There’s a lot to discover in the Hawkeye State and some of the most interesting destinations are places you might have never visited or never even heard of. That’s right; we’re talking about hidden gems in Iowa! Here’s a tour of the Hawkeye State that will lead you to 10 Iowa hidden gems, including incredible natural attractions, must-see historic places, and more. Get ready for some wonderful windshield views and prepare to be amazed on this road trip to the best little known places in Iowa. Here’s the full route on Google Maps. It’s a route that will take you through a big swath of eastern and central Iowa.

Google Maps
1. Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor
Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Facebook / Friends of Pikes Peak State Park
It's hard to find a spot with views that are more dramatic than those found at Pikes Peak State Park. The park is in northeast Iowa and it towers above the Mississippi River. The vistas along make it one of the best of all Iowa hidden gems.
2. Fenelon Place Elevator, Dubuque
Fenelon Place Elevator, 491 W 4th St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Mbv9415/TripAdvisor
Take a ride up, and up, and up on this railway that calls itself the world's steepest and shortest railway. The trip takes riders about 19 stories into the sky on a journey that covers less than 300 feet. At the end of the line, you can enjoy a view that spans three states, making for one of the best hidden gems in Iowa.
3. Field of Dreams Movie Site, Dyersville
Field of Dreams Movie Site, 28995 Lansing Rd, Dyersville, IA 52040, USA
Facebook / Field of Dreams Movie Site
This front yard ballpark is the site of the 1989 film that received an Academy Award nominee for Picture of the Year. It's a must-visit site for baseball fans. Is this heaven? No, it's just one of the best roadside attractions in Iowa!
4. Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa
Maquoketa Caves State Park, 9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
Facebook / Friends of Maquoketa Caves State Park
This park is incredible, containing more caves than any state park in Iowa. Some of the caves are huge and include lighting and walkways; others are so small you have to crawl to get through. Pick your level of adventure and enjoy this amazing park.

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5. John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, Waterloo
John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, 500 Westfield Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701, USA
Tripadvisor / Patrick11514
One of the most en-DEERE-ing of all the little known places in Iowa, this museum celebrates the iconic green and yellow brand and is fun for kids of all ages. It includes interactive displays, classic John Deere Tractors and rare John Deere artifacts. You'll see why Nothing Runs Like a Deere!
6. Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, West Branch
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, 210 Parkside Dr, West Branch, IA 52358, USA
Facebook / Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum archives the life of Herbert Hoover, the 29th president. In addition to holding materials from Hoover's time as president, the site has a reconstruction of Hoover's father's blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, and more.
7. The Day The Music Died Memorial, Clear Lake
Clear Lake, IA 50428, USA
Tripadvisor / Traveling Critic Chic
In 1959, a small plane crash in a cornfield took the lives of some young music legends - Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson. More than 60 years have passed and people still flock to the site, which includes a small shrine commemorating the lives lost, making for one of the most heartwarming roadside attractions in Iowa.
8. American Gothic House, Eldon
American Gothic House Center, 300 American Gothic St, Eldon, IA 52554, USA
American Gothic House & Center / Facebook
Among the most recognizable of all Iowa hidden gems , the house, which inspired the famous painting by Grant Wood, still exists - it's just 500 square feet and it still holds the unusual gothic windows displayed in the painting. If you want to see the painting, you'll have to visit the Art Institute of Chicago. If you want to see the home, just visit Eldon.
9. High Trestle Trail, Madrid
High Trestle Trail, Iowa, USA
Tripadvisor / Fam_Tvler
A pedestrian bridge never looked better. The High Trestle Trail spans the Des Moines River between Madrid and Woodward. It's beautiful at any time of day but it's especially dramatic at night.
10. Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend
208 1st Ave NW, West Bend, IA 50597, USA
Facebook / Shirne of the Grotto of the Redemption
This incredible shrine includes nine grottos depicting scenes in the life of Jesus. It's believed to be the largest grotto in the world and more than 100,000 people visit the shrine every year. You'll see many gems hidden in the walls of this 'hidden gem' - and that's why it's one of the best hidden gems in Iowa.

 

So, what do you think? Are these the best hidden gems in Iowa? Have you visited all of the places mentioned above? If so, which ones and what’d you think? This road trip covers a lot of ground in Iowa – it would take more than 11 hours if you drove straight through, but who could pass any of these roadside attractions in Iowa without pulling over? Did we miss any Iowa hidden gems on this road trip? Let us know!

Looking for other little known places in Iowa to explore? Consider checking out a few of the lesser known state parks in Iowa.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Hidden Gems In Iowa

Daniella DiRienzo | July 12, 2022

Can I go for a train ride in Iowa?

Visiting the best hidden gems in Iowa is just one way to have some fun in the Hawkeye State. There are several others, including going for a train ride! One of the best places to ride the rails is the Watson Steam Train and Depot. Located in Missouri Valley, the must-visit attraction offers train rides for kids on two antique locomotives: a 1948 coal-fired Ottaway Steam Train and a 1959 Ottaway Streamliner. In addition to train rides, visitors can explore a train depot stocked with railroad artifacts and memorabilia.

What one-of-a-kind destinations can I visit in Iowa?

There are so many unique attractions and one-of-a-kind destinations in Iowa, and the Villisca Axe Murder House is one of them! At first glance, it doesn’t look much different than the other homes that surround it; however, it’s anything but typical, and that’s because it’s purportedly haunted. The home’s spooky reputation goes back to 1912, when the family of Josiah Moore and two overnight guests were bludgeoned to death inside the residence. Though decades have passed, the home continues to fascinate paranormal investigators and the curious alike. Those brave enough can actually tour the historically haunted house.

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