Tripadvisor
1 / 30#30. John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum
- Rating: 4.7/5 (205 reviews)
- City: Waterloo
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Highest-rated things to do in Iowa by visitors
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 Aug. 15, 2025.
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.
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Tripadvisor
2 / 30#29. Brucemore
- Rating: 4.6/5 (277 reviews)
- City: Cedar Rapids
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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3 / 30#28. Reiman Gardens
- Rating: 4.6/5 (370 reviews)
- City: Ames
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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4 / 30#27. Des Moines Art Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (322 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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5 / 30#26. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
- Rating: 4.9/5 (648 reviews)
- City: Walcott
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
6 / 30#25. Eagle Point Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (588 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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7 / 30#24. Crystal Lake Cave
- Rating: 4.1/5 (210 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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8 / 30#23. Devonian Fossil Gorge
- Rating: 4.3/5 (157 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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9 / 30#22. Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
- Rating: 4.7/5 (282 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
10 / 30#21. Dunnings Spring Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (240 reviews)
- City: Decorah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
11 / 30#20. Blank Park Zoo
- Rating: 4.2/5 (653 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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12 / 30#19. Plane Crash Site of Buddy Holly
- Rating: 4.4/5 (297 reviews)
- City: Clear Lake
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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13 / 30#18. Salisbury House & Gardens
- Rating: 4.4/5 (162 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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14 / 30#17. Effigy Mounds National Monument
- Rating: 4.5/5 (270 reviews)
- City: Harpers Ferry
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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15 / 30#16. Pikes Peak State Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (363 reviews)
- City: McGregor
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
16 / 30#15. John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
- Rating: 4.4/5 (512 reviews)
- City: Winterset
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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17 / 30#14. Adventureland
- Rating: 4.0/5 (728 reviews)
- City: Altoona
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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18 / 30#13. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Rating: 4.4/5 (390 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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19 / 30#12. Mines of Spain Recreation Area
- Rating: 4.6/5 (255 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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20 / 30#11. High Trestle Trail Bridge
- Rating: 4.8/5 (232 reviews)
- City: Madrid
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
21 / 30#10. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Rating: 4.4/5 (752 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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22 / 30#9. Horseshoe Council Bluffs
- Rating: 4.2/5 (8,620 reviews)
- City: Council Bluffs
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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23 / 30#8. Iowa State Fairgrounds
- Rating: 4.6/5 (886 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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24 / 30#7. Downtown Farmers Market
- Rating: 4.7/5 (426 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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25 / 30#6. Capitol Building
- Rating: 4.8/5 (908 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
26 / 30#5. Grotto of the Redemption
- Rating: 4.8/5 (288 reviews)
- City: West Bend
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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27 / 30#4. Fenelon Place Elevator Co.
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,217 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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28 / 30#3. Maquoketa Caves State Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (247 reviews)
- City: Maquoketa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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29 / 30#2. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,652 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
30 / 30#1. Field of Dreams Movie Site
- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,310 reviews)
- City: Dyersville
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
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