We heard your travel bug bite is still itching. Of course, that could just be a swarm of mosquitos. Either way, our first article about unique day trips in Iowa was so popular, we had people asking for more. So, here are 10 more unique Iowa day trips that you must take this summer!

1. Enjoy a night at the drive-in theater.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Sit back, put the top down, and enjoy a unique end-of-the-day experience at the drive-in theater. There are drive-in theaters in Spirit Lake, Newton, Delmar, Blue Grass, and more. This is a great way to end the perfect day trip, or you can head out here to make a drive-in your whole destination. Stop for snacks and popcorn on the way!

Part of the fun of going to a drive-in movie theater is wandering around waiting for the first movie to start - meeting people, grabbing some snacks, and letting the anticipation of this unique experience build. One of the best day trips in IA may not even lead you to a daytime activity - a "night trip" is just as much fun:
2. Discover the Villages of Van Buren
Villages of Van Buren, Inc, 809 1st St, Keosauqua, IA 52565, USA
David Wilson/Flickr
The Villages of Van Buren are definitely one of Iowa's hidden treasures. There are 12 villages, with some of the bigger ones being Bentonsport, Bonaparte, Birmingham, Farmington, and Keosauqua. With no fast food restaurants, no stop lights, and a historic village feel, the Villages of Van Buren are just the day trip many of us Iowans need to escape the daily grind.
3. Experience German culture in the Amana Colonies
Amana Colonies, 622 46th Ave, Amana, IA 52203, USA
Neal Wellons/Flickr
The little villages that make up the Amana Colonies offer a taste of German culture with their German restaurants, brewery, and bakeries. You can also check out more areas of German culture at the Wool Mill, and at their various shops and stores, where they sell many handmade items. Be sure to stop in the Amana General Store!
4. Rent a bike and explore the city of Des Moines.
Des Moines, IA, USA
Phil Roeder/Flickr
Rent a bike from the BCycle station in Des Moines, and treat yourself to a tour of the capital city. Des Moines is a very bike-friendly city and you'll find plenty of places to park along the way.

Join Out of the House as they take a bike ride through Des Moines in this video showing some fun day trips in Iowa you can take on your bike:
5. Sip and paint with your friends
Tim Carter/Flickr
Gather a group of your friends and enjoy a night of wine and painting. There are a ton of different places to do this: Pinot's Palette in Des Moines, Creative Spirits in Okoboji, and others in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities.

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6. Visit the Sioux City Art Center
Sioux City Art Center/Facebook
The Sioux City Art Center is a great place to check out. They have many beautiful exhibits and art pieces, and they offer a ton of different art classes. While you're in town, stop at the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch.
7. Explore Des Moines' Historic East Village
East Village, Des Moines, IA, USA
Mark Hesseltine/Flickr
This artsy, cultural district of Des Moines has been compared to New York's Greenwich Village. It's a really neat place to spend the day, and if you get hungry, check out Zombie Burger. Their burgers are to die for.
8. Take a scenic train ride in Boone
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, 225 10th St, Boone, IA 50036, USA
Jerry Huddleston/Flickr
Take a train ride through the scenic valleys of Boone, and over the highest train bridge. They offer dinner and dessert trains, too, and even let you bring your own bottle of wine if you want.
9. Canoe down the Iowa River near Decorah
Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Ellen Macdonald/Flickr
Spend the day canoeing down the Upper Iowa River in Decorah. While you're there, check out the ice caves, waterfall, and Vesterheim Norwegian Museum.
10. Check out Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, 208 1st Ave NW, West Bend, IA 50597, USA
Laura Bernhardt/Flickr
Often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," this giant, religious shrine in West Bend is made completely of gems and stones.

The fascinating Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in Iowa is a very unique attraction that should be part of any day trips you plan to Iowa. Take a quick tour with The Wild Rover in this video:

Think these unique Iowa day trips will finally cure your travel bug? Let us know all about the best day trips near you in the comments section, or nominate your favorite spot right here.

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Fun day trips in Iowa

Kim Magaraci | June 05, 2023

What's the most beautiful hike in Iowa?
The most beautiful hike in Iowa has got to be found in Maquoketa Caves State Park. One of our favorite hikes in Iowa is one that will take you through enormous and towering caves, and let you hop and skip across a creek. Take the loop trail to see all of the park's namesake caves and you'll find yourself enjoying sights you would never expect to see here in the Hawkeye State. Here are a few other beautiful hikes in Iowa:

 

What is the most scenic town in Iowa?
It's hard to top Decorah when it comes to being the most scenic town in Iowa. Not only can you paddle down the Upper Iowa River to see the Bluffton Palisades, but you can hike to an ice cave and a waterfall in one loop, or take a riverside stroll to the gorgeous Malanaphy Springs cascade, which is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day.

What are the best little-known attractions in Iowa?

Some of the best little-known attractions in Iowa include:

 

Some of the coolest sights in Iowa are often overlooked. For example, did you know that there's a replica of the entire town from the Music Man in Mason City? How about an enormous observatory on the Drake Campus in Des Moines? We bet you've never visited either, and if you haven't, add them to your list of places you've got to see.

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