Travel Iowa

Let classic and modern works of art inspire you, and history engage you, on a visit to an Iowa museum.

2012-01-30T10:54:00.000-06:00

At the Figge Art Museum, with its expansive views of Davenport’s Mississippi riverfront, art fans will find an outstanding collection of Haitian art, given new prominence two years after the region’s devastating earthquake. The Figge’s other current exhibits feature a WPA artist, and children’s book illustrations.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs celebrates 150 years of the Union Pacific Railroad in 2012. One collection of note is the Abraham Lincoln Collection, encompassing artifacts from the 16th president’s life and death. The nearby historic home of Civil War general Grenville Dodge, a railroad builder, is open for tours.

For the past 50 years, the life and accomplishments of Herbert Hoover have been documented and celebrated at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, Museum, and Historic Site in West Branch, Hoover’s birthplace and boyhood home. Temporary exhibits relating to American history are always on display – currently you can learn about the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America. Lou Henry Hoover, wife of the president, served as president of the national organization twice.

The campus of Iowa State University in Ames offers rich cultural experiences. The Brunnier Art Museum is known for a notable collection of decorative arts such as ceramics, glass, dolls, ivory, jade, and enameled metals. The Christian Petersen Art Museum is named for the resident sculptor who founded the Art on Campus collection. The Farm House is a National Historic Site. And don’t miss Reiman Gardens, a living museum of plants and flowers with a dramatic glass butterfly wing housing hundreds of free-flying butterflies.

Find all of Iowa’s art and history museums online at traveliowa.com or in the Iowa Travel Guide. Order your free copy today or browse the pages of the digital guide.

Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office

Escape the indoors and enjoy a healthy dose of fresh air – Iowa’s outdoor options await.

2012-01-27T08:33:00.000-06:00

Have you resolved to be more active in 2012? Get outside and get moving at one of Iowa’s ski areas, parks, or multi-use trails. Seek solitude on a snowshoe trail through the woods. Warm up with a group of friends at fun winter festival. Planned or spontaneous, a day in the Iowa outdoors will invigorate you.

Seven Oaks Recreation, near Boone in Central Iowa, offers winter activities for all ages and abilities, including skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. With 11 runs, even beginners can learn quickly. The Lodge at Seven Oaks provides an indoor view of the slopes while you enjoy food and drink.

Sleepy Hollow, Des Moines' only ski resort, offers skiing and snowboarding, along with multiple lanes for tubing. It’s a great urban escape for the whole family, and a top choice for group outings.

From Sundown Mountain Resort’s two lodges, skiers can pause to take in quite a view - 100 square miles of scenery. With one of the highest lifts in the midwest, Sundown Mountain has long been a destination for winter adventurers from three states.

No special equipment is needed to wander Iowa’s trails and hiking paths. Most of Iowa’s state parks have multi-use trails that are available for cross-country skiing when there’s snow, or hiking when there isn’t. For example, Brushy Creek State Recreation Area near Fort Dodge in north central Iowa offers 50 miles of trails! Pikes Peak near McGregor offers three miles of ski trails and many more miles of hiking trails, with spectacular views of the Mississippi River valley.

The Iowa Natural Heritage foundation’s comprehensive guide to Iowa’s trails can point you in the right direction for longer trails. Iowa’s county park system is extensive, offering all types of outdoor recreation in all corners of the state.

Plan the perfect winter getaway at Honey Creek Resort State Park on Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa. Choose an upscale cottage, or stay in the main lodge – special packages are always available. Families will love the indoor waterpark, while couples and friends will appreciate the fine dining and the opportunity to schedule spa services. Miles of trails wind through the woods along the lake.

Here’s one resolution that’s easy to keep –explore more of Iowa’s destinations and attractions with family and friends this year. Your first step is to visit http://www.traveliowa.com/ for a look at everything Iowa has to offer. Flip through the pages of our digital Travel Guide or order your own free copy.

Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office

Winter Fun at Hitchcock Nature Center

2012-01-10T10:28:00.000-06:00

It will be a weekend of winter fun at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek on January 21-22.

First, strap on some snowshoes and trek through the beautiful Loess Hills during a guided snowshoe hike on Saturday, January 21. Hikes will take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required by Friday, January 13, as space is limited. These workshops are designed for participants 12 years of age and older.

Cost is $5 per person and includes a guided hike, refreshments and the use of snowshoes. Call 712.242.1197 to pre-register for either session. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge. Weather permitting.

Bring the little ones on Sunday, January 22, at 1:30 p.m. to learn all about nature in the winter during the KinderNature program "Animals in Winter." Children will find out how their favorite animals keep warm in the rugged winter weather. Outdoor time if weather permits.

KinderNature Preschool Programs are designed for children ages 3-5 years old accompanied by an adult. These unique programs are full of hands-on learning and outdoor activities that encourage curious minds to explore and engage with the natural world. Each program explores a new and unique nature theme, and includes stories, crafts and outdoor exploration. Programs are held each month and last an hour. Cost: $4 per child. Weather permitting.

Information supplied by Erin Kenney, Pottawattamie County Conservation

Four new sites added to Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area

2012-01-06T08:20:00.049-06:00

Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) is proud to welcome four new Partner Sites. There are now 110 Partner Sites designated to interpret and preserve its own unique part of America’s agricultural story.

New Partner Sites:

Miss Effie’s Country Flowers & Garden Stuff, Donahue. This U-Pick flower farm encourages guests to relax and enjoy the beautiful Grant Wood Landscapes in the shade of an 1892 Classic L Victorian Farmhouse. Chickens and ducks follow you as you select and create a beautiful bouquet from a variety of 90 different flowers.

Tyden Farm No.6, Dougherty. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this farmstead was originally owned by Emil Tyden, a Swedish immigrant and mechanical genius (he held 200 patents in his lifetime). The sixth of eight farms, Tyden No.6 was developed from 1915 to 1939 and is still in use today by the Pitzenberger family. No.6 features a massive 40’x140’ barn and a 26,000-bu concrete-block corncrib, both an unheard of size at that time.

Dysart Historical Center, Dysart. The center features a historical building, a one-room rural school and a new agricultural museum and interpretive center. Through Dysart’s inspiring stories, experience Iowa’s rich agricultural heritage and culture.

Johnson County Historical Society Museum, Coralville. The exhibits and interactive displays show how the land, people, transportation and business including agriculture evolved to create today's Johnson County community. The museum's newest permanent exhibit "A Home on the Farm" explores the changes in the lives of Johnson County farm families from 1930-1990.

Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. The Heritage Area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of Iowa. I-80 borders it on the south and I-35 borders it on the west. Through a network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA interprets past and present farm life, agribusiness, and rural communities.

Aaron Steinmann, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area

Cabin Fever Series at Living History Farms

2012-01-05T10:20:00.002-06:00

Celebrate Iowa's rich culinary bounty with unique monthly tastings in the Living History Farms' Visitor Center. Gather your friends and explore local food and beverage specialties, and talk with winemakers, micro-brewers, artisan bakers, and more in a casual open house atmosphere.

Farms Uncorked - Saturday, January 14, 3 - 6 p.m.
Come sample the best of native Iowa wines, cheeses, and Gelato from Chocolaterie Stam. Enjoy appetizers crafted from La Quercia pork products by local chefs, including Mojo's on 86th. Local experts will present mini-sessions with wine-related topics. Shop the Marketplace Gift Store for your favorite wine. Other generous partners include: Cabot Creamery, Covered Bridges Winery, Jasper Winery, La Mie, Penoach Vineyard, Prairie Moon, Two Saints Winery, Vines and Wines, and Snus Hill Wineries.

NEW! Spirits and Sweets - Saturday, February 11, 3 - 6 p.m.
Dare to pair one of a kind mini-tini's mixed by Iowa artisan distillers with bite sized sweets created by local bakeries. Visit with distillers about the process of making spirits with Iowa corn. The event also features an olive bar by Gateway Market. Many thanks to our partners: Cedar Ridge Distillery, Crème Cupcakes, El Patio, Mississippi River Distilling Company, Sweet Binney's, and Templeton Rye.

Beer n' Bread - Saturday, March 10, 3 - 6 p.m.
Sample Iowa micro-brewed beers along with fresh artisan breads and other goodies including fine Cabot cheese. Come learn how to make craft brew in your home from the experts at Beer Crazy. Over 20 different beers will be on tap, along with breads from La Mie, South Union bakery and The Beer Bread Company. Back Pocket Brewing will attend for the first time, with several favorites returning such as Court Avenue, Peace Tree, Madhouse, Millstream and Raccoon River Breweries.

Tickets are $18 per event for Living History Farms (LHF) members, $20 for non-members. New this year - Enjoy all three with a series pass for only $48/LHF members; $52 guest. All tickets are sold in advance by visiting http://www.livinghistoryfarms.org/. If space is available, tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information call 515.278.5386 ext. 171 or email events@lhf.org You must be 21 or older to attend, and non-alcoholic beverages are available.

Proceeds from these fundraising events benefit education programs at Living History Farms, a non-profit, historical, educational museum which serves over 30,000 Iowa school children annually.

Jennie Deerr, Living History Farms

Bald Eagle Watch Events

2012-01-04T10:36:00.013-06:00

January 7
Clinton Bald Eagle Watch
• Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 13, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Live Bird and Nature Programs at Clinton Community College, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Exhibits at Clinton Community College from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Free bus service from college to the outdoor viewing area.
• For more information call 815.259.3628

January 14
Ottumwa Eagle Walk
• Outdoor viewing at Bridge View Center 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Contact Chamber of Commerce 641.682.3465

January 21
Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch
• Outdoor viewing, south of Lock and Dam 11 at A.Y. McDonald Park from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Live eagle and bird of prey programs by the University of Minnesota Raptor Center at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Live bobcat and lynx program by Pella Wildlife Co.
• Indoor exhibits from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Grand River Center - Port of Dubuque
• Trolley rides from Grand River Center to outdoor viewing area
• For more information call 563.556.4372 or 563.582.0881

January 21 - 22
Keokuk Bald Eagle Days
• Indoor programs and environmental fair at the River City Mall, Keokuk
• Live eagle programs Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Outdoor viewing along the riverfront
• For more information call 800.383.1219

January 28
Muscatine Bald Eagle Watch
• Outdoor viewing from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Illinois Boat Club
• Live eagle programs at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Pearl City Station
• For more information call 563.263.7913

February 24
Des Moines Lunch with Eagles
• Scott St. Dam, 303 Scott Ave., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Outdoor viewing in downtown Des Moines
• For more information call 515.865.6564

February 26
Saylorville Bald Eagle Watch, Polk City
• Outdoor Viewing at selected sites around reservoir, start at Visitor’s Center Noon - 4 p.m.
• For more information call 515.276.4656

March 2-3
Red Rock Bald Eagle Watch, Pella
• Outdoor viewing at Howell Station 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Indoor programs at Pella Central College 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• For more information call 641.828.7522

March 3
Linn Grove Eagle Watch
• Registration 8:30 - 10 a.m.
• Refreshments served in the morning
• Can pre-register by sending to Wonders of Nature, 107 Weaver, Linn Grove
• Speakers from 10 a.m. to Noon
• Lunch served at 12:15 p.m., free will offering
• Outdoor viewing at selected sites, start at Nature Center, Linn Grove Main St.
• For more information call 712.296.4920

Information provided by Pat Schlarbaum, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Surprises from 2011

2012-01-03T09:19:00.015-06:00

So I didn’t make it to every place I wanted to go in 2011. It happens. But I did find myself in some places that I didn’t know I wanted to go, but now would highly recommend.

Topping my list is Goodies Homemade Candies in Okoboji. I have been by it a number of times, but on my last trip popped in to buy someone a quick thank you gift. Perhaps it was my hungry tummy that made me fall in love with this candy shop, but the smells and sights of a room full of treats has left me with sweet memories and plans to stop there every time I’m in the great lakes area.

On a visit to Bettendorf, I landed at the Isle Casino Hotel. This is a beautiful facility with great space to see a show, play the slots or a table game or just crash for the night. I was very impressed by the beautiful décor and great amenities.

A breakfast meeting landed me in Newton at Shay’s Tea Room. I am by no means a connoisseur of tea rooms, but if they are all like this one, I can see why people enjoying going. Located at the historic Hunter Mansion, Shay’s offers delicious food and great shopping. It would be a perfect place for a girl’s day.

I could go on, but I’ll save them for other blogs. What places did you wander into as an acquaintance and left as a fan?Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Ring in the New Year with a hike in an Iowa State Park

2011-12-30T10:09:00.009-06:00

Photo courtesy of Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1, 2012, at a state park.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has events planned at Walnut Woods, near Des Moines, Dolliver in Webster County and Mines of Spain near Dubuque. Participants should dress for the weather and may want to bring binoculars, a camera and a water bottle. Contact the park for more details.

Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, with views and vistas unimpeded by foliage. Watch for bald eagles overhead, and keep an eye out for deer sightings, wild turkey, squirrels and numerous songbirds.

Walnut Woods will host a two- to three-mile hike, with shorter options available. Hikers will travel through popular birding areas in the Raccoon River valley. Participants should meet at the lodge at 9 a.m. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash. Snowshoers or skiers are welcome, if the conditions allow. Hot chocolate will be provided following the hike.

Dolliver will host a half-mile hike beginning at 1 p.m. Scenic views of the Des Moines River and its sandstone bluffs can be expected. Participants should meet at the south lodge.

The hike at the Mines of Spain begins at 1 p.m. from the E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center. Participants should plan to arrive one-half hour early to register and may have the chance to see Iowa’s largest woodpecker―the pileated―standing almost 12 inches tall. Cocoa, coffee and refreshments will be available for all participants. The centers exhibits and displays will be open for viewing.

Kevin Szcodronski, Iowa Depatment of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau

Free admission to Fairy Tale Christmas

2011-12-22T11:46:00.006-06:00

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum is offering free admission to the Christmas exhibit, A Fairy Tale Christmas, beginning Monday, December 26, thru Monday, January 2, 2011. (The Museum is closed on January 1.) Twenty trees have been decorated to represent different fairy tales.

