Iowa State Capitol
Originally constructed during the late 1800s, this building represents the very best of the early 1900s architectural designs. The steel and brick dome is coated with a thick layer of gold leaf that really makes it stand out on a bright and sunny day. The city offers free daily and guided tours of this amazing capitol building. Make sure that you don’t miss this structure when you travel to Des Moines.

Des Moines Botanical Center
One of the coolest botanical centers in the country, this awesome fourteen acre center sits adjacent to the Des Moines River and is one of the most popular of all attractions that can be found in this city. It annually sees hundreds of thousands of visitors and can be very packed during certain times of the year. Make sure that you call ahead when you are here so that you can find out the best time to visit this must-see destination. Also make sure that you set aside plenty of time to really take in all of the sights that are here; it is recommended that you set aside at least half a day.

Blank Park Zoo
The mission statement for this zoo reads as follows, “To inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education and recreation.” This is exactly how you will feel and what you will find when you visit this not-to-be-missed, world class zoo in Des Moines. Take a gander at over a hundred different species of animals and nearly 1,500 different specimens as you browse through this awesome, must-see attraction.

Walnut Woods State Park
This preserved state park is awesome. Its 260 acres of preserved land meet at the Raccoon River in West Des Moines. This park is open 365 days per year and hosts many different activities that vary by season including, but not limited to: cross country skiing, backpacking, hiking, hunting, camping, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching, waterside activities such as rafting and boating, and many more.

Jordan House
This house is the historically preserved house of the original founder of Valley Junction, James Jordan; one of the coolest, perhaps, historical mansions that you can visit when you travel to Des Moines. The gothic and Victorian architecture is literally awe-inspiring. There is a rich history attached to this mansion, which is best known for being a part of the intricate Underground Railroad that helped to free southern slaves to the north during the 1800s and the Civil War. Today it is a museum where you can enjoy a guided tour, and it is also one of the oldest houses in the state.

For more free information on Des Moines travel, and for a complete top ten list of things to see and do please visit: [http://www.Des-MoinesVacationTravelsGuidi.com]

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Fun Valley offers outstanding group rates for groups of ten or more. Birthday packages are also fun, exciting and wonderful for that special day for kids, and their friends and family, ages twelve and under. Every Wednesday and Thursday night the ski resort offers a student night with greatly reduced rates. Buddy Pass Friday’s are also popular – bring your friends and you will all save on lift tickets. Coca-Cola sponsors Sprite Saturday’s at Fun Valley, where you can participate in three activities for one flat affordable fee. Sundays are Family Four Pack Day. There is no doubt about it, today when family values are questionable, going skiing is a way for everyone to have fun with each other and also, by doing something different.

The top elevation at Fun Valley is 1,201 feet, with a vertical drop of 200 feet. There are six lifts, including three chair lifts and three surface lifts. The new learning Adventure Centre is something to see – and experience if you are a beginner. All students are allowed to develop their skills at their own pace, with seven stations providing a fun evironement for the development of mobility and balance, stopping, direction change, linked controlled turns, green stripe evaluation in a Slalom Course, introduction to chairlifts, and rhythmical turns on a green slope. Between the Ski Adventure Centre and the Snowboard Ride Centre, there is no reasons why teaching cannot be fun!

Check out http://www.winter-sportz.com/ for more articles on lake tahoe ski resorts and snow ski vacations.

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If you are thinking to enjoy in the fresh air, toasting dishes over a crackling fire and staring up at a sky full of stars then camping would be the best option for you. Iowa is a famous place for camping. It offers excellent camping opportunities throughout the state. There are many RV parks and campgrounds both public and private in this state. Some of them are listed as under:

1. Ambrose A. Call State Park
Ambrose A. Call State Park is located in the east fork of the Des Moines River. It was established in the year 1928.It is a 138 acre oasis of rugged hills which are heavily wooded with virgin timber. There is a log cabin style lodge which provides excellent facility to the travelers. There are 16 camp sites in this park. Out of these 16 campsites, there are 13 full hookup campsites. These campsites have excellent electricity and clean drinking water supply. You need to register for getting camping permission. This park offers 2 miles of trails throughout the forest. Kossuth County is located near to this hotel.

