8 Iowa Day Trips That Are Even Cooler During The Winter
In the winter months, many people like to hunker down at home for January and February – which means fewer crowds for those who are ready to get out and explore! If you’re bundled up and eager to see the best a Hawkeye State winter has to offer, these winter getaways in Iowa will keep you busy until the first robin of spring makes its appearance. Some of these are beautiful natural destinations that take on a unique appearance in the winter. Others are thriving indoor attractions that provide a thrill no matter the time of year. Some even transform into something completely new as winter arrives. The one thing they all have in common is that these eight day trips are your ticket to a winter you’ll never forget.
There are few things more beautiful than a waterfall frozen over in winter, and this small Decorah waterfall is amazingly pastoral at this time of year.
Siewers Spring Road, Siewers Spring Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Backbone State Park is known for its hiking trails, and during the winter month, snowshoers and cross-country skiers will largely have the unspoiled land to themselves.
The premiere ski resort in Iowa has a longer season than just the winter, but this is when the slopes are at their best - and the lodge serves epic hot cocoa!
Sundown Mountain Resort, 16991 Asbury Rd, Dubuque, IA 52002, USA
Outdoor dining largely goes by the wayside in winter - except at this gastropub, where their heated igloos make hosting a small private dinner party a breeze.
Tin Roost, 840 W Penn St, North Liberty, IA 52317, USA
8. Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (Prairie City)
Maybe the best place in Iowa to see wildlife, this bison preserve looks like a peaceful ancient landscape in the winter.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Road, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Rd, Prairie City, IA 50228, USA
Have you taken any of these winter getaways in Iowa in the past? Let us know about your experience in the comments section. Most can be visited on a whim, but if you want to know more about Tin Roost’s igloo rentals, you can check the restaurant’s website. For another memorable Iowa winter adventure, make a trip to the state’s snowiest town.