Photo courtesy of Herbert Hoover
Presidential Museum

Come see the enchanted castle and experience the magical power of dragons and unicorns. Learn the real tale of how the Grand Canyon was made. Discover why you can hear a duck quacking in the belly of a wolf and how Pecos Bill lassoed a tornado. All your favorite fairy tales are awaiting your arrival and are eager to reconnect with you. You'll even be able to sit down with a story or read to your children in the fairy tale reading area.

Photo courtesy of Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum

Some of the trees featured this year will include: The Gingerbread Boy, The Little Mermaid, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Nutcracker, Pinocchio and The Jungle Book. Each tree is decorated with ornaments that reflect the characters and events of the fairy tale.

The Hoover Museum is located just off I-80 at Exit 254 in West Branch, museum hours are from 9-5 daily, closed Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information call 319.643.5301 or visit the website at http://www.hoover.archives.gov/.

Janlyn Slach, Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum

Take the "Bah, humbug" out of holiday shopping

2011-12-21T10:21:00.018-06:00

Back when I was just dating my now husband, I learned during our first December together just how much he hates to shop. He began his Christmas shopping on December 23, became frustrated after less than an hour, and landed himself at the nearest watering hole for beer and nachos.

I took over the shopping reigns that year and have been blissfully shopping alone ever since. But now we have young kids who want to go with me. Where can we go, so I can shop and they can be entertained? Coral Ridge Mall.

Photo courtesy of Iowa Childrden's Museum

Located in Coralville, nestled right next to Iowa City, Coral Ridge Mall has it all and then some under one roof. I can shop at their 120 stores (yes, Target is one of them) and my husband can take our children to the Iowa Children’s Museum. There my family can have fun creating works of art, making a "pizza," planting a garden, or flying an airplane while I power shop.

Photo courtesy of Coral Ridge Mall

We can meet for lunch in the large food court and I can take the kids on the old fashioned carousel. The mall also has an NHL-regulation-sized ice arena. And, if they still need something to do, they have a 10-screen movie theater. When we are all done, we can relax at one of the many restaurants before heading home, or maybe stay the night in one of the many area hotels.

With the right location, the holidays can be merry and bright. Happy shopping!

What's your favorite holiday shopping tip?

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Holiday Model Trains at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum

2011-12-20T14:45:00.000-06:00

The annual holiday model train display at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum was unveiled last Saturday. This year’s display features an “O” gauge layout by the Nebraska-Iowa Railroaders Omaha Modular Trains group.

The trains will be available for viewing December 20-23, and December 27-31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On December 31, the museum will also be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., which will be the last chance to see the model trains.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum, at 200 Pearl St. in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday. For more information visit http://www.uprrmuseum.org/ or call 712.329.8307.

Abby Cape, Union Pacific Railroad Museum

Cousin Eddie coming to Thanksgiving?

2011-11-22T14:16:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite conversations from the movie Christmas Vacation is when Clark asks Cousin Eddie, “Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?” Eddie is, of course, oblivious, and answers, “Naw, I'm doing just fine, Clark.”

That image of Eddie, happily sipping eggnog from moose-shaped mug and wearing a white sweater and brown dickie, brings a smile to my face every time I think about it.

And, be honest, which of us hasn’t wanted some relief when our homes are overrun with out-of-town guests during the holidays?

According to AAA’s Travel Tracker, more than 42.5 million people plan to travel in the United States this Thanksgiving holiday to visit family and friends, the highest number since the start of the recession. AAA said that four percent more Americans than last year will journey at least 50 miles from home, with about 90 percent of them driving. That’s a lot of houseguests and a lot of weary hosts and hostesses!

If you’re like Clark Griswold and are looking for a way to get your dear loved ones out of your house for a bit, you’re in luck! Events and festivals are happening around the state throughout the long Thanksgiving holiday. Encourage your friends and family members to check out Iowa during their visit. They’ll make a memory to last a lifetime, and it just may give you an opportunity to take a nap.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism Office

Thanksgiving weekend events in Iowa:

(For a more complete list, visit http://www.traveliowa.com/)

Nov 25: Black Market Friday, Des Moines

Nov. 25: Parade of Lights, Fort Madison

Nov 25 - Nov 26: Thanksgiving Candlelight Tour at Ushers Ferry Historic Village, Cedar Rapids

Nov 25 - Nov 27: Julefest, Elk Horn

Nov 25 - Nov 27: Holiday Celebration, Red Oak

Nov 26: Ozark Jubilee: Legends of Country Music, Fairfield

Nov 27: Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra featuring Rockapella, Iowa City

Rescued Eagle Now Flying High

2011-11-21T09:25:00.003-06:00

One bald eagle is flying high after its release back into the wild at Hitchcock Nature Center’s Eagle Migration Event held November 13.

The juvenile bald eagle was found by Kent Hodges and Dan Townsend while on flood patrol at Mosquito Creek. The two men called Raptor Recovery Nebraska after finding the injured bird. Raptor Recovery was able to rehabilitate the animal and set it free at the event with the help of Hodges and Townsend. “It was neat to see it fly away after seeing it so weak,” said Hodges of helping release the young eagle.

Along with the bald eagle, two red tailed hawks were released, one wild and one rehabilitated. The event brought out 120 visitors that helped spot 50 bald eagles migrating south that day. The event included live raptor demonstrations, activities for children, programs and refreshments.

The Hitchcock Nature Center located in Honey Creek is one of the top five HawkWatches in the world for viewing migrating bald eagles.

Erin Kenney, Pottawattamie County Conservation

Extreme Way to See Living History Farms

2011-11-17T10:33:00.007-06:00

A couple of years ago I paid money to run seven muddy miles, wade through creeks and climb my way up steep hills. It was some of the best money I’ve ever spent. In fact, if I had been more in tune with the calendar, I would be doing it again this Saturday at Living History Farms in Urbandale. Each November Fitness Sports, an athletic store in the Des Moines area, puts on this ultimate cross country race for over 7,000 eager and crazy runners. Many of them dress in costume, although that’s not required.

The race takes you through the rough, unexpected wilderness of the Living History Farms property. It gives you just a glimpse of the various farms that make up this unique living museum as you run past in a sea of other participants. The run takes you through grassy prairie areas, down muddy hills, into water that sometimes you can jump over and sometimes you have to wade through, then makes runners find a rope to pull themselves up a muddy hill and continue to run. Sure it’s a test of endurance, but it’s also fun as your competitors help you up those hills and encourage you to keep going.

Check out the Des Moines Register's photos from last year's event. Or watch runners cross one of the creeks in this video.

Next year you’ll find me out there with the other crazy runners. Want to join me?

Coleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Locked out in Cedar Falls

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

I was on the second floor of the Black Hawk Motor Lodge in Cedar Falls surrounded by my luggage and the cold, dark night. My key wouldn’t work. I tried again; it still didn’t work. Weird, since I’d been in the room earlier and unloaded some luggage. I called the night clerk on my cell phone – she came right over and she couldn’t get the door open with my key or the master key.

With several athletic tournaments going on in town and fully booked hotels. I was having visions of sleeping in my van. (And a little bummed because I was really looking forward to staying in this room – an updated Motor Lodge room in “mod” decor, complete with the hotel’s amenities.)

Then the night clerk paused and asked the magical question, “We have one room left, the bridal suite – how would you like that?” Before I was even able to say, “I do,” she grabbed my luggage and I followed her across the parking lot to the third floor of the BlackHawk Hotel.

Luxury, pure luxury. I love historic hotels.

I just had to wait for my daughter Caitlyn to arrive from Wartburg College and for maintenance to secure my luggage from the Motor Lodge room. Meanwhile, I made myself a cup of Starbucks coffee, relaxed in a wingback chair and relished in the comfort of the suite.

Both my daughter and luggage arrived within the hour. Then Caitlyn immediately disappeared into the bathroom to soak in the Jacuzzi tub. When she reappeared, we snuggled into the plush bedding, watched tv and chatted until exhaustion set in.

The BlackHawk Hotel, like most historic hotels, has its very own stories and distinctive character. From the real brass keys I received at the check in (complete with a secret code to on the brass tag to identify your room number) to the genuine antique furniture with a patina that is just simply cozy and warm. And fun fact, it is the oldest continuously-operating hotel site in Iowa. The stay was the total escape that we both needed and the customer service was an A+.

The next morning a hot breakfast was just a few steps away, through the lobby, into the Sushi Bar & Deli. We took our time, sipped our coffee and planned our shopping excursion for downtown Cedar Falls.

After checking out of the hotel, we meandered up and down Main Street and seriously began our Christmas shopping. We were enticed by the great variety of specialty shops: kitchen supplies, bulk baking supplies, free trade, home decor, yarn and lots more. The shopping excursion had a perfect ending, individual cupcakes from Scratch Cupcakery, their line of customers curled out of the store and onto the sidewalk; it was worth the short wait in a long line.

Looking for a great retreat? Call and book a room or suite at the The BlackHawk Hotel or Motor Lodge. Yes, you’ll need to call and talk to a real person. 1.800.488.HAWK (4295). Let your experience begin.

LuAnn Reinders, Iowa Tourism Office

P.S. Don’t worry about getting locked out – the locks were fixed the next day.

Relax...You're in Van Buren County

2011-10-06T13:41:00.000-05:00

It had been a while since I had been in beautiful Van Buren County in southeast Iowa. And then it was only to pass through. I was young then and the beautiful scenery wasn't nearly as exciting to me as what awaited in the large city to the south.

Flash forward a few years and the beauty of Van Buren County was not lost on me. I breathed in the scents of a season changing, a crispness in the air and crops ready for harvest. While some fields showed the technology of progress others reminded me that a slower way of life may be just as rewarding.

The acclaimed “Villages of Van Buren,” 11 historical communities tucked in the corner of Iowa, have no stop lights and no fast food restaurants. What they do have is something much more difficult to find in our world of cities that never sleep and 24-hour shopping. Here you'll find peace.

It's not the $400 spa treatment kind of peace, or the private tropical island kind of peace, but a peace that seems to come from within the moment you enter the county. It's the knowledge that nothing in the Villages is pressing, that things come at their own pace and experiences are just waiting for you to sit and notice them.

I spent my afternoon driving, rather aimlessly, through Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, stopping when the mood struck. The sight of half a dozen wild turkeys along the roadside had me turning around to attempt to snap a photo. A fat momma raccoon and her roly-poly offspring benefited from my nature gazing as I was going slow enough to stop and allow them to amble across the road in front of me. A gorgeous A-frame cabin at the edge of the park had me mentally planning a family getaway.

When I could no longer ignore my stomach I drove into Keosauqua and caught sight of a cafe called Village Cup and Cakes. Not one to turn away from tasty baked goods I parked right outside. As it was mid-afternoon the cafe was quiet. The owner both took my order and made it. He has a way with a Reuben. I also indulged in a delightful red velvet cupcake. And I took my time savoring both. The Villages have a way of making you slow down.

I spent the night at the Bonaparte Inn. Before being lovingly and splendidly restored the inn was home to the Meeks Pants Factory and the Fairfield Glove Company. While the polished plank floors and the brick walls reminded me that the building was once a factory, my spacious room was understated elegance with a high ceiling, antique furnishings and king size bed. The flat screen TV and free wi-fi were the only 21st century trappings and I fell asleep in a quiet I hadn't experienced in far too long.

As I was the only guest that evening I wasn't sure what to expect on the breakfast buffet- but it wasn't the feast I encountered. The long buffet table held hot offerings including scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage and French Toast. Fresh fruits and pastries waited for my attentions on another table, while juice, coffee and tea were available on a third. As I enjoyed my bountiful breakfast my thoughts were interrupted by the noisiest contraption I'd heard that morning... an Amish horse and buggy clip-clopping along the pavement.

I had only a few hours before needing to head for home and there were a few stops that I wanted to make. Down the road in Bentonsport the oldest truss span bridge spanning the Des Moines River is now a scenic pedestrian walkway. Directly across from it is the Mason House Inn, the oldest steamboat hotel on the river. Flood levels are marked on the side of the building. The flood of 1903 was the worst, but it was the flood of 1851 that caused a boat to strike the building.

The village of Cantril is home to the Dutchman's Store, a Mennonite owned general store. Cars filled the street outside the store, license plates from Texas and Virginia mixing with those from Iowa and Missouri. Under the trees behind the store Amish buggies waited in the shade. I've been told the Dutchman's Store is a pilgrimage of sorts; you will find anything and everything here. Fabrics by the yard, food in bulk, meat grinders, ice cream freezers and local cheese, meat and produce. It beats Super Walmart any day.

The final place I stopped was the Milton Creamery. Using milk sourced from local Amish farms, the artisan cheeses produced here are among the best in the world- and they have the trophies to prove it. Samples of the Prairie Breeze Cheese and the squeaky curds had me pulling out my wallet to take a taste of the Villages home to my family.

While I had hoped to return for the upcoming Scenic Drive Festival a family wedding prohibits that. I've got my sights set on Christmas in the Villages in December. I can't wait to relax with my family and share the peace I found in the Villages of Van Buren.

Jody Halsted, Family Rambling

Forget the GPS

2011-10-05T15:13:00.001-05:00

Follow the signs to fall adventure along Iowa's scenic byways and historic routes.

From Mississippi River bluffs and valleys to the prairie slopes of the Loess Hills, Iowa’s scenic byways lead you to a spectrum of fall colors and seasonal attractions.

Iowa’s fall colors are subtle in some areas, dramatic in others; they beckon you to take along a camera and take home some memories. Iowa has more than a dozen scenic and historic routes to give your autumn getaway some direction.

Eastern Iowa’s Great River Road along the Mississippi is one of the best known. Take a few days and drive the whole route, or take a few hours and explore a few miles.

Follow the Historic Hills byway to the Villages of Van Buren just in time for their Scenic Drive Festival.

The Western Skies Scenic Byway crosses expansive rolling hills and connects to the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway – get directions and information at the Harrison County Historical Village and Welcome Center.

Aficionados of American automobiling will take time to retrace part or all of the historic Lincoln Highway, the nation’s first transcontinental highway.

Whichever byway you choose, expect to find interesting local attractions and dining, small-town friendliness, and an engaging alternative to the four-lane fast lane.

Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office

Vote for your favorite 2012 Iowa Travel Guide cover candidate!

2011-09-19T10:51:00.000-05:00

Iowa is the starting point for presidential candidates who are already busy at work vying for votes at the fast-approaching Iowa Caucuses.