2. Clear Lake State Park
Clear Lake State Park is located in South Lakeview Drive. It is a popular campground which was established in the year 1924. This park has more than 10 acres of picnic grounds. They provide shady and relaxing picnic area to the travelers. The lodge located in this park is highly spacious and well equipped with stove, refrigerator, microwave, and rustic fireplace. It is a great place for holidays or short breaks. This lodge is near to the beach. I assure you that, you will have an excellent camping experience over here. Modern restrooms, shower, cabins, and full hook up sites are provided to all the guests. You should make an advance camping reservation over here because this park is in great demand all round the year. This park is near to the Town of Clear Lake.

These are some of the fantastic RV parks and campground over here.

Read more about Camping & RV Parks. Going to Iowa? Know all Iowa RV Park

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Like many other states in the US, Iowa is packed full of the “world’s biggest” things, yet after looking a little further we found some more treasures that are sure to delight all those eager to come across something wacky.

So come along for the ride and discover what is so weird and wacky about Iowa.

1. Albert the Bull

The best (and biggest) place to start is no doubt at the statue of Albert the Bull; the town of Audubon’s claim to fame. Albert is the world’s biggest bull, standing 30 feet tall and 33 feet long, with horns that span for an impressive 15 feet.

Albert’s proudest feature is undoubtedly his giant gonads, which are made from solid concrete. These features are the only part of Albert that gets painted frequently, mostly the colors of football rivals, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase “blue balls”.

2. Grotto of the Redemption: West Bend, Iowa

What many states have tried to do, and failed, Iowa has successfully mastered. The Grotto of the Redemption in the small town of West End is a true display of the lengths one man will go to in order to demonstrate his commitment to his faith.

This masterpiece is essentially a well structured heap of rocks, stones, cement and precious minerals; but it can’t help but inspire awe. Although the upkeep hasn’t been carried out as frequently as it should have, the grotto is still a spectacle to look at and is definitely not one to miss.

3. World’s Largest Strawberry: Point Strawberry, Iowa

While many American towns claim to be the “Strawberry Capital of the World”, if statues are anything to go by, Iowa’s Point Strawberry is sure to take the cake.

The 15-foot tall sculpture of a strawberry was constructed entirely from fiberglass and in comparison to all the others speckled across the country, is by far the most realistic.

4. Castles of Ida Grove: Ida Grove, Iowa

In the words of Ida Grove locals, “Orlando has Disneyworld and we have Byron”. While this comment is a slight exaggeration, Ida Grove is most definitely starting to resemble something at least out of a Disney film.

Byron LeRoy Godbersen is Ida Grove’s local millionaire and has made his love of castles pretty well known across town. Visit the local shopping mall, newspaper office and skating rink to embark on a journey back to medieval times, or simply to discover out-of-place architecture that sticks out like a sore thumb.

5. Pinky the Elephant: Marquette, Iowa

While the idea of a pink elephant may not sound so appealing to many, Pinky is a much loved civic symbol that simply cannot be missed. She currently stands out the front of the Isle of Capri Casino, and looks as bleary-eyed and unsteady as some of the drunkards that stumble out of the casino’s doors.

Chrissy Barton is a blogger and content writer for Jurnii Car Rentals, America’s new travel focused online rental car company. She writes frequently for the Jurnii Car Rentals Blog, and enjoys travel in the U.S and abroad.

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The ball field was built on the Lansing farm in three days during the spring of 1988. The film was shot that summer. There are information panels on the site that talk about the filming, such as how they picked that particular farm. The stories of how they got a field of tall green corn in the middle of a drought and setup the final scene with all the cars lined up are particularly interesting.

