2024 VACATION GUIDE PART ONE
THINGS TO DO IN IOWA THIS SUMMER
The Des Moines Register has gathered some of the best 2024 vacation ideas, free activities, things to see and fun things to do in Des Moines and around Iowa this summer. ● There are plenty of fun things to do with the family from Adventureland to the Iowa Children’s Museum. ● Or you could have some fun discovering the outdoors with beautiful parks to see, stunning gardens, bridges to cross, cool caves and ways to cool off in the water. ● Already on a road trip? ● Stop by these novelty things to see on your way. If you’re looking for something less nature-involved, there’s food and drinks to be had all around Iowa, not to mention some good shopping. ● There’s tons of festivals, concerts, and ways to get connected with arts, culture and even history. ● We didn’t forget about our sports fanatics, either, with baseball games galore and the 51st annual RAGBRAI. ● Take a look at the first half of our summer guide. You can find the second half in next Sunday’s Register.
Caves to explore
1. Maquoketa Caves State Park
Along six miles of trails see Dancehall Cave, Shinbone Cave and Hernando’s Hideaway. Stop at the interpretive center to learn about the history of the park and geology of cave formations.
2.Wapsipinicon State Park
Located on the edge of Anamosa, take a hike on the multi-use trails and explore Ice Cave and the bowl-shaped Horse Thief Cave.
Cool bridges to cross 3.Swinging Bridge Park
Take a walk across this swinging bridge known as Lover’s Leap in Columbus Junction. The bridge crosses over a large ravine and spans 262 feet.
4. High Trestle Trail Bridge
Enjoy the sculpture on the bridge as well as the views of the Des Moines River valley as you bike or walk the halfmile of trail that is 13 stories high. Located west of Madrid, this bridge is a beauty by day or at night, when it is lit a bright neon blue.
5. Covered Bridges of Madison County
Take a drive through Madison County to find all six covered bridges in the area. For a fee, you can take a personal guided tour to learn more about the history of the bridges.
Stunning gardens
6. Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Open from 7 a.m. to dusk 365 days a year, the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Garden offers something to see in every season. Explore the conifer and deciduous tree collections or one of the many gardens. Enjoy Music In the Gardens on Sunday nights throughout the summer.
7. Central Gardens of North Iowa
More than 20 themed gardens make up the Central Gardens of North Iowa, located in Clear Lake. Introduce kids to a variety of gardening experiences on Fridays throughout the summer in the Bee Happy Discovery Garden. The gardens are open from May 31 to Oct. 31.
8. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Full of natural beauty, enjoy the plants both inside the conservatory and in the outdoor gardens. Grab a bite to eat at Trellis Cafe after strolling the grounds.
Discover Iowa’s great outdoors
9. Neal Smith National 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.
10. Sleep Under the Stars at Chimney Rock Campground
Go camping and explore the Upper Iowa River by canoe or kayak to experience the beauty of the bluffs, cliffs, eagles and other wildlife near Cresco.
11. Visit the highest spot in Iowa
Hawkeye Point in Osceola County is Iowa’s highest point at 1,670 feet above sea level. Take in the views from the observation deck or wander through the historical farming displays.
12. Decorah’s Trout Run Trail
Bike, walk or run along the 12 miles of paved Trout Run Trail to see the sights in Decorah. Stop by the Decorah Fish Hatchery and enjoy the art along the trail.
13. Mines of Spain
This recreation center south of Dubuque is made up of 1,437 acres of wooded and prairie land. Before heading out for a hike, stop to visit the exhibits at the EB Lyons Interpretive Center.
14.Wildcat Den State Park
Sandstone bluffs and natural formations like “Steamboat Rock” and the “Devil’s Punch Bowl” can be seen along the hiking trails at Wildcat Den State Park.
15. Wander Women Midwest
Meet new people while heading out together during one of Wander Women Midwest’s many events. Sign up for a camping 101 class, backpacking adventure or a trip to a national park.
16. Effigy Mounds National Monument
Located in Harpers Ferry, Effigy Mounds National Monument features more than 200 known prehistoric mounds. Take a guided tour with a park ranger to learn more about these Native American-made mounds.
Pretty parks
17. Bellevue State Park 18. Jester Park Nature Center
Learn about wetlands, prairies, woodlands and the habitat of Iowa in the interactive exhibits. Make sure to drive by the Elk and Bison Educational Plaza during your visit to Granger.
19. Nathaniel Hamlin Museum & Park
Hike or view the elk year-round at this park in Audubon County. From Memorial Day through September you can also visit the museum buildings to learn about the settlement of the area.