But before that, Iowans (and people from around the world!), can cast their vote in an equally important race.

Beginning today Facebook users can vote for the cover of the 2012 Iowa Travel Guide! By simply “liking” Travel Iowa on Facebook, people will see three Iowa Travel Guide cover choices. One cover showcases canoeing on the Cedar River in Linn County. Another spotlights the High Trestle Trail Bridge near Madrid. A third option features Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Okoboji, the Orange City Tulip Festival, Lost Island Adventure Park in Waterloo, a Mississippi River sunrise, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, WhiteWater at Riverfront Park in Charles City and the Iowa Speedway in Newton.

This summer, the Iowa Tourism Office asked for suggestions via Facebook of destinations to feature on the cover of the travel guide. The response was tremendous, so we took the idea one step further and decided to give the public a chance to actually choose their favorite cover design.

Voting concludes at midnight on October 18. The winning design will be announced the next day during the Iowa Tourism Conference. (Register to attend!) Facebook fans can vote as often as they’d like and can pre-order the 2012 guide for delivery in January. It is available free of charge.

The four-color, 184-page guide is Iowa’s comprehensive trip-planning publication, with listings from more than 700 attractions, 750 hotels, 220 bed and breakfasts and 350 campgrounds. The Iowa Tourism Office will print 150,000 travel guides in 2012. To date in 2011, more than 11,000 people have viewed the travel guide online.

Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism Office

AGCO at the National Farm Toy Museum

2011-09-06T07:43:00.005-05:00

The National Farm Toy Museum’s newest display, AGCO: The Evolution of A Company, highlights the historical brands of the AGCO Company from early machines of the past to today’s latest and greatest – all in detailed miniature.

One feature of the display not to be missed is the Allis-Chalmers All-Crop Combine Factory diorama. Handcrafted by Ev and Myra Weber in fascinating detail, this diorama depicts the creation of the popular AC All-Crop Harvester. Taking over an estimated 4,000 hours to create, this diorama preserves the rich history of what is now AGCO.

Among the many colorful brands included in the display are, Allis-Chalmers, Cockshutt, Oliver, Minneapolis-Moline, White, Challenger, Massey Ferguson, and of course AGCO. Also on display, a full scale Allis-Chalmers “G,” company timeline, and a multitude of fascinating agricultural collectibles on display.

The National Farm Toy Museum is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Amanda Schwartz, National Farm Toy Museum

Play ball!

2011-09-01T10:39:00.014-05:00

Truth be told, I'm not a huge baseball fan. I don't mark opening day on my calendar. I don't get caught up in the standings. But every once in a while, I do like to visit a ballpark and take in a game. On a recent family getaway to Burlington, I was able to do just that.

The main focus of our trip to Burlington was Fun City and its waterpark, go karts, arcade and bowling alley (but that's another post!). However, just about a block away from the Fun CIty complex is Community Field, home to the Burlington Bees, a Class A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.

We timed our trip so we could take in a Sunday afternoon game. Admission is very affordable (the most expensive seats were $8) and parking was free. We opted for general admission seats ($6 for adults; $4 for children) because the ticket seller suggested those would be the shadiest. It happened to be kids' day, so our kids both got in free. Bonus!

The kids enjoyed bouncing around in the inflatable jump house prior to the game. (I enjoyed that it was free. And that they were burning off energy before sitting for the game.) Concessions were reasonably priced. We had two malt cups and two ice cream treats for about $12.

The majority of the stadium is general admission so we had no trouble finding seats. The weather was nearly perfect, hot, but not real humid. The bleachers were largely shaded, and when a breeze kicked through...divine.

As with most minor league ballparks, there were promotions held throughout the game. At one point the announcer encouraged kids to head to one particular section at the end of an innning. The kids were treated to a cool down courtesy of a water hose. My kids came back drenched, but thrilled.

We rooted hard for the home team, but they lost to the Clinton Lumberkings. (Hey, at least an Iowa team won!) After the game, kids were allowed to run the bases and get autographs from a few players.

Have you been to a minor league baseball game in Iowa? Let me know in the comments.

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

I-80 Wine Trail tempts travelers to sample Iowa wines

2011-08-30T08:07:00.004-05:00

A new wine country, emerging amongst the rolling hills of corn and soybeans in Iowa, is tempting cross country travelers to exit the Interstate and sample the new fruits of the land – Iowa grown and made wine!

The Iowa (and Midwestern) wine industry is growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. Many wineries have banded together to help tourists identify local wineries by creating wine trails. However, cross-country travelers have had difficulties finding conveniently located wineries near I-80. The I-80 Wine Trail was developed in response to this tourism need.

A colorful and informative I-80 Wine Trail brochure, including a map, winery contact information and exit number, is available at all State of Iowa Interstate Welcome Centers. Visitors planning a trip through Iowa via I-80 are encouraged to visit http://www.i80winetrail.com/ to plan ahead.

Current members of the Iowa I-80 Wine Trail, include (from east to west):

• Brick Arch Winery (West Branch)

• Fireside Winery (Williamsburg)

• Jasper Winery (Des Moines)

• Penoach Vineyard and Winery (Adel)

• Dale Valley Vineyard and Winery (Stuart)

• Danish Countryside Vines & Wines (Exira)

• Breezy Hills Winery (Minden)

Down the road, organizers of the I-80 Wine Trail envision working with other I-80 connected states and adding them to the trail, until ultimately, tourists traveling coast-to-coast can visit I-80 Wine Trail wineries from New York to California.

Cassie Bott, Fireside Winery

Love Grant Wood? Then hurry to Dubuque!

2011-08-26T09:37:00.000-05:00

If you’re a Grant Wood fan, you won’t want to miss the God Bless America sculpture inspired by Wood’s famous American Gothic painting now on display outside the Dubuque Museum of Art.

Seward Johnson’s 25-foot sculpture has been on display in Chicago, among other cities. It’s nice to see it in Iowa, where it belongs. It seemed very out of place on Michigan Avenue.

The sculpture of the iconic American Gothic painting seem perfectly at home in Dubuque. But if you want to see it there, go soon. Its exhibition run ends Sept. 1.

Unlike many of the parodies of the famous painting, God Bless America does not attempt to satirize Wood’s art but rather enlarges and adds dimension to it. The sculpture shows the famous couple full-length with a large suitcase at their feet.

Inside the museum there’s a small but quite nice collection of Grant Wood paintings, some created in Europe prior to the adoption of his well-known American Regionalist style.

The Dubuque Museum of Art is located at 7th and Locust. Admission is free.

Carole Gieseke, Iowa Girl on the Go

Play MONOPOLY Iowa’s Way!

2011-08-11T09:06:00.008-05:00

You’ve got the chance to play MONOPOLY with an Iowa twist in our newest promotion!

At the end of July, our new MONOPOLY scratch game hit the streets and we kicked off our Iowa Lottery MONOPOLY – Great Iowa Getaway Promotion that offers you the chance to win vacation getaway packages to some of the coolest spots in the state.

Feel like visiting the Boardwalk? Well, they’ve got one at Honey Creek Resort State Park. Hoping to land on a railroad? There’s always the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. Feel like taking a chance? You can do it at Harrah’s Council Bluffs.

Get it? It’s MONOPOLY, Iowa style!

To enter the Great Iowa Getaway Promotion, you’ll need to be a member of our VIP Club. (And remember, it’s always free to be a VIP Club member.) Once you’ve joined, you can use nonwinning tickets in the MONOPOLY game to enter the promotion now through noon on Sept. 6.

We’ll hold the drawing on Sept. 7 to determine the winners of the Great Iowa Getaway Promotion.

Up for grabs are vacation getaway packages to:

•Honey Creek Resort State Park, near Moravia
•Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and Hilton Garden Inn, Ames
•The Inn at Okoboji, Okoboji
•King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort, Storm Lake
•The Historic Park Inn Hotel, Mason City
•Hotel Julien, Dubuque
•Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport
•Harrah’s, Council Bluffs

Have fun entering and good luck as you play MONOPOLY the Iowa way!

Mary Neubauer, Iowa Lottery

The MONOPOLY name and logo, the distinctive design of the game board, the four corner squares, the MR.MONOPOLY name and character, as well as each of the distinctive elements of the board and playing pieces are trademarks of Hasbro for its property trading game and game equipment. © 2011 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro. © 2011 Iowa Lottery. All Rights Reserved.

Quirky Sites and Stops

2011-08-09T08:00:00.007-05:00

Recently I had to travel from my home base in Des Moines to Okoboji in one day. This is a nearly four hour drive (one way) which, for restless me, is an eternity. As I mapped out my course I realized that this was a great opportunity for me to see a couple of quirky Iowa attractions that I hadn’t seen before, but had always wanted to.

On my way up to Okoboji I went through Sac County. Sac County was neat to drive through because many of the barns have barn quilts on them. A barn quilt is a large colorful wooden block, typically eight feet square. They are all different and its fun seeing them scattered throughout the countryside. The county seat is, of course, Sac City, and home of the World’s Largest Ball of Popcorn. Built in 2009, the popcorn ball is 5,000 pounds and stands more than 8 feet tall. It’s located on Highway 20 across from the Casey’s General Store. I was amazed at its size and am glad that I earned the bragging rights to say that I have seen the world’s largest popcorn ball.

CC Image courtesy of rocketjim54
on Flickr.

I took Highway 30 on my way back which is part of the Historic Lincoln Highway. The State of Iowa just put up new signage to help travelers follow this historic highway and travelers need the help. The Lincoln Highway was not designed like the highways and interstates we know today, it was a variety of paved, gravel and dirt roads only connected together by signage. Traveling on Highway 30, the highway would curve and the Lincoln Highway would go straight on a gravel road. I stayed on the paved road and stopped in Jefferson to check out the Mahanay Bell Tower. Those not afraid of heights will enjoy going up 14 stories to the 120-foot high observation deck. It offers amazing views of Jefferson and the surrounding countryside. It features 14 bronze bells that chime the time of day with concerts offered regularly.

What quirky things have you seen when you were on the road? Share them with me in the comments!

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Captivated by Jackson Pollock

2011-08-04T13:12:00.007-05:00

In the movie Mona Lisa Smile, Julia Roberts’ character, Katherine Ann Watson, challenged her Wellesley College students to pause front of a Jackson Pollock painting. She advised them to take their time and absorb the painting before making an opinion. They were startled by the request, but they did. By taking their time, they formulated an opinion far different than their initial reaction.

So on a recent trip my husband and I took to the Quad Cities to attend the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival (which exceeded expectations by the way), I was eager to go to the Figge Art Museum to see Jackson Pollock’s ‘Mural’ and do just that. (Flooding in Iowa City in 2008 led to the temporary relocation of the piece, normally on display at the University of Iowa Museum of Art, to the Figge.)

Tim and I seem to find ourselves in art museums when we travel, we separate and reconnect through the exhibits. We share our thoughts and get immersed in our own worlds as we wander through the sculptures, paintings and sometimes quirky exhibits.

Upon arriving at the Figge we wandered through a chair exhibit and finally found ourselves in front of Pollock’s ‘Mural.’ I made myself stop and take a deep breath, I stood dead center and scanned the painting. I walked back and forth, moved up closed and stood back. I was captivated.

The University of Iowa Museum of Art, Gift of Peggy Guggenheim, 1959.6

My opinion of Jackson Pollock’s ‘Mural’ will stay with me. I want you to formulate your own. So go. Breathe deep and take your time, your opinion may shift during the process.

LuAnn Reinders, Iowa Tourism Office

That's billion, with a "b"

2011-08-02T08:15:00.025-05:00

In a state without oceans, mountain ranges or a Disneyland theme park, it’s easy to question the impact of the travel industry in Iowa. Or, sometimes, people ask me whether a tourism industry exists in Iowa at all. Rest assured, it does. In fact, tourism is big business in Iowa, generating an estimated $6.1 billion in spending annually.

Two weeks ago I saw proof of tourism’s impact here when I visited two Iowa attractions - one very small and rather unknown destination and another attraction that is making a name for itself as one of Iowa’s true vacation gems.

Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop

First, I visited the Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop in the tiny town of Haverhill, just outside Marshalltown. A German immigrant, Edel was a renowned blacksmith who operated a small shop until 1940. Today the shop looks exactly as it did when Edel left it. It’s brimming with hand-made tools, thousands of horse shoes and other unique metalworks that Edel created as part of his business. Our tour guide told us that only about 200 people visit this attraction annually, but a quick glimpse through the visitor book surprised me. In just the first couple weeks of July, the Matthew Edel Blacksmith shop entertained guests from Michigan and Texas. Earlier in the summer, it welcomed a group from Germany who were interested in learning more about their native son who eventually settled in Iowa.

Lobby of Honey Creek Resort

During the weekend, nearly 20 members of my family enjoyed an evening at the Honey Creek Resort State Park near Moravia in south central Iowa. It was my third trip to this resort on the shores of Lake Rathbun, and each time I come here I’m amazed at the number of out-of-state visitors. One this visit, I saw cars in the parking lot from Nebraska, Oregon, Michigan, Arkansas and Alabama. The resort, cabins, restaurant and waterpark were buzzing with activity as families and friends gathered for a reunion or a quick weekend away.
Tourism is a huge economic engine across America, and no one can argue that Florida, California and New York are major destinations. But Iowa is home to our own diverse mix of attractions, events, natural resources, restaurants and lodging properties that on any given day delight visitors from around the region, nation and world.

Next time you’re traveling Iowa, I encourage you to check out the license plates in the parking lot or thumb through the guest book. I think you’ll be surprised with what you find.

Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism Office

“Nothing Compares” to the Iowa State Fair

2011-07-28T10:53:00.002-05:00

The Iowa State Fair is celebrating 100 years of the world-famous Butter Cow and offering new print-at-home admission tickets for Fairgoers, making the Fair a better-than-ever travel destination. The 2011 Fair is August 11-21.

Longtime Fair butter sculptor "Duffy" Lyon in 1961
with her second solo butter cow. Lyon,
affectionately known as “The Butter Cow Lady,”
passed away in June, but her memory
will be honored at this year’s Fair.