The Lansing family has owned the 193 acre farm for over a century. They are still there, working the land. The movie premiered on April 21, 1989 and visitors started arriving shortly thereafter. The Lansings realized they had something special and have preserved the site as it was in the movie. Admission is free although donations are appreciated. The souvenir stand is manned by volunteers, some of whom have been there for 20 years.

Ironically, the Lansings don’t make much money from souvenir sales. They have to pay royalties to Universal Studios for the right to market “Field of Dreams.” There is no commercialization and no organized activities are permitted. It has retained its charm as a throwback to a simpler time and place.

Sadly, the farm was recently put up for sale. The asking price is $5.4 million dollars. This place is an American treasure. Let’s hope some shyster doesn’t take over and turn it into a circus.

All in all, this area makes for a great geocaching destination.

Dan Lawson has more information about this topic and many others (including great pictures) on his website at http://www.offthebeatenpath.ws. Comments, suggestions and questions are welcomed and can be submitted through site links to his email and guest book.

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Directly outside of DeMoines there is a living history farm and town. Three working farms show life in the 1700, 1800s, and early 1900s. The 1700 farm shows how the Ioway people lived and what crops they grew. Their wigwams were covered with layers of thatch, keeping the interior temperatures at a comfortable 50º F even during the coldest winter night. The 1800 farm demonstrated the pioneers who settled Iowa. They had planned to live in their log cabin houses for only a few years, but many extended their stay.

The 1900 farm showed life in the mechanized world.

The town featured a blacksmith, millinery shop, broom maker, cabinet maker (mortician), general store, school house, church, printer, lawyer, doctor, vet, apothecary and a couple of homes; one modest and the other quite elegant. Docents were at most of the shops demonstrating the different trades and life in a Midwestern village. We spent the entire day at this living history museum. This is a must see attraction. We did not go to the next county Southwest of DeMoines. The bridges of Madison County and John Wayne’s birthplace will be there at a later date.

We did call the capital to inquire about the tour times on Sunday. The capital is closed on Sundays, but open on Saturday. We hurried over to the capital, where there is ample free parking. The tours were self-guided. But docents were in the Law library and the dome. If you remember our visit to Harrisburg, PA and its capital, you might recall that the same architect was building both capitals simultaneously. The semi-naked ladies adorning the grand staircase were rejected by Harrisburg, but are in place at DeMoines. The two ladies are quite lovely, with minor differences in the two statues. The dome is quite unique. The dome itself is painted like a partly-cloudy sky. Suspended on guy wires underneath lies the emblem of the Grand Army of the Republic. It is quite an appealing view.

While I was climbing the many stairs Maggie spent her time admiring the French influenced law library with its four tiered circular wrought-iron staircases leading to the different shelves. She was engaged in a discussion with the docent, who is an theater director and actor in DeMoines. His wife is a well published playwright.

John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a full-time RVer, who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music., A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org.

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The Corn Dog Kickoff is a lively auction event held each year where visitors can do some light food grazing while bidding on silent and live auction packages. The proceeds of the auction all go to helping restore the fairgrounds so visitors can eat, bid and relax knowing that their helping the fair.

The State Fair is very popular so you may at times find yourself trapped in crowds like a sardine in a tin can. Remember to stay calm and keep a sharp eye out for concession stands or edge areas where you can slip out of the crowds. If you prefer to stay out of the crowds as much as possible and like and eagle’s eye view, check out the Skyliner Rides that carry visitors comfortably over the midway.

Those who’ve gotten tired out from all the walking involved at the fair can head to Legacy Terrace to sit on the Restoration style benches and enjoy the arching fountains. In the evening three foot tall pathway lights flicker on and guide visitors on their way.

