{"id":1306457,"date":"2026-10-12T11:24:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306457"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:57:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:57:26","slug":"iowa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/","title":{"rendered":"Iowa"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-state","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_hub_term":"","hw_hub_country_parent_hub":"","hw_hub_country_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_city_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"","hw_hub_city_stats":"","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"","hw_hub_city_facts":"","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"","hw_hub_city_areas":"","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"","hw_hub_city_do_body":"","hw_hub_city_do_points":"","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"","hw_hub_city_do_more":"","hw_hub_city_free_title":"","hw_hub_city_free_body":"","hw_hub_city_free_points":"","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"","hw_hub_city_free_more":"","hw_hub_city_food_title":"","hw_hub_city_food_body":"","hw_hub_city_food_points":"","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"","hw_hub_city_food_more":"","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"","hw_hub_city_money_title":"","hw_hub_city_money_body":"","hw_hub_city_money_points":"","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"","hw_hub_city_money_more":"","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_city_trips":"","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"","hw_hub_city_season_title":"","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"","hw_hub_city_season_note":"","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"","hw_hub_city_events_title":"","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"","hw_hub_city_events_source":"","hw_hub_city_events_count":"","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_city_events":"","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_city_picks":"","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"","hw_hub_city_faqs":"","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_city_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_city_hub_term":"","hw_hub_city_city_slug":"","hw_hub_city_country_slug":"","hw_hub_city_parent_hub":"","hw_hub_city_good_for":"","hw_hub_city_currency":"","hw_hub_city_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_states_title":"","hw_hub_country_states_intro":"","hw_hub_country_state_regions":"","hw_hub_country_states":"","hw_hub_state_hero_eyebrow":"State guide","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"Things to do in Iowa","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"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.","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"1308007","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"See the main cities | #cities\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_state_stats":"11 | Days of the Iowa State Fair","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"Fairs, farms and river bluffs","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"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.\r\n\r\nDes 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.\r\n\r\nFilm 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.","hw_hub_state_facts":"Main airport | Des Moines\r\nTime zone | Central Time\r\nSales tax | 6%, plus local\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants\r\nGetting around | A car is easiest\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nState parks | Free entry\r\nHow long to stay | Three to four days\r\nBest months | May to October","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"Regions of Iowa","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"Des Moines in the centre, river towns along the Mississippi in the east, and lakes in the north-west.","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"6","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_state_areas":"Central Iowa | Des Moines, State Fair | The capital and Madison County's bridges. | 41.5868 | -93.6250 | \nEastern Iowa | Iowa City, Amana Colonies | The literary city and German villages. | 41.6611 | -91.5302 | \nMississippi River | Bluffs, river towns | Dubuque, Effigy Mounds and the Field of Dreams. | 42.5006 | -90.6646 | \nNorth-west Iowa | Lakes | The Okoboji lakes resort area. | 43.3900 | -95.1300 | ","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"Things to do in Iowa","hw_hub_state_do_body":"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.\r\n\r\nIn 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.\r\n\r\nIn 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.","hw_hub_state_do_points":"Iowa State Fair | August in Des Moines\r\nPappajohn Sculpture Park | Free outdoor art\r\nField of Dreams | The film's baseball diamond\r\nEffigy Mounds | Ancient earthworks","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_state_do_more":"All things to do in Iowa","hw_hub_state_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_state_free_body":"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.\r\n\r\nThe 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.\r\n\r\nIowa's state parks are free to enter.","hw_hub_state_free_points":"Sculpture Park | Free, in Des Moines\r\nDes Moines Art Center | Free\r\nEffigy Mounds | No entry fee\r\nState parks | Free entry","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_state_free_more":"All free things to do in Iowa","hw_hub_state_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_state_food_body":"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.