Yet MORE Stuff To Do This Summer!

100+ Things, cont.  (Courtesy: Des Moines Register)
50. Fossil and Prairie Park Preserve

Collect fossils from the time when Iowa was an ocean.

Most of the fossils found are from a shallow sea environment. The preserve is located in Rockford.

51. Iowa Irish Fest

Downtown Waterloo hosts the Iowa Irish Fest Aug. 4-6.

Enjoy six stages of live entertainment with Gaelic Storm as headliners on Saturday and Sunday. Some of the other activities include a family fun area, 5K, bike rally, whiskey tasting and rugby tournament.

52. Matchstick Marvels

See models of the U.S.Capitol, Terrace Hill, USS Battleship Iowa and more made from matchsticks when you visit this museum in Gladbrook. The models are made by Patrick Acton.

53. Bellevue State Park

See spectacular views of the Mississippi, enjoy the butterfly garden and look for bald eagles when you visit. There are miles of trails to enjoy and exhibits in the South Bluff Nature Center.

54. Cumming Tap Ride

The Cumming Tap is 10 miles south of Des Moines on the Great Western Bike Trail and is a popular ride for bicyclists. Follow their Facebook page to find out when they will have food available for purchase.

55. The Full Grassley

It might not be able to be done in one summer, but make an effort to visit all 99 counties, just like Sen. Chuck Grassley.

  

56. Nordic Fest

Celebrate Scandinavian culture July 27-29 in Decorah. Eat traditional Scandinavian food, enjoy a parade, entertainment, sporting events and fireworks.

57. Charles City Whitewater

Go whitewater kayaking at Riverfront Park in Charles City. The course consists of three water features and is 3/4 of a mile long.

58. Loess Hills Lavender Farm

Spend an afternoon walking through lavender fields and browsing at the gift shop.

Located north of Missouri Valley, the farm is open from May to October on Thursdays through Sundays.

59. Adventureland

Ride the roller coasters at Adventureland (or the tea cups if that’s more your style) then head to Adventure Bay Water Park (included with regular admission) and hang out on the lazy river or ride the waterslides.

60. Solheim Cup

Golf enthusiasts can get tickets now for the 2017 Solheim Cup. It will be held Aug. 14-20 at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines. The Solheim Cup is a team match-play event featuring the best women’s golfers from Team USA and Team Europe.

61. Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Bring a picnic and enjoy the art including Nomade, Spider and the panoramic awareness pavilion in downtown Des Moines.

62. Amana Colonies

Learn about the history of the area at the Amana Heritage Society, visit the Woolen Mill, Millstream Brewery, multiple wineries or the Amana Meat Shop and Smokehouse.

63. Union Pacific Railroad Museum

This free museum is in Council Bluffs and is full of interactive exhibits for all ages. Learn how the transcontinental railroad was built and learn about rail travel in the United States.

64. Aquatic Parks

Many towns in Iowa have their own outdoor aquatic parks with waterslides, lazy rivers and more. In the Des Moines area, try out the aquatic parks in Altoona, Clive or West Des Moines.

65. Nitefall on the River

Watch a show at the Simon Estes Amphitheater or Brenton Skating Plaza. The 2017 lineup includes Des Moines’ hometown favorite The Nadas as well as Drive-By Truckers, Everclear, Blue October, Michael Franti and more.

66. Trek Fest

Celebrate the future birthplace of Captain Kirk on June 23-24 in Riverside. There is a parade and events for the whole family.

67. Jester Park Equestrian Center

Take a trail ride and enjoy the beauty of Jester Park on horseback. Reservations are required, no previous riding experience is needed.

68. Farmers’ markets

Support local farmers, producers and artists at your local farmers’ market. The North Iowa Farmers Market is back downtown in Mason City, Thursday evenings.

69. Hitchcock House

Take a tour of this National Historic Landmark outside of Lewis in Cass County. The house was built in 1856 by Rev. George Hitchcock and was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

70. Enjoy a Craft Beer

Iowa has more than 60 breweries for you to choose from and many of them are winning awards. Toppling Goliath in Decorah has beers that rank among the best in the nation.

71. Bily Clocks Museum and Antonin Dvorak Exhibit

Head to Spillville to admire the hand-carved clocks made by the Bily brothers. Visit the Antonin Dvorak exhibit on the second floor of the building where the Czech composer spent the summer of 1893 with his family.

72. 80-35

This two-day music festival is held in downtown Des Moines and celebrates progressive indie and jam music. A combination of free and paid stages the festival is celebrating its 10th year and will be held July 7-8.

73. Pioneer Heritage Museum

This museum located in Marengo is a half-block of structures including an 1856 log cabin and a 1930s gas station. The museum also has a collection of uniforms and military gear from the Spanish American War, Civil War, World War I and II, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

74. Bell Tower Festival

From June 9-11, head to Jefferson for the Bell Tower Festival. There will be music, a fun run/walk, craft show and more.

75. Iowa Arts Festival

Located in the heart of Iowa City, the Iowa Arts Festival features more than 115 local and national artists, music, culinary row (serving regional and ethnic foods) and art demonstrations. It will be held June 2-4.

76. Highway 141 Garage Sale

This 100-mile long garage sale goes along Highway 141 from Des Moines to Mapleton. You never know what bargains you might find along the way. This year is the 15th anniversary of the sale and will be held August 4-5 with most sales starting at 8 a.m.

