American Gothic House

Located in Eldon, American Gothic House is the iconic house featured in Grant Wood’s famous 1930 painting ‘American Gothic.’ The house was constructed in the 1880s and was owned by Charles Dibble. The house is also called the ‘Dibble House’ and has a Carpenter Gothic style. The house is open for all visitors and has an American Gothic House Center built near it. The center elaborates on the life of Grant Wood and the history of the house he painted.

Grotto of the Redemption

The Grotto of the Redemption, or the West Bend Grotto, is one of the unique attractions in Iowa. In 1912, Father Paul Matthias Dobberstein, along with some helpers, began the construction of the shrine. The religious shrine was completed after 52 long and laborious years and is the largest human constructed grotto in the world. It has nine separate grottos built with petrified wood, minerals, and precious gems and stones. All the grottos portray scenes from Jesus’ life.

Maquoketa Caves State Park

Jackson County, Iowa, is famous for the Maquoketa Caves State Park, which has a variety of caves in it. The great thing about the park is that visitors can tour the park for free. There are caves that even claustrophobic people can visit because of their high ceilings and walkways. On the other hand, experienced spelunkers can explore more challenging caves with tight spaces.

Amana Colonies

The colonies consist of seven villages that date back to the mid-19th century. The site is a National Historic Landmark as the colonies were inhabited by German Pietists who used to live in isolation without any interference from the outside world. Historical structures in the colonies provide an insight into the German Pietist’s way of life. Annual festivals in the colonies include springtime Maifest and sausage-making Wurstfest.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

This National Historic Site commemorates the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, the only United States president from Iowa. The site celebrates Hoover’s life, legacy, and influence on the nation. The park is also home to the gravesite of Herbert Hoover.

Some other notable places and attractions:

Field of Dreams Movie Site
Des Moines Art Center
The Bridges of Madison County
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium