Highest-rated things to do in Iowa by visitors

When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.

If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape鈥攊t's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.

Indeed, even if you've lived in Iowa your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for Iowa reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.

compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Iowa using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 15, 2025.

Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Iowa, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.

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1 / 30

#30. John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (205 reviews)
- City: Waterloo
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Tripadvisor

2 / 30

#29. Brucemore

- Rating: 4.6/5 (277 reviews)
- City: Cedar Rapids
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Tripadvisor

3 / 30

#28. Reiman Gardens

- Rating: 4.6/5 (370 reviews)
- City: Ames
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Tripadvisor

4 / 30

#27. Des Moines Art Center

- Rating: 4.5/5 (322 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
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Tripadvisor

5 / 30

#26. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (648 reviews)
- City: Walcott
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Tripadvisor

6 / 30

#25. Eagle Point Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (588 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
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Tripadvisor

7 / 30

#24. Crystal Lake Cave

- Rating: 4.1/5 (210 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
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Tripadvisor

8 / 30

#23. Devonian Fossil Gorge

- Rating: 4.3/5 (157 reviews)
- City: not available
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Tripadvisor

9 / 30

#22. Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

- Rating: 4.7/5 (282 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
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Tripadvisor

10 / 30

#21. Dunnings Spring Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (240 reviews)
- City: Decorah
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Tripadvisor

11 / 30

#20. Blank Park Zoo

- Rating: 4.2/5 (653 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
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Tripadvisor

12 / 30

#19. Plane Crash Site of Buddy Holly

- Rating: 4.4/5 (297 reviews)
- City: Clear Lake
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Tripadvisor

13 / 30

#18. Salisbury House & Gardens

- Rating: 4.4/5 (162 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
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Tripadvisor

14 / 30

#17. Effigy Mounds National Monument

- Rating: 4.5/5 (270 reviews)
- City: Harpers Ferry
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Tripadvisor

15 / 30

#16. Pikes Peak State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (363 reviews)
- City: McGregor
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Tripadvisor

16 / 30

#15. John Wayne Birthplace & Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (512 reviews)
- City: Winterset
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Tripadvisor

17 / 30

#14. Adventureland

- Rating: 4.0/5 (728 reviews)
- City: Altoona
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18 / 30

#13. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

- Rating: 4.4/5 (390 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
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Tripadvisor

19 / 30

#12. Mines of Spain Recreation Area

- Rating: 4.6/5 (255 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
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Tripadvisor

20 / 30

#11. High Trestle Trail Bridge

- Rating: 4.8/5 (232 reviews)
- City: Madrid
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Tripadvisor

21 / 30

#10. Pappajohn Sculpture Park

- Rating: 4.4/5 (752 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
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22 / 30

#9. Horseshoe Council Bluffs

- Rating: 4.2/5 (8,620 reviews)
- City: Council Bluffs
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23 / 30

#8. Iowa State Fairgrounds

- Rating: 4.6/5 (886 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
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24 / 30

#7. Downtown Farmers Market

- Rating: 4.7/5 (426 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
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Tripadvisor

25 / 30

#6. Capitol Building

- Rating: 4.8/5 (908 reviews)
- City: Des Moines
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Tripadvisor

26 / 30

#5. Grotto of the Redemption

- Rating: 4.8/5 (288 reviews)
- City: West Bend
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27 / 30

#4. Fenelon Place Elevator Co.

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,217 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
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Tripadvisor

28 / 30

#3. Maquoketa Caves State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (247 reviews)
- City: Maquoketa
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Tripadvisor

29 / 30

#2. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,652 reviews)
- City: Dubuque
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Tripadvisor

30 / 30

#1. Field of Dreams Movie Site

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,310 reviews)
- City: Dyersville
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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