Locals Love This Under-the-Radar Iowa Town (Here’s Why)

There are many Iowa-famous places that have become iconic—places like the Field of Dreams and Madison County, maybe even the Iowa State Fair and the Maquoketa Caves. Despite how small our state is, we still reserve a few places just for us. Like a hidden town in Iowa that boasts retro sci-fi vibes, fabulous urban parks, and even a luxury casino resort.

What Makes This Iowa Town So Loveable

Riverside isn’t a secret, especially not to fans of Star Trek, or to lovers of slot machines and casino buffets. Outside these distinct demographics, however, it's possible that nobody who lives more than an hour away will have any clue what or where it is. That’s not too surprising, considering it's a quiet Iowa town on the English River with a population barely surpassing the triple digits. Yet somehow being in the middle of nowhere is exactly what made it “famous” in isolated circles. Its claim to fame was sparked by its designation as the future birthplace of Captain James Kirk, from the Star Trek franchise. It wasn't until 1985, however, that Riverside seized the opportunity and declared itself the actual site of the Iowa native's future birth. It was eventually adopted as canon, and Kirk is (will be?) officially canon from Riverside now.

I was barely a toddler back then, but I remember my Trekkie dad’s pride well, and late last summer he reminded me that I ought to stop by Riverside for a visit. Being that I’m a Midwest travel writer and all, I should at least mention it sometime. I teased him that my generation is barely old enough to know who Captain Kirk is, and that anyone younger would have no idea what the designation means. We went anyway, and I was surprised to discover that Riverside is more adorable than derelict. And my 10-year-old son completely blindsided me with his knowledge of the names of many Star Trek characters.

Best Things To Do in This Quiet Star Trek Town

There are several key places of interest to soak up the Trekkie vibes, the first is at Railroad Park along Highway 22. It includes a bronze Captain Kirk statue and various other nods to the TV series. My favorite spot is a few blocks from Railroad Park, on Greene Street, between East 1st Street and East 2nd Street at the Riverside City Hall and Post Office. Thats where you’ll find the monument that looks a bit like a gravesite headstone, declaring the “Future Birthplace of Captain James. T. Kirk.” Just a few steps away, on the outside of the Post Office, are giant replicas of the Star Trek Forever USA collectible stamps. I didn’t even know it was a thing until I saw them, as I somehow missed their 2016 release. The poster-size versions are quite awesome, and I do wish I had one of those stamps.

But the Captain Kirk obsession doesn’t stop there. Riverside also has the Star Trek Voyage Home Museum and the Voyage Home History Center, plus the annual Trekfest. The niche Star Trek celebration has been an annual event for more than four decades. It happens every June, and is known to attract celebrities and thousands of costumed participants to its themed, fan-focused weekend of events. 

Looking for more loved-by-locals towns to visit? Use  Only In Your State's AI-powered itinerary planner to help you find those hidden gems.