15 Iowa Day Trips to Make

15 Iowa Day Trips to Make

Iowa is full of all sorts of great places to visit for a weekend or even just a day. I’ve put together a list of 15 Iowa Day Trips that should be on your “to do” list this summer!

This site generates income via partnerships with carefully selected companies, brands, and/ or purchases made through links to them.

Going on Iowa Day Trips


Traveling is different for everyone. Some people consider traveling to be out of the country for a long period of time. Others consider it within the US for a week. Of course, there are those who look for weekend trips and day trips!

Iowa day trips are a great way to see the state without having to dedicate an entire weekend or week to exploring! So, here are 15 fantastic day trips that you can enjoy with your girlfriends, spouse, significant other, or the entire family. These are no particular order!

Snag the Ultimate Guide to Traveling in Iowa by clicking HERE!

Pella

A plethora of downtown shops, biking on the Volksweg Trail, or exploring one of the many nearby parks makes Pella great spot for an Iowa day trip! Make sure to check out the Vermeer Windmill and Pella Historical Society Museums!

Unique Midwest Hotels, Lodges, and Bed & Breakfasts

Unique Midwest Hotels, Lodges, and Bed & Breakfasts

While many people consider the Midwest to be fly-over country, the Midwest Travel Bloggers can prove you differently. Midwest hotels, lodges, and bed and breakfasts are some of the most unique in the country. Several bloggers have joined me to put the best of the most unique into one post for your reference! Enjoy reading about these stays that have been organized by state for your convenience.

Turn your stay at a unique hotel by making it a Weekend Getaway in the Midwest! Snag our guide HERE!

Continue “Unique Midwest Hotels, Lodges, and Bed & Breakfasts”

Grab Your Girlfriends & Visit Pella, IA: 5 Ways to Have a Great Trip

Grab Your Girlfriends & Visit Pella, IA: 5 Ways to Have a Great Trip

Nothing benefits a woman’s mental health like a good girlfriends trip! Because of this having a girlfriends trip to Pella, Iowa, should be at the top of your list!  A Visit to Pella, Iowa is proof that you don’t have to head to the big city to have lots of options for things to do!  They have a vibrant downtown area and boast loads of locally owned businesses serving up the very best food, merchandise, and service! 

Visit Pella

While portions of our trip were hosted by Visit Pella, Iowa and other establishments, all thoughts and opinions of this post are 100% accurate and my own. For more information, please see the Disclosure Tab.

Continue “Grab Your Girlfriends & Visit Pella, IA: 5 Ways to Have a Great Trip”

Plan a Day Trip to Fort Dodge, Iowa

When you’re looking for a day trip that includes art, history, fun, and food, plan your visit to Fort Dodge, Iowa.  You’ll be surprised at the great finds in this community in Central Iowa!   

Fort Dodge

Thank you to the Fort Dodge Conventions & Visitors Bureau for hosting parts of our trip! Although this occurred, all thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and our own. Please see the disclosure tab for more information!

Day Trip Plans – Getting There

When you’re ready to head to Fort Dodge, you’ll find it conveniently located in West Central Iowa! It is also easily accessible thanks to being located right off Highway 20, which is a 4-lane road that intersects both Interstate 35 and the Avenue of the Saints (US Highway 218).

If you’re traveling by car…

  • Des Moines, IA – 99 miles, 1 hour 30 minute drive time
    • Minneapolis, MN – 219 miles, 3 hours 10 minutes drive time
      • Kansas City, MO – 266 miles, 3 hours 50 minutes drive time
        • Chicago, IL – 367 miles, 5 hours 50 minutes drive time

There are so many options of great things to do once you arrive in Fort Dodge that it might be difficult to narrow it down. For your convenience I’ve grouped our ideas into historical, creative, and foods! I’m sure you’ll find something on this list that appeases to you and your trip buddies!

Continue “Plan a Day Trip to Fort Dodge, Iowa”

The Minnesota State Fair: A Guide to Don’t Miss Fun

The Minnesota State Fair:  A Guide to Don’t Miss Fun

This was not my first visit to the Minnesota State Fair! In fact, it was actually my 3rd or 4th visit. I do however consider myself an expert in fairs! Not only was I involved with the Franklin County Fair in my hometown for more than 10 years, T and I love visiting different fairs and especially the Iowa State Fair!

So, what’s so great about the Minnesota State Fair?

Things To Do

You will not, I promise, run out of things to do at the MN State Fair!  The choices are endless!  

1. Math On A Stick

If you have small children, we recommend heading to Math On A Stick!  Created as a way for kids and adults to both enjoy mathematical skills without actually doing equations, there are several stations that challenge kids to use their logical and creative brains at the same time!  The stations can change each day as well!  The day we visited, there was  a station that used balloons to create different shapes, etc.  Even the big guys found it entertaining!

Tips for Visiting the Iowa State Fair

Continue “The Minnesota State Fair: A Guide to Don’t Miss Fun”

Touring St. Louis – Olive Oil, Underground Railroad, & Baseball

Traveling from North Iowa to St. Louis is easier than ever thanks to Air Choice One and the Mason City Airport!

Thanks to a Twitter Chat and the folks at Visit Clear Lake, I found myself with 2 complimentary plane tickets at one point in life!  Here in North Iowa we are are lucky to have a small, nice, regional airport situated between Clear Lake and Mason City.  We are also lucky to have Air Choice One offering service out of this airport to Chicago and St. Louis!

Continue “Touring St. Louis – Olive Oil, Underground Railroad, & Baseball”