The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary If You Love Spending Time Outdoors In Iowa
By Raymond Goldfield|Published May 02, 2023
×
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.
If there is one thing Iowa has in spades, it’s open space. A beautiful prairie state with miles and miles of open road, the Hawkeye State is a great place if you love the outdoors and just want to take it all in. However, closer to the eastern border of the state, the environment changes quite a bit. Suddenly you’re in a lush world of wide blue rivers, deep and mysterious caves, and stunning gardens to explore. Iowa’s border with Illinois and Wisconsin is a great place to explore if you want to see a lot of natural beauty concentrated in a small area. In less than two hours of driving time, you’ll experience some of the best outdoor adventures and activities in Iowa. They include a stunning patio winery, an always-changing botanical garden, a peaceful river cruise, and one of the Midwest’s best cave systems before getting a well-deserved night’s rest in a peaceful cabin by the Mississippi River. It’s the perfect way to take advantage of the great weather for an unforgettable adventure!
From national parks and campgrounds to waterfalls, canyons, and more, there is so much to love about America’s natural splendor — and June, designated as Great Outdoors Month, is the perfect time to get outside.
You'll spend less than two hours on the road, but this nature getaway takes you to some of the most beautiful spots and attractions in eastern Iowa, with plenty of time for rest and relaxation along the way.
Dine On The Patio At Park Farm Winery
We're starting our adventure in the small town of Epworth, where you'll find one of the most beautiful wineries and restaurants in all of Iowa - Park Farm Winery
This small-batch winery not only has a wide variety of tasting options, but the pizzas are among the most acclaimed in the state. It's all located on a pastoral farm where half the attraction is taking in the beauty surrounding you.
Advertisement
Park Farm Winery, 15159 Thielen Rd, Epworth, IA 52045, USA
While the winery does have an indoor tasting and dining room, the most popular way to enjoy Park Farm Winery is to take a seat on the patio or balcony, where you'll have a stunning view overlooking Iowa farm country.
It's the perfect place to have a light meal and enjoy the peace and quiet of the area before you continue your adventures. You can choose from more than ten varieties of pizzas, plus a selection of flatbreads, charcuterie boards, and other Italian specialties.
Advertisement
Walk The Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Your next stop takes you to the famous waterfront city of Dubuque, but you're not going to the water - yet. Instead, you're headed to the most underrated botanical garden in Iowa.
As you wander the park, you'll be met with one incredibly peaceful sight after another. It's easy to spend all day here - but you've got more adventure ahead of you!
Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 3800 Arboretum Dr, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Some of the top highlights at the botanical gardens include a wonderful-smelling herb garden, a Japanese garden that's the epitome of peace, and a cacti garden celebrating the desert where you'll want to look but not touch!
Take A Ride On The Mighty Mississippi Via American Lady Cruises
You're staying in Dubuque for your next destination, and heading to the banks of the Mississippi. There is no better way to enjoy the water than on a day cruise.
The Happy Hour cruise features the lightest food, or you can choose a lunch or dinner cruise with full meals. No matter what you choose, you will be captivated by the stunning views of the Mississippi river by day or dusk.
Explore The Secrets Of Maquoketa Caves State Park
There might be no natural wonder in Iowa more famous than Maquoketa Caves State Park, a stunning trip into an ancient world.
This 323-acre state park is home to the largest cave network in Iowa. Located in the Driftless Area of Iowa, it avoided the impact of the last ice age, leaving these caves and bluffs as remnants of an ancient age.
Advertisement
Many of the caves in Maquoketa Caves State Park are large and accessible to anyone who can hike the well-maintained paths.
Maquoketa Caves State Park, 9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
However, experienced explorers who head a little further in will find smaller caves that offer amazing discoveries. Make sure to visit the central map kiosk to find a useful navigation tool to help you make your way around.
Stay The Night In A Cabin On The Banks Of The Mississippi River
You're no doubt exhausted by now, and your reward is in sight. You'll be headed to the beautiful riverside town of Bellevue to stay in a cabin just steps away from the water.
This Bellevue vacation rental is a low-key affair, hosting up to six people in two bedrooms. But the more you explore, the more you'll discover.
The cabin's amenities include TV, internet, and a full kitchen for cooking up meals. There's also a fire pit for cookouts and a collection of games for quiet nights.
Kayaks and fishing gear are available for rent, but the best amenity of all in this cabin is waking up to a stunning view of one Iowa's most iconic body of water, right outside your vacation home's door.
Are you excited to take this journey into some of the best outdoor adventures and activities in Iowa? What are your favorite outdoor excursions in the Hawkeye State? Let us know in the comments section. For more ways to celebrate Great Outdoors Month, take a look at some of Only In Your State’s other Hawkeye State road trips.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
