100+ Things To Do In Iowa This Summer, cont. (Courtesy: Des Moines Register)
11. Go zip-lining In western Iowa, go zip-lining on a 1,600-foot ride at Mt.
Crescent Ski Area. If you find yourself in eastern Iowa, try out nine
different zip lines at Sky Tours at YMCA Union Park Camp in Dubuque.
12. Kings Pointe Water Park
No matter the weather, you can enjoy this water park and resort in
Storm Lake. It boasts indoor and outdoor water parks with water slides,
diving boards, lap pools, a lazy river and more.
13. 2017 Bix Jazz Festival
Celebrate all things jazz at a new venue,The Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport, from Aug. 3 to Aug. 5.
14. Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge
Located outside of Prairie City, the wildlife refuge has walking and
biking trails winding through the natural Iowa habitat and a driving
tour where you may spot bison and elk.
15. Spook Cave
Take an underground boat tour through Spook Cave in McGregor. Your
guide will teach you about the history of the limestone cave.
16. Friday Night Concert Series
Enjoy live music in a family-friendly setting every Friday night from
May 19 through Aug. 25 in Iowa City. Concerts are held outside the
Sheraton Iowa City Hotel from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
17. Skillet Days
Want to see if you and your friends have what it takes to win a skillet throwing contest? Sign up now for the June 17 event in Macksburg.
Leading up to the skillet throw at noon there will be a parade and pedal tractor pull.
18. Heritage Rose Garden
The town of Gray, in Audubon County, is home to a heritage rose garden.
Take in the beautiful sights and scents of more than 200 varieties of
roses and perennial flowers.
19. Des Moines Arts Festival
From June 23-25 in Western Gateway Park, find the next piece of art for your home.
Spend time enjoying the performance art, interactive art, music, food and all the other activities the festival has to offer.
20. Yoga in the Park
Relieve your stress by participating in a free yoga
class. Volunteer instructors teach a class from 9 to 10 a.m. every
Saturday morning from June 4 through Sept. 24. The event will move to a
different Des Moines park each month, including Gray’s Lake, Union Park,
the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and returning to Gray’s Lake
in September.
21. National Mississippi River Museum
Learn about America’s
waterways in this museum located on Dubuque’s Riverwalk. Tour an old
steamboat, see what kind of animals live in the Mississippi River and
take part in the interactive exhibits. A new permanent exhibit allows
you to touch sting rays.
22. Spring Park
Bring your own water bottle and fill up from the artesian well at Spring Park in Osage.
You can also explore the two-mile trail, let kids play on the playground or stay at one of the primitive camping sites.
23. Blank Park Zoo
See giraffes, rhinoceros, lions, tigers and more at Des Moines’ zoo.
During Zoo Brew, adults 21 and over can have a drink and listen to music
while enjoying the exhibits.
24. Field of Dreams
Bring your ball and glove and relive the magic of the movie while you
play catch on this iconic baseball field located in Dyersville.
25. National Balloon Classic
From July 28 to Aug. 5, the sky will be filled with balloons in
Indianola. Enjoy events all day and night, including the Night Glow
Extravaganza, fireworks, music and food.
26. Gray’s Lake
Enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake, rent a paddleboat or take a swim at the beach at this park located just south of downtown Des Moines.
27. Blue Bunny Parlor
Choose from 40 flavors of ice cream at this ice cream shop in Le Mars. While you’re there, learn about this history of Blue Bunny on a self-guided tour.
28. Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton
Visit the two largest Danish
settlements in the United States. See a sculpture of the Little
Mermaid, an authentic windmill from Norre Snede and learn about the
culture at the Museum of Danish America.
29. Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad
Choose from a variety of tours including a basic excursion, dinner,
dessert or picnic train and enjoy the scenery while you take a ride on
the rails.
30. Lost Island Water Park
Named a top-25 waterpark in the USA by Trip Advisor, enjoy the extreme
waterslides, Blue Iguana Lagoon for younger children, mini golf and
go-karts at the Lost Island Water Park in Waterloo.