Visitors can catch the park ‘n’ ride shuttles to and from the fair for a minimal price per person. It’s even possible to stay on the fairgrounds as they have lots of camping spots available for RV’s and for tent camping. It’s possible to reserve a spot at the fair in advance but you must arrive on the first day of the fair and plan on staying for the entire fourteen days of the fair, otherwise it’s a first come first serve basis.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.

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Over the next 15 months, we made several long car trips to and from western Iowa to Chicago.  I remember always wanting to see the Mississippi River from the big window of our station wagon.

All these years later, the Mississippi River still holds a grip on me, but for an altogether different reason.  Now, historic river towns beckon with their architecture, scenery, and sense of place.  And so it was as we traveled west on I-80, destination eastern Iowa wine country and one of our favorite weekend destinations – Dubuque, Iowa.

Iowa Wine

Iowa has a long history of grape growing and wine making, much like other midwestern states.  The soil here is fertile and conducive to growing all sorts of crops, including grapes.  In particular, the river valleys in Iowa’s western and eastern regions are perfect for vineyards.

When Prohibition arrived in 1920, Iowa farmers turned to other pursuits and the wine industry here lay dormant until the late 1980’s.  Now, some 20 years later, the Iowa wine industry is in the midst of an exciting upswing.  Wineries number almost 60, and Iowa’s five wine trails are introducing travelers and wine lovers to some terrific wine.

Since Interstate 80 cuts directly through central Iowa, exploring any of Iowa’s wine trails is an ideal destination or scenic detour for anyone traveling cross country.

Of Presidents And Wine

Let’s start our exploration of the Eastern Iowa Wine Trail in the small town of West Branch, adjacent to I-80 and about 45 minutes west of the Quad Cities and the Mississippi River.

If West Branch sounds even vaguely familiar to you, congratulations, you’re an historian!  West Branch is the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, our 31st president, and houses the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

This was our first stop, and it’s highly recommended.  Far from a stuffy and dusty old museum, the Hoover Presidential Library not only chronicles Hoover’s presidency, it features fascinating exhibits pertaining to all the presidents.  In reality, it’s a learning center devoted to American history and specifically presidential history.  We’ve visited several times over the years, and each time is more fascinating than the last.

Our first winery stop is along the Herbert Hoover Highway, about 4 miles from the Presidential Library.  It’s Wallace Winery, about as scenic a setting as you’ll find.  With a century old barn and a post and beam tasting room, you’ll want to linger.  We felt the white wines starred here, especially the Traminette, made from the gewurztraminer grape – a great buy at $13.

Also be sure to try and buy the Iowa Barn White.  This friendly, easy to enjoy white table wine is a tribute to a vanishing part of our national landscape, the old wooden barn.  In fact, Wallace Winery donates a portion of profits from the sale of these wines to the Iowa Barn Foundation, a non profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic heritage barns.

From Wallace Winery, travel north on beautiful Iowa Route 1 toward the town of Anamosa.  On the way, you’ll drive right through the antiquing town of Mt. Vernon.  Stop, stroll around, and enjoy small town Iowa hospitality.

In Anamosa, you’ll find Daly Creek Winery on north Ford Street.  Located in a former creamery building, one of the first things you’ll notice is the Iowa red cedar tasting bar.  Adjacent is Daly Creek’s 50 seat bistro, and although we didn’t eat here, the menu is inviting.

On to Daly Creek’s wines.  Being a big fan of the movie “The Shawshank Redemption”, my first pour was Penetentiary Red, a Cabernet Franc that’s full bodied and full flavored.  Remembering our college art appreciation classes, we also enjoyed Daly Creek’s white table wine, Gothic White.  This wine is named after Anamosa, Iowa’s most famous resident, painter Grant Wood, most known for his classic painting “American Gothic”.

After grabbing a few bottles to take home, we headed east from Anamosa on Iowa Route 64.  It’s about 25 minutes to Baldwin, a small village that’s home to our next winery, Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery.

