Travel Iowa

Great information from Jessica O'Riley. Jessica is the Tourism Communications Manager for the Iowa Tourism Office.

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Iowa Surprises & Misconceptions

Iowa's my home state, so I have heard probably everything anybody could say about Iowa. You know, most often the confusion is the whole Iowa, Idaho, Ohio thing, which I find funny and probably people from Idaho and Ohio find it funny too, because we just can't understand how anyone can get the states confused. But then there's also the misconception that Iowa is just all farmland, all flat and not a lot happens here. Let's blow those misconceptions just completely out of the water.

Iowa is not flat, I promise you. The northeast corner in fact, is where the glacier missed. So if you want to see soaring river bluffs that's your neck of the woods right there.

The only remaining Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel in the world, that's right in the world, is located right here in Mason City, Iowa. We also have the Loess Hills out West, which is comprised of this gritty soil. The only other place it gets to the same depths is in China.

Iowa has a lot going for it. Obviously, has a lot of farm land. We feed a lot of the country, but it has so many other attributes that people might not think they would find.

Adorable baby calves

What are the kinds of things that people are interested in when they come to Iowa? What are they looking for and what kind of things might they find that they might not expect.

We've found that people don't have a negative impression of Iowa. They just often don't have one. Like, they haven't considered Iowa. It's not even on their radar screen or they're like, I don't know enough about it to have an opinion.

But if we can get them here to experience all we have to see and do they are blown away by all our opportunities.

The High Trestle Trail Bridge in central Iowa is world renowned for its architecture and stunning views of the river valley.

I'm lucky enough that the High Trestle Trail actually begins in the town I live in; this is the trail that I ride so often throughout the summer. And even I'll drive out there and just watch it at night. It's such an amazing bridge and piece of architecture.

High Trestle Trail Bridge at night

That is just one of the amazing trails we have in Iowa. We have, I think it's like 2000 miles of bike trails if you want to. And all sorts of corners up in the Driftless Area and Decorah, the Trout Run Trail, parts of it are flat, but then parts of it are switch backs and bluffs.

Outdoor Adventure in Iowa

Summer days need a hammock!

Iowa has an amazing state park system. Some of them are popular parks like Backbone State Park in Northeast Iowa. And the Maquoketa caves are fantastic.

Something people might be very surprised we have in Iowa are whitewater courses. There are three. The first one was in Charles City and now Elkader and Manchester each have a course.

You will also find rock climbing, hiking and cycling trails, equestrian trails, fishing, boating, swimming, and winter activities like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.

Food & Eating in Iowa

Obviously we produce a lot of food here in Iowa. We have just acres and acres of corn field and soybeans. And then I think a fact that I've heard bandied about is more pigs than people. So lots of great bacon. But there are other food opportunities here in Iowa that people might be a little surprised about.

Farm-to-table is a very short distance here.

I think when people think of Iowa, they might think of the Tenderloins. Every year the Iowa pork producers name a best breaded Tenderloin in the state. So we've sort of adopted that. Follow the Tenderloin Trail and start eating your way through Iowa that way.

You will also find a lot of great cheese manufacturers.