\r\n\r\nThe Amana Colonies serve hearty German food, and Des Moines has a growing food scene in the East Village and Court Avenue.\r\n\r\nIowa has a big craft beer scene. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.","hw_hub_state_food_points":"Pork tenderloin | A giant breaded sandwich\r\nLoose-meat sandwich | An Iowa classic\r\nSweet corn | Summer's best\r\nAmana Colonies | German food","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_state_food_more":"All food guides for Iowa","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"Des Moines's East Village and Court Avenue have bars, breweries and live music. Iowa City has a busy student nightlife downtown.\r\n\r\nIn summer, small towns hold street festivals and fairs.\r\n\r\nBars close at 2am.","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"East Village | Des Moines bars\r\nCourt Avenue | Bars and music\r\nIowa City | Student nightlife\r\nClosing time | 2am","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Iowa","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"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.\r\n\r\nPublic transport is limited, so a car is the easiest way to get around. Distances are short and roads are quiet.\r\n\r\nWinter driving needs care, with snow and wind.","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"Des Moines airport | The main gateway\r\nCar | The easiest option\r\nAmtrak | Southern Iowa only\r\nWinter | Snow and wind","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"All transport guides for Iowa","hw_hub_state_money_title":"What Iowa costs","hw_hub_state_money_body":"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.\r\n\r\nSales tax is 6 per cent statewide, and most places add 1 per cent local tax. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.\r\n\r\nMany of the main sights are free.","hw_hub_state_money_points":"Value | One of the cheapest states\r\nSales tax | 6%, plus 1% in most places\r\nState Fair | Busy in August\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_state_money_more":"All budget guides for Iowa","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"Iowa is very safe. Take normal city care at night.\r\n\r\nSpring and summer bring severe storms and tornadoes, so follow local warnings. Summers can be hot and humid, and winters are cold and windy.\r\n\r\nOn rural roads, watch for farm vehicles and deer. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nStorms | Tornado season in spring\r\nRural roads | Farm vehicles and deer\r\nWinter | Cold and windy","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"All safety guides for Iowa","hw_hub_state_layout":"cities","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"Des Moines in the centre, Iowa City in the east, and Dubuque on the Mississippi.","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"1","hw_hub_state_cities":"Des Moines |  | A friendly capital with free art and a famous fair. | Pappajohn Sculpture Park; State Capitol; East Village; Iowa State Fair | 1306579\nIowa City |  | A UNESCO City of Literature and college town. | Old Capitol; Prairie Lights bookshop; Amana Colonies nearby | 1306581\nDubuque |  | A historic river town below steep bluffs. | Fenelon Place Elevator; Mississippi River Museum; Field of Dreams nearby | 1306580","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"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.","hw_hub_state_season_note":"Average highs for Des Moines, rounded.","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"January | 0 | 1 | Cold\r\nFebruary | 3 | 1 | Cold\r\nMarch | 10 | 2 | Cool\r\nApril | 17 | 3 | Spring, storms\r\nMay | 23 | 4 | Pleasant\r\nJune | 28 | 4 | Summer\r\nJuly | 30 | 4 | RAGBRAI\r\nAugust | 29 | 5 | Iowa State Fair\r\nSeptember | 25 | 4 | Pleasant\r\nOctober | 18 | 4 | Autumn colour\r\nNovember | 9 | 2 | Cold\r\nDecember | 2 | 1 | Snow","hw_hub_state_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"The State Fair, cycling and summer festivals.","hw_hub_state_events_source":"manual","hw_hub_state_events_count":"8","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_events":"Iowa State Fair | August | Des Moines | One of the most famous fairs in the USA, with the butter cow. |  | \nRAGBRAI | Late July | Across Iowa | A week-long bike ride across the state, from the Missouri to the Mississippi. |  | \nCovered Bridge Festival | October | Winterset | Crafts and food among Madison County's bridges. |  | ","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Des Moines prices.","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Car hire costs extra.","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 45 | 25 | 20 | 5\r\nMiddle of the road | 80 | 45 | 40 | 20\r\nComfortable | 160 | 85 | 60 | 45","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"$","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in and around Iowa, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in the USA","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"Iowa questions","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_state_faqs":"Is Iowa worth visiting? | Yes, for the State Fair, Des Moines, Iowa City, the Mississippi bluffs and small-town Midwest life.\r\nWhen is the Iowa State Fair? | Every August, for 11 days, in Des Moines.\r\nCan you visit the Field of Dreams? | Yes. The site in Dyersville is free to visit.\r\nWhy is Iowa City a City of Literature? | It is home to the Iowa Writers' Workshop and was named a UNESCO City of Literature.\r\nDo I need a car in Iowa? | Yes. Public transport is limited.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit Iowa? | May to October, with the State Fair in August.