Iowa Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Attractions== ===Central Iowa=== [[File:RG Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing.jpg|thumb|upright|The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing at [[Iowa State University]], [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]]]] [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]] is the home of [[Iowa State University]], the [[Iowa State Center]], and [[Reiman Gardens]]. Des Moines is the largest city and metropolitan area{{efn|name=MSA|However, a portion of the larger [[Omaha–Council Bluffs metropolitan area]] does extend into the state.}} in Iowa and the state's political and economic center. It is home to the [[Iowa State Capitol]], the [[State Historical Society of Iowa]] Museum, [[Drake University]], [[Des Moines Art Center]], [[Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden]], [[Principal Riverwalk]], the [[Iowa State Fair]], [[Terrace Hill]], and the [[World Food Prize]]. Nearby attractions include [[Adventureland (Iowa)|Adventureland]] and [[Prairie Meadows Racetrack]] Casino in [[Altoona, Iowa|Altoona]], [[Living History Farms]] in [[Urbandale, Iowa|Urbandale]], Trainland USA in [[Colfax, Iowa|Colfax]], and the [[Iowa Speedway]] and Valle Drive-In in [[Newton, Iowa|Newton]]. [[File:Des Moines skyline.jpg|thumb|left|Skyline of Des Moines, Iowa's capital and largest city]] [[Boone, Iowa|Boone]] hosts the biennial [[Farm Progress Show]] and is home to the [[Mamie Eisenhower|Mamie Doud Eisenhower]] museum, the [[Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad]], and [[Ledges State Park]]. The [[Meskwaki Settlement]] west of [[Tama, Iowa|Tama]] is the only Native American settlement in Iowa and is host to a large annual [[Pow-wow]]. [[Madison County, Iowa|Madison County]] is known for its covered bridges. Also in Madison County is the [[John Wayne]] Birthplace Museum is in [[Winterset, Iowa|Winterset]]. Other communities with vibrant historic downtown areas include [[Newton, Iowa|Newton]], [[Indianola, Iowa|Indianola]], [[Pella, Iowa|Pella]], [[Knoxville, Iowa|Knoxville]], [[Marshalltown, Iowa|Marshalltown]], [[Perry, Iowa|Perry]], and [[Story City, Iowa|Story City]]. ===Eastern Iowa=== [[File:Old capital iowa city.jpg|left|thumb|Old Capitol, [[Iowa City]]]] [[File:Davenport Skybridge at night.jpg|right|thumb|Inside the [[Davenport Skybridge]]]] [[Iowa City]] is home to the [[University of Iowa]], which includes the [[Iowa Writers' Workshop]], and the [[Iowa Old Capitol Building|Old Capitol building]]. Because of the extraordinary history in the teaching and sponsoring of creative writing that emanated from the [[Iowa Writers' Workshop]] and related programs, Iowa City was the first American city designated by the [[United Nations]] as a "[[City of Literature]]" in the [[UNESCO]] Creative Cities Network.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Macdonald|first=Moira|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/unesco-declares-seattle-a-city-of-literature/|title=UNESCO declares Seattle a City of Literature|date=October 31, 2017|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-date=May 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518203818/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/unesco-declares-seattle-a-city-of-literature/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Herbert Hoover National Historic Site]] and [[Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum]] are in [[West Branch, Iowa|West Branch]]. The [[Amana Colonies, Iowa|Amana Colonies]] are a group of settlements of [[Germans|German]] [[Pietists]] comprising seven villages listed as [[National Historic Landmark]]s. The [[Cedar Rapids Museum of Art]] has collections of paintings by [[Grant Wood]] and [[Marvin Cone]]. [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa|Cedar Rapids]] is also home to the [[National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library]] and Iowa's only [[National Trust for Historic Preservation]] Site, [[Brucemore]] mansion. [[File:Brucemore entrance.jpg|thumb|[[Brucemore]], [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]]]] [[Davenport, Iowa|Davenport]] boasts the [[Figge Art Museum]], [[River Music Experience]], [[Putnam Museum]], [[Davenport Skybridge]], [[Quad City Symphony Orchestra]], [[Ballet Quad Cities]], and plays host to the annual [[Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival]], and the [[Quad City Air Show]], which is the largest airshow in the state. Other communities with vibrant historic downtown areas include [[West Liberty, Iowa|West Liberty]], [[Fairfield, Iowa|Fairfield]], [[Burlington, Iowa|Burlington]], [[Mount Pleasant, Iowa|Mount Pleasant]], [[Fort Madison, Iowa|Fort Madison]], [[LeClaire, Iowa|LeClaire]], [[Mount Vernon, Iowa|Mount Vernon]], [[Ottumwa, Iowa|Ottumwa]], [[Washington, Iowa|Washington]], and [[Wilton, Iowa|Wilton]]. Along Interstate 80 near [[Walcott, Iowa|Walcott]] lies the world's largest truck stop, [[Iowa 80]]. ===Western Iowa=== Some of the most dramatic scenery in Iowa is found in the unique [[Loess Hills]] which are found along Iowa's western border. [[File:Kurmmann block sioux city.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Historic [[Fourth Street Historic District (Sioux City, Iowa)|Fourth Street]], [[Sioux City, Iowa|Sioux City]]]] [[File:Loess hills.jpg|thumb|Loess Hills east of [[Mondamin, Iowa|Mondamin]]]] [[Sioux City, Iowa|Sioux City]] is the largest city in western Iowa and is found on the convergence of the [[Missouri River|Missouri]], [[Floyd River|Floyd]], and [[Big Sioux River|Big Sioux]] Rivers. The [[Sioux City metropolitan area|Sioux City Metropolitan Area]] encompasses areas in three states: Iowa, [[Nebraska]], and [[South Dakota]]. Sioux City boasts a revitalized downtown and includes attractions such as the [[Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City|Hard Rock Hotel and Casino]], [[Sergeant Floyd Monument]], [[Sergeant Floyd]] River Museum, the [[Tyson Events Center]], [[Southern Hills Mall]], the [[Orpheum Theater (Sioux City)|Orpheum Theater]], and more. The historic downtown area is also filled with multiple restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues. Sioux City is home to two higher education institutions, [[Morningside University|Morningside College]] and [[Briar Cliff University]]. [[Le Mars, Iowa|Le Mars]] is in the northeastern part of the [[Sioux City metropolitan area|Sioux City Metropolitan Area]] and is the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Capital of the World". Le Mars is home to [[Wells Enterprises]], one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in the world. Attractions in Le Mars include the Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor, Archie's Wayside (steak house), Bob's Drive Inn, [[Tonsfeldt Round Barn]], Plymouth County Fairgrounds, Plymouth County Museum, and [[Plymouth County Courthouse (Iowa)|Plymouth County Courthouse]]. Le Mars hosts multiple ice cream-themed community events each year. [[Council Bluffs, Iowa|Council Bluffs]], part of the [[Omaha Metro|Omaha (Nebr.) Metropolitan Area]] and a hub of southwest Iowa sits at the base of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. With three casino resorts, the city also includes such cultural attractions as the Western Hills Trails Center, [[Union Pacific Railroad]] Museum, the [[Grenville M. Dodge House]], [[Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial|The Black Angel]], and the [[Lewis and Clark]] Monument, with clear views of the [[Downtown Omaha]] skyline found throughout the city. [[File:Wpdms usgs iowa great lakes.jpg|thumb|240x240px|The Iowa Great Lakes located primarily in [[Dickinson County, Iowa|Dickinson County]], in the northwestern section of Iowa near the [[Minnesota]] border. ]] The [[Iowa Great Lakes]] is made up of multiple small towns, such as [[Spirit Lake, Iowa|Spirit Lake]], [[Arnolds Park, Iowa|Arnolds Park]], [[Milford, Iowa|Milford]], and [[Okoboji]]. Multiple resorts and other tourist attractions are found in and around these towns surrounding the popular lakes. Arnolds Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, is located on Lake Okoboji in [[Arnolds Park, Iowa|Arnolds Park]]. [[File: Grotto Arcade.jpg|thumb|View of [[Grotto of the Redemption]]'s Lower Arcade: Small Stations of the Cross, [[West Bend, Iowa|West Bend]]|alt=|left|211x211px]] The Sanford Museum and Planetarium in [[Cherokee, Iowa|Cherokee]], [[Grotto of the Redemption]] in [[West Bend, Iowa|West Bend]], [[The Danish Immigrant Museum]] in [[Elk Horn, Iowa|Elk Horn]], and the Fort Museum and Frontier Village in [[Fort Dodge, Iowa|Fort Dodge]] are other regional destinations. Every year in early May, the city of [[Orange City, Iowa|Orange City]] holds the annual Tulip Festival, a celebration of the strong Dutch heritage in the region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.octulipfestival.com/history-heritage/history-of-tulip-festival/|title=History Of Tulip Festival|website=Orange City Tulip Festival|access-date=April 6, 2020|archive-date=January 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103034119/http://www.octulipfestival.com/history-heritage/history-of-tulip-festival/|url-status=live}}</ref> Northwest Iowa is home to some of the largest concentrations of [[wind turbine]] farms in the world. Other western communities with vibrant historic downtown areas include [[Storm Lake, Iowa|Storm Lake]], [[Spencer, Iowa|Spencer]], [[Glenwood, Iowa|Glenwood]], [[Carroll, Iowa|Carroll]], [[Harlan, Iowa|Harlan]], [[Atlantic, Iowa|Atlantic]], [[Red Oak, Iowa|Red Oak]], [[Denison, Iowa|Denison]], [[Creston, Iowa|Creston]], [[Mount Ayr, Iowa|Mount Ayr]], [[Sac City, Iowa|Sac City]], and [[Walnut, Iowa|Walnut]]. {{clear|left}} ===Northeast and Northern Iowa=== {{Redirect|Northern Iowa|the University of Northern Iowa|University of Northern Iowa}} [[File:Fort Atkinson Iowa.jpg|left|thumb|Ruins of historic [[Fort Atkinson State Preserve|Fort Atkinson]]]] [[File:FloatingSauna.jpg|thumb|Wood-heated floating [[sauna]] on the farm pond]] The [[Driftless Area]] of northeast Iowa has many steep hills and deep valleys, checkered with forest and terraced fields. [[Effigy Mounds National Monument]] in [[Allamakee County, Iowa|Allamakee]] and [[Clayton County, Iowa|Clayton Counties]] has the largest assemblage of animal-shaped prehistoric mounds in the world. [[Waterloo, Iowa|Waterloo]] is home of the [[Grout Museum]] and [[Lost Island Theme Park]] and is headquarters of the [[Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area]]. [[Cedar Falls, Iowa|Cedar Falls]] is home of the [[University of Northern Iowa]]. [[Dubuque, Iowa|Dubuque]] is a regional tourist destination with attractions such as the [[National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium]] and the [[Port of Dubuque]]. [[Dyersville, Iowa|Dyersville]] is home to the famed ''[[Field of Dreams (Dubuque County, Iowa)|Field of Dreams]]'' baseball diamond. [[Maquoketa Caves State Park]], near [[Maquoketa, Iowa|Maquoketa]], contains more caves than any other state park. [[Fort Atkinson State Preserve]] in [[Fort Atkinson, Iowa|Fort Atkinson]] has the remains of an original 1840s [[Dragoon]] fortification. [[Fort Dodge]] is home of The Fort historical museum and the Blanden Art Museum, and host Frontiers Days which celebrate the town history. Other communities with vibrant historic downtown areas include [[Decorah, Iowa|Decorah]], [[McGregor, Iowa|McGregor]], [[Mason City, Iowa|Mason City]], [[Elkader, Iowa|Elkader]], [[Bellevue, Iowa|Bellevue]], [[Guttenberg, Iowa|Guttenberg]], [[Algona, Iowa|Algona]], [[Spillville, Iowa|Spillville]], [[Charles City, Iowa|Charles City]], and [[Independence, Iowa|Independence]]. ===Statewide=== Iowa hosts [[RAGBRAI]], the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, which is a bike across the state river-to-river that attracts thousands of bicyclists and support personnel. It has crossed the state on various routes each year since 1973. Iowa is home to more than 70 wineries,<ref>ISU Extension Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, [http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Wine/Resources/iowawineries.htm Iastate.edu] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125045820/http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Wine/Resources/iowawineries.htm |date=January 25, 2009 }}</ref> and hosts five regional wine tasting trails.<ref>Iowa Wine Growers Association, [https://iowawinegrowers.org/mos/Frontpage/Itemid,1/ Iowawinegrowers.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123203434/https://iowawinegrowers.org/mos/Frontpage/Itemid%2C1/ |date=November 23, 2010 }}</ref> Many Iowa communities hold farmers' markets during warmer months; these are typically weekly events, but larger cities can host multiple markets.<ref>Iowa Farmers Market Association, [http://www.iafarmersmarkets.org/About_Us.html Iafarmersmarkets.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612063413/http://www.iafarmersmarkets.org/About_Us.html |date=June 12, 2009 }}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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