8 Iowa Day Trips That Are Even Cooler During The Winter
By Raymond Goldfield|Published December 20, 2022
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Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
In the winter months, many people like to hunker down at home for January and February – which means fewer crowds for those who are ready to get out and explore! If you’re bundled up and eager to see the best a Hawkeye State winter has to offer, these winter getaways in Iowa will keep you busy until the first robin of spring makes its appearance. Some of these are beautiful natural destinations that take on a unique appearance in the winter. Others are thriving indoor attractions that provide a thrill no matter the time of year. Some even transform into something completely new as winter arrives. The one thing they all have in common is that these eight day trips are your ticket to a winter you’ll never forget.
1. Siewers Springs (Decorah)
Siewers Spring Road, Siewers Spring Rd, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
There are few things more beautiful than a waterfall frozen over in winter, and this small Decorah waterfall is amazingly pastoral at this time of year.
Backbone State Park is known for its hiking trails, and during the winter month, snowshoers and cross-country skiers will largely have the unspoiled land to themselves.
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3. Cordova Park Observation Tower (Otley)
Cordova Observation Tower, 1293 Emerald Drive, Otley, IA 50214, USA
The premiere ski resort in Iowa has a longer season than just the winter, but this is when the slopes are at their best - and the lodge serves epic hot cocoa!
Outdoor dining largely goes by the wayside in winter - except at this gastropub, where their heated igloos make hosting a small private dinner party a breeze.
8. Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (Prairie City)
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Road, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Rd, Prairie City, IA 50228, USA
Maybe the best place in Iowa to see wildlife, this bison preserve looks like a peaceful ancient landscape in the winter.
Have you taken any of these winter getaways in Iowa in the past? Let us know about your experience in the comments section. Most can be visited on a whim, but if you want to know more about Tin Roost’s igloo rentals, you can check the restaurant’s website. For another memorable Iowa winter adventure, make a trip to the state’s snowiest town.