Spend a day or make it a vacation and stay nearby at the KOA campground or local hotels.
31. Living History Farms
Learn what life was like on a 1700 Ioway Indian farm, 1850 pioneer farm
and 1900 horse-powered farm. Walk through the town of Walnut Hill (set
in 1875) and visit the general store, blacksmith and the broommaker.
32. Templeton Rye Distillery
Take a guided tour through the production area, barrel warehouse,
bottling line and tasting room. Schedule a tour by emailing the
distillery.
33. World’s Largest Popcorn Ball
Find out what a 5,000-pound, 8-foot-tall popcorn ball looks like in Sac
City. While you’re there, visit the Sac City Museum Village.
34. Sidney Rodeo
Enjoy Iowa’s oldest continuous outdoor rodeo Aug. 1-5. Watch
Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association saddle bronc riding, steer
wrestling, calf roping mutton bustin’ and more.
35. National Farm Toy Museum
See how farming has changed through the years and learn about the history of tractors.
The museum features thousands of toys, exhibits and displays and is located in Dyersville.
36. Des Moines Storytellers Project
Listen as Iowans tell true, first-person stories centered around a common theme.
Performances are scheduled throughout the year at various venues.
37. Decorah’s Trout Run Trail
This 11-mile trail runs next to the Decorah Trout Hatchery and crosses
the trout streams five times. While on the trail, look for the Decorah
Eagle Nest and three pieces of art.
38. Great Escape
When it’s too hot to be outside, cool off with bowling, laser tag and
video games at Great Escape in Pleasant Hill. Grab a bite to eat and a
craft beer while you’re there at Eats & Crafts.
39. Hinterland
Head to St. Charles for two days of music Aug. 4-5. The lineup includes
Dwight Yoakam, The Head and the Heart, Gary Clark, Jr., Ryan Adams and
more. There are also craft vendors, art, and family activities to enjoy.
40. Greek Food Festival
From June 2-4, enjoy Greek cuisine, wine, coffee, pastries and more at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Des Moines.
41. Mines of Spain
This recreation center south of Dubuque is located on 1,380 acres of
wooded and prairie land. Go hiking, have a picnic and keep your eye out
for white-tailed deer, flying squirrels or red-tailed hawks.
42. Iowa Aviation Museum
Located in Greenfield, visit the museum to learn all about Iowa’s first
recorded flight and enjoy looking at the vintage aircraft on display.
43. Farmall-Land USA
Located off I-80 in Avoca,
Farmall-Land USA is a museum housing a collection of more than 250 IH
full size tractors, pedal tractors and toys. The museum is open from
April to October with tours by appointment only the rest of the year.
44. American Gothic House
Take your picture in front of the house that inspired Grant Wood’s
iconic painting. While in Eldon, visit the American Gothic House Center
and learn about the history of the house and Grant Wood’s life.
45. Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
Learn about the life and legacy of the only president from Iowa while
you tour the museum. Hoover’s birthplace cottage and grave are also
located on the grounds.
46. Grotto of the Redemption
The largest man-made grotto in the world is in West Bend.
The nine separate grottos each depict a scene from the life of Christ.
The Grotto contains the largest collection of precious gems and
gemstones found anywhere in one location.
47. Rent a yurt at McIntosh Woods State Park
A yurt is a nomadic shelter used in Central Asia. It is a
16-foot circular tent structure. Yurts have a wood frame and vinyl
covering with a clear done on the roof. Two are available to rent at
McIntosh Woods State Park in Clear Lake.
48. Villages of Van Buren
Visit 12 villages in southeast Iowa for a trip back in time. It
includes two National Historic Districts, antiques, specialty shops and
Amish and Mennonite communities.
49. Valle Drive-In
The oldest drive-in in Iowa, Valle shows first-run movies every weekend from spring through fall. Head to Newton to enjoy a double feature — gates open at 6:30 and movies start at dusk.
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.
