The year was 1996, and everyone was headed to the movie theater to see one movie: Twister! This high-octane man vs. weather thriller directed by Jan De Bont delivered some of the most exciting action segments of the year, and it was all thanks to the on-location filming in Oklahoma – or was it? Few people know that Twister is possibly the most famous movie filmed in Iowa, because the filming shifted there for some of the later segments, including the climatic F5 tornado scene. Those key scenes were filmed in the charming small town of Eldora, which is certainly a far cry from the action-packed madness of the movie! If you’ve ever wondered “Where was Twister filmed?” you can visit, see for yourself, and enjoy the town’s unique atmosphere. And relax – the sky is looking clear! Let’s check out some of the Twister filming locations in Iowa:

The storm-chasing adventure Twister was one of the biggest hits of 1996 - and it has a surprising tie to the Hawkeye State.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews37/twister_blu-ray.htm/Wikipedia
The movie starred Helen Hunt as Dr. Jo Harding, a storm-obsessed meteorologist who lost her father to a storm decades earlier.
Smokeonthewater/Wikipedia
The late Bill Paxton starred as Jo's ex-husband, a former storm chaser who was pulled out of retirement when Oklahoma was threatened by massive storms.
Gage Skidmore/Wikipedia
While most of the movie was filmed on-location in the Oklahoma prairie, changing conditions meant they had to find a new site - and Eldora, Iowa fit the bill as the perfect Twister film location.
Eldora, Iowa, USA
Jon Roanhaus/Wikipedia

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The area around the small town is filled with farmland - and there's even a small farm museum in the area.
Hardin County Farm Museum, Washington Street, Eldora, IA, USA
Hardin County Farm Museum/Facebook
While exploring the town, make sure to stop in at Sunshine Cafe for a hearty meal.
Sunshine Cafe Eldora, Iowa/Google Reviews
This country-style restaurant is acclaimed for its breakfasts and classic Iowa fare for lunch.
Sunshine Cafe Eldora, Iowa, 12th Street, Eldora, IA, USA
Sunshine Cafe Eldora, Iowa/Google Reviews
​​Visit Sunshine Cafe on Facebook to see its hours and menu, and for more information.
The only remnants of the Twister filming locations in Iowa are a small house located on private property, but you'll still want to explore the town for its natural beauty. One spot that's a must-visit is the charming Pine Lake State Park.
Pine Lake State Park, Iowa 50627, USA
Maria/TripAdvisor

Have you visited Eldora, Iowa and seen the Twister filming locations in person? Let us know about your visit, and tell us your favorite movie filmed in Iowa in the comments section!

You could make your visit into an Iowa movie location road trip by heading straight east on U.S. 20 from Eldora to Dyersville, where Field of Dreams was filmed. For more unexpected small-town secrets, check out this list of Iowa’s most famous small-town celebrities.

Love the Hawkeye state and want to show off your Iowa pride everywhere you go? Check out the great Iowa gear available at Wear Your Roots!

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