Things to do in Iowa

This midwestern state isn’t just full of farms in the countryside. Iowa is home to historic sites; arts and food festival; and wide open spaces for hiking, fishing, bird watching, cycling, camping, swimming and boating. Capital city, Des Moines, abounds with options for shopping, museums, water parks and golfing.

A group of Native American burial mounds shaped like animals can be found at the Effigy Mounds National Monument, as well as wetlands, hiking trails and tallgrass prarie. Wildlife refuges abound—from the prairie heritage of the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge to the riverside Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge.