If you were making a list of Iowa’s iconic landmarks, what would you include? There are plenty of choices scattered around the state, and we’ve compiled a list of just seven of them into an epic “Iowa Iconic Landmarks” road trip adventure.
It’s not a short road trip, either - spanning Iowa from west to east takes time! As such, you may want to split this epic Iconic Iowa Landmarks Road Trip between two days.
Google Maps Ready to do this? Let’s go!
- Grotto of the Redemption
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption / Facebook Start your Iowa Iconic Landmarks Road Trip at the Grotto of the Redemption. Of course this made the list: it’s only the largest grotto in the world! Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, 208 1st Ave NW, West Bend, IA 50597, USA
- Loess Hills
Travel Iowa Next stop, the Loess Hills on the western border of the Hawkeye State. The beautiful, rolling vistas here aren’t something you want to miss! Loess Hills State Forest, Jackson Township, IA 51564, USA
- The Iowa State Capitol
Carol M. Highsmith / Wikipedia The next iconic landmark on the trip is the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines. The whole Des Moines skyline is an iconic landmark, but especially that gold dome on the capitol. Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319, USA
- Pella Historical Village
Cristy / OIYS Pella is easily the most famous small town in Iowa, and for good reason. From Dutch-inspired flowers to food to architecture, there’s much to delight here in downtown Pella. Pella Historical Village & Vermeer Windmill, 507 Franklin St, Pella, IA 50219, USA
- The American Gothic House
Jessica Strom / Wikipedia The famous American artist Grant Wood’s most famous painting is arguably set in Iowa! Or the house in it is, at least. It’s a house you can still visit: the picturesque American Gothic House. American Gothic Street, American Gothic St, Eldon, IA 52554, USA
- Amana Colonies
The Amana Colonies Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook The unique Amana Colonies are one of Iowa’s most famous National Historic Landmarks, and one of America’s longest-lasting communal societies. The history here is fascinating! Amana Colonies, 622 46th Ave, Amana, IA 52203, USA
- Field of Dreams
Management / Tripadvisor And of course, what iconic landmark road trip through Iowa would be complete without a stop at Field of Dreams? Made famous by the movie and the line “This is Iowa,” this baseball diamond in a cornfield is Iowa, through and through. Field of Dreams, 223 W Jackson Ave, Vinton, VA 24179, USA
To see this route for yourself, head to Google Maps here. And to make an even bigger road trip out of it, consider adding a stop at another iconic Iowa landmark (Effigy Mounds National Monument) after you finish touring Field of Dreams.
Google Maps
Ready to do this? Let’s go!
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption / Facebook
Start your Iowa Iconic Landmarks Road Trip at the Grotto of the Redemption. Of course this made the list: it’s only the largest grotto in the world!
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, 208 1st Ave NW, West Bend, IA 50597, USA
Travel Iowa
Next stop, the Loess Hills on the western border of the Hawkeye State. The beautiful, rolling vistas here aren’t something you want to miss!
Loess Hills State Forest, Jackson Township, IA 51564, USA
Carol M. Highsmith / Wikipedia
The next iconic landmark on the trip is the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines. The whole Des Moines skyline is an iconic landmark, but especially that gold dome on the capitol.
Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319, USA
Cristy / OIYS
Pella is easily the most famous small town in Iowa, and for good reason. From Dutch-inspired flowers to food to architecture, there’s much to delight here in downtown Pella.
Pella Historical Village & Vermeer Windmill, 507 Franklin St, Pella, IA 50219, USA
Jessica Strom / Wikipedia
The famous American artist Grant Wood’s most famous painting is arguably set in Iowa! Or the house in it is, at least. It’s a house you can still visit: the picturesque American Gothic House.
American Gothic Street, American Gothic St, Eldon, IA 52554, USA
The Amana Colonies Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook
The unique Amana Colonies are one of Iowa’s most famous National Historic Landmarks, and one of America’s longest-lasting communal societies. The history here is fascinating!
Amana Colonies, 622 46th Ave, Amana, IA 52203, USA
Management / Tripadvisor
And of course, what iconic landmark road trip through Iowa would be complete without a stop at Field of Dreams? Made famous by the movie and the line “This is Iowa,” this baseball diamond in a cornfield is Iowa, through and through.
Field of Dreams, 223 W Jackson Ave, Vinton, VA 24179, USA
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