Iowa

For 11 days each year, the Iowa State Fair brings unique foods, quirky contests, agricultural displays and rides for all ages to the capital city of Des Moines. It’s one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the world, and it features a concert lineup whose past performers have included Elton John, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys and Bob Dylan. Don’t miss a chance to snap a picture of a cow sculpture made of butter, browse specialty vendors at the flea market and grab a front row seat to a pie eating contest.

Celebrate the ingenuity of the USA’s farmers and engineers by admiring the history of agricultural machinery. John Deere tractors are an iconic symbol of American agriculture, and this museum located on the site of the first Deere & Company tractor factory offers a one-of-a-kind chance to view vintage tractors and rare artifacts from the life of founder John Deere. Hands-on displays provide a fun look into the company’s history and the past, present and future of farm equipment.

Regularly named among the USA’s best farmers markets by publications including Parade, The Daily Meal and Country Living Magazine, the open-air market spans nine city blocks of downtown Des Moines. Every Saturday morning from May to October, you can enjoy live music and the welcoming community as you shop for farm-fresh produce, fresh baked goods, artisan jewelry and handmade home decor from over 300 vendors.

The USA’s longest scenic byway rambles through 528 kilometers of Iowa’s eastern border, following the mighty Mississippi River. A road trip down the Great River Road takes you on a journey from friendly waterfront communities to scenic limestone cliffs and beyond. Along the way, stop into 16 interpretive centers that tell the story of Iowa through diverse educational attractions, including museums, nature preserves, and sacred sites of the Indigenous Meskwaki Nation, Havana Hopewell people and other Indigenous peoples who have historically called these lands home.

The striking hills formed by the USA’s deepest and most expansive deposits of loess soil – a fine-grained, nutrient-rich sediment – are just the beginning of the sights, sounds and flavors you can discover along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. Take in incredible views of Western Iowa and stop into the many museums, restaurants, breweries, wineries, parks and interpretive centers that connect these pristine prairielands. Autumn is an especially scenic time to visit. Fun Fact: The Loess Plateau in Northern China is the only place on earth where you’ll find taller loess deposits than Iowa’s.

Head to Dubuque to visit this museum-meets-aquarium-meets science center and discover how the history of Iowa is deeply intertwined with the ecology of the Mississippi River. A nearly six-hectare campus offers plenty to explore, from touching sea urchins and feeding stingrays to traversing the decks of an early 20th century riverboat. Exhibit halls tell the stories of the state’s notable residents and significant river towns. Outside, tour a historic log cabin and blacksmith shop set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Mississippi River.

Runners, cyclists and explorers of all kinds can’t miss a chance to take in gorgeous vistas from the towering High Trestle Trail. Follow a former Union Pacific Railroad line through 40 kilometers of farmland, prairies and small towns from Ankeny to Woodward. The trail’s main attraction is the High Trestle Bridge, a 42-meter-tall span offering incredible views of the Des Moines River Valley below. Be sure to look up as you cross the bridge, too – a mesmerizing steel archway gives the ride a playful edge. At night, it glows with funky blue LED lights.

All ages will enjoy a classic theme park experience at this family-friendly attraction, located on the banks of Lake Okoboji in the town of Arnolds Park. Thrill-seekers can take an exhilarating ride on The Legend, one of the world’s oldest wooden roller coasters, while young children and the thrill-averse will find plenty of easygoing attractions to suit their tastes. Nearby, explore the Iowa Great Lakes: Take a Queen II steamship cruise, admire marine antiques and old-fashioned amusement park rides at the Okoboji Spirit Center, and enjoy a swim and a waterfront meal on sandy beaches.