20. Springbrook State Park
Fish, swim or kayak at the 14-acre lake at Springbrook State Park. There are also 12 miles of trails to explore the timber and prairies.
21. Whiterock Conservancy
Night owls can bring a telescope and enjoy the night sky at Whiterock Conservancy. You’ll find some of the darkest
skies in Iowa — many nights the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye.
22. Kenue Park
Play disc golf, explore the Pollinator Paradise or the Dickenson County Nature Center while visiting this park in Okoboji.
Fun on the water 23. Gray’s Lake Park
Go for a leisurely walk around the lake, rent a canoe or kayak, or take a swim at the beach at this park located just south of downtown Des Moines.
24. Elkader Whitewater Park
Go whitewater kayaking, boogie boarding or tubing in Elkader. The course consists of three water features including the Gobbler Wave. The river access includes a handicap accessible walking path to the river’s edge.
25. Ski Bellevue Water Ski Show 26. Go sailing
Rent a pontoon boat on one of Iowa’s 34 natural lakes and enjoy a day on the water. Fish, relax and take in the scenery and don’t forget your sunscreen.
27. Splash at a water park
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, Ankeny, Clive or West Des Moines.
28. Tour the Mississippi River by boat
Take a day trip on the largest nongaming riverboat and enjoy the sights along the Mississippi River with Celebration River Cruises.
29. Make it a weekend in Okoboji
The Iowa Great Lakes provide entertainment for everyone. Spend time on the water boating, parasailing, water skiing or fishing. If you prefer to stay on land, you can enjoy the shopping, golf and museums in the area.
30. Float down the Iowa River
Go tubing down the Iowa River (most floats last three to five hours) at Iowa Rock-n-Row Adventures, then relax at the campsite for the night in Eldora.
31. Go fishing
Get your fishing license and relax along the shores of an Iowa lake or pond. Try Rock Creek State Park in Kellogg, Lake Anita State Park in Anita or Lake Macbride State Park in Solon.
32. Splash and play at Raccoon River Park
Enjoy the beach, playground or go fishing off the pier at this West Des Moines park.
Family fun 33. Ride the Legend at Arnolds Park
Enjoy the beauty of the Lake Okoboji and the thrills of the amusement park rides at Arnolds Park. Take a ride on the Legend Roller Coaster, the nation’s 13tholdest wooden coaster.
34. Find fun and games at Smash Park
Eat, drink and play at Smash Park in
West Des Moines. Enjoy the arcade or play some pickleball, bocce ball or shuffleboard on the patio.
35. See some wildlife at Blank Park Zoo 36. See Iowa by train
Choose from a variety of tours in Boone via Scenic Valley Railroad, which offers a basic excursion, dinner, lunch or picnic train. Enjoy the scenery while you take a ride on the rails.
37. Go gaming
One Sunday a month Up-Down opens its doors to families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy Skee-Ball, pinball and more than 60 arcade games.
38. See movies outdoors
Take in a double features at the Voy 61 Drive In Theatre located south of Maquoketa. Before the movie, kids can play on the swing set, take a train ride or play some tetherball.
39. Let’s all go to Adventureland
Adventureland is celebrating 50 years in business this year. Take a ride on the refurbished Underground, the world’s only indoor wooden roller coaster.
40. Iowa Children’s Museum
Located in Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville, the Iowa Children’s Museum is a place for kids to play and learn at the same time. Each exhibit relates to at least one of their five educational initiatives: arts & culture, financial literacy, healthy kids, school readiness and STEM.
41. Feel the need for speed at the Hamilton County Speedway
Spend a Friday night enjoying dirt track racing at one of the oldest dirt tracks in the United States, located in Webster City.
42. Get interactive at LaunchPAD Museum
Located in Sioux City, children can learn about agriculture, explore different careers or create their own puppet show in the performing arts area.
43. Take a ride on the Heritage Carousel of Des Moines
Opening on May 25 for the 2024 season, take a ride on the Heritage Carousel of Des Moines. After your ride, visit the Union Park playground.
History buffs 44. Buddy Holly crash site and Surf Ballroom and Museum
Get a music history lesson at the Surf Ballroom and Museum in Clear Lake, then make the short drive north of town to the farm field where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. “the Big Bopper” Richardson and pilot Roger Peterson were killed in a plane crash in 1959.
45. National Hobo Museum
Open for the season after Memorial Day, the National Hobo Museum in Britt features a collection of American hobo artifacts, photographs paintings and more. Visit Aug. 8-10 to experience the Britt Hobo Days celebrations.
