Des Moines
A friendly capital with free art and a famous fair.
Points of interest
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- State Capitol
- East Village
- Iowa State Fair
State guide
Things to do in Iowa
The Iowa State Fair, Des Moines's sculpture park and gold-domed capitol, the literary town of Iowa City, the Field of Dreams, covered bridges and bluffs above the Mississippi.
11
Days of the Iowa State Fair
Fairs, farms and river bluffs
Iowa is farm country, a rolling landscape of corn and soybean fields between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. It is the heart of the American Midwest, best known for its state fair, its small towns and its role in presidential politics, as the first state to vote in the race for each party's nomination.
Des Moines, the capital, is a friendly city with a free sculpture park, a gold-domed State Capitol, the East Village of shops and bars, and the Iowa State Fair every August, one of the most famous fairs in the USA. Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature, home to the renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop. On the Mississippi, Dubuque sits below dramatic bluffs, and Effigy Mounds National Monument protects ancient Native American earthworks.
Film fans can visit the Field of Dreams in Dyersville and the covered bridges of Madison County. Give Iowa three or four days, with a car. Summer and early autumn are best.
Where to base yourself
Des Moines in the centre, Iowa City in the east, and Dubuque on the Mississippi.
Iowa City
A UNESCO City of Literature and college town.
Points of interest
- Old Capitol
- Prairie Lights bookshop
- Amana Colonies nearby
Dubuque
A historic river town below steep bluffs.
Points of interest
- Fenelon Place Elevator
- Mississippi River Museum
- Field of Dreams nearby
Regions of Iowa
Des Moines in the centre, river towns along the Mississippi in the east, and lakes in the north-west.
Central Iowa
Des Moines, State FairThe capital and Madison County's bridges.
Eastern Iowa
Iowa City, Amana ColoniesThe literary city and German villages.
Mississippi River
Bluffs, river townsDubuque, Effigy Mounds and the Field of Dreams.
North-west Iowa
LakesThe Okoboji lakes resort area.
Things to do
Things to do in Iowa
In Des Moines, walk through the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, tour the State Capitol and its gold dome, and explore the East Village and the Saturday Downtown Farmers' Market in summer. In August, spend a day at the Iowa State Fair for the butter cow, food on a stick and the livestock barns.
In Iowa City, browse the bookshops, walk the University of Iowa campus and see the Old Capitol. Drive to Dyersville to play catch on the Field of Dreams, and visit the Amana Colonies, seven historic villages founded by German settlers.
In the east, ride the Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque, one of the shortest and steepest railways in the world, and walk the trails at Effigy Mounds. In Winterset, see the covered bridges of Madison County. In the north-west, the Okoboji lakes are a summer resort.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Pappajohn Sculpture Park and tours of the Iowa State Capitol are free. The Des Moines Art Center has free entry, and the Downtown Farmers' Market costs nothing to browse.
The Field of Dreams site in Dyersville is free to visit. Effigy Mounds National Monument has no entry fee, and the covered bridges of Madison County are free.
Iowa's state parks are free to enter.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Iowa's classics are the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and the loose-meat sandwich, best known from the Maid-Rite chain. In summer, the sweet corn is famous. At the State Fair, almost everything comes on a stick.
The Amana Colonies serve hearty German food, and Des Moines has a growing food scene in the East Village and Court Avenue.
Iowa has a big craft beer scene. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Des Moines's East Village and Court Avenue have bars, breweries and live music. Iowa City has a busy student nightlife downtown.
In summer, small towns hold street festivals and fairs.
Bars close at 2am.
Getting around
Getting around
Des Moines International Airport is the main gateway, and Omaha and Chicago are other options. Amtrak's California Zephyr crosses southern Iowa, but does not stop in Des Moines.
Public transport is limited, so a car is the easiest way to get around. Distances are short and roads are quiet.
Winter driving needs care, with snow and wind.
Costs
What Iowa costs
Iowa is one of the cheapest states to travel in, with low prices for food and accommodation. Des Moines gets busier and pricier during the State Fair.
Sales tax is 6 per cent statewide, and most places add 1 per cent local tax. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Many of the main sights are free.
Safety
Safety and scams
Iowa is very safe. Take normal city care at night.
Spring and summer bring severe storms and tornadoes, so follow local warnings. Summers can be hot and humid, and winters are cold and windy.
On rural roads, watch for farm vehicles and deer. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The State Fair, cycling and summer festivals.
August
Iowa State Fair
Des Moines
One of the most famous fairs in the USA, with the butter cow.
Late July
RAGBRAI
Across Iowa
A week-long bike ride across the state, from the Missouri to the Mississippi.
October
Covered Bridge Festival
Winterset
Crafts and food among Madison County's bridges.
When to go
May to October is the best time, with the State Fair in August and autumn colour along the Mississippi in October. Winter is cold, with snow.
Jan
Cold
Feb
Cold
Mar
Cool
Apr
Spring, storms
May
Pleasant
Jun
Summer
Jul
RAGBRAI
Aug
Iowa State Fair
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Cold
Dec
Snow
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Des Moines, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Des Moines prices.
Treat these as a guide. Car hire costs extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Iowa questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Iowa worth visiting?
Yes, for the State Fair, Des Moines, Iowa City, the Mississippi bluffs and small-town Midwest life.
When is the Iowa State Fair?
Every August, for 11 days, in Des Moines.
Can you visit the Field of Dreams?
Yes. The site in Dyersville is free to visit.
Why is Iowa City a City of Literature?
It is home to the Iowa Writers' Workshop and was named a UNESCO City of Literature.
Do I need a car in Iowa?
Yes. Public transport is limited.
When is the best time to visit Iowa?
May to October, with the State Fair in August.
Is Iowa expensive?
No, it is one of the cheapest states to visit.
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