Since the Fair’s first butter sculpture in 1911, the Butter Cow has been a beloved Fair must-see for Iowans and Fairgoers from around the world. The Butter Cow is constructed from wood, metal, wire, steel mesh, and, of course, butter – six hundred pounds of low moisture, pure Iowa cream butter. That’s enough butter to cover 19,200 slices of your morning toast!

You won’t want to miss this buttery celebration, so check out these highlights to join the birthday fun:

• Opening Ceremonies
8:30 a.m. Aug. 11 – John Deere Agriculture Building

The Fair will kick off with a birthday salute to the Butter Cow. Join us for the grand unveiling of the Butter Cow and companion sculpture and savor some cake (for the first 1000 Fairgoers) at this birthday bash for an Iowa icon.

• KRNT “Butter” Cow Chip Throwing
11 a.m. Aug. 17 – Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall

Cow chip throwing is a popular tradition at the Fair. Watch this year as contestants fling yellow chips, a new twist in honor of the Butter Cow. Or pick up a chip yourself and join the fun! Registration begins 30-60 minutes prior to the contest.

• Battle of the Butter Sculpting brought to you by AMPI
4 p.m. daily – Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi

The search for the best butter sculptor is on! Watch teams compete to create a butter masterpiece from 55 lbs. of butter. Teams will have 30 minutes to sculpt their work of art before a winner is selected to be displayed next to the world famous Butter Cow.

Sarah Pratt, the Fair’s official
butter sculptor since 2006,
pictured with her first solo butter cow.

• Butter Cow Art
The Fairgrounds will be filled with art that pays tribute to the Butter Cow. Try to see all of the 60 concrete cows painted by Iowans to celebrate the Butter Cow, and don’t miss Butter Cow-inspired chainsaw carvings, sand sculptures, and flower beds. Be sure to check out the Fair’s first ever Together We CAN exhibit featuring a larger-than-life replica of the Butter Cow sculpted entirely from cans, located in the Varied Industries Building.

Check out our website for more info. Plan your day with our online daily schedule. Or check out the Grandstand and Free Stage lineups!

This year it’s easier than ever to visit the Butter Cow and the Fair with new print-at-home tickets. You can also buy your tickets at Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Drugstores, Fareway Stores, Dahl’s Food Stores and the State Fair Ticket Office. Advanced admission tickets are available at up to a 30% discount at $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-11. Children ages 5 and under are always admitted free.

Lisa Brus, Iowa State Fair

Life is Sweet in Le Mars

2011-07-21T09:58:00.036-05:00

Once in a while you visit a town that is so inviting you begin to imagine living there. The people are friendly and helpful. The shops are clean with outgoing staff. And the visitor's guide is packed with so many public activities, city parks and events that you wonder how anyone has time to work with all the fun taking place.

Le Mars is that town.

Ice Cream Capital of the World®

Here in the US people eat an average of six gallons of ice cream per year. And over 100 million of those gallons come from Wells Enterprises, maker of Blue Bunny. In 1994 the Iowa State Legislature designated Le Mars as the Ice Cream Capital of the World® because more ice cream is produced by a single company here than anywhere else in the world.

While you can't get an ice cream tour at the production facility, you'll find the next best- or possibly even better- thing at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor downtown. The Historic George E. Pew building was transformed into an ice cream parlor from yesteryear, complete with antique marble ice cream bar, soda fountain, and wooden booths. Choose your favorite treat- but bring an appetite; nothing here is small.

You may be jolted back to the 21st century if you choose a booth as some have interactive mounted displays which share the history of Wells and show how some of your favorite Blue Bunny treats are made. If your seats don't have a display you can visit one of the interactive kiosks just up the grand staircase. You'll also be able to see Blue Bunny and Wells packaging from days gone by- anyone remember Dr. Wells soda?

The third weekend in June brings the annual Ice Cream Days festival. From Wednesday to Saturday Le Mars celebrates the tasty treat that made it famous with daily ice cream socials, live music, the Ice Cream Cone-ival, a parade and other public events throughout the town. If your kids like parade treats this is the best we've experienced- Bomb Pops from Blue Bunny and chocolate milk from Land O Lakes Dairy (also located in Le Mars).

Man Can't Live on Ice Cream Alone

Though I would be willing to challenge that remark, we were directed to a couple of really great eateries in Le Mars.

The first was Bob's Drive In. Famous for their Tavern- the Eastern Iowa name for a loose meat sandwich, the locals we spoke to couldn't stop raving about the cheese curds. One girl said, “You have to try them... it's like they're made with love.” Others said we couldn't leave without trying a Bob Dog- a natural casing hot dog smothered in loose meat. Yum, on both counts.

If something a little less greasy sounds good don't miss Habitue Coffeehouse and Creperie. Lunch here is divine. Almost any sandwich can be served in a crepe and breakfast crepes are served all day. For picky eaters you can even get a plain meat/cheese/bread sandwich with chips. And the dessert case, filled with scrumptious cupcakes, will give the ice cream parlor a run for your dessert dollars.

Life is Sweet

This is the city slogan for Le Mars, and just a weekend there proved that to us.

Have you enjoyed the sweet life in Le Mars? Please share your favorite memories in the comments!

Jody Halsted, Family Rambling

A Step Back in Time in Kalona

2011-07-19T13:44:00.001-05:00

Iowa’s Washington County -- and the town of Kalona in particular -- are well worth exploring. The county boasts a fine collection of barn quilts, and the area is home to a large population of Amish and Mennonites, whose influence can be seen in an abundance of countryside businesses.

I started my recent visit in downtown Kalona (just south of Iowa City on Hwy. 1), with a late lunch at the Kalona Bakery. The menu is small – mostly sandwiches and pre-packaged salads – but I ate my fill for a mere $5.85, including a piece of pie. The bakery features take-out selections, noodles, baked goods, and more. Next door, the upscale Tuscan Moon Grill offered appetizers, salads, pasta, and entrees.

After lunch, I poked through two of the town’s many antiques shops: the Pink Begonia and English River Antiques – both charming, clean, and filled with affordable, good-quality antiques. I also visited the Kalona General Store, which has a little bit of everything, and the Village Shoppe – a great store for quilters.

I hesitated to spend too much time shopping downtown, because I wanted to get to the Kalona Historical Village, and it closes at 4 o’clock. For a $7 entry fee, you get a guided tour of the well-preserved historical village as well as entrance to the Quilt and Textile Museum, which is located in the Kalona Historical Village Welcome Center.

The buildings in the historical village all originated in this area of Iowa, but all have been moved their present location, starting with the relocation of the Rock Island Depot in 1969. Now, visitors can tour not just the depot but the Grout Church, built in 1867; the Victorian Wahl House, built in 1892; Richmond Post Office; Straw College, a one-room school house; a buggy barn; log house; loom house; Amish Country Store, and “grandpa house” (built in 1890 to provide retirement living for the Old Order Amish when the younger generation took over management of the farm). The tour guide takes you through the church, the house and its wash house, and through the Wahl Museum, which tells the story of life in early Kalona. The smaller buildings can be visited on your own.

Back inside the visitor center, I toured the two rooms of the quilt museum. One room features the “English” quilts – that is, quilts made by non-Amish – and the other room features the Amish quilts. A large collection of spool cabinets is displayed in each room.

By this time, the historical center was closing for the day, so I headed out of town. But first, two more stops: Stringtown Grocery and the Kalona Cheese Factory.

Stringtown Grocery is a fascinating place that offers fresh baked goods, produce, and an incredible array of bulk groceries and hard-to-find items. Some shoppers appeared to be purchasing enough large bags of flour and other grains to last through a coming apocalypse. (Perhaps they bake for a living?) It was indeed an eclectic mix of shoppers. An Amish man parked his horse-drawn carriage beside the store and loaded up on fresh vegetables and dairy items; a little girl in front of me bought penny candy. I was amazed at the variety of goods being offered in the tiny store: noodles and vegetable seeds and real vanilla extract; nuts, grains, baking supplies, and dried fruits packaged into bags and plastic containers with hand-written labels; local cheese and butter; and spices galore – all priced very reasonably. I must go back with a grocery list.

My next stop was the cheese factory on the northern edge of town. There you can watch cheese being made and buy local and other assorted cheeses in a small shop. It smells wonderful!

I saw a number of horse-drawn carriages during my visit to Kalona, and many of the local farms offer goods for sale. I saw signs for baked goods, fresh eggs, and garden supplies. You could easily spend the weekend just driving through the countryside. It’s a bit like stepping back in time — in a good way.

Carole Gieseke, Iowa Girl on the Go

Q & A: Just who is an Iowa traveler?

2011-06-28T13:28:00.003-05:00

LuAnn in our office loves research. No, I mean, she loves it. She's passionate about it. Which makes for some really good data in our office. Ever curious about just who travels Iowa, how long they stay and what they do while they're here? LuAnn knows and she's sharing...

Q. Who is an Iowa traveler?
A. The Iowa Tourism Office considers anyone traveling more than 50 miles in one direction a traveler. (So, yes, it is possible to be a traveler in your home state.) Those travelers spent more than $6.1 billion in Iowa during 2009.

Q. Who are the travelers planning a trip to Iowa?
A. Families traveling together are planning visits to Iowa with children under and over eighteen. For adults: adults traveling with other adults, families without children, retired travelers and individuals/friends.

Q. How old are they?
A. The average age of the trip planner is 50.7.

Q. Where do they come from?
A. Iowans account for 19% of the people planning a trip to Iowa. Travelers from our border states of Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin were 34% of the planners.

Q. What are their plans while traveling Iowa?
A. Nearly 80% are planning a vacation/leisure trip (68%) or a weekend getaway (11%). Only about 10% are traveling to visit their friends and family.

Q. Where are they planning to stay?
A. Nearly 70% will stay in a hotel/motel while in Iowa. Camping is also popular. Nearly 30% of the Iowans are planning day trip with no lodging involved.

Q. What are their interest areas?
A. High on their list to visit are historical areas, scenic byways, plus national and state parks. Low on their list is visiting friends and family (16%).

Q. Did they come?
A. Of those we surveyed, 91% took a trip, and averaged 2.6 trips to Iowa, staying an average of two nights.

Q. Bottom line, how much did they spend?
A. They spent an average of $457 per trip per travel party.

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

To learn more about Iowa's travelers and about the marketing research studies available from the Iowa Tourism Office, visit http://bit.ly/bPcoPp. You'll find summaries and full studies readily available.

Sources: Iowa Trip Planning 2010 Report; 2010 Marketing Follow-up Study and the 2009 Economic Impact of Travel on Iowa Counties.

Waterloo, Iowa: Small Town, BIG Impact

2011-06-23T08:42:00.013-05:00

Waterloo, Iowa is a fairly small town with BIG historical impact. Below are three important historical events that took place in Waterloo that would be interesting to everyone in Iowa.

Did you know?

1. The five famous Sullivan Brothers, who were killed in WWII, were born and raised in Waterloo.

2. Lou Henry Hoover, First Lady of the United States, was born in Waterloo. She, along with her husband, Herbert Hoover, are both Iowa natives!

3. Susan B. Anthony, Booker T. Washington, and William Jennings Bryan once spoke at the Chautauqua events held in Waterloo in the early 1900s

Are you aware of any historical events or highlights that took place in YOUR hometown? Tell us all about it in the comments section.

Brandon J. Brockway is the author of the new postcard history book, Waterloo (Arcadia Publishing, 2011), which tells the town’s tales through one-of-a-kind postcards from the late 1800s to the 1960s. For more information visit http://bit.ly/dZNDYR.

Enter code “TourIowa” for 20% off your purchase.

Genuine & Original: The Harrison County Historical Museum/Welcome Center/Loess Hills/Lincoln Highway

2011-06-21T13:30:00.000-05:00

With just one stop travelers can now experience the genuine Loess Hills, the original Lincoln Highway, the Harrison County Historical Museum, and make travel plans at an Iowa Welcome Center.

Iowa’s Loess Hills and the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental road, intersect at the Harrison County Historical Museum and Welcome Center near Missouri Valley. The intersection has spawned a very creative and fun interpretive center that is now open for visitors.

The journey begins with two short films on the Loess Hills and Lincoln Highway. Upon entering the outdoor exhibit area, travelers will be able to stretch their legs as they learn the stories of transportation and the hills.

Along the handicapped accessible sidewalks are interpretive storyboards about the Loess Hills and the Lincoln Highway. As the sidewalk continues there is a large map of the United States that illustrates the Lincoln Highway route.

Travelers can bring their coolers and enjoy a break in picnic shelters styled after the canopy gas stations and cabin courts routinely built along the Lincoln Highway.

Travelers can tell their kids to “go play in the street,” which is great fun for the kids (and adults!) in the Children’s Transportation Play Space. Everyone can actually run in the street (no cars allowed), play traffic, climb through the culvert, walk the miniature bridge, cruise by the Burma Shave signs and learn how far it is to San Francisco or New York City.

Located on a segment of the ORIGINAL Lincoln Highway is a highway surface demonstration exhibit that has sections of trail, dirt, rock, brick, asphalt and concrete. Each section is walkable and touchable and tells the story of highway development. Also on the grounds is an original Lincoln Highway post in its original location, which was probably installed by the local boy scouts.

Just a few steps up a Loess Hill is an observation deck overlooking multiple transportation corridors and visible from Highway 30. The five railings on the deck are made of pattern-cut reinforced steel with a “Lincoln” copper penny finish.

For walkers and hikers they are carving out a one mile lighted walking trail through 14 acres of re-established Loess Hills prairie. There will be interpretive signs along the way to tell the stories about the native prairie.

Even if you don’t need a break, take time on your next Western Iowa trip to visit this multi-faceted outdoor interpretive center. You’ll be glad you did.

LuAnn Reinders, Iowa Tourism Office

Good food and great antiques in Mt. Vernon, Iowa

2011-06-17T10:32:00.007-05:00

Mt. Vernon is a cultural and historic gem just east of Cedar Rapids. I spent a Saturday there in June, and the downtown area is a delightful mix of art studios, antiques shops, an organic food store, bars and restaurants. The town offers not one but three registered national historic districts: the downtown business area, a neighborhood of Victorian homes, and the entire campus of Cornell College.

It’s a thriving community that entices visitors with frequent festivals and events. Recent events have included a “Chalk the Walk” festival and a chocolate stroll. Next up is the annual 4th of July Antiques Extravaganza (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) featuring the Lincoln Highway Antiques Show and nine local antiques shops.

