Top Iowa hotels
Sponsored Links
This is not the home of the vacuum carpet company, that's Canton, Ohio [see History of Hoover Vacuums. President Herbert Hoover was the 31st President of the United States. He lead the nation from 1929 to 1933. Rising from a poor family, he was an example that old American adage, "anyone can grow up to be the President of the United States".My Herbert Hoover pageNational Park Services' Herbert Hoover NHS pagePresidential biographyWikipedia Herbert Hoover biography
This is an amusement park. Although it isn't famous and doesn't have any unique rides, there are a lot of rides here and you could easily spend a whole day in the park. Plus, it is way cheaper than any of the famous parks!
Each time that Jill and I would cross the Mississippi River into Iowa [Dubuque], I would comment on how beautiful the Courthouse looked as the sun reflected off the golden dome. {The only golden dome in Iowa.] So, it was absolutely imperative that we see it up close.It's located in the downtown business district and is next to the Old Jail Museum. It's not the first courthouse in Dubuque; it is the second one and was completed in 1891. This stately Victorian/Edwardian/Richardsonian Romanesque structure[Beaux-Arts architecture] was put on the National Register of Historic Places. It has a grand style, a large amount of detail, elaborate moldings, & large columns. Incidentally, it was built as Dubuque's first combination courthouse and jail.I especially love the 14-foot statue of Lady Liberty that tops the golden dome. I also love the details of the columns in the front.This might be a...
Amana Colonies, one of Iowa's most popular destinations, are actually seven historic German villages founded as a religious commune in the mid-1800's. As a collection of seven, they have been named a National Historic Landmark. Their goal is to preserve their crafts and culture while offering tourist a variety of activities. The Seven are:a. Homesteadb. South Amanac. West Amanad. High Amanae. Middle Amanaf. Amanag. East Amana Here in the Amana Colonies there are many things to do such as:Take a three-mile trail, play golf on a scenic course, eat a hearty family-style meal, purchase antiques, check out the hand-woven baskets, furniture and clocks, taste and perhaps purchase the locally made wine and beer, bring home some home-made jams, jellies, and preserves, or just unwind in one of the many quaint bed-and-breakfasts.But, the very first thing to do is to go to the Amana Colonies...
Jill and I thoroughly enjoyed the Amana Heritage Museum in Main Amana. I think it is a good idea to go here, see the short media presentation first and then peruse the rest of the museum and the book store. It explains a good deal about the history and the religion of the Amana Colonies.This museum is located in an ancient Colony home; the cost is $8.00 at the door or $7.00 if you purchase it at the Welcome Center as we did. The good thing is that the ticket is also good at the other Heritage museums [Church, Communal Kitchen, Cooper Shop, Communal Agricultural, and the Homestead Store].Both Jill and I are retired high school English teachers, and we really enjoyed the Colony school classroom. [see photo # 2].They also offered books and other items in the bookstore that pertained to the religion and communal living of the Amana Colonies.
Muscatine, Iowa, is a "must see" river town. Muscatine has about 24,000 people who live between 2 river bluffs along the Mississippi. The area is spread out; however, we concentrated on the historic downtown district.While in this lovely community, we discovered that Mark Twain was a one-time Muscatine resident, & he wrote, "I remember Muscatine for its sunsets. I have never seen any on either side of the ocean that equaled them."No other place has the name of Muscatine. Most people believe that the town was named after a small band of Indians who lived in the area during the early 1800's, the Mascoutins.Muscatine has been a center for the European fur-trading industry; then the lumber industry, &, of course, the button industry (made from the mussel shells fished from the Mississippi River.Companies of note that still make Muscatine their home are: H.J. Heinz Company {vinegar, gravy, &...
Bellevue is bordered by the mighty Mississippi, & its name means "Beautiful View", which is literally true. It certainly has natural beauty with the Mississippi River as its front door & several State Parks & Reserves that surround it.Bellevue was the first settlement in Jackson County, & it is the oldest city in this county as well as one of the five oldest cities in Iowa. Such historic attractions as The George Dyas House & William Dyas Barn, Dyas Hexagonal Barn on 362nd Avenue are places to see.Although we did not see it on this trip, we were told not to miss Mont Rest [1893], a beautiful home "nestled halfway up a 9 acre wooded bluff overlooking one of the most panoramic views of the mighty Mississippi River." (300 Spring Street; (563) 872-4220).The Grant Wood Scenic Byway [East End} goes through Bellevue to & through several other small towns, including Maquoketa, Anamosa, & Stone...
We wanted to learn more about The Old Order Amish & the Mennonites as well as explore the Kalona Historical Village, so off we drove to this small town that is just 15 miles southwest of Iowa City.Don't miss the Kalona Historical Village on Highway 22. It's a great example of how united this community really is. It started with the Historical Society's push to save the town's Depot & grew into a 2-block-long area. By 1973, the former Rock Island Railroad Depot was entirely restored & 2 other historic buildings & 2 museums were opened to the public.It then became a joint effort of the Kalona Historical Society & the much older Mennonite Historical Society. The Mennonite Museum & Historical Archives were erected. The Historical Society opened the Wahl Museum with the Kalona Quilt & Textile Museum & the Reif Mineral Museum & gift shop.. Jill & I visited all of these, & you can learn more...
The very first thing that Jill and I did when we went to Dubuque was to find and visit the Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau. Boy, were we glad that we did!Besides receiving a free Spy map of Dubuque [a map with pictures as well as street markings of all the important places to visit], we also gained valuable knowledge about the Dubuque Fest, places to eat, musical events, art activities, and the Old House Enthusiasts Tour location. We also purchased our ticket [$10.00] to tour six preservation homes.We were also given a discount book that contained several useful discounts for what we had planned to do while in Dubuque.The woman who assisted us [As seen in the photograph]was very friendly, quite informative, and very patient concerning our multitude of questions. She marked our map step-by-step to make it easier to find our many destinations.Thus, my suggestion is to be sure to...
While on Bluff and Second Streets, Jill and I visited the Cathedral Square and its sculpture called "Five Figures for Five Flags". It's an impressive sculpture that is welded copper of a lead miner, a missionary priest, a steamboat pilot,a farmer and his wife. It was done by Ann Opgenorth and Donna Marihar of Bellevue, Iowa. It stands in front of St. Raphael's Cathedral.This square celebrates the history of the cathedral and the rectory. I could only take photographs of the outside of the Cathedral of Saint Raphael because it was locked. A sign indicated that you could go to the Rectory next door to make an appointment. However, since we were only here one day, that was impossible. But we did enjoy the GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE.Shop keepers nearby told us that St. Raphael's is the oldest Christian church in Iowa. Just as impressive as the church is the Rectory. It is so huge, and the grounds...
Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport Des Moines
1 Review and 36 Opinions I have been to Des Moines several times for business over the past few years. The distance from...
Marriott Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids
1 Review and 49 Opinions A wonderful marriott with great service in a nice location north of town. The pool and work out room...
Sheraton Iowa City Hotel Iowa City
2 Reviews and 107 Opinions my family stayed during Jazz festival..we were tickled to be staying at a Sheraton for the first...
Reviews and photos of Iowa attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Iowa sightseeing.
More Cities in Iowa
Q: Hi I am thinking of visiting a friend who resides in Iowa and to visit the surrounding cities. What would be a suggested...
A: You should figure out which cities you'd like to visit first. Iowa is actually pretty well-located as far as surrounding cities, so you have some choices. My list would...
Read 8 Replies
Sponsored Links
