Top Things to Do in Iowa: Attractions for All Ages

Fact Checked by Pat McLoone

Everyone in the state – or the nation, for that matter – will be tuning in to see the start of Iowa's NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, featuring senior sensation guard Caitlin Clark.

No matter what happens, or how hyped-up Iowa sports betting becomes, during March Madness, the Iowa team's season will come to an end, along with Clark's historic collegiate career.

The question, after it ends, is: What do folks in Iowa do now for fun and relaxation?

Whether you’re a resident, here during a pit stop on a road trip, or just want to explore another state, there are plenty of fun activities to do in the Hawkeye State.

IowaBets.com – your source for Iowa sports betting apps - put together a list of top activities and attractions for you to do in Iowa, based on total search volume at Semrush.com. Here are the top in-state destinations to explore:

Top Things to Do in Iowa

RankAttractionSearch Volume
1Effigy Mounds6.6K
2Maquoketa Caves5.4K
T-3Pikes Peak State Park4.4K
T-3Field of Dreams Movie Site4.4K
T-5Grotto of Redemption3.6K
T-5National Mississippi River & Aquarium3.6K
T-5Horseshoe Council Bluffs3.6K
T-8Capitol Building2.9K
T-8Eagle Point Park2.9K
T-8Buddy Holly Crash Site2.9K

 

Effigy Mounds Is Top Attraction

Our research shows that the most-searched Iowa attraction is the Effigy Mounds (Harpers Ferry) with a 6.6K search volume.

Effigy Mounds is a national monument that preserves more than 200 prehistoric mounds. Several of the mounds are shaped like animals, including bears and birds. The park has 14 miles of hiking trails, with no paved car access roads.

Also in the top 5:

  • 2nd:  Maquoketa Caves (Maquoketa) 5.4K
  • Tied for 3rd: Pikes Peak State Park (Mc Gregor) 4.4K and Field of Dreams Movie Site (Dyersville) 4.4K
  • Tied for 5th: Grotto of Redemption (West Bend) 3.6K, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (Dubuque) 3.6K and Horseshoe Council Bluffs (Council Bluffs) 3.6K.

With no Major League Baseball regular season game in Dyersville this season, MLB will stage a Negro Leagues tribute game at Rickwood Field (10,800 seats) in Birmingham, Ala., on June 20, 2024, between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals.

In addition to providing occasional culture stories such as this, IowaBets.com also has the best Iowa sports betting promo codes.

Author

Lou Monaco

Lou Monaco has been a columnist for Gaming Today in Las Vegas and has over 30 years sports experience with previous stints at ESPN SportsTicker, Daily Racing Form and Oddschecker. He is here to guide you in selecting the Iowa sportsbook that best fits your needs.