\r\nIs Iowa expensive? | No, it is one of the cheapest states to visit.","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"Compare hostels across the Midwest: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in the USA | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No filler.","hw_hub_state_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_state_hub_term":"iowa","hw_hub_state_country_slug":"usa","hw_hub_state_parent_hub":"north-america\/usa","hw_hub_state_currency":"USD","hw_hub_state_scope_rows":"1"},"class_list":["post-1306457","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Iowa Travel Guide: Des Moines, State Fair and More<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Plan a trip to Iowa: Des Moines and the Iowa State Fair, Iowa City, the Field of Dreams, Mississippi bluffs and travelling on a budget.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Iowa Travel Guide: Des Moines, State Fair and More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Plan a trip to Iowa: Des Moines and the Iowa State Fair, Iowa City, the Field of Dreams, Mississippi bluffs and travelling on a budget.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Hostelworld Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-12T13:57:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@hostelworld\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/north-america\\\/usa\\\/iowa\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/north-america\\\/usa\\\/iowa\\\/\",\"name\":\"Iowa Travel Guide: Des Moines, State Fair and More\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-12T11:24:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-12T13:57:26+00:00\",\"description\":\"Plan a trip to Iowa: Des Moines and the Iowa State Fair, Iowa City, the Field of Dreams, Mississippi bluffs and travelling on a budget.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/north-america\\\/usa\\\/iowa\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/north-america\\\/usa\\\/iowa\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/north-america\\\/usa\\\/iowa\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Travel Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"North America\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/north-america\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"USA\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/north-america\\\/usa\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Iowa\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Hostelworld Travel Blog\",\"description\":\"Cheap Travel and Backpacking Tips\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Hostelworld\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"\",\"contentUrl\":\"\",\"caption\":\"Hostelworld\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hostelworld.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/Hostelworld\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/hostelworld\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/hostelworld\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.co.uk\\\/hostelworld\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/hostelworld\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Iowa Travel Guide: Des Moines, State Fair and More","description":"Plan a trip to Iowa: Des Moines and the Iowa State Fair, Iowa City, the Field of Dreams, Mississippi bluffs and travelling on a budget.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Iowa Travel Guide: Des Moines, State Fair and More","og_description":"Plan a trip to Iowa: Des Moines and the Iowa State Fair, Iowa City, the Field of Dreams, Mississippi bluffs and travelling on a budget.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/","og_site_name":"Hostelworld Travel Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld","article_modified_time":"2026-10-12T13:57:26+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@hostelworld","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/","name":"Iowa Travel Guide: Des Moines, State Fair and More","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-10-12T11:24:02+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-12T13:57:26+00:00","description":"Plan a trip to Iowa: Des Moines and the Iowa State Fair, Iowa City, the Field of Dreams, Mississippi bluffs and travelling on a budget.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/iowa\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Travel Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"North America","item":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"USA","item":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Iowa"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/","name":"Hostelworld Travel Blog","description":"Cheap Travel and Backpacking Tips","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Hostelworld","url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"","contentUrl":"","caption":"Hostelworld"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Hostelworld","https:\/\/x.com\/hostelworld","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hostelworld","https:\/\/www.pinterest.co.uk\/hostelworld\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/hostelworld"]}]}},"lang":"en","translations":{"en":1306457},"brizy_media":[],"pll_sync_post":{},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/200"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1306457"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306457\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1306708,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306457\/revisions\/1306708"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1306457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}