There's No Better Place To Spend Your Summer Than These 9 Hidden Iowa Spots
By Raymond Goldfield|Published July 13, 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.
Finding the perfect summer vacation spot can be a challenge – especially if you’re looking to beat the crowds. So many of Iowa’s best attractions and vacation spots are mobbed with visitors during the warm months. If you’re looking for a road trip off the beaten path, some of the state’s smallest towns are home to the best hidden Iowa spots – whether you’re looking for excitement, education, or deliciousness. So this summer, hit the road for some of Iowa’s best-kept secrets!
Iowa's most eccentric art museum isn't just filled with a wide collection of modern American art, it's home to the famous Bill Baird puppets made famous in The Sound of Music.
Why are there so many castles in Ida Grove? Because one businessman, Byron Godbersen, really liked the design. Today, you can see them everywhere - even housing a skating rink!
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4. Piper's Grocery and Homemade Candies (Chariton)
Open for over a hundred years, this local grocery store has become famous for its homemade fudge - the perfect gift for friends and family, or just a post-road trip snack.
Another one of Iowa's most unusual museums, this Traer hole-in-the-wall is home to the midwest's largest collection of seasoning dispensers of all colors, shapes, and sizes.
Iowa's Amish country might not be as well-known as Ohio or Pennsylvania's, but its goods are no less impressive. Stop by this sprawling barn to stock up on handmade goods and delicious snacks.
The smallest house in Iowa, this abode was home to a married pair of vaudeville performers who both stood less than four feet tall. The entire house was designed for their size, and it's open for tours and preserved as a historic site today.
Every model in this museum was painstakingly crafted with thousands upon thousands of wooden matchsticks. Imagine the work that was put into each one - and watch your step!
Have you been to any of these Iowa hidden spots? Does your town have a secret few people know about? Let us know in the comments section. If you’re looking for another hidden spot to enjoy the summer, consider spending a quiet afternoon at Iowa’s most remote lake.
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