Polly Ann's Antiques

I can vouch for two of the antiques shops. Alice’s Wonderland offers great vintage finds as well as unique jewelry-making and scrapbooking supplies – not to mention several friendly cats. Down the street is Polly Ann’s Antiques, a shop filled with one adorable room after another. I could have spent hours in Polly Ann’s. I especially loved the frilly, Victorian-styled bedrooms, the bright vintage kitchen, and the many other themed rooms filled with fun, one-of-a-kind finds.

Mt. Vernon has several unique restaurants, but I recommend the Lincoln Café. The restaurant boasts “honest food” with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients. When I got there at about 1 p.m. every table was full. I nabbed the lone stool at the counter and ordered a salad made with pears, walnuts, and Maytag blue cheese tossed with fresh greens and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It could not have been more perfect. The walnuts were toasted to perfection, and each ingredient came in just the right amount. Everything tasted so fresh…when I was finished, I wanted to lick the plate.

I also ordered dessert, described by the waitress as “sea-salt pecan brownies with buttermilk ice cream, chocolate sauce, and toasted macadamia nuts.” Who could resist such a thing? The fudgy brownies were cut into tiny bite-sized pieces and covered with homemade ice cream. It was so rich that I couldn’t finish it all.

After lunch, I definitely needed a walk, so I spent some time on the campus of Cornell College. Set on a wooded, 129-acre hilltop, it’s a lovely place to stroll. Cornell was the first college campus to be listed entirely on the National Register of Historic Places. Its student population is small – about 1200 – and the college is known for its “one course at a time” approach. The school was founded in 1853, and many of the buildings are from that era.

Brightly painted Victorians and other well-loved historic homes with large trees and flower gardens fill the residential neighborhoods surrounding the campus and downtown area. It’s worth an hour just to drive – or walk – through the neighborhoods.

There’s more to see in Mt. Vernon and neighboring Lisbon, including a museum in each town, parks, art galleries, and specialty shops. Just west of Mt. Vernon is Palisades-Kepler State Park, which offers a stone lodge built in the 1930s, camping, cabins, trails, fishing, and picnic areas. And right next to the park entrance, don’t miss the barn painted with a reproduction of American Gothic (and other scenes). Painted by local artist Mark Benesh, it’s really quite impressive.

Carole Gieseke, Iowa Girl on the Go

Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market

2011-06-15T14:11:00.000-05:00

The Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market shouldn’t be written off as somewhere to only buy produce or just a place for locals. Market visitors can indulge in a wide selection of handmade and homegrown items fresh from the Iowa farms while they enjoy music plus the sights and sounds of one of the greatest farmers markets in the country.

For the last ten years I’ve been one of the thousands of regular visitors who stroll around the Historic Court Avenue District munching on delicious pastries and other prepared onsite goodies as I peruse the endless stock of fresh produce, flowers, plants, eggs, Iowa wines, cheeses, meats, baked goods, crafts…I could keep going, but I’ll let you be surprised on your visit.

The market is over 11 blocks and set up laid out like a giant # mark so wear your walking shoes. And you’ll want to visit every corner because no two vendors are alike. A variety of entertainers are set-up around the market to enjoy as well. When you need a rest there are plenty of benches and tables set-up, but they go fast. You can also pop in to one of the local restaurants for breakfast or lunch and enjoy a little people watching while you dine. Plenty of restaurants in the district offer patio seating which is perfect on a warm summer morning.

The market is open from 7 am to Noon every Saturday, rain or shine, from May to October. Get there early if you want to indulge in one of their famous breakfast burritos or breakfast pizza and be prepared for a line, but don’t worry, it moves pretty fast. The Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market is the perfect place to get together with friends, relax and enjoy summer in the city.

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Wine, beer and spirits of the Amana Colonies

2011-06-02T14:15:00.002-05:00

Iowa’s oldest distillery, Iowa’s oldest bonded winery, Iowa’s oldest brewery and a couple of Iowa’s new-style wineries have joined together for one tasty tour of locally made alcoholic beverages and food pairings.

The Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau will be offering this brand new culinary excursion starting this month. They do the driving, you simply sit back and enjoy the lush river valley scenery. Between stops your tour guide will share interesting Amana history and provide background about Iowa’s craft beverages industry. (Did you know that to maximize land usage barns are centrally located in the Amana villages instead of being spread throughout the countryside?)

The Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery near Swisher is a family-owned business featuring estate-grown wines and ClearHEART^® vodka, gin, and rum, along with brandy and whiskey. The tour starts in the processing room and ends in the spacious tasting room. You’ll be able to sample up to three spirits or five wines (they’ll be delighted to explain the combinations). They will also provide a sample from their menu to accompany your tastings.

Wines at Ackerman Winery.

The tour returns to Amana and Ackerman Winery, Iowa’s oldest bonded winery which has been family owned for 55 years. The self-guided tour offers oversized windows to watch the wine processing first hand. You’ll get a chance to sample traditional Amana fruit wines such as raspberry, apple, rhubarb and more. Learn about their famous Dandelion Wine, produced from plants gathered by the children of the village for $5 gallon. Cheese and crackers are paired with their wines.

Malt at Millstream Brewing.

Down the street and is Iowa’s oldest brewery, Millstream Brewing Company, in operation for more than 25 years. You’ve probably seen the label in your grocer’s beer coolers, as Millstream distributes throughout Iowa and is beginning to get into some neighboring states. After an explanation of the malts and grains that are the foundation of the beer’s flavor, you might even get to chew on a grain of chocolate malt, a very distinctive taste on the palate. The main floor showcases their bottling operation and hand labeling process. Then it’s down to the basement to see the coolers and huge tanks filled with the brews. Sampling is great fun with tiny beer mugs to toss down the samples and pretzels providing some salty crunch.

White Cross Cellars

Within walking distance is White Cross Cellars, Amana’s newest wine experience. It features European and California-style wines as well as Midwestern varietals. Samples of Amana brats are paired with the wine. White Cross Cellars’ specialty is food pairings, and they have joined with Ox Yoke Restaurant for special five-course dinners of White Cross Cellars wines with menu items such as chilled cucumber and avocado soup, crab cake on mixed greens, garlic-mustard-grill beef skewers with rice pilaf, lemon cheesecake. Definitely a culinary breakaway from the Ox Yoke’s traditional German style meal!

Less than 10 miles away is Fireside Winey near Marengo, a relatively new winery featuring many wines made with 100% Iowa grapes. Take time to let them guide you through the samples and stories of each wine. Foods may include apple slices, fresh bread and a warm cheese dipping sauce.

For information regarding costs, times, dates and reservations contact:

Amana Colonies Convention & Visitors Bureau
622 46th Ave
Amana, IA 52203
800.579.2294 or 319.622.7622
info@amanacolonies.com

LuAnn Reinders, Iowa Tourism Office

Remembering Eastern Iowa’s Aviation Heritage

2011-05-31T11:09:00.008-05:00

[If you’re not an aviation or history buff, you might not know about the long legacy of adventurers, innovators, and enthusiasts that exists in Iowa - particularly the eastern part of the state. That’s why Scott M. Fisher, an aviation expert who grew up in Davenport, decided to write a book on the topic. Below, Scott offers just a few surprising highlights from his new book book, Eastern Iowa’s Aviation Heritage, which is now available through Arcadia Publishing.]

Before I started this book, I had only vague knowledge of the balloon ascensions that occurred in Iowa along the Mississippi River in the 1800s; certainly no knowledge that women participated. I like how the photo clearly shows the frail balloon structure and how she’s just hanging on to that flimsy parachute bag with her fist and that determined look on her face. She represents the courage and unfortunate anonymity that female early pioneer aviators faced, not just in Iowa, but everywhere.

“Old Timers.” All these guys, the Livingston Brothers, Ralph Reed, Ole Oleson, etc. represent so many other young Iowa kids who were pioneers in the “old days” of fabric and open cockpit biplanes, yet never stopped flying or promoting aviation to later generations, not only giving generously of their time, but also just plain having FUN doing it, right up to the end of their lives. That also reminded me of other Iowa “old timers” I grew up around, not necessarily in aviation, who genuinely enjoyed sharing their time and stories with young people. Our lives are so much richer for their having taken the time with us.

Irv and Irene Lindner.

One of the best parts of researching this book was the great people in Iowa that I met along the way. Irv Lindner spent a lot of time visiting with me at Lindner Aviation in Keokuk about his and his late wife Irene being part of aviation all their lives. He learned to fly with Art Hartman in Burlington, then Paul Shaw in Iowa City during World War Two and Irene was a member of the WASP group which was how they met, and they would cross paths during the war, then how they got married after the war and built and managed the flying service in Keokuk. This photo is another example of a couple being partners for each other in fulfilling dreams and sharing common goals. I think of my parents, grandparents, and other couples I knew growing up in Iowa that lived like that even if it wasn’t aviation related.

To learn more about the new pictorial history book, Eastern Iowa’s Aviation Heritage, visit http://bit.ly/iOmeIn. Enter code “TourIowa” for 20% off your purchase.

Commentary by Scott M. Fisher

Bloomfest at Rainbow Iris Farm

2011-05-26T09:12:00.004-05:00

Saturday, May 14, was not the best day to drive to Rainbow Iris Farm in rural Bedford. For one thing, the previous week’s unseasonably warm weather had turned unseasonably cold. And windy. And it was raining. So there was mud.

Rainbow Iris Farm is located four miles of dirt (mud) roads off of Hwy. 148, very near the Missouri border. The farm manager is Kelly Norris, a 2008 Iowa State horticulture graduate whom I met when I was working on an entrepreneur feature story for VISIONS magazine. The Norris family owns the farm, but Kelly is gardener extraordinaire. He became Iowa’s youngest certified master gardener at age 13, has published a number of gardening books, and encouraged his family (at age 15) to start the iris farm.

The result is a 7.5-acre plot of blooming beauties. Rainbow Iris Farms is currently celebrating Bloomfest 2011 from May 7 to June 3. From shy, delicate, early-blooming dwarf irises to the showy, tall beardeds, irises are expected to bloom throughout this period of time.

When I was there last Saturday, getting a perfectly good pair of shoes muddy, maybe a third of the plots had irises in bloom. The rest of them looked like they were nearly ready to pop. It will just take some warm, sunny weather to get them to show off their colors.

Kelly’s irises are unique in that he is a prolific plant breeder. He is creating new cultivars each year. As I tromped around in the mud, exclaiming about the color of this iris and that, Kelly pointed out that the ones I liked were actually crosses between these other ones here and here…I get sort of lost in the genetics of it all, but gosh they sure are pretty. Kelly says there are 1,100 different kinds in all.

The Rainbow Iris Farm catalog can be accessed online. Order early for best selection! Plants are shipped in the fall. If you want to take your chances with the weather, visit the farm yourself.

Carole Gieseke, Iowa Girl on the Go

Honoring our Veterans

2011-05-23T10:26:00.001-05:00

Photo courtesy of the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum.

The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum's mission is to "honor and depict the military experience of Iowa citizens in all wars, homeland defense and Iowa service."

Visitors can learn about Iowa military history from 1846 to the present as well as see uniforms, flags, trench art, weapons, aircraft and tanks. The museum will be participating in the Blue Star Museum program, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day (May 30, 2011) through Labor Day (September 5, 2011). Find a list of other Iowa museums participating at http://1.usa.gov/l1tgdB.

Our family had the pleasure of visiting the museum last winter, shortly after the grand opening of its 18,000-square-foot addition. Since our previous visit last June, the museum had added several more large pieces of military equipment, including a Huey helicopter hanging from the ceiling, an army jeep and a huge tank with all of the military apparatus. While we were there, an artist was carefully painting a life-size mural depicting Iowa soliders of long ago. Plan a trip and check it out yourself!

Lonie Mezera, Iowa Tourism Office

School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents

2011-04-29T10:25:00.001-05:00

Last weekend a new exhibit opened at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. Titled "School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents," it's on my radar for a family trip because it focuses on the early education of American Presidents from Hoover through George W. Bush.

I think my two grade schoolers would be curious to see what future presidents did when they were in elementary school. They'll be able to see them as young sports stars, choir members and musicians. The exhibit, which includes documents and photos drawn from the collections of the National Archives Presidential Libraries, also follows the future presidents into colleges and military academies.

Herbert Hoover (lower left) and his Stanford Surveying Squad.

Among the highlights:

Discover why John F. Kennedy missed 65 of the term’s 88 days in kindergarten.
See Richard Nixon with his childhood violin, and read his 8th grade autobiography.
Read what Harry Truman wrote in middle school about “Courage.”
Peek at report cards for Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter.

Learn which president, while in college, received offers to play professional football.

The exhibit will be on display through October 30, 2011.

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

High Trestle Trail Grand Opening

2011-04-27T09:16:00.003-05:00

This weekend marks the grand opening for the High Trestle Trail. The 25-mile trail connects the communities of Ankeny, Madrid, Sheldahl, Slater and Woodward. (And, for the record, four counties: Polk, Story , Boone and Dallas.)

The centerpiece of the trail is a 13-story high, half-mile long bridge (one of the world's largest!) that crosses the Des Moines River Valley. Built on abandoned railroad bridge piers, the bridge includes six scenic overlooks where riders can pause and enjoy the view.

More than eight years in the making, the $15 million project includes 20 public grants and nearly 1000 private donors. It is the newest addition to the 670-mile Central Iowa Trail System.

On Saturday, April 30, the five communities will roll out the red carpet during special grand opening festivities. Activities begin with breakfasts in Slater, Ankeny and Madrid, and end with live music in Slater. Most events will take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Most are free and scheduled to take place rain or shine. Find more information at http://www.hightrestletrail.info/.

Fun fact: About one in five Iowans live within 30 minutes of the trail, and nearly one million live within an hour!

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

How to NOT get lost finding Iowa Wineries and Breweries

2011-04-25T10:21:00.000-05:00

This year’s Iowa Wine and Beer Directory has 100 listings. That’s a lot of wine and beer! Sure, you can probably find Iowa Wine and Beer at your local grocer or farmer’s market (and we definitely encourage you to buy some), but we’d also encourage you to visit one of their actual businesses. Lucky for you, it just got easier to do that.

The Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board just announced their new app. An enhanced version of the popular print directory, it contains all the wineries and breweries along with their contact information and amenities, plus additional photos and GPS navigation. With the new app, you can see where you are in Iowa, see where the nearest wineries and breweries are to you and get directions. If you lose your internet signal, have no fear, the app has static maps that will show you where the business is located.

Now, if you’ve visited wineries and breweries in the past and found that half the fun was getting lost in the Iowa countryside and discovering new places, then order the printed directory to bring along. Either way, I think you’ll enjoy the trip.

The app is available for free from the Apple App Store. The traditional Iowa Wine and Beer Directory is available at any Iowa Welcome Center, at any of the included wineries or breweries or for order online at http://www.iowawineandbeer.com/.

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Deep Sea Bowling in Altoona

2011-04-21T13:17:00.001-05:00

A day off from school seemed like the perfect opportunity for a family outing to Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill. Housed in the Bass Pro Shop, it's both a restaurant and bowling alley, but not your typical of either.

When we arrived, the lanes were full so we were given a pager that would buzz us when a lane became available. That gave us time to browse Bass Pro Shop. (You can wander throughout the store with the pager.) Our kids were fascinated with the giant aquarium and other animal displays. It really made the time pass quickly.

The 12-lane bowling alley is designed to feel as if you're under the ocean. Custom bowling balls feature mermaids, octupus and more. They have lightweight balls available for smaller children; ask at the check-in desk. The ball returns are shaped like sharks and alligators. The "dock" wooden lanes feature underwater scenery of sea turtles, sharks, stingrays and other saltwater animals. The undersea theme is carried over to the dining space with barnacled boats and other sea animals hanging from the ceiling.

Screens above each lane automatically keep track of scores. They also provide fun cartoons related to gutter balls, strikes, splits and spares. The lanes can be programmed to provide bumpers when less-experienced bowlers take a turn, and to remove them when seasoned bowlers are up.

Rates are per hour per lane (the screens provide a countdown so you know how much time you have remaining) and vary on time of day from $14.99 - $24.99 per hour. Lanes can accomodate up to 8 people. Shoe rental is $3.

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

Nan Wood Graham: Beyond the Farmer's Daughter

2011-04-18T09:22:00.007-05:00

Opened April 1, this year's American Gothic House exhibit is titled "Nan Wood Graham: Beyond the Farmer’s Daughter." The exhibition brings deserved focus to the life of American Gothic’s female model, Grant Wood’s sister and fellow artist Nan Wood Graham. The new display features an interactive audio component and Nan Wood Graham’s only original oil painting, on loan from the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Nan was a loyal advocate for her brother Grant, protecting his public image after his death by screening his would-be biographers, attending art openings in his honor, and keeping a watchful eye on the multitude of American Gothic parodies. She eventually wrote and published a biography of her brother titled "My Brother, Grant Wood." Nan’s insights into the childhood and artistic process of Iowa’s beloved artist provide a unique look at the artist—closer than we can normally come when studying art history.

Though Nan Wood Graham is most well-known for her role in American Gothic , she led a full and exciting life of her own. Nan’s aunt once told her, “One artist in the family is enough.” Nan did not pursue a career as an artist, but continued to study art and practice creative hobbies. While recovering from tuberculosis in Oakdale Sanitarium, Nan learned leather tooling and later won prizes for her talents. Grant even invited her to teach at his artist colony in Stone City. Nan mastered the difficult technique of reverse painting on glass, and her glass paintings were exhibited in New York. She made one oil painting, "Boarding House Bath." The painting was likely inspired by the astounding characters Nan and her husband Ed lived with in various rooming houses around California.

Nan’s personality and delightful sense of humor shine brilliantly in an audio interview from the 1970s. Clips of this interview are available at the touch of a button in the new exhibit. While reading through exhibit text, visitors will find reference to audio clips where they can listen to Nan tell more about the topic.

Nan Wood Graham visited Eldon on several occasions and was an honored guest at the city’s annual Gothic Days celebration. Many locals met Nan during her lifetime, exchanged letters and gifts, and have photographs of her in their personal albums. A few of these items, as well as correspondence with Nan, will be on display.

Molly Moser, Administrator, American Gothic House Center

Detour to Dyersville

2011-04-14T09:07:00.000-05:00

Opening day for baseball is always one of my favorite days. It means that spring is truly upon us and that Iowa will be in full bloom in no time. April 1 is the traditional opening day for one of the most famous baseball fields in the world that is located right here in Iowa. Let me give you a hint: "If you build it, he will come."

The Field of Dreams Movie Site is located in Dyersville, just a short drive west of Dubuque in the northeast corner of the state. I had a chance recently to visit the field for some pre-season fun. It was as perfect as I had remembered it from the last time I was there, except for the missing corn. Don’t worry about that, it will grow as the days warm up. The Field of Dreams Movie Site is a great place to run the bases, play catch or just sit in the sun and imagine the players taking the field.

Dyersville may be a small community, but it’s big on activities for a traveler. One of only 52 basilicas in the country, the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier boasts 64-stained glass windows and is more beautiful than I had imagined. I had lunch at Country Junction Restaurant where you’ll fill up on delicious foods and you must save room for dessert. Don’t worry, I don’t think calories count when you’re on vacation.

And a trip to Dyersville isn’t complete without checking out the National Farm Toy Museum. This museum offers an array of 10,000 farm toys, trucks, banks and other toys of interest to both the serious collector and casual visitor.

Sure, at the end of the day you’ll wonder, is this heaven? But rest assured you're still in Iowa. And when you venture outside of Dyersville, you’ll find the rest of Iowa makes you ask that same question.

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

We know you dig it

2011-04-05T07:48:00.000-05:00

We dig Iowa and we know you do, too. So tell us what you like about Iowa at www.idigiowa.com. Each time you do, you'll be registered to win a monthly prize package. It's that easy!

We'll draw a winner each month from April through August. This month's package is courtesy of the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau and includes:

•Four (4) tickets to the Iowa Corn Indy 250 IZOD Indycar Series on June 25 at the Iowa Speedway

•Lunch for two at Shay’s Tea Room and Gifts (Hunter Mansion)

•$30 gift card from Okoboji Grill of Newton

•Gift basket from the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau

•$50 ethanol gas card courtesy of Iowa Corn Growers Association

The entire I Dig Iowa promotion will culminate at the Iowa State Fair on August 19 with a dig for prizes on the Grand Concourse.

Dig it?

Contrasting traditions in Denison

2011-03-31T15:00:00.000-05:00

On a recent business trip to Denison, located along the Lincoln Highway in West Central Iowa, I enjoyed comparing old and new traditions. Denison may be best known as the hometown of Donna Reed, the television and movie actress who was famous for “The Donna Reed Show” and won an Academy Award for her performance in “From Here to Eternity.”

At the Donna Reed Performing Arts Center, I visited with Jerry Peterman, who clearly had great knowledge of local history and knew everything about the restoration of this 1914 German Opera House. Jerry showed me around the theater, including backstage. I admire the hard work this community put in to restore and maintain the theater for movies, plays, music and special events. It’s a lovely, intimate setting for the performing arts. Browse around the lobby of the theater to see displays featuring photos and memorabilia about the life and career of Donna Reed. Souvenirs are available, too. You can see Donna’s Oscar in the 1885 McHenry House, a local history museum.

If Donna Reed is the traditional tourism draw here, Cronk’s Restaurant is the traditional eating and gathering place. Right off Highway 30, Cronk’s has been serving up comfort food as long as I can remember, and our breakfast was especially good (and inexpensive). Such a contrast to the night before, when at Caleta Buena (Good Harbor) Restaurant in downtown Denison, we sampled coconut shrimp, garlic shrimp, and ceviche, chosen from a large menu of seafood specialties. Freshly prepared and spiced just right, these dishes provided a taste of Latin America in a homey and colorful setting.

Other local attractions include an aquatic center, the Crawford County Speedway, and Yellow Smoke Park.

Boulders Inn and Suites is located on the Majestic Hills Golf Course on south edge of town, with a state-of-the-art conference center and the Majestic Hills Bar & Grill on site. Whether you’re passing through on business, or meandering along the Lincoln Highway, stop in Denison for a western Iowa welcome.

Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office

Who needs George Clooney?

2011-03-28T14:43:00.000-05:00

One at a time, we shot footage of our four actors inside an SUV
pretending as though they – and their animated counterparts –
were headed off for an Iowa adventure!

I’ve never been to Hollywood, but last week a bit of Hollywood came to me.

On a cold, windy, cloudy spring day in Iowa, we gathered at a private home in West Des Moines to shoot the Iowa Tourism Office’s commercial for an ad campaign that will run during April and May in Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Chicago.

Our “boy” and “girl” actors, aka Bella and Max, were outstanding.
And they appreciated this opportunity to come inside
and warm up after shooting in the cold and wind.

I had never been a part of such a project and was stunned at the amount of work involved in shooting a 30-second ad and the many talented people who make the whole project work. From make-up artists and hair stylist to producers and sound technicians, more than 15 people played in a role in accomplishing what was a full day’s shoot. (I have a new appreciation for the work involved in filming and editing a sitcom, or – gasp – a full-length feature film!)

Producer Brad Morford positions a camera in the front seat
while “girl” actor, Bella, prepares for her moment in the spotlight.

This year’s ad is a fun blend of animation and a family of four who are heading to Iowa for an affordable, close-to-home getaway. The magic of technology means the animation will join the video later, but our family of actors did a great job interacting with animated objects that weren’t there. In the studio over the next few weeks, the team will edit the video footage, add the animation, record the voiceover and select just the right music to create an ad that positions Iowa as an ideal family vacation destination.

If you live in the Milwaukee, Minneapolis or Chicago markets, look for the Iowa Tourism Office’s ad – and corresponding billboard ads – coming to your television and expressway soon. Or follow us on Facebook or Twitter where we’re already making plans to debut the advertisements. I promise they’ll have you packing your bags for Iowa!

Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism Office

Quad Cities: Four (or five or six) times the fun

2011-03-25T10:15:00.002-05:00

A recent whirlwind tour of the Quad Cities convinced me that I need to plan a weekend getaway there soon! From LeClaire to Bettendorf to Davenport and (shh! don’t tell) across the river to Illinois, we found way too many attractions to visit in the few hours we had.

My favorite stop was the brand-new Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire. It’s situated right along the river on LeClaire’s historic and charming main thoroughfare. Using grains and other ingredients from within 25 miles of their distillery, brothers Garrett and Ryan Burchett make River Baron vodka and will soon release River Rose gin. Their bourbon should be ready in the fall. An interesting and entertaining tour taught me a few of the fine points of this craft. I must say I’m not a vodka drinker ordinarily, but after hearing about the skill and care that goes into the process, I was game for a sip. The high-ceilinged sample room offered great views of the river. Customers can purchase this Iowa beverage on site or at many grocery stores in eastern Iowa.

If you watch the History Channel, you know about American Pickers. And yes, you can visit Antique Archaeology, the home base for Frank, Mike and Danielle. The American Pickers Festival will debut this June 4-5 in LeClaire, so mark your calendar. LeClaire’s downtown offers lots of little boutiques and antique shops, with several restaurants interspersed among the stores.

Crane & Pelican, LeClaire

New to me was the Crane & Pelican, housed in a brick mansion on a hill not too far from the pickers. A tasty shrimp salad and even tastier cheesecake was presented very nicely. I loved the historic atmosphere. Upstairs is a small gift shop. The town offers restaurants for a variety of tastes, from traditional to trendy.

Be sure you stop at the Mississippi Valley Welcome Center, perched on top of the hill right off Interstate 80. Have a free cup of coffee while you browse for Iowa products, including local wine, art, jewelry, and other gifts. Pick up brochures and maps for tourism attractions and destinations in the area.

The river is the main attraction for the Quad Cities, which by the way, officially encompasses Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, East Moline, and Rock Island, Illinois. The best place to experience the river is aboard a riverboat, and you have your choice of two.

The Twilight docks in LeClaire and offers a round-trip cruise to Dubuque, with overnight at the Grand Harbor Resort. There’s entertainment all day, plated meals cooked fresh on board, and of course the wonderful scenery.

Celebration Belle

The Celebration Belle riverboat departs from Moline and offers a wide variety of day-long and overnight cruises to points in Iowa and Illinois, as well as fall foliage, sightseeing, and themed cruises. Another great way to enjoy the river? Rent a bike from the QC CVB and ride along miles of trails that follow the river. You can even cross the river on the Channel Cat Water Taxi – just load your bike on board and buy one ticket that allows you to get on and off in several locations on both sides of the river.

Overnight lodging options are varied and plentiful in all of the communities. Take a peek inside the elegant lobby of the newly restored Hotel Blackhawk, a downtown Davenport landmark since 1915.

I’m running out of space – and you’ll run out of time to enjoy all of the sites in the Quad Cities!

Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office

Iowa's Best Breaded Tenderloin for 2011

2011-03-18T11:00:00.003-05:00

Since 2003, the Iowa Pork Producers Association has named a Best Breaded Tenderloin in the state. (Except for in 2004 when they named the best grilled version.) I've devoured six of the award-winners, indulging in the current winner just last month at Buck's Bar and Grill in Mitchellville.

Truthfully, I'm really not much of a tenderloin fan. It's not something I typically order while dining out, but for some reason I'm drawn to trying the award winners.

I arrived at Uncle Buck's about 1 p.m. and hungry. Which was a good thing because the tenderloins are huge. I'm talking spilling way out of the bun huge. Did I mention it's also served with fries? It took me a while, but I did manage to eat the whole tenderloin. And I have to say, it was quite delicious!

Here's the full list of winners. How many have you had? Where do you think best tenderloin is?

2003 - Darrell's Place, Hamlin
2004 - Suburban Restaurant, Ames (grilled)
2005 - Dairy Sweet, Dunlap
2006 - The Town House Supper Club, Wellsburg
2007 - Larsen's Pub, Elk Horn
2008 - Augusta Restaurant, Oxford
2009 - Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe, Prairie City
2010 - Uncle Buck's Bar & Grill, Mitchellville

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

Comfort Food at its Finest: Breitbach's

2011-03-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month I visited Balltown. Located just a short and scenic drive north of Dubuque, this tiny town - population 47 - has made a big impact on visitors. What I didn’t know about Balltown was that it has one of the best views of the Mississippi River. There is a nice lookout area and on a clear day you can see 70 miles into Wisconsin. I was most taken with the bluffs on the Iowa side sprinkled with farms. It looked like a Grant Wood painting had come to life in front of my eyes.

