Updated Jun 14, 2024

Here Are The 20 Absolute Best Places To Stay In Iowa

Discover the best vacation rentals in Iowa, offering unique accommodations for families, couples, and large groups.

Updated Jun 14, 2024

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Published Sep 10, 2024

The Cozy Cabin Where You Can View the Best Fall Foliage in Iowa

A charming Airbnb in Sherrill, Iowa, this cabin sleeps nine and is an amazing place for a leaf-peeping trip feet from the Mississippi River

Published Sep 10, 2024

Written by

Raymond Goldfield

As the weather gets cooler and fall settles in, it's time for that great annual tradition - leaf-peeping! There is no question that Iowa is full of incredible fall foliage opportunities, many of them in the state's amazing state parks. So it's also no surprise that they're jammed with people wanting a look at nature's annual change. That's why I always like to find a getaway for my own private leaf-peeping trip, and I found an incredible one hiding in the tiny town of Sherrill, right on the Mississippi River. This Mississippi Waterfront Cabin is an Airbnb in Sherrill, Iowa, that sleeps nine and is packed with great amenities that the whole family will love - plus the best views of the fall leaves changing in a truly laid-back and remote setting.

It won't be long before the leaves of Iowa's forests are in full fall color, and that means it's the perfect time to find your family's perfect autumn getaway. An Airbnb where you can watch the leaves change from your own home base is a great change of pace.

That's exactly what you'll find at the Mississippi Waterfront Cabin, an incredible rustic home that sleeps nine comfortably and is an ideal spot for a full-family getaway. It's ideal for those who love the crisp fall air and want to spend a good amount of time outside.

That's because the Mississippi River is right in your backyard, offering some incredible views of the surrounding areas. You'll have water on one side and colorful trees on the other - it doesn't get any better than that!

The interior of the cabin is wonderfully rustic, but it has all the modern amenities you'd expect, including WiFi and a TV. So, if your fall foliage trip has to be a working vacation, you're covered!

The three bedrooms all come with incredible views to wake up to, and they're ideal if you have a big family that needs a lot of space. While this Airbnb has a great country vibe, it's pretty close to the beautiful Finley's Landing Park and only a short drive from the Quad Cities.

Of course, with views like this, you might just be tempted to stay put and have a true staycation, basking in all the local color!

Have you stayed at this charming Airbnb in Sherrill, Iowa? Let us know about your stay in the comments section, and make sure to book your own stay on the official Airbnb listing - there are still plenty of dates available in the fall! Sherrill is also only a short distance from the community of Balltown, which is home to Breitbach's Country Dining, the most popular buffet in Iowa and the state's oldest restaurant: It's still serving up delicious country cooking!

Stays|Vacation Rentals

Published Aug 26, 2024

4 Last-Minute Getaways In New Jersey For A Fun End-Of-Summer Retreat

Published Aug 26, 2024

Written by

Raymond Goldfield

The end of summer is closing in, and if you're like me, you still have a lot you want to get done! Those last few weeks are often spent getting ready for fall, but I find that taking one more vacation before leaf-peeping season often helps to rejuvenate me and give me more energy. That's why we've put together this list of the best end-of-summer Airbnbs in Iowa - these four retreats are a bit more laid-back than some other summer Airbnbs, which are more focused on vacation and recreation. These four places, ranging from a mid-sized Iowa City home perfect for exploring the city's culture to a sprawling log cabin home surrounded by incredible views, all have something unique about them and are the perfect place to toast to the end of summer - and to all the good times ahead as fall arrives.

1. Upscale Summit Street Home In Historic Iowa City

A fully restored 1880s home, this Iowa City retreat sleeps six and is close to downtown - only six blocks away. It's the perfect home base for a vacation exploring Iowa's most culturally rich city.

This is a laid-back place to stay, ideal for a working vacation thanks to the many quiet nooks perfect for writing.

The fully-furnished kitchen is great for quiet nights in, and an outside brick patio is ideal on those sunny summer nights. There are still dates available for the end of summer, so book your stay on the Upscale Summit Street Home In Historic Iowa City Airbnb listing.

