Are you suffering from an acute case of wanderlust? We have the cure! Take these top 10 road trips in Iowa for a unique adventure in The Hawkeye State! Grab some snacks and hit the highway for a unique, only-in-Iowa road trip you’ll remember forever.

1. Cheer on the underdog at a camel race
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
I bet you never thought you would see a camel race in Iowa, but the Hawkeye State is full of surprises. Prairie Meadows Race Track in Altoona, Iowa conducts camel, zebra, and ostrich races one night a year. How fun is that? Prairie Meadows is a great place to visit any time of year, though, even if you aren't lining up your trip with Camel night. In fact, this horse race track is also home to a Prime Rib Buffet that makes it a worthy destination regardless of track features!
2. Eat, drink and be merry at the old Dubuque Star Brewery
John Kunze/Flickr
The historic Dubuque Star Brewery, now the Stone Cliff Winery, is a great place to spend a day. They serve food, beer, and wine, and the area is just beautiful. Spend the rest of the day checking out the city, there is enough to keep you for days! Visit the winery after hiking around the nearby Mines of Spain monument area.
3. Be Dutch for a day in Pella
Mark Hesseltine/Flickr
The town of Pella is well-known for its Dutch heritage. This is a great place to spend the day walking down cobblestone streets in your wooden clogs, visiting the windmills, and eating dutch letters fresh from one of their many bakeries. Tulip Time is the most popular time to visit, but you'll love Pella no matter when you arrive.
4. Tour the birthplace of John Wayne
John Jacobsen/Flickr
To get a taste of fame in Iowa, check out the birthplace of John Wayne in Winterset. After touring The Duke's birthplace, check out the famous Bridges of Madison County, which starred in a best-selling novel and Hollywood movie.
5. Explore the magical caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park
Michael Kappel/Flickr
This subterranean paradise is a must-see. Spend the day climbing down into dark caverns, or up onto the highest peaks. Be sure to see Upper Dance Hall Cave, the largest and deepest cave in the Hawkeye State. After, pick up dinner at Bluff Lake Catfish Farm!

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6. Check out an Iowa Cubs game
Justin Brockie/Flickr
Spend the perfect day at a ball game, eating hot dogs and cheering on the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park in Des Moines. This is something all Iowans need to do at least once in their life, even if they don't like baseball. The Iowa Cubs are the AAA affiliate of the Chicago team, so you'll be watching quality baseball, and might even get to see major leaguers on rehab assignments. You can find their schedule right here.
7. Take a trip into the past at the Motor Mill
Carl Wycoff/Flickr
The historic Motor Mill, located in Clayton County, is an old 1860s flour mill known for its amazing architecture. They offer free tours, and the area is surrounded by a 155-acre park that offers hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping, bird watching, and more. You could easily spend hours there taking it all in.
8. Rock out at the Hard Rock Cafe
Ali Eminov/Flickr
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City is a great place to do a little gambling, listen to live music, and even stay a night or two if you want to extend your day trip! It's a fun place for a staycation and is family-friendly!
9. Climb to the top of this giant bell tower
Timothy/Flickr
The Mahanay Bell Tower in Jefferson is 14 stories tall and has 14 bells that chime the time of day every 15 minutes. Visitors can ride the elevator up to the 120-foot high observation deck, and see the lovely scenery for miles.
10. Take a cruise down the river!
Twilight Riverboat - Mississippi River Cruise/Facebook
Take a cruise without going all the way to some port in Texas or Florida. The Riverboat Twilight offers short cruises, as well as multi-day cruises down the Mississippi River, from Le Claire to Dubuque. This is a really fun and unique experience, and the boat is gorgeous. The fares cover food, lodging, entertainment, and activities.

What are some of your favorite unique day trips in Iowa? Share them in the comments section below! And for more cool places to visit in The Hawkeye State, check out these hidden gems.

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More to Explore

Top Iowa Road Trips

Kim Magaraci | February 05, 2021

Which state parks should I visit in Iowa?

If you love to get out and explore nature, Iowa is a great spot to live! In the northeast corner of the state, Pikes Peak State Park shows off stunning views of the Mississippi River and gorgeous topography unique to the Driftless region. A little farther south, Maquoketa Caves State Park is worth the drive from anywhere around. You can walk through more than a dozen caves here! In the farthest Southeast corner of the state, Geode State Park is a scenic and quiet spot for fishing, hiking, biking, and camping. Near Des Moines, Walnut Woods State Park offers camping and a nature preserve. Ledges State Park is another gem of central Iowa. Out west, the Loess Hills dominate the landscape, and you can enjoy them at Preparation Canyon State Park, Lewis and Clark State Park, and Waubonsie State Park. If you're looking for a less-crowded experience, you'll love these 7 quiet state parks in Iowa.

What are the most unique towns in Iowa?

It's hard to top Pella when it comes to unique towns in Iowa! This little Dutch town will make you feel like you've skipped over the ocean. Elk Horn is a similar spot, with tons of Danish heritage on display, including an authentic Danish windmill. In Decorah, Norweigan culture takes over, and in Cedar Rapids, the Czech Village truly stands out. Interested in more? Here are 11 underrated little Iowa towns worth a visit.

What are the most beautiful places in Iowa?

Iowa is a state that's packed with natural beauty. Lake MacBride and Lake Red Rock are two underrated lakes that everyone will fall in love with. The Upper Iowa River's cliffs and bluffs will impress anyone who thinks we're a flat state, and the Mines of Spain showcase history and heritage all at once. If you prefer flowers to forests, visit the Des Moines Botanical Garden or Reiman Gardens for large, stunning, and colorful displays.

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Featured Addresses
1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Altoona, IA 50009, USA
Caves Road, Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
Stone Cliff Winery, 600 Star Brewery Drive, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Pella, IA 50219, USA
1 Line Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Motor Mill Historic Site, 28518 Galaxy Rd, Elkader, IA 52043, USA
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City, 111 3rd St, Sioux City, IA 51101, USA
Mahanay Bell Tower, Jefferson, IA 50129, USA
Riverboat Twilight, Front St, Le Claire, IA 52753, USA
John Wayne Birthplace Museum, 205 S John Wayne Dr, Winterset, IA 50273, USA