We were particularly pleased to visit here, as we’ve tried Tabor Home’s wines before.  Since 1997, Tabor Home has been adding to their wine offerings and racking up wine awards.  These are true Iowa wines, with most bottlings created from grapes grown in Tabor Home’s vineyard.

Introducing Dubuque

From Tabor Home, it’s a short 40 mile drive north on Iowa 51 to our overnight destination, historic Dubuque, nestled along the Mississippi River at the confluence of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Dubuque is a perfect long weekend destination that can be combined with its Illinois historic counterpart, Galena, just 20 miles away.  Dubuque has been described as a river town, a history town, and a college town.  Of course, it’s all three!

Dubuque:  The Particulars

In Dubuque, everything starts with the river.  Along the banks of the Mississippi, you’ll find a nationally noted aquarium, a 19th century restored brewery building, a redeveloped riverwalk, nightlife, boat rides, and entertainment options.  Just blocks away, there’s the historic downtown district with unique shops and live jazz at night.  Further west, it’s the college district, with its own style and vibe.

Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city, celebrating 175 years in 2008, and it has long been a vibrant river city. Dubuque is particularly distinctive because of its steep hills and river bluffs – geographic features that many people don’t expect to find in Iowa. With 62,000 residents, it’s large enough to be diverse and small enough for easy navigation.

There are a number of “must sees” in Dubuque.  A good place to start is the Mississippi River Aquarium.  Here you’ll enjoy dynamic exhibits, including an up close and personal visit with a few river creatures like catfish and alligators.  Plan to spend a few hours.  At $10.50 per adult admission, this is one of the best bargains in the Midwest.

From here, you can take a boat ride on the river, or stroll the riverwalk.  We did the latter on our first day, up to the renovated Dubuque Star Brewery building, now housing a new winery, Stone Cliff Winery.

When you visit, you’ll taste wines made from grapes grown in Stone Cliff’s vineyard just west of Dubuque.  Our favorites were the Cabernet Sauvignon, a silver medal winner at the Indiana State Fair wine competition, and the Riesling, a semi sweet fruity gem of a wine.  Open in the Dubuque Star facility since May 2007, Stone Cliff is the newest Dubuque attraction along the riverfront.

Enjoying More Wineries

You’ll find this area’s next winery just 15 miles west of Dubuque.  It’s Park Farm Winery and Vineyard, surrounded by Iowa’s beautiful countryside, with rolling hills, trees, and terraced fields.

Park Farm Winery and Vineyard leans heavily on Iowa grown grapes and crops, with grape varieties like LaCrosse, Niagara, Marechol Foch, and Vidal to name a few.  It’s a warm and welcoming site, with a stunning new outdoor deck added to the chateau which houses the tasting room and gift shop.  The deck itself overlooks a lush valley, and it’s a visit you won’t want to rush.

Another area winery gave us the opportunity to travel north on Iowa Route 52, more or less along the river.  Eagles Landing Vineyard and Winery is located in Marquette, Iowa, just across the river from Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin.

Eagles Landing is not only a winery, but a bed and breakfast as well.  Located directly on the banks of the Mississippi, this is a bird watchers paradise.  The name stems from numerous bald eagles who winter in this area, perching high in the trees or swooping onto the river for a meal.

There’s a separate tasting room in downtown Marquette offering 18 varieties of Eagles Landing wine.  Try the Frog Hollow Foch, a dry red finished in oak, with grapes grown in Eagle Landing’s Iowa vineyard.  There’s some great fruit wines here too.  You can also enjoy the Iowa Pearl, a semi dry white with a nose of apricot and a nice clean, fruity finish.

After exploring downtown Marquette and neighboring Prairie Du Chien (both well worth a stop to stroll around), we headed back to Dubuque.  We should mention there is one additional winery on this wine trail – it’s Winneshick Wildberry Winery in Decorah, about 1/2 hour away from Marquette.  We heard very good things about their fruit wines, so if you’re in the area, do stop in.

