Iowa isn’t just farms and corn. There are tons of amazing adventures waiting to be hand. From hot air balloons and film festivals to state fairs and amusement parks, there are plenty of amazing things to do during the summer. Here are 10 activities to add to your Iowa summer bucket list.
1. Go on the Iowa waterfall road trip.
This road trip around Iowa is 434 scenic miles that is about eight and a half hours of driving. The start is in Decorah at Dunning’s Spring Falls and then you can road trip to six other waterfalls until the end at Willow Creek Waterfall in Mason City.
2. Go to the National Balloon Classic.
Enjoy a ride in a hot air balloon in Indianola, Iowa, from July 29th to August 6th. This event features around 100 hot air balloons with fireworks and live bands. The admission in free in the morning for all and in the evening it is $5 for people above the age of six.
3. Visit the Fenelon Place Elevator Co.
The Fenelon Place elevator, located in Dubuque, is one of the world’s steepest, and shortest scenic railway. This railway goes 189 feet up and is 296 feet in length. While on this elevator you can see a breathtaking view of the historic Dubuque business district, three states, and the Mississippi River.
4. Attend the Landlocked Film Festival.
Landlocked Film Festival is an annual film festival that takes place in Iowa City during August. Different films are played during this time with tickets $5 for student for each movie or $20 for an all access pass.
5. Stand up paddle board.
Stand up paddle boarding is found in Arnolds Park, Iowa, to give people the opportunity to enjoy Iowa’s beautiful waters. Hourly sessions are around $30, which includes a free mini lesson before you get out on the water.
6. Spend a day at the Iowa State Fair.
The Iowa State Fair is held in Des Moines from August 11th to the 21st and is one of the largest state fairs in the world. Attractions include a variety of foods, the butter cow, and many concerts. Artists coming to the Iowa State Fair this year include: Brett Eldredge, Jason Derulo, KISS, and Lady Antebellum.
7. Enjoy movies at a drive in.
Few movie drive inns are still standing but they are a great fun for a summer night to still enjoy the weather while watching a movie outside in the back of a car. Most are cheap too, around $7 for two movies. Drive inns are found in Iowa in Maquoketa, Ankeny, and Spirit Lake.
8. Ride some rollercoasters at Adventureland.
Adventureland is Iowa’s largest amusement park and is found in Altoona, Iowa. This park includes a waterpark along with thrill ride rollercoasters and family rides.
9. Visit the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.
This museum is found in Dubuque, Iowa, and its purpose to preserve the history of the Mississippi River along with the nature found. The museum includes hands on activities, different exhibits, and 4D movies.
10. Grab some Whitey’s Ice Cream.
After all these activities, ice cream is the perfect dessert to cool off with. Whitey’s ice cream is the “Best in the Midwest” and, according to Conde Nast Traveler, the best ice cream in the world.
