Visiting a winery is one of the best ways to get in touch with mother nature while also enjoying time with friends. One Loess Hills vineyard is the best place to go for a Winery hike in Iowa. Check it out!
Sugar Clay Winery is a beautiful sprawling vineyard located in the small town of Thurman, Iowa.
Their delicious Loess Hills wines are some of the best you'll ever try. If you didn't know Iowa wines could be amazing, you've got to visit to see for yourself.
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There's more than just a tasting room here. The estate has several beautiful boardwalk trails that surround a woodland stage.
If you're looking for a quiet few hours in the wild, visit while there's no event going on. You'll feel like you have the place to yourself.
However, the best time to visit Sugar Clay is when they're hosting live music. There's nothing quite as relaxing as sipping wine and enjoying local music.
Northeast Iowa is one of the state's lesser-known regions, packed with small towns and beautiful wonders - but no major metropolitan areas as you make your way up the banks of the Mississippi. That makes it the perfect place to discover some great surprises on a one-day day trip. First, in Edgewood, you'll find what might be the best-hidden cave in Iowa, a wonder dating back to ancient times. From there, it's on to one of the oldest hotels in Iowa for a meal in a truly unforgettable experience. The best part is, you'll likely have these fascinating locations all to yourself - that is, until you start telling your friends about this one-of-a-kind day trip. We think it's one of the best day trips in Iowa, and we bet you'll agree!
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Bixby State Preserve in Edgewood is one of Iowa's last natural havens - and it has a great hidden secret.
You can spend hours exploring the peaceful grounds here, but there's one section that stands out as a must-visit spot.
There are many hidden passages here, but only one leads where you're going.
Welcome to the historic ice cave above a network of sinkholes, which creates a unique air effect in the area.
During winter and spring, warm air rises from the sinkholes and draws cold air to be drawn into the ice cave fissures. This creates ice along the cave walls and a unique ecosystem around the cave.
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From there, it's time to head about eight miles east to the tiny town of Strawberry Point, home to the century-old Franklin Hotel.
The old-fashioned dining room is now home to a casual cafe, where guests and visitors can stop in for lunch.
The vintage feel of the location is only enhanced by the old-school dry-erase board advertising the lunch specials.
The specialty is hearty country cooking, which can be had at the restaurant or to go.
Whatever you do, you shouldn't leave without trying the restaurant's signature strawberry pie. What other dessert would you have in Strawberry Point?
Have you visited the Franklin Hotel's restaurant or seen this hidden cave in Iowa? Tell us about your experience on one of the best day trips in Iowa in the comments section. If you're planning a meal or a stay at the Franklin Hotel, make sure to visit the Franklin Hotel website and the Franklin Hotel Facebook page before you go. If you're looking for a larger cave to explore, make sure to learn about how to explore the Maquoketa Caves safely before you embark on this adventure! And if it's going to be a long drive to make it to this corner of Iowa, make sure you're stocked up with all your favorite road trip snacks.
There's nothing like a day in the great outdoors - except for those days when the outdoors aren't so great. Sometimes, the weather has its say, plans get canceled, and it's time to call an audible to make sure the day doesn't get ruined. For many people, that's the cold or rain - but if you ask me, any day above 90 is not suited for outdoor activities, either! That's why it's great to know the best spots for indoor adventures in Iowa, and they don't get any better than Fort Frenzy. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, one of Iowa's best small cities, this distinctive building is an all-in-one destination filled with fun, games, and thrills. Most of the attractions are indoors - but they do have a unique outdoor area filled with some thrills that are only open when the weather is suitable. That makes Fort Frenzy a great day trip destination for any time of the year!
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Welcome to Fort Frenzy, a wild-and-crazy playground, thrill park, arcade, and pizza parlor all under one roof.
A combination of new arcade games and prize redemption games await players in the state-of-the-art arcade section.
The biggest highlight here is definitely the interactive attractions, including the trampoline park known as ValoJump - which has unique virtual game elements.
The dark laser tag arena is the perfect place for the family to team up on a stealth mission - or just turn on each other in a free-for-all.
The indoor portion of the park even has a bumper cars course!
But it's not all about the indoors. If you visit when the weather is nice, you'll be able to take on a huge mini golf course...
As well as a massive go-kart track that gives kids the thrill of getting behind the wheel for a high-speed chase!
Have you visited Fort Frenzy in Fort Dodge? What are your favorite spots for indoor adventures in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! You can see all the attractions at Fort Frenzy on the official website, and make sure to follow the Facebook page of this massive Iowa playground for the latest updates. While you're in Fort Dodge, make sure to visit the town's famous automobile-themed bar-and-grill. If you've driven a long way and need a place to sleep, check into the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Dodge for a solid night's rest at a reasonable price.