What to do if you don't have the time and/or the funds to travel out-of-state for a vacation? Explore Iowa, there is so much you can do within a short drive from home.
Hiking Iowa
Elizabeth Hill
917.77 /Falcon/2005
Travel, Nature, Nonfiction
I was fortunate enough to go on a hike at Palisades-Kepler State Park led by Elizabeth Hill. Her knowledge of Iowa hikes can help you choose just the right location to go exploring.
Paddling Iowa : 128 outstanding journies by canoe and kayak
Nate Hoogeveen
917.7704 /Hoogeveen/2012
Nature, Sports, Nonfiction
There is something especially wonderful about being on a river or stream in a canoe or a kayak. Your vantage point to observe the world around you is near perfect. Sitting silent allows you to see all sorts of activity from the birds and mammals at the shoreline, to water snakes and fish below you. Maybe my favorite part of paddling is watching the clouds play across the water.
There is something very special about being on a river in a canoe or kayak. You are able to observe all sorts of activity on the shoreline, watch turtles sunning on a log and see fish jump and maybe if you are really lucky, see an otter or a mink.
- Maeve
The Iowa road guide to haunted locations
Chad Lewis
917.7704 /Lewis/2007
Travel, Paranormal, Nonfiction
Chad Lewis is a paranormal investigator with a Master of Science degree in Applied Psychology He is also the organizer and speaker for The Unexplained conferences. He is the host of The Unexplained radio and television programs. Terry Fisk is also a paranormal investigator who studied philosophy and religion at the University of Wisconsin. He is an authority on death and the afterlife and is also the host of The Unexplained radio talk show.
- Maeve
The official Rails-to-Trails Conservancy guidebook. Rail-trails Iowa and Missouri.
917.7704 /Rails/2017
Nature, Sports, Nonfiction
Whether you are a walker or a rider you will find this an excellent guide to trails where the railroad used to pass through a town or countryside. This ever expanding network of trails offer a great way to explore Iowa (and Missouri).
- Maeve
Iowa curiosities.
917.77 /Curiosities
Travel, History, Nonfiction
Where is the largest frying pan or ball of twine? And what is the story behind these and many other curiosities? Iowa Curiosities can help you find so many interesting places to explore and along the way learn about some unique Iowa stories. Dan Coffey, former Iowa City resident and Ducks Breath Mystery Theatre star wrote the first edition of this book.
- Maeve
Grant Wood's Iowa : a visitor's guide
Wende Susan Elliott
917.7704 /Elliott/2013
Art / Art History, Travel, Nature, Nonfiction
Solving the problem of what to do while driving across the middle of America, this book identifies points of cultural interest along I-80 from Chicago to Omaha. In particular, Rose and Elliott provide a thoughtful, detailed exploration of the life and the historical context of Iowa artist Grant Wood, best known for his painting American Gothic, by discussing both his work and the landscape that inspired it. The book includes five itineraries, complete with self-guided museum tours, maps, color photos, and local ancillary attractions like regional art festivals and nature hikes.
When you think of Iowa and artists the first name that comes to mind is Grant Wood. Grant Wood's Iowa : a visitor's guide can help you learn much more about our celebrated author. Explore Anamosa and Stone City, where he had his academy, visit Iowa City and Cedar Rapids to see where he lived and visit museums to see his work. There are maps and guided museum tours and even some hikes.
- Maeve
The great Iowa touring book : 27 spectacular auto tours
Mike Whye
917.7704 /Whye/2004
Travel, History, Nonfiction
It traveling by car is more your cup of tea, this is the book for you. The fastest way to cross the state is I80 or I35, but for a slower and much more scenic view of Iowa try some of out state highways and county roads. There are amazing bridges and overlooks that might surprise you. This guidebook has 27 auto tours encompassing urban and rural areas--back roads and byways, well-known and little-known places, the famous and the infamous, rivers big and small, great lakes and rare ponds, prairie and forests, plains and hills, old settlements, and brand new communities.
If your idea of traveling is by car and you want to explore Iowa, this is the book for you. The fastest way to get across Iowa may be I80 or I35, but to see and learn much more about the state, try some of the state highways and county roads. Iowa's countryside is beautiful and following the Great River Road along the Mississippi gives you an entirely new view of the state. Have fun!
- Maeve
Goosetown : a Bohemian & German neighborhood in Iowa City
977.7655 /Goosetown
History, Nonfiction
Local author and historian Marybeth Slonneger and other Goosetown residents provide the background story to Iowa City's Goosetown neighborhood. Learn about the Bohemians and Germans who settled in north side of Iowa City and the many houses and building in the historically significant part of town.
- Maeve
Voices on the landscape : contemporary Iowa poets
811.008 /Voices
Poetry, Nonfiction
Editor and poet Michael Carey has brought together a marvelous collection of poems by and about Iowa. While not strictly a travel guide, many of the poems evoke a vision of Iowa that might just inspire you to take a trip to explore the poems' inspiration.
- Maeve
The Straight story
DVD MOVIE DRAMA Straight
Drama
Based on a true story about 73-year-old Alvin Straight who embarks on a dangerous and emotional journey to make amends with his 75-year-old brother Lyle before his brother dies. Alvin can no longer drive a car because of his eyesight and has to walk with 2 canes, but he climbs aboard his 1966 John Deere lawnmower and drives the 260-mile course from Laurens, Iowa to Mt. Zion, Wis.
The Straight Story is one of my all-time favorite films. It isn't a travel documentary but a film based on a true story of Alvin Straight and his travel at first by a lawn tractor and then a small tractor across northern Iowa to visit his brother in Wisconsin. If you are an armchair traveler you will see beautiful Iowa landscapes. Richard Farnsworth is splendid as Alvin Straight in this David Lynch film.
- Maeve
Iowa waltz
Greg Brown
COMPACT DISC FO:N Brown Iowa
Folk, American Roots
This 1994 recording by Iowa native Greg Brown is just the music to listen to as your travel around Iowa. Every title cries out Iowa and one of my favorites, though it is hard to name a favorite the songs are all so good, is Walking the Beans. Iowa Citians Dave Moore plays the harmonica and Al Murphy the fiddle and both sing. Other songs are King Corn, Grand Junction, Mississippi Serenade, Counting Feedcaps and Four Wet Pigs.
- Maeve
Field of dreams
DVD MOVIE DRAMA Field
Drama
Inspired by a mysterious voice, Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella constructs a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield.
The Field of Dreams outside Dyersville is a favorite destination of many Iowans and visitors to Iowa. Based on W.P. Kinsella's novel Shoeless Joe, which was set in Iowa, but filmed in Dubuque, rural Dubuque County, Dyersville and Galena, Illinois offers many quintessential Iowa views. Watch Field of Dreams for the first time or the fifth and take a visit to the ball field and create your own field of dreams. And if you look very very closely at the closing scenes you might just see me in one of the many cars making its way to the field.
- Maeve
I was lucky enough go on a hike led by Elizabeth Hill at Palasades-Kepler State Park. Her knowledge of the best Iowa hiking spots can help you plan for a great outing.
- Maeve