Overview

Iowa is a friendly Midwestern state that boasts a delectable cuisine and recurring political conventions hosted every four years. These political caucuses roll through the entire state and its inhabitants display an amazing sense of political tolerance. A couple of cities in Iowa such as Des Moines have a metropolitan touch to them. Otherwise, it is overall a fairly rural state. Home to the proverbial Midwestern fields of corn and soybeans and hog farms, Iowa is the idyllic haven for every lover of nature.

The Native Americans were part of Iowa's history and the name Iowa was derived from the Siouan tribe that dwelled there. More often than not, visitors to Iowa recognize it as the Hawkeye State, although it is also unofficially called the "Tall Corn State.

Activities & Attractions

One thing you will definitely not want to miss when you visit Iowa is a trip to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Between the May of 1804 and the September of 1806 a group of 32 men, one woman, and a baby traveled over the plains across the state on their way to the Pacific coast. Since then, the trail has been the one of the most coveted destinations of history buffs from across the world.

A bicycle race is organized across Iowa, which is widely celebrated as the RAGBRAI, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. This is a great opportunity for cyclists all over the nation to come together. The highlight of the race is when the participants dip their wheels in the Missouri River and the Mississippi River. It usually takes seven days to complete the race.

If you want to eat your way across Iowa, be prepared for a host of traditional Midwestern meals which include pork chops, corn-on-the-cob, casseroles, and even the just-plain-good Midwestern cooking. You can find out about the best places to eat from the locals.

Other interesting places to visit are Effigy Mound National Monument, Maquoketa Caves State Park, Pikes Peak State Park, Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail and Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.

Lodging

You can find accommodations in Iowa according to your budget. Country Inn and Suites, the Suites of 800 Locust, the Best Western Canterbury Inn & Suites, Marriot Des Moines, and Heartland Inn Des Moines are some of the popular hotels in Des Moines.

Transportation

You'll most likely travel around the city Iowa by car. The landscape is quite straightforward as it is in most Midwestern states. The grid pattern that has been used to lay out the road system is pretty easy to follow. The major cities in Iowa are well-connected by the railways and airways. Ferries and boats are available for traveling across the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.