77. Go sailing

Rent a pontoon boat on one of Iowa’s many lakes and enjoy a day on the water.

Fish, relax and take in the scenery and don’t forget your sunscreen.

78. Old Threshers Reunion

This educational and historical event runs Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 in Mount Pleasant.

There are parades, a trading post and vendors, horse pulls, antique cars, trucks, tractors and more.

79. Dam to Dam

Run Iowa’s Distance Classic on June 3. There is a half-marathon, 5K and youth runs. Even if you’re not a runner, cheer on the finishers at 12th Street and Walnut Avenue in Des Moines.

80. Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

Events are scheduled from June 11 to July 4 and end with a fireworks show. Events are family-friendly and held throughout the city.

81. Backbone State Park

Visit Iowa’s oldest state park, located near Strawberry Point, and go hiking, fishing, boating or camping. There are also many challenging cliffs for climbers and rappellers.

82. Southern Iowa Speedway

Enjoy a night of International Motor Contest Association dirt track racing in Oskaloosa. Races are on most Wednesday nights throughout the summer.

83. Ewing Park

Visit the lilac arboretum at Des Moines’ largest park

during the few weeks the flowers are in bloom (usually in early May). While there, take the kids to Ashley Okland Star Playground and the Children’s Forest.

84. Pedaler’s Jamboree

Music and bicycling are combined in this Aug. 26-27 festival. The ride will be held along the Chichaqua Valley Trail. Non-riders can purchase tickets for the main stage festivities on Aug. 26 in Bondurant.

85. Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa

Held at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, the festival includes a best sauce contest, bocce ball tournament, kids activities and music. New for 2017 is il Mercato, an Italian marketplace for shopping. This year the event will be July 28-29.

86. Nathaniel Hamlin Museum and Park

Located in Audubon County, check out this historic farm.

Other buildings include a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop and barns.

Outside the museum are 18 antique windmills.

87. Okoboji

The Iowa Great Lakes provide entertainment for everyone. Spend time on the water boating, parasailing, waterskiing or fishing. If you prefer to stay on land, you can enjoy the shopping, golf and museums in the area.

88. Free entertainment at the Iowa State Fair

Take in a show at one of the free stages at the Iowa State Fair. Acts range from country to rock and everything in between. The fair this year runs from Aug. 10-20.

89. All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club

Play tennis on a lawn tennis court that was built on a family farm outside Charles City in 2003. Reservations are required.

90. Visit the Highest Spot in Iowa

Hawkeye Point, north of Sibley, is the highest point in Iowa and provides a panoramic view of the Iowa landscape. The land is privately owned but the owners have kept the location accessible to the public.

91. Iowa Rock-n-Row Adventures

Go tubing down the Iowa River (most floats last 3 to 4 hours), then relax at the campsite for the night.

92. Grout Museum of History and Science

Learn about the flora and fauna of northeast Iowa and experience what it was like to be a pioneer in Iowa.

93. Join a team

Check with your city parks and recreation department to see what sports are offered.

Many cities offer slow-pitch softball, sand volleyball and kickball leagues.

94. Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival

The 2017 event will be held Sept. 23-24 at Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines and will feature cultural booths, vendors, entertainment, dancing and food.

95. Effigy Mounds National Monument

Located in Harpers Ferry, there are 206 known prehistoric mounds, 31 of which are animal effigies.

Take a guided tour with a park ranger to learn more about these Native American-made mounds.

96. Pick your own berries

Spend a morning or afternoon picking strawberries, raspberries or blackberries. Days and times vary depending on the weather each year, and it’s best to call ahead. A list of U-Pick farms in Iowa is online at visitiowafarms.org.

97. Go fishing

Get your fishing license and relax along the shores of an Iowa lake or pond. Try Lake Red Rock, Lake Anita State Park or Lake MacBride State Park.

98. Adel Sweet Corn Festival

Celebrate at the annual Sweet Corn Festival in Adel on Aug. 12. The day begins with a 5K run then continues with a parade, food and craft vendors, music, entertainment and of course sweet corn.

99. Raccoon River Park

Enjoy the beach and playground or let your four-legged friend burn off some energy at the dog park at this West Des Moines park.

100. Chimney Rock Canoe Rental and Campground

Explore the Upper Iowa River by canoe and experience the beauty of the bluffs, cliffs, eagles and other wildlife.

101. Snake Alley

Ripley’s Believe It or Not has called it the “Crookedest Street in the World” and it is located in Burlington. An uphill bike race is held every Memorial Day and the Snake Alley Art Fair is held on Father’s Day each year.

102. Stockman House

Fans of architect Frank Lloyd Wright can admire his work by visiting the Stockman House in Mason City. Tours include the exterior and interior of the house.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-17 and are scheduled from May to October.

103. Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum

When Laura Ingalls was nine years old, her family moved to Burr Oak to manage the Masters Hotel. Take a guided tour of the hotel to learn about Wilder’s life there and then wander along the banks of the Silver Creek.

104. Tree Town Music Festival

Enjoy four days of music in Forest City May 25-28. Bret Michaels, Thomas Rhett, Alan Jackson and Jason Aldean are just a few of the performers taking the stage. A variety of campsites are available for tents and RVs.

105. Jesse James Historical Site

Drive just west of Adair and take your picture in front of a locomotive wheel that marks the site where Jesse James staged the first robbery of a moving train in 1873.