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Iowa

The towering bluffs on the Mississippi River and the soaring Loess Hills lining the Missouri River bookend the rolling farmland of this bucolic state. In the middle you'll find the writers' town of Iowa City, the commune dwellers of the Amana Colonies, and plenty of picture-perfect rural towns, including those amid the covered bridges of Madison County.

Iowa emerges from slumber every four years as the make-or-break state for presidential hopefuls. The Iowa Caucus opens the national election battle, and wins by George W Bush in 2000 and Barack Obama in 2008 stunned many pundits and launched their victorious campaigns.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Iowa.

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Grant Wood Murals
The original portion of Iowa State's main library was completed in 1925. In the 1930s it was decided to add some murals designed by none other than Iowa's own celebrity artist Grant Wood. Inspiration came from Daniel Webster's 1840 quote: 'When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.' The resulting murals are quite impressive and depict 19th-century farming practices. Fans of Wood's American Gothic will immediately recognize his style.
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Arnolds Park Amusement Park
Dating back to the 1880s, this old-fashioned lakeside amusement park is pure fun. The Legend is the seventh-oldest wooden roller coaster in the world and dates to 1930. Other rides cater to every age and temperament. It's a carefree place of simple delights. Interestingly, the park is owned by a nonprofit foundation which has embarked on an ambitious restoration program. Already completed are the Wild Mouse metal roller coaster and the Funhouse Slide, among others.
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Roseman Covered Bridge
This 1883 bridge is in a lovely quiet spot as there is no parallel modern bridge or road. Take your time and watch the water lazily flow under the well-worn boards. At a nearby old house surrounded by gardens you can buy cold drinks and gifts while gazing at displays about the bridge's history and film role. It's 11 miles west of Winterset.
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Valley Junction
This historic old village is now part of West Des Moines. The five-block-long commercial strip on Fifth St is the most interesting in the region. Over 60 locally owned shops, bars, bakeries, cafes and more line the strip in attractive old brick buildings. It's ungentrified and there's not a franchise or chain in sight. Great strolling.
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National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Learn about life (of all sorts) along the length of the Mississippi at this impressive museum, part of a vast riverfront development. Exhibits span steamboating, aquatic life and indigenous Mississippi River dwellers. Interactive exhibits include touch ponds where you can feel a jellyfish, among other critters.
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Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
On August 20, 1804, Sergeant Charles Floyd became the only person to die on the Lewis and Clark expedition team, probably from appendicitis. You can learn much more about this and other aspects of the journey at the beautiful Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, which is right on the Missouri River.
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State Capitol
From the sparkling gold dome to the spiral staircases and stained glass in the law library, every detail at this bling-heavy capitol (1886) seems to try to outdo the next. Join a free tour and you can climb halfway up the dome. The gift shop is filled with Iowa goodies.
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Effigy Mounds National Monument
Hundreds of mysterious Native American burial mounds sit in the bluffs above the Mississippi River in this gorgeous corner of far northeast Iowa. Listen to songbirds as you hike the lush trails.
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Gull Point State Park
The best state park locally is on the west side of West Okoboji Lake. It has a beach, lovely lakeside picnic areas and an excellent 1.3-mile long nature trail.