Iowa State Fairgrounds
- Rating: 4.5/5 (882 reviews)
- Address: 3000 East Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Grotto of the Redemption
- Rating: 5/5 (282 reviews)
- Address: 208 1st Ave. Northwest West Bend, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Horseshoe Council Bluffs
- Rating: 4/5 (8,612 reviews)
- Address: 2701 23rd Ave. Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
- Rating: 5/5 (636 reviews)
- Address: 505 Sterling Drive I-80 Exit 284 Walcott, 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. Fenelon Place Elevator Co.
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,201 reviews)
- Address: 512 Fenelon Place Dubuque, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,636 reviews)
- Address: 350 East 3rd St. Port of Dubuque Dubuque, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Field of Dreams Movie Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,064 reviews)
- Address: 28995 Lansing Road Dyersville, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Michelle No, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
