Iowa has so many fun, unique adventures and hidden gems that most people don’t know about. I am here to help you know where to look! This list only features the activities or events I have been to most recently, but if you have any suggestions on what I should research, what I should write about next, or if you want to share your own experiences, feel free to leave a comment down below! Most of the activities featured on this list are seasonal or adhere to some sort of schedule, so make sure to plan accordingly!
Attend the Hot Air Balloon Festival!
Every summer, the National Balloon Classic takes place in Indianola! I went to the festival for the first time this past summer, and I was immediately blown away. With nearly a hundred hot air balloons racing across the sky, live music, dozens of food trucks, and even a drone light show at night, this event is sure to make a lasting impression among the whole family. You can feel the excitement and awe of people of all ages buzzing in the air. As the balloons are passing overhead, the pilots are actually taking part in a competition. The pilots have a flag that they drop from their basket onto a X on the ground, trying to get the closest distance. This game added a fun energy to the event. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can buy tickets to ride in the hot air balloons with the pilots as they play this game and pass overhead. Once the game and flight is complete, most of the hot air balloons land in a field right near the live music stage where you can get up close with the balloons. During this time, the pilots engage with kids in the crowd by handing out collecting cards for their balloons, much like baseball cards. It’s not everyday you get to see hot air balloons scattered about the entire sky. Watching the balloons emerge over the horizon, then pass overhead while the sun was going down was unlike anything I have ever seen.
Go To a College Football Game!
Whether you’re a Hawkeye fan, Cyclone fan, or Panther fan, everyone can agree that the atmosphere found at college football games is unlike anything else. Football games are high-energy and enjoyable for all ages, even if you’re not fully invested in football. There is no better way to spend your fall weekends than at a tailgate or in a stadium cheering on your favorite team.
Take a Ride On The Boone Pedal Cars!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first registered for this adventure, but it blew me away! There are four seats in each pedal car, but don’t let the idea of pedaling deter you from this activity. The pedal car is completely motorized and pushes you along the track at roughly 4 miles per hour. You can pedal the car if you want, but as long as the motor is on, pedaling won’t have any purpose. In total the ride is about 2 hours, one hour to the stopping point and one hour back. We booked the sunset ride, so watching the sun go down over the Iowan forests, river, and valley was so peaceful. The picturesque views along the whole track were breathtaking. However, if you have a fear of heights, you may want to go into the journey knowing that you will be over a hundred feet in the air over a river and valley at times. At the halfway stopping point, you reach a little landing overlooking the river where there chairs, bag boards, horseshoe, and other yards game to keep you occupied for the fifteen minute break. This was the perfect time to stretch your legs before you ride an hour back the same way. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fun, peaceful adventure. You get the great views by doing minimal work, it’s the best of both worlds!
Visit The Pella Tulip Festival!
If you’re looking for a weekend full of small-town charm and celebration, then look no further. Everywhere you look is a mirage of pinks, purples, red, and every other color of the rainbow from the artfully planted tulips all around town. The afternoon parade was the best parade I have ever seen in an Iowan town. The parade was equal parts entertaining and educational. The tulip festival heavily leans into Pella’s Dutch roots. The sense of welcoming and community was seen in the smiles on everyone’s faces. Overall, the whole festival was incredibly grounding, refreshing, and felt out of a Disney movie!
Spend a Day At The Iowa State Fair!
I may be a bit biased when I say that the Iowa State Fair is my favorite time of the year. Having gone to the state fair every single year of my life makes the fairgrounds feel like a second home to me. The Iowa State Fair is perhaps the most versatile activity on this list. There is fun for every member of the family. There’s a midway for kids and a separate for older kids and adults, the butter cow, splash pad, shopping, music, educational opportunities, and much more! Fair warning… be ready to spend some money on food! There is so much food to try while you’re at the fair. There’s the famous pork chop on a stick, pizza, smoothies, cheese curds, brisket, and all sorts of weird concoctions. The state fair obviously draws the biggest crowds on the weekends, so if you are able, plan to visit the fair on a weekday for a less chaotic experience. The fair is constantly buzzing with energy. The Grandstand draws in some of the biggest names in music to perform, but the free stages scattered around the fairgrounds provide excellent music performances as well. In fact, I got to see The War and Treaty at one of the free stages this year! It’s not the fair without the livestock shows! It’s definitely worth it to stroll through the livestock buildings and get up and close with all sorts of animals. I don’t have enough good things to say about the Iowa State Fair! Visiting the fair is something you absolutely must do at some point in your life if you haven’t already!
Hike At Maquoketa Caves!
Maquoketa Caves is absolutely the most beautiful place in Iowa. In fact, I have shown people pictures of my hikes at Maquoketa Caves and they are shocked when I tell them the caves are located in Iowa. Most of the hike is relatively beginner level, but this hike is probably not suitable for young children. If you’re looking for something more advanced, you can actually crawl through smaller caves if that suits your interest. After a short hike, I stood in awe of the massive cave opening. It was unlike anything I had ever seen in Iowa. I’ve hiked in a lot of different states, so the fact that Maquoketa Caves is in my Top 3 hikes is incredible. I’m proud that Iowa is home to such an amazing hike!