46. Living History Farms
Learn what life was like on a 1700 Ioway American Indian farm, 1850 pioneer farm and 1900 horse-powered farm. Walk through the town of Walnut Hill (set in 1876) and visit the general store, blacksmith and the milliner. Find it in Urbandale.
47. Iowa Aviation Museum
Located in Greenfield, the museum showcases the history of flight in Iowa and visitors can enjoy looking at the vintage aircraft on display.
48. National Farm Toy Museum 49. 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 his first robbery of a moving train in 1873.
50. 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 in West Branch. New for 2024 is a temporary exhibit commemorating what would be the 150th birthdays of both Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover.
51. The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption
Located in West Bend, nine separate grottos each depict a scene from the life of Christ. The grotto contains one of the largest collections of precious gems and gemstones found anywhere in one location.
52. Villages of Van Buren
Visitors can enjoy southern Iowa hospitality in the 12 villages that make up the Villages of Van Buren. While you’re there, check out the Bentonsport Historic Bridge, Douds Depot in Douds, or one of the antique and specialty shops in the area.
53. The Ice House Museum
Cool off from the summer heat with a visit to the Ice House Museum in Cedar Falls. The museum shares the story of ice harvesting and is located in an original ice house.
54. Union Pacific Railroad Museum
This free museum in Council Bluffs is full of interactive exhibits for all ages. Learn how the transcontinental railroad was built and all about rail travel in the United States.
55. Forest Park Museum and Arboretum
Learn about the history of Dallas County, check out the log cabin and one-room schoolhouse on the grounds or enjoy a stroll through the Forest Park Museum and Arboretum in Perry.
56. Bily Clocks Museum and Antonin Dvorak Exhibit
Head to Spillville to admire the handcarved 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.
57. Pioneer Heritage Museum
This museum located in Marengo is a half block of structures including a log cabin built in 1856, an 1890s farmhouse and a 1938 fire truck.
58. Brucemore Mansion
Built in 1886, Brucemore Mansion in Cedar Rapids is part of a 26-acre estate. Tour the mansion and learn about the Brucemore family before exploring the gardens.
59. Stockman House
Fans of architect Frank Lloyd Wright can admire his work by visiting the Stockman House in Mason City. Admission is $10 and tours can be scheduled online.
60. Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum
When Laura Ingalls was 9 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. Enjoy the Lara Days Celebration, including a parade and live entertainment June 21-23.
Arts and culture opportunities 61. Shakespeare on the Lawn
Bring a blanket and picnic and enjoy an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” July 17-21 at the Salisbury House in Des Moines.
62. ‘American Gothic’ house
Take your picture in front of the house that inspired Grant Wood’s iconic painting. While there, stop at the visitor center to learn more about the artist in Eldon.
63. Iowa Quilt Museum
Open year-round in Winterset, the Iowa Quilt Museum features new exhibits four times a year. From June 18 to Sept. 15 you can enjoy the 51 fiber art pieces that encompass the exhibit “Threads of Life: Portraits and Pets Woven in Fabric.”
64. Meskwaki Annual Powwow
Experience Native arts and crafts, traditional dancing and singing and more at the Meskwaki Annual Powwow Aug. 8-11 held on the only Indian Settlement in Iowa.
65. Des Moines Arts Festival
From June 28-30 in Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, find the next piece of art for your home. Spend time enjoying the performance art, interactive art, music, food and other activities the festival has to offer. Headliners St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Marshall Tucker Band, Sunny War, and The Deslondes perform.
66. National Mississippi River Museum
Learn about America’s waterways in this museum located on Dubuque’s Riverwalk. See what kind of animals live in the Mississippi River and take part in the interactive exhibits. The exhibit River of Innovation features a 19th-century belt-driven machine shop.
67. Des Moines Storytellers Project
Listen as Iowans tell true, first-person stories centered around a common theme. The theme is “Travel” on June 18 at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.
68. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Bring a picnic and enjoy the art spread across 4.4 acres in downtown Des Moines. If you want to learn more about the art, guided tours are available by request online.
69. National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
View 75 works by Alphonse Mucha in the Petrik Gallery of the museum until Sept. 1. Mucha is a Czech painter, illustrator and graphic artist known for his influence during the Art Nouveau period.
70. Iowa Arts Festival
Located in downtown Iowa City, the Iowa Arts Festival features more than 100 local and national artists, food vendors and activities for kids. It will be held June 7-9.