Balltown is also home to Iowa’s oldest bar and restaurant – Breitbach’s Country Dining. Opened in 1852, but bought by the Breitbach family in 1862, the Breitbach’s have been in continuous ownership since that time and are now in their sixth generation of ownership. The first five generations of owners had it pretty easy compared to the challenges that its current owner, Mike Breitbach, has overcome. On December 24, 2007, the restaurant burned down. It was rebuilt and then 10 months later, burned down again.

The reubilding process, both of them, are amazing stories of community and courage. People came from miles away to help rebuild. Which makes you wonder, what is it about this place that would inspire people to roll up their sleeves and rebuild a restaurant. Not once, but twice! After all, aren’t their restaurants all over the place? What’s so special about Breitbach’s?

Like every good restaurant, the food is delicious! Made from scratch. Comfort food. I had fried chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing that I’m still thinking about, and the best peach pie. Additionally, Breitbach’s gives you a feeling of history, family and love. It reminded me of a place that my grandparents would have taken me to as a child. They always took us to the best places.

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Doing da Vinci

2011-03-10T07:47:00.000-06:00

When I heard we were going to be getting an exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci, I will admit I was probably like many people who think, “What does he have to do with science; he only painted the Mona Lisa?” But hey, I never said I was one of the science-savvy people at the Science Center of Iowa. However, as Da Vinci – The Genius started to roll into our building and filled up the 14,000 square feet, I realized – this guy did everything. He was an inventor, artist, anatomist, sculptor, engineer, musician and architect. He’s the definition of a renaissance man.

The exhibition displays authentic replicas of his codices (old word for book or journal), inventions, works of art, and ideas. Many of these inventions are things that we use today. It boggles your mind someone thought of this 500 years ago!

It has truly amazed me the distance this exhibition has reached people outside of Iowa. We’ve had people from 27 different states come and visit Da Vinci. It’s sad to think we only have a few days left with Da Vinci here! Spring Break will be the last chance people will be able to check Da Vinci before it leaves the Midwest. If you haven’t visited yet – make sure you do it before March 20!

And stay tuned! SCI always has more exciting things coming down the pipeline!

Chelsea Webb, School and Group Sales Coordinator, Science Center of Iowa

Food, wine and conversation at Baru 66

2011-03-07T14:58:00.000-06:00

A recent culinary experience totally transcended me and my husband into an evening of food, wine and conversation.

For Christmas we had received a gift certificate to Baru 66 of Windsor Heights, a semifinalist for the "Best New Restaurant" award from the prestigious James Beard Foundation. According to the Des Moines Register Datebook, "That's not just for the Midwest. That's Best New Restaurant in the United States." So we booked our reservations and made a night of it.

Feeling a bit adventurous we chose the "Chef's Selection," which meant that every course would be selected by the Chef. This turned out to be a delightful surprise each and every time. Our server graciously announced and explained each course and we were able to take our time and enjoy each bite. Two hours after arriving we had our final sip of wine, bite of dessert, and became a bit sad to leave into the night.

But, there are many more evenings to be enjoyed, because.....

According to Datebook, "three other restaurants snagged nominations for Best Chef, Midwest: Steve Logsdon of Lucca (Des Moines), Jason Simon of Alba (Des Moines) and Matt Steigerwald of Lincoln Cafe (Mount Vernon)." The awards ceremony is scheduled for May.

Another Iowa chef, Carly Groben of Proof and Flour (Des Moines) was a finalist for Food & Wine magazine's "The People's Best New Chef" award. Groben was one of ten nominees in the Midwest category, and the only chef from Iowa.

While these Iowans have received very prestigious nominations, other chefs throughout the state are developing more amazing culinary experiences. Make your reservations and enjoy them. Enjoy!

LuAnn Reinders, Iowa Tourism Office

Cedar Rapids: A Resilient City

2011-03-03T13:32:00.000-06:00

Upon arriving in Cedar Rapids in April 2010, I could not believe all the stories, pictures, exhibits and media coverage I saw and read of the Floods of 2008. As a former Iowan, I had followed the national media coverage in 2008 very closely. What a difference to arrive and hear the stories first hand from the people that lived it, including the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau staff.

The feature of Iowans that I have always loved and admired is the strength of character to pick ourselves up and start over. Cedar Rapidians are prime examples of this remarkable character.

On Saturday, January 22, I attended the “Signs of Progress” community event honoring many of the men and women that came together to aid their families, friends and strangers during and after this terrible disaster. It was a wonderful event to recognize some of the many community heroes and to pat ourselves on our backs for the accomplishments that have been made in the last two and a half years.

Cedar Rapids is a vibrant and resilient community. The work has just begun to rebuild and the opportunities are limitless. It is not too late to be a part of making our hometown the best place to live in the State of Iowa and the United States of America.

To learn more about the “Signs of Progress,” please visit http://www.signsofprogresscr.com/ or pick up a Signs of Progress brochure and map at the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 119 1st Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids.

Marilee Fowler, President, Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Pleasant Surprise in Prairie City

2011-02-25T09:43:00.000-06:00

Outside the Visitor Center

Recently, my family turned a day off from school into an outing at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City.

My son had been there before for field trips, but none of the rest of us had. To be honest, I was not expecting much. So I was more than pleasantly surprised when we ended the winding drive to the Prairie Learning and Visitor Center. It's a beautiful building!

Completing a rubbing
for the scavenger hunt.

We started our visit with a 10-15 minute movie covering the history of prairies and their restoration. The theater exit took us to the beginning of the main exhibit area. There were scavenger hunt pages by grade level for kids. My kindergartner had pictures of animals to look for, while my third grader had to answer questions and look for specfic exhibits. Each sheet kept both of the children interested as we moved through the exhibit space.

After completing the scavenger hunts, we checked out two "Children's Discovery Backpacks" from the front desk. Each contained a journal, activity book, binoculars and a bug catcher. We then took to the trail, opting for the two mile loop versus the shorter route. Shortly into our hike, my daughter proclaimed, "This is the best hike ever!"

We saw several deer bounding through the prairie, two of them crossing the trail not far from us. Using the binoculars we were able to spot a herd of elk as well as several groupings of bison. The trail was paved and slightly hilly, but there were benches about every half mile for breaks.

On the trail.

The trail ended back at the Visitor Center. We returned the backpacks and noted on a whiteboard what wildlife we had seen. It was interesting to read what other recent visitors had spotted.

We piled into our van and drove the auto route, a self-guided tour across the 1,000 acre range where the bison graze. We saw four bison less than 30 yards from our vehicle. They looked huge even from that distance.

I had thought we'd spend maybe an hour at the refuge, we were there about two and a half hours! We've already talked about going back later this year when the prairie is in bloom. It was a nice reminder that kids don't need lots of bells and whistles for a fun, memorable outing.

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

Santa Maria Winery, Carroll

2011-02-23T09:37:00.000-06:00

Last week I found myself in awe of the Santa Maria Winery located in the heart of downtown Carroll. The winery is only a few years old, but the building has a history nearly 100 years old. Part of the building was originally a car dealership and another was actually a car manufacturer. Although updates were necessary, the layout did not need to change from its motorized roots. It may have been built for cars, but it was made to be a winery.

The Santa Maria Winery has 20 wines to sample from sweet to dry and the tasting room is certainly easy on the eyes with original woodwork, tin ceiling and modern updates. You should also bring your appetite because Santa Maria has a menu full of steaks, pastas and wood-fired pizza.

I recommend making arrangements to take a tour. To see where the wine is made, bottled and stored was a real treat and the staff had a true passion for wine making. Not to mention you can see the history of the building and learn how it was used in the auto industry and how it’s used today.

I am eager to return to marvel at the beautiful tasting room or maybe wait until it warms up so that I can enjoy their beautiful outdoor patio. I don’t have to wait too long to try their wines because I know they sell them at my local grocer. Look for their labels at your favorite Iowa wine retailer and enjoy!

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Just $3 can mean gallons of fun in Iowa

2011-02-09T14:45:00.000-06:00

More than 93 percent of Iowa’s visitors travel by car. So it’s no wonder that whenever gas prices spike, the Iowa Tourism Office gets lots of questions about how those higher prices will impact the tourism industry here.

Our response: Iowa is an affordable vacation destination even when gas prices inch upward. Our research shows that the average travel party spends two days in Iowa and incurs about $445 in expenses during that time. That includes money spent on transportation, lodging, food, shopping and entertainment. Iowa’s quite a value when you consider the cost of traveling in a large metropolitan area where the hotel itself costs hundreds of dollars per night!

Additionally, it’s important to keep vacation costs in perspective. Isn’t it ironic that we complain about the high cost of gas but sometimes find ourselves purchasing a $4 cup of latte while the car is filling up. A $3 gallon of gas seems pretty reasonable when it’s compared to $4 for 20 ounces of designer coffee!

This spring, don’t let higher gas prices scare you from enjoying a deserved get-away in Iowa. The time away from the bustle of home and work – and the memories made with your family – are more than priceless.

While you’re here, consider visiting one of these Iowa destinations. You can enjoy any of them for $3 or less. So you’ll have plenty of money left over to buy that latte…

Backyard fun

2011-02-04T10:21:00.001-06:00

Phil didn’t see his shadow this week which means we are supposed to have an early spring. Although it is a welcome idea after the nine inches of snow we just received, the idea of an early spring still seems farfetched. Yes, winter can get us down, but it can also be a great opportunity to discover the attractions and events that are in your own backyard.

Last month, we escaped winter with two local “tropical” escapes. My daughter loved the Ramada Tropics Resort. From the outside, it looks like a regular nice hotel, but inside there is a large waterpark with plenty of slides and depths for all ages. With all the amenities they have there, we could leave our coats in the closet and ignore the chilly temps outside.

We also recently visited the Discovery Center at the Blank Park Zoo. The warm tropical walk-thru exhibit features red pandas, monkeys, sloths, a wide variety of birds and several aquariums of various sizes. My 8-month-old son loved the aquarium with the coral reef plus the hundreds of Gouldian Finches.

This weekend there are several things on my radar. Friday, the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail has their 3rd Annual Tropical Wine Festival in the lush environment of the Des Moines Botanical Center. On Saturday, over three miles of the Des Moines skywalk system will be transformed into three different 18-hole miniature golf courses for the 26th Annual Skywalk Golf. I could also visit the Science Center of Iowa to see Da Vinci-The Genius. It’s an internationally renowned traveling exhibit that has been extended until March 20th.

Next time you are getting the winter blues, become a tourist in your neighborhood and you may discover a new favorite.

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Guinness World Record set in Pella

2011-01-25T09:39:00.000-06:00

After months of waiting and prodding, on January 13 word came from the Guinness World Record headquarters in England that Pella had indeed set the world record for dancing in wooden shoes, or as they reference the record – “dancing in wooden clogs.”

On a cold and windy May 8, 2010, a record 2,605 people gathered around the Pella city square and danced in wooden shoes for 6 minutes and 15 seconds to the Dutch dance “De Slaapmuts.” The previous record was 475 dancers.

A certificate of recognition has arrived from Guinness and during Tulip Time 2011, May 5, 6, & 7, a presentation will be programmed into the Tulip Time Festivities.

A 35-minute documentary film of the event, made by local film maker Jacob Rosdail, was shown at the Opera House on Sunday, January 16, to a crowd of 159 people and will be shown again sometime in the Spring. A DVD of the documentary is available at the Pella Historical/Interpretive Center gift shop for $15 and from Jacob Rosdail. Guinness is also offering a personalized certificate to participants for approximately $30. If interested in the certificate or a copy of the DVD, please contact Bonnie Verburg in the Interpretive Center, 641.620.9463, or pellamill@iowatelecom.net.

There is the possibility that IPTV will run the documentary if they receive enough requests from the public. Contact IPTV at: 515.242.5424 or webcomm3@iptv.org.

Members of the committee who planned the dance event were Sallie DeReus, chair, Sue Youngman, Amy Van Haaften, Davis and Eunice Folkerts, Mike Olson, Lowell Olivier and Hank Vande Kieft. Assisting the committee was Bonnie Verburg, Director of the Vermeer Windmill.

Bonnie Verburg, Director of the Vermeer Windmill

Anything but Sleepy

2011-01-21T14:06:00.001-06:00

For some, the winter months can be a time of “hibernation” or retreating from Mother Nature’s cold weather and winter fury. For many in the Des Moines metro area, winter is just the opposite. Sleepy Hollow Sports Park is anything but “sleepy.”

Our boys have snowboarded at Sleepy Hollow for several years. Each year the course is changed up with added jumps, moguls, rails and other terrain park features. Sleepy Hollow organizes fun winter competitions and offers a nice snack bar with oversized windows to watch the skiers and snowboarding from inside where it is warm and toasty.

The place is hopping with excitement and winter activities, as well as a great place for year-round fun. Summertime offerings include batting cages, go-karts, mini golf, a rock climbing wall and a par 3 golf course. If you haven’t already been there, you definitely need to get it on your radar of fun things to do anytime of year!

Lonie Mezera, Iowa Tourism Office

Celebrating National Pizza Week

2011-01-11T10:15:00.000-06:00

Apparently the second week in January has been designated National Pizza Week. I'm not sure by whom, but any excuse to eat pizza is fine by me!

Yesterday I asked our fans on Facebook as well as our Twitter followers for their favorite Iowa pizza places. Below are their responses (in no particular order). Is your favorite included?

