The Kitschy Road Trip Through Iowa That Leads To 5 Iconic Attractions

A road trip through Iowa is always a treat, even if you're just passing through on your way to a destination. Looking out the window at the landscape is so peaceful - but that's not the kind of road trip we're talking about today. The road trip itinerary we've put together will take you to five of Iowa's most unique attractions for a day of fun and photographs. Some of these are stunning, one-of-a-kind landmarks. The others are the kind of kitschy tourist stops your parents might have insisted on driving right by! What all of these have in common, though, is that they make amazing spots to stop and have a little fun. As you make your way down the eastern part of Iowa along the Mississippi River, you'll enjoy an itinerary that is truly one-of-a-kind.

This Iowa road trip is focused on the beautiful eastern border of the Hawkeye State, near the mighty Mississippi. You can expect amazing views as you make your way down to these five unique attractions and sights.

1. Roller Coaster Road

A simple country road is just a quick drive - unless it's this Allamakee County stretch of road, which feels more like a roller coaster! This rural destination is only a quick stop on the way to some bigger attractions, but the kids will love it, and the sign makes for a fantastic photo op at one of the bumpiest roads in America.

2. Effigy Mounds National Monument

One of the most significant historical sites in Iowa, Effigy Mounds National Monument is a fascinating spot that features impressive displays of pre-Colombian mound building. The massive mounds here, built by early Native Americans, might look like hills from your vantage - but a look from above reveals intricate shapes of animals and other effigies. This is a protected site of incredible importance, so take nothing but pictures and memories with you when you leave!

3. Fenelon Place Elevator

You'll be leaving your car for a very different type of ride here - up a steep incline on the country's shortest and steepest rail ride! This funicular costs only a few dollars to ride and gives you a lift to one of the best overlooks in the region. This is a true one-of-a-kind attraction - and it's also next to an aquarium and a river museum, if you want to take some extra time in the beautiful city of Dubuque.

4. Maquoketa Caves

There is no site more stunning than a cave network, and Maquoketa Caves State Park has the largest and most accessible one in Iowa. The cave entrance and the rock formations surrounding it are truly stunning and make for some of the best photos anywhere in the state. The smaller caverns that await inside are ideal to explore with tour groups.

4. Iowa 80 - The World's Largest Truck Stop

For a true one-of-a-kind attraction, it doesn't get any better than the Iowa 80 Truck Stop. The world's largest of its kind, this is much more than just a waystation for weary truckers. It's a destination in its own right, thanks to a full-service restaurant, amenities like a church and a dentist's office, plus a massive gift shop and even a trucking museum right there on the property. If you find yourself spending hours here, you don't even have to leave for the night - you can check into the Comfort Inn Walcott, which is right outside the truck stop.

Have you visited any of the roadside attractions in Iowa before? Let us know in the comments section, and tell us your must-visit stops on an Iowa road trip! For a different kind of road trip, check out this drive through five of Iowa's best small towns.