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This Epic Road Trip Leads To 7 Iconic Landmarks In Iowa

Discover seven iconic landmarks in Iowa through an epic road trip adventure.

Published Feb 8, 2022

Written by 

Cristy Carr

If you were making a list of Iowa's iconic landmarks, what would you include? There are plenty of choices scattered around the state, and we've compiled a list of just seven of them into an epic "Iowa Iconic Landmarks" road trip adventure.

It's not a short road trip, either - spanning Iowa from west to east takes time! As such, you may want to split this epic Iconic Iowa Landmarks Road Trip between two days.

Map of Iowa highlighting a road trip route to iconic landmarks, including the Field of Dreams and American Gothic House.
Google Maps

Ready to do this? Let's go!

1. Grotto of the Redemption

A colorful, ornate archway made of stones and shells, leading into a whimsical, artistic landscape under a blue sky.
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption / Facebook

Start your Iowa Iconic Landmarks Road Trip at the Grotto of the Redemption. Of course this made the list: it's *only* the largest grotto in the world!

2. Loess Hills

A scenic view of rolling hills covered in green trees and tall grass under a clear blue sky.
Travel Iowa

Next stop, the Loess Hills on the western border of the Hawkeye State. The beautiful, rolling vistas here aren't something you want to miss!

3. The Iowa State Capitol

Iowa State Capitol building with golden dome, surrounded by green grass and trees under a blue sky with clouds.
Carol M. Highsmith / Wikipedia

The next iconic landmark on the trip is the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines. The whole Des Moines skyline is an iconic landmark, but especially that gold dome on the capitol.

4. Pella Historical Village

A charming brick pathway lined with flowers, leading to a clock tower and buildings in a quaint town square.
Cristy / OIYS

Pella is easily the most famous small town in Iowa, and for good reason. From Dutch-inspired flowers to food to architecture, there's much to delight here in downtown Pella.

5. The American Gothic House

A white, gabled house with a front porch and yellow flowers in the garden, set against a blue sky with clouds.
Jessica Strom / Wikipedia

The famous American artist Grant Wood's most famous painting is arguably set in Iowa! Or the house in it is, at least. It's a house you can still visit: the picturesque American Gothic House.

6. Amana Colonies

A gray wooden building with a peaked roof, surrounded by bare trees and a clear blue sky.
The Amana Colonies Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook

The unique Amana Colonies are one of Iowa's most famous National Historic Landmarks, and one of America's longest-lasting communal societies. The history here is fascinating!

7. Field of Dreams

A scenic view of a baseball field surrounded by lush green grass and cornfields, with a house in the background.
Management / Tripadvisor

And of course, what iconic landmark road trip through Iowa would be complete without a stop at Field of Dreams? Made famous by the movie and the line "This is Iowa," this baseball diamond in a cornfield is Iowa, through and through.

To see this route for yourself, head to Google Maps here. And to make an even bigger road trip out of it, consider adding a stop at another iconic Iowa landmark (Effigy Mounds National Monument) after you finish touring Field of Dreams.

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