10 Places You Must Stop During a Border to Border Road Trip Across Iowa

This four-lane highway is an easy drive, but if you don’t know where to stop, it’s just a fast way to get from one Iowa border to the other. Here are some options for things to do along the way.

Before you dismiss swimming in favor of Pumpkin Spice Everything, let’s take a moment to acknowledge that there are a few days left to lounge on the beach and soak up the last of summer’s delicious rays of sun. Check out Clear Lake’s beautiful beach at 205 Main Ave.

Try the Suzie-Q Café to get you in the mood for a real throwback to the 1950s. This is one of only 52 "Valentine-style" restaurants in the US. It opened in 1948. The food is great and the ambiance is divine. The Suzie-Q Café is located at 14 2nd St. NW in Mason City. It’s tiny, so plan to sit outside, or take your food on the road with you.

Both are Wright’s designs. He was the architect on six hotel projects in the world, and this one in Mason City is the only building of its kind still standing.

At Palmers Family Fun, you can nurture your inner kid with a spirited game of laser tag, miniature golf or archery tag. Spend some quality time in the batting cages or discharge excess energy on the giant jumping pillow. You’ll find this wonderland at 1666 West Airline Highway in Waterloo.

Head to the New Bo area for some great options. For a locally sourced dining experience with excellent cocktails and a fun atmosphere, Pig and Porter is an excellent choice. Bonus; Iowa-based RAYGUN has all the road trip souvenirs you need, and it is right next door. You’ll find them at 1028 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids.

Lake Macbride State Park at 3525 Highway 382 NE, Solon, is Iowa’s largest state park at 2180 acres. Go for a walk through the beautiful woods on one of the many trails, visit the beach on the north side of the park, or rent a boat and enjoy a beautiful view of the park from the water.

People watch from the outside seating area of the Bread Garden, take a stroll down the street to the Iowa Artisan’s Gallery, and be sure to check out the lobby of the beautiful Hotel Vetro.

The town of Kalona has unique shopping opportunities, including the Amish-owned Stringtown Grocery. They are closed on Sundays, and only accept cash as payment. This bulk food store has everything you might need in the way of road snacks for the last portion of the trip. It’s at 2208 540th St., SW Kalona.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is the future birthplace of James T. Kirk. It’s at 51 IA-22, Riverside.

This probably seems like a strange suggestion. Pad Thai at 119 N Main St., Mount Pleasant has a 4.5-star rating and 52 reviews on Yelp. It’s the highest and most frequently rated restaurant in town.