This part of Iowa is a scenic, relaxing place to visit, and Dubuque is perfectly located in the middle of the Iowa Wine Trail, making it an ideal overnight stop.  If your plans call for I-80 travel, or if you live in the upper Midwest, be sure to carve out some time for the wineries of eastern Iowa.

Wine Trails USA is the internet’s only site devoted to exploring U.S. wine trails and other wine travel destinations. For the complete travelogue on this and other U.S. wine regions, you’re invited to subscribe to our free twice monthly wine trails ezine.

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Did you know there there is a fossil park nearby? You don’t have to wander out to Colorado’s dinosaur park to see fossils, they are right in Iowa at the Devonian Fossil Gorge. This gorge was created by flooding in 1993 and was expanded by the floods of 2008. The flooding washed away soil, trees and roads to reveal a 375 million year old fossilized ocean floor. You can start at the park entrance and walk around with thousands of fossils at your feet.

For another great nature setting visit the Gazebo on the Green. Iowa City is lucky to have such a large botanical garden outside of a large metropolitan area. There are fifteen formal themed gardens with a 22 acre prairie. The variety of gardens are Crabapple Alee Garden, Grove Garden, English Perennial with a gazebo, French Allee, Moon Garden with all white flowers, Arbor Garden with a sixty five foot arbor, Water Garden, Rose Garden, Perennial Cutting Garden, Southern Courtyard Garden, Herb Garden, Grass Garden, Cottage Garden with charming English country cottage and the Le Grande Finale Garden. Take a break for tea time with three different teas at morning, lunch and candlelight. A beautiful location for wedding, portrait and nature shots.

Another great nature photography location is Coralville Lake with bald eagles spending their winters by the lake. January and February are the best months to go with lots of eagles roosting in trees. Last year 30 bald eagles were counted just below the dam at Coralville Lake. The best way to see or captures the eagles on film is to sit in your car below the dam with field glasses, binoculars or a good zoom lens. The eagles will generally just sit in the trees but every once in a while one will swoop down to the water with talons extended and catch a fish. That is a sight well worth the wait. Other great eagle watching locations nearby are River Junction Access and by the Iowa River Power restaurant in Coralville.

Take a look at the bald eagles in a warm car from Billion Auto. They are the Iowa City Honda dealer for the Eastern Iowa region.

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There are also birding experts available to answer any and all questions. Prairie du Chien is located along the banks of the Upper Mississippi River. The area is home to the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states. They are believed to host more bald eagles than any other refuge in the states, except Alaska. There are 100 active bald eagle nests with approximately 79 eaglets were produced. This is a huge difference from years past as in 1972 there was only one known eagle nest in the whole Upper Mississippi River Refuge.

The birthplace of John Wayne is located in Winterset, Iowa in Madison County. Stay warm while visiting this cute little home and learning about one of America’s favorite movie stars. John Wayne was a legendary actor and just the mention of his name brings to mind an old cowboy with courage and, of course, True Grit. The home is a modest four-bedroom home that has been restored to its original 1907 appearance. There are hundreds of rare photographs as well as personal letters on display from Lucille Ball, Maureen O’Hara, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Ronald Reagan and George Burns. You can also see movie artifacts such as the eye patch he wore in True Grit, the hat worn in Rio Lobo and the suitcase used in Stagecoach. Ronald Reagan noted that the birthplace was a tribute to a good friend and great American. The home is open seven days a week except on holidays. Guided tours are also available.

If there’s snow on the ground you can’t miss out on the great skiing and winter activities. There are several ski resorts and ski areas to take advantage of during the winter months in Iowa. Great ski areas can be found in Boone, Crescent, Des Moines, Dubuque and Montezuma.

Rob Vrabel is the co-owner of http://iowa.2havefun.com/, the largest directory of fun things to do in Iowa. Visit this great directory at http://www.2havefun.com

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