Mesa Pizza, Iowa City
The Pizza Place, Center Point
The Other Place, Waterloo
Naso's, Cedar Rapids
Bianchi Brothers, Altoona
Leaning Tower Pizza, Ankeny
Encore Pizza, Johnston
Tubrosa, North Liberty
Bordenaro's, Des Moines
Scornovacca's, Des Moines
Pagilai's, Iowa City
Wig & Pen, Coralville
Alger's Pizza Place, Mt. Vernon
Happy Joe's, Bettendorf
Belluci Pizza House, Boone
Jerry's Pizza, Sioux City
Polito's Pizza House, Bondurant
Great Plains Sauce and Dough, Ames
Salvatore Vitale's, Muscatine
Pizza King, Council Bluffs
Tomaso's, Cedar Rapids
Zeno's, Marshalltown
Zoey's, Marion
Vesuvius, Ames
Cranky Hanks Pizza, Cedar Rapids
Pizza Ranch (multiple locations; started in Hull, Iowa)
Torino's, Fairfield
El Fredo's, Sioux City
Napoli's, Burlington
Bob Roes Point After, Sioux City
Doughy Joey's, Waterloo
Rastrelli's, Clinton

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

11 Places to Visit in 2011

2011-01-06T09:19:00.000-06:00

Let me just state up front that the Iowa Tourism Office staff does travel Iowa...frequently. However, there are some places on our own personal "bucket lists" that we have yet to get to or want to get back to. Here's our list of 11 places we'd like to visit in 2011.

Rathun Lake, southern Iowa (Lonie)
Spook Cave, McGregor (Lonie)
Matchstick Marvels, Gladbrook (Shawna)
Historic Park Inn Hotel, Mason City (Shawna)
King's Pointe Resort Waterpark, Storm Lake (Shawna)
American Gothic House, Eldon (Colleen)
Breitbach's Country Dining, Balltown (Colleen)
Honey Creek Resort, Moravia (LuAnn)
Santa Maria Winery, Carroll (LuAnn)
Buck's Bar and Grill (current home of the Iowa Pork Producer's best breaded tenderloin), Mitchellville (Jessica)
Pancake Day, Centerville (Jessica)

What Iowa locations are on your 2011 wish list? Have you been to any on our list? Let us know in the comments.

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

Plan your 2011 Iowa adventures

2011-01-03T08:35:00.003-06:00

The 2011 Iowa Travel Guide is hot off the press and ready to inspire travelers with hundreds of destinations and diversions in Iowa. It’s time to make room on my shelf for the latest version, next to the archive of 22 Travel Guides and Iowa Visitor Guides we’ve published since I’ve been here. This year’s 184-page perfect-bound book is quite a contrast to the 1988 version with 52 pages and a fold-out map!

2011 Iowa Travel Guide

1988 Iowa Travel Guide

The process of creating the Travel Guide begins in late spring, when we ask the communities, attractions, and accommodations to review and update their information. We have about 675 attractions, more than 200 bed and breakfast inns, nearly 680 hotels/motels, and more than 450 public and private campgrounds listed in the 2011 guide! Our goal is to provide the most accurate information possible and every listing needs to be verified. It’s exciting to see new attractions and destinations pop up every year.

After the listings are updated, one of the most rewarding (but challenging) tasks is to choose the photos that will appear on the cover and throughout the pages of the guide. Cover photography is planned several months in advance, in case we need to send a photographer out on assignment. Recent covers have featured the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, Honey Creek Resort State Park on Lake Rathbun, the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad in Boone, Okoboji, the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, and many more scenes from all corners of the state. It’s a bit easier to choose the inside photos – we work region by region and view dozens of photos that have been collected from Iowa photographers. Balancing text, photos and ads in a pleasing way is the job of our art director, Jody O’Neill, at the Integer Group.

We print 200,000 copies of this 184-page guide, and it takes two to three truckloads to deliver them all to our warehouse in Fort Madison. Supplies are sent to the 19 Iowa Welcome Centers as well as visitor information centers and local tourism organizations around the state. It’s easy to obtain a free Travel Guide: request a copy online at http://www.traveliowa.com/, call 800.345.4692, or stop in at any one of our Welcome Centers. You can even browse through the pages online with our nifty digital version (coming soon!).

Enjoy your new Iowa Travel Guide!

Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office

Score one for research

2010-12-27T09:56:00.000-06:00

I think one of the dumbest things we've added to our website http://www.traveliowa.com/ is that goofy little flip through digital Iowa Travel Guide in the upper right hand corner of the home page. You can click on a photo of the Travel Guide and take your cursor and turn page after page after page and view every single page of the Iowa Travel Guide. Why would ANYONE do that? Especially when you can enter a keyword and the website will automatically display information on any given Iowa tourism topic.

Dumb idea.

But research has proven me wrong.

Sigh.

During 2010 over 150,000 visitors to traveliowa.com have flipped through the digital Iowa Travel Guide pages, about 25% of all visitors to the site. Perhaps they don't have a clear idea when they start their travel plans. Perhaps they aren't comfortable doing a keyword search. Perhaps they just like looking at the beautiful photographs for inspiration to travel. At this point we know that lots of people are using it. Lots.

Because of the research, the digital Iowa Travel Guide has earned its spot on the traveliowa.com website. And my opinion is tossed aside.

That is what I love about marketing research. It takes out personal bias. That's why it is so critical to use research in marketing planning. If the Iowa Tourism Office had listened to my opinion, we would have missed an opportunity with more than 150,000 people. Study the research and let it guide you to solid decisions.

LuAnn Reinders, Iowa Tourism Office

Dubuque is an Iowa treasure…even in a snowstorm

2010-12-23T12:50:00.001-06:00

I traveled to Dubuque recently for a three day vacation with my husband, toddler son, in-laws and parents. All of us are lifelong Iowans, and we understand the risks of traveling in the upper Midwest during the winter months. We were aware of a forecast that called for snow and blizzards, but we were determined to enjoy our Iowa vacation. So on a sunny Friday afternoon, we left Des Moines and headed northeast.

The main purpose of the trip was to attend my husband’s commencement ceremony at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, where he was receiving his Master’s Degree. Platteville is just about 25 miles northeast of Dubuque, so the event made for a perfect excuse to getaway to Dubuque.

On a recent business trip to Dubuque, I stayed at the newly refurbished Hotel Julien. Located in downtown, the hotel recently enjoyed a $30 million-plus renovation and is among the nicest hotels I’ve stayed. But on this trip – with a two-year-old in tow – we selected the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark as our lodging destination. Located just steps away from the Mississippi River, the Grand Harbor is an anchor in the Port of Dubuque.

Upon check-in we were thrilled to learn that our three sixth floor rooms offered a scenic view of the half-frozen Mississippi River. My family and I had a small, cozy two-room suite that featured a fireplace, Jacuzzi tub, refrigerator, microwave and sofa. My parents’ and in-laws’ smaller rooms adjoined our suite, which quickly became the central meeting spot.

After a filling meal at Tony Roma’s, conveniently located within the Grand Harbor, we gathered around the fireplace in our suite and enjoyed holiday treats and hot chocolate.

The next day, we awoke to bitterly cold temperatures and ice-coated streets and sidewalks. Early in the morning, we piled into the car for the short but slippery drive to Platteville. My son stayed behind with my parents to enjoy a morning at the Grand Harbor’s waterpark.

Shortly after commencement began, my mom texted me a photo of my son having a ball on the waterpark’s lazy river. The 25,000-square-foot waterpark was the first of its kind in Iowa and offers waterslides, an indoor/outdoor water tube, water chutes, squirt guns, water cannons and much more. My son especially loved the watersquirts area, designed specifically for young children.

By noon we returned from commencement and my son proudly showed me the marshmallow snowman he’d made in a craft area within the waterpark. I was delighted that the resort offered so much for young children to do.

After lunch, and during what had become an impressive snowstorm, we headed to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, also located at the Port of Dubuque. Despite the worsening weather, a few other brave souls were visiting the museum complex, but not nearly the large crowds I would have expected on a Saturday afternoon. We quickly realized that the small crowds meant we could enjoy the museum complex at our leisure. Located in two buildings on one campus, the nationally renowned museum features an expansion that opened earlier this year and highlights the history of all American rivers, a 30,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico aquarium, and a 3D/4D digital theater.

A message of environmentalism resonates throughout the museum’s exhibits and its aquariums of colorful sea life mesmerized my son. Upstairs, my son was thrilled to share the children’s area with only two other boys. He delighted in changing the course of the river by building dams, navigating his toy boats through the child-sized locks and exploring a walk-through beaver dam. When left the children’s area, we literally had to take my son’s shirt off him, ring it out and put it back on!

In the morning, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the snow had stopped after depositing only a few inches. After a filling breakfast at Tony Roma’s we piled back in the car and headed southwest to Des Moines. On the way home, my mother-in-law called her cousin in Delaware and invited her to Iowa for another Dubuque vacation this summer. We all agreed that Dubuque is worth a visit…even during a snowstorm.

Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism Office

Atherton House, Adel

2010-12-20T12:49:00.000-06:00

Atherton House
(Photo: Discoveradel.com)

Took the day off to hang out with my mom on the Friday before Thanksgiving, and for us, it wouldn’t be the Christmas shopping season without a trip to Atherton House of Gifts in Adel. Under new management, this quaint little house is still filled to the brim with ornaments, Nativities, and other gifts from around the world. It just puts you in the holiday spirit! On the way back to Des Moines, we stopped at the Pin Oak Gallery in “old town” Waukee. They were offering samples of seasonal coffee and cider (yum!) but there is a coffee shop right next door that also has ice cream, if that’s what you’re craving.

Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office

Quirky Attractions

2010-12-17T15:32:00.000-06:00

To me, quirky attractions add an extra flavor to a trip, make them more memorable. That’s why I try and incorporate them in as many of my travels as I can.

For instance:

When my family vacationed at Fun City in Burlington, we made sure to visit Snake Alley, the world’s crookedest street. (And I told my kids how I had driven down it in driver’s ed class once!)
On
World's Largest Popcorn Ball
our trip to the University of Okoboji Winter Games, we drove through Sac City just to see the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball.
In Dubuque I made sure we had time to ride the Fenelon Place Elevator, the world’s shortest, steepest scenic railway. (Bonus: great views of the Mississippi River.)
Returning from a trip in Sheldon, I drove past a giant statue of Indian maiden Pocahontas (just outside of Pocahontas the town, of course).

Freedom Rock

My travels have also taken me by the Coffee Pot and Cup water towers in Stanton; the Freedom Rock in Greenfield; Danish Windmill in Elk Horn; the American Gothic House in Eldon; the Ice Cream Capital of the World in LeMars; and Albert the World’s Largest Bull in Audubon.

Find a nice list of offbeat Iowa attractions at Roadside America. What are your favorite quirky spots in Iowa? Let us know in the comments.

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office

Holiday Traditions

2010-12-15T13:53:00.000-06:00

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, my family had the opportunity to head "back home" to Independence and Jesup in northeast Iowa. Any time of the year is great to visit and connect with family and friends, but the holidays make those times even more special.

The smaller, more rural communities really get into the holiday spirit and decorate their main streets in such a festive way. Both small communities had great holiday themed decorations proudly displayed on their Main Street light posts. Downtown merchants had their store windows arranged with great seasonal displays and specials, and the sounds of Christmas music filled the air. It was nice to get home again to see family and friends, and the great hometown atmosphere of those smaller communities was, as always, an added bonus.

Brenton Skating Plaza
(Greater Des Moines CVB photo)

This past weekend we had a chance for a family ice skating outing. Our boys have coaxed us to the Brenton Skating Plaza, Des Moines’ riverfront outdoor ice skating arena, for an evening of ice skating every year since it opened. What a lot of fun!

The arena is decked with huge Christmas trees and festive lights, and their sound-system belts out a great mix of music. The ice was packed again with skaters of all ages. We met up with some friends there and enjoyed our evening of skating, followed by warm beverages at a favorite coffee place.

There are so many communities with great public ice skating arenas or flooded areas for skating. What are you waiting for? Dust off your skates and put them to use again, it may be a fun weekend adventure or maybe even a tradition you’ll want to start with your friends and family. Happy skating!

Lonie Mezera, Iowa Tourism Office

Holiday shopping in Williamsburg, Amana Colonies

2010-12-13T11:00:00.001-06:00

It seems retailers start the holiday season earlier every year. I know some stores had their holiday merchandise available back in September! I do my best to ignore their radio jingles, flashy TV ads and direct mail pieces until mid-November when I start trying to get my 3-year-old to make her list to old St. Nick. This year my husband and I decided to kick off the shopping season with a day trip to Williamsburg and the Amana Colonies.

Williamsburg, conveniently located on I-80, is home to the Tanger Outlet Center. I have long had a love affair with Tanger because it’s home to some of my favorite stores and, honestly, who doesn’t love to do a little shopping for themselves? It also has some of my husband's favorite stores. He's not normally game to shop, but he is if it involves purchasing things for himself. I bought lots of clothes for our kids (3-year-old girl and 6-month-old boy) to have for oodles of holiday parties and chilly nights.

Millstream's Outdoor Biergarten

The Amana Colonies began in 1855 as a religious communal society and they have been very successful in preserving their crafts and culture to allow visitors to have a unique experience. Since I was hosting Thanksgiving at our house I headed first for the Millstream Brewing Company to pick up some Iowa made beers for my guests. Millstream has a beautiful setting and as I walked up the path to enter I pictured myself enjoying one of their beers on the patio. Inside you could see where the beers are made and bottled. The beers have won numerous awards and are handcrafted in small 10-barrel batches. We picked up a sampler pack so that there would be something for everyone.

Next we headed down the road to the Ox Yoke Inn for lunch. They are known for family style meals, but you can also order by the plate. I ordered the Kasseler Rippchen which just may be the best pork chop I have ever eaten. (It’s tied for first with a pork chop that I had at the Iowa State Fair). It came with mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and bread. On each table was a container of strawberry jam. Try the jam. You won’t regret it. In fact, you’ll end up buying a large container to take home. It’s that good.

After lunch we wondered around Amana popping into various shops. I got some unique gifts for my daughters preschool teachers and bought great things for emergency gifts. (Items I buy, wrap and keep around in case someone pops over to our house at the holidays with a gift for us when I had not planned on getting them anything. I only buy things that I would want to keep in case I don’t end up giving the item away.)

Sadly, the day had to end. From my hometown of Des Moines, Williamsburg and the Amana Colonies were a quick 90 minutes away and totally worth the trip. I’m already planning a girls trip for next summer.

- Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office

Is this heaven?

2010-12-10T14:35:00.000-06:00

Field of Dreams Movie Site, Dyersville

No, it's Iowa! (Well, virtually.) This blog will provide you with tips, trivia, tidbits and more about traveling Iowa. Posts will come from Iowa Tourism Office staff, industry partners and travelers.

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