Iowa is such a great place for day trips. Not too big, not too small, with an abundance of fun in each and every corner of the state! From historic sites and charming small towns to beautiful natural areas and must-visit attractions, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in Hawkeye State. Fill up the car, load up some snacks, and get ready to embark on these 10 amazing day trips in Iowa!

1. Hike the Backbone and then cool off in Iowa's own spring-fed pool.
Backbone State Park Beach, Iowa 52038, USA
Kevin Schuchmann, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Pumping more than 2,000 gallons of crystal clear water into this gorgeous spring every minute, Richmond Spring in Backbone State Park is the perfect spot to relax this summer -- but the park is wonderful to visit any time of year!

One of the best things to do in Iowa in enjoying our natural areas. Backbone State Park is definitely a cool place to explore. Check it out on this video form Josh in Iowa:
2. Spend a day exploring the delightful small town of Eldora.
Eldora, Iowa, USA
RAGBRAI Eldora/Facebook
Many of the buildings in this charming town are on the National Historic Register. See the Hardin County Farm Museum, Pine Lake State Park, and enjoy lunch at Ahoy Fountain. There's so much to see and do in this charming small town in Iowa!
3. Head to Pammel State Park to see Harmon Tunnel.
Harmon Tunnel, 1899-1887 Pammel Park Rd, Winterset, IA 50273, USA
Andy Langager/Flickr
Hike the park, and be sure to stop by for an up-close look at Iowa's only ​​highway tunnel. It dates back to 1858, when William Harmon and his sons created it to carry water from Middle River to a saw mill. Did you have any idea about this cool hidden gem in Iowa?
4. This epic flea market in the little town of What Cheer is held three times each year.
What Cheer, IA 50268, USA
What Cheer Flea Market/Facebook
With over 350 vendor spaces and thousands of visitors, this is one of Iowa's biggest flea markets. This market only happens a few times each year, so you'll want to follow them on Facebook to stay up-to-date on future events.
5. Enjoy a guided zipline tour of historic Union Park.
Sky Tours?Facebook
This two-hour zipline adventure is appropriate for adults and kids over the age of 10 that weigh over 70 pounds and people with average stamina and strength. Trained and certified guides are experts at making first-time zipliners comfortable. This is one of the most thrilling adventures you can have in the Hawkeye State!

A super fun experience in Dubuque is a zipline tour through the forest. If you enjoy a unique adventure, cinch up your harness and add this to your day trips in Iowa itinerary:

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6. Take in some of the most amazing views of the Mississippi River from Pikes Peak State Park.
Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Hiking Pikes Peak is the perfect way to spend a beautiful Iowa day. Enjoy a picnic and incredible views of the mighty Mississippi from this 500-foot bluff at Pikes Peak State Park.
7. Visit the Largest Truck Stop in the world right here in Iowa.
World's Largest Truck Stop, W Iowa 80 Rd, Walcott, IA 52773, USA
Jeremy Scheff/Google Reviews
On the eastern edge of Iowa right near the small town of Walcott, The World’s Largest Truck Stop offers all of the sights, sounds, and entertainment you’d expect from such a place. Some people call it, "A Trucker’s Disneyland." The World’s Largest Truck Stop hasn’t closed its doors, even for a minute, since it opened in 1964. It’s a small city, and you’ll definitely want to visit.
8. See Iowa's gorgeous sapphire lake.
West Okoboji Lake, Iowa, USA
SWKrullImaging / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Lake Okoboji has more than enough entertainment and beauty to keep you busy for the day. Kayak, sail, or paddle-boat through these clear and bright blue waters at this sapphire blue lake in Iowa.
9. Take "going for ice cream" to a whole new level.
Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor, 115 Central Ave NW, Le Mars, IA 51031, USA
Marlo Anderson/Google Reviews
Our Iowa ice cream trail starts in Des Moines and lands in the ice cream capital of the world, at Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars. With five places to stop for a sweet treat along the way, this will be a truly memorable (and delicious) day trip in Iowa!
10. Go Glamping at this amazing campground.
The Natural Gait

Are there any other wonderful day trips in Iowa that we should know about? Tell us all about your favorite day trip destinations in the Hawkeye State in the comments!

If you are looking for affordable ways to enjoy an Iowa vacation, here are a few fun and free things to do in Iowa.

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Day trips near me in Iowa

Sarah | September 16, 2021

What are some must-visit places in Iowa?

Some must-visit places in Iowa include:

  • John Wayne Birthplace Museum
  • Greater Des Moines Botanical Center
  • Maquoketa Caves State Park

 

There are so many great places to visit in the Hawkeye State, as evidenced by the above list of epic day trips! Some other places we recommend exploring are the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, located in Winterset; the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center, a beautiful little urban oasis that's home to free-flying birds and a large variety of fascinating plants, like a bonsai collection, orchids, and extensive and impressive gardens; and Maquoketa Caves State Park, an entire underworld you probably had no idea was right beneath your feet!

Are there any towns in Iowa that make good day trips?

Some of the towns in Iowa that make good day trips include:

 

For starters, the town of Pella is well-known for its Dutch heritage. This is a great place to spend the day walking down cobblestone streets in your wooden clogs, visiting the windmills, and eating Dutch letters fresh from one of their many bakeries. Tulip Time is the most popular time to visit, but you'll love Pella no matter when you arrive. Another charming little locale is LeClaire, which features lots of stunning 19th-century architecture. LeClaire is the home of Antique Archaeology, the antique store owned by the star of the show "American Pickers.

What are some fun things to do in Iowa?

Some fun things to do in Iowa include:

 

It doesn't get much more fun than Adventureland! Head to Altoona, Iowa, for some good old-fashioned amusement park family fun. Whether you’re into roller coasters or elephant ears or winning giant stuffed animals, Adventureland has something for everyone. Iowa also has some of the best museums in the country. Where else can you find a museum dedicated to hobos or antique farm toys? The answer is… only in Iowa! We Iowans are lucky to have some very cool, very unique museums right at the tips of our fingers. With so much to explore it can be hard to figure out where to start. Luckily for you, we have a list for that. Here are 10 of the most unique and hidden museums in Iowa that you have to visit at least once.

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