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Iowa Camping | Off The Beaten Path

Off The Beaten Path | Iowa

Iowa is a fantastic mid-western state. Visitors can enjoy the traditions and history of the state, as well as the influence of the evolving agricultural industry on the state's attractions and development. Throughout the state there are fascinating destinations to interest any traveler. Here are just a few of the great places to visit in Iowa.

Burlington

Burlington, Iowa is a city filled with excellent destinations for travelers to explore. This city has excellent history museums, attractions and more. Visitors should be sure to stop at the Apple Tree Museum to learn more about the history of the region. Burlington is also home to Snake Alley, one of the crookedest streets found in the world.

Effigy Mounds National  Monument
The Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves over 200 mounds built by American Indians. These mounds are considered sacred sites by the American Indian tribes from the region and the National Monument affords visitors the chance to learn about the natural and cultural history of the region. In addition, the site also has excellent hiking opportunities while allowing visitors to explore the fascinating mounds.

Great River Road
One fantastic way to explore any state is to take a road trip. Iowa's Great River Road provides visitors with an ideal path to explore some of the state's amazing scenery and culture. The Great River Road byway winds with the Mississippi River, from Lansing to Keokuk. Along this road there are stunning examples of Iowa's natural beauty, opportunities to hike and recreate, museums, unique Iowa towns and more.

Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair held in Des Moines is a great Iowa tradition, and is an absolute must-see when it is being held. One fun attraction at the fair is the Butter Cow. This is a life-sized cow sculpted from butter. It takes about 600lbs of butter and every year one of the main breeds of dairy cows is the model for the sculpture.

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Those visitors to Iowa looking to enjoy some of the beautiful natural features should be sure to stop and explore the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area. This area preserves the natural plants and animal species of the region. Visitors should be sure to see the burr oak trees and try to catch a glimpse of some of the rare animals like the flying squirrel and red-shouldered hawk. The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center is a good starting point to gather information and learn about the region, the Horseshoe Bluff Interpretive Area is also a must-see spot to learn about the geology of the region as well as the floating wetland trails.

Reiman Gardens
Located at the entrance to Iowa State University in Ames, the Reiman Gardens are one of the largest public gardens in the state. These gardens feature an indoor conservatory, outdoor gardens and even a butterfly exhibit. Visitors to these gardens can also see the varying visiting exhibits to the gardens.

Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area
Northeast Iowa has a rich history, and the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area preserves the agricultural history of the area through museums, farms and more. Visitors can explore historic sites, museums, working farms, and more. Each site tells an important story about Iowa's history and the history of our country.

 

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