2. Luxury 5-Bed Lakefront , 52-Ft Walkout Beach

A sprawling Clear Lake escape that sleeps a whopping fifteen people, this family-friendly getaway is best known for one amazing amenity - it has a 52-foot private sand beach. That's just the start at this spectacular spot, though.

An outdoor fire pit, included paddle boards and beach toys, and a cornhole bean-bag toss make this an ideal family getaway for those who want to spend a lot of time outside.

There are five bedrooms plus a sleeper sofa downstairs. The kitchen and dining room are fully equipped, including with baking tools if you want to have a family bake-off. Book your family getaway on the Luxury 5-Bed Lakefron Airbnb listing.

3. Great River Road With Hot Tub

The Great River Road is one of the most beautiful spots in Iowa, and this six-person home in Le Claire is a perfect way to see it. Feet from the river, it's only minutes from downtown Le Claire and is a fantastic fishing spot.

There are three bedrooms, each with a full closet., so everyone will have enough space and a great view to wake up to.

Of course, as summer comes to an end, the nights get a little cooler - and that means it's an amazing time to soak in the hot tub, only steps from the river! This is an ideal getaway for a small family or a couple, so book your escape on the Airbnb listing for Great River Road.

4. Dreamy Log Cabin, 15 Min To Downtown Iowa City

Finally, we have what is definitely the most majestic Airbnb in the Iowa City area - a sprawling log-cabin inspired home that sleeps a whopping 12 people. This is far closer to a mansion than a cabin.

With five bedrooms and ten bathrooms, this is a getaway suited for a whole extended family or friends group.

The entire place feels like sleeping in paradise, with little touches that are right out of classic wilderness stories.

The inside is spectacular - but the outside is even more so. There are some amazing touches right outside your door, including a koi pond and a small garden.

Surrounded by thick trees and incredibly tranquil despite its close proximity to a major city, it's a perfect end-of-summer getaway - so book your getaway on the Iowa Log Cabin Airbnb listing!

Have you stayed at any of these end-of-summer Airbnbs in Iowa before? Tell us about your stay in the comments section, and let us know your plans for the last weeks of summer! If you're looking for another Iowa tradition to engage in before the last days of summer, we highly recommend a road trip to Jersey Freeze. No, we're not telling you to head all the way to the Garden State - this Monroe institution is named after Jersey dairy cows and offers some seriously delicious frozen treats.

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Best Affordable Places to Stay in Iowa

1. Charming Victorian Home, Davenport

2. Clear Lake Getaway, Clear Lake

3. Little Country House, Jasper County

4. Cheerful Red Cabin, Lansing

Best Places to Stay in Iowa for Families

5. Clear Creek Cabin, Decorah

6. Big Sioux River Cabin, Larchwood

7. Spacious Lake Cabin, Oskaloosa

8. Rock Creek Lakefront Gem, Kellogg

Best Romantic Places to Stay in Iowa for Couples

9. The Botanical Suite, Elkader

10. Beautiful Rustic Barn, Warren County

11. The Drake House, Downtown Dubuque

12. Hilltop Treehouse Lavender Farm, Oxford

Best Places to Stay in Des Moines

13. Colorfully Idyllic, Des Moines

14. Designer Downtown Condo, Des Moines

15. Historic 1920 Home, Des Moines

16. The Cheetah House, Windsor Heights

Best Places to Stay in Cedar Rapids

17. Burnett Cottage, Cedar Rapids

18. Lake McBride Cabin, Cedar Rapids

19. Historic Italianate, Marion

20. Bohemian Firehouse, Cedar Rapids

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1. Upscale Summit Street Home In Historic Iowa City

2. Luxury 5-Bed Lakefront , 52-Ft Walkout Beach

3. Great River Road With Hot Tub

4. Dreamy Log Cabin, 15 Min To Downtown Iowa City

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All Stories

The 2.7-Mile Hiking Trail in West Virginia That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

The Best Apple Fried Pie in Tennessee Comes From This Mountain Orchard

The 2.7-Mile Hiking Trail in Virginia That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

The Off-the-Beaten-Path Restaurant in South Carolina That Is Worth the Day Trip

The Audubon Center in North Carolina Where You’ll See Dozens of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon