📍 United States

IOWA UNVEILED: MISSISSIPPI BLUFFS TO HERITAGE COLONIES

Q: What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide. Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer. Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks. Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

River bluffs guarding ancient mounds, German colonies preserving communal heritage, Norwegian heritage valleys. Iowa reveals depth.

≈ 21

Days

826

Stops

📖 11 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Dare Iowa differently: follow Mississippi bluffs at Effigy Mounds, then find Norwegian heritage in Decorah's valleys. Wander through Amana Colonies and their communal history, savor Pella's Dutch spirit between tulips and sweets, and let the heartland surprise you.

Amana Colonies: german heritage, communal history
Decorah: norwegian valley, trout streams
Effigy Mounds: ancient earthworks, river bluffs
Pella: dutch tulips, windmill charm

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

Lake Okoboji

glacier lakes anchor iowa great lakes resort region

4 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

Lake Okoboji - swimming, boating, sandy beaches

Arnolds Park Amusement Park

🎯

Activities

→

Complimentary sailboat rides

→

Water-skiing

Day

Lake Okoboji

glacier lakes anchor iowa great lakes resort region

4 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Lakeside trails - biking and hiking

🎯

Activities

→

Swimming and water activities

→

Sunset viewing at lakeside dinner

Day

Lake Okoboji

glacier lakes anchor iowa great lakes resort region

4 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Beach relaxation and lakeside activities

🎯

Activities

→

Final sunset viewing

Day

Des Moines Iowa

capital city surprises with sculpture park creativity

6 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Iowa State Capitol Building - grand corridors and chambers

23-karat gold dome viewing

First Lady Doll Collection

Marble floors and ornate interiors

🎯

Activities

→

City views from Capitol grounds

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 245 km

Travel time: 3h04

Day

Missouri Valley Iowa

loess hills unique landforms border missouri river

6 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Loess Hills Trail Road northern section - scenic overlooks

Preparation Canyon State Park hike

🎯

Activities

→

Photography at scenic viewpoints

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 71.3 km

Travel time: 1h11

Day

Onawa Iowa

lewis and clark trail marks missouri river passage

10 photos

Day 6

🔍

Discover

Loess Hills Trail Road southern section

Onawa boutique shopping

Glenwood historic buildings exploration

Loess Hills Lavender Farm

🎯

Activities

→

Lavender shopping - honey and bath products

Day

Pella Iowa

dutch windmills and tulip festivals bloom springtime

6 photos

Day 7

🔍

Discover

Vermeer Windmill - climb to top

Dutch Historical Village

Tulip gardens exploration

Jaarsma Bakery - Dutch pastries

+1 Places visited

🎯

Activities

→

Downtown shopping

→

Sunset kayak on Lake Red Rock

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 126.3 km

Travel time: 2h06

Day

Amana Colonies

german pietist villages preserve communal heritage

8 photos

Day 8

🔍

Discover

Iowa 80 Truckstop - quirky roadside detour

Amana Colonies museums and historic homes

German craft shops - quilts and furniture

Historic gardens exploration

🎯

Activities

→

German dining - Kartoffelsalat and Apfelstrudel

→

Basketry workshop

→

Fireside Winery visit in Marengo

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 30.7 km

Travel time: 1h01

Day

North Liberty Iowa

corridor growth connects iowa city dynamism

5 photos

Day 9

🔍

Discover

Final day at Lake Macbride - waterfall and trails

🎯

Activities

→

Relaxation and reflection time

Day

North Liberty Iowa

corridor growth connects iowa city dynamism

5 photos

Day 10

🔍

Discover

Additional lake activities and trails

🎯

Activities

→

Beach and water recreation

Day

North Liberty Iowa

corridor growth connects iowa city dynamism

5 photos

Day 11

🔍

Discover

Lake Macbride State Park - trail hikes

Waterfall viewing

Herbert Hoover birth cottage

🎯

Activities

→

Paddle-boarding on lake

→

Wading at waterfall spillway

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 29.3 km

Travel time: 59min

Day

West Branch Iowa

herbert hoover birthplace preserves presidential origins

10 photos

Day 12

🔍

Discover

Blacksmith shop and Quaker meetinghouse

Reconstructed tallgrass prairie walk

Presidential Library and Museum

Herbert and Lou Hoover gravesite

+1 Places visited

🎯

Activities

→

The Lively Restaurant dinner

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 140.4 km

Travel time: 2h20

Day

Dubuque Iowa

mississippi bluffs frame victorian riverboat heritage

10 photos

Day 13

🔍

Discover

Mississippi Riverwalk

Mines of Spain hike

Historic downtown exploration

🎯

Activities

→

Riverfront dining

→

Additional riverfront activities

Day

Dubuque Iowa

mississippi bluffs frame victorian riverboat heritage

10 photos

Day 14

🔍

Discover

Mississippi River views

Effigy Mounds visitor center - Native American culture displays

🎯

Activities

→

Mississippi River overlooks

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 113.6 km

Travel time: 1h54

Day

Harpers Ferry Iowa

effigy mounds guard ancient indigenous earthwork mysteries

7 photos

Day 15

🔍

Discover

Fire Point Loop Trail hike - bear effigy mound

Sacred mounds exploration

River Bluffs Scenic Byway drive with stops

🎯

Activities

→

Scenic photography stops

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 3.8 km

Travel time: 8min

Day

Mcgregor Iowa

pike's peak overlook surveys mississippi river drama

10 photos

Day 16

🔍

Discover

Guttenberg historic downtown

Guttenberg City Overlook - Mississippi views

McGregor antique shops and cafés

Motor Mill historic site

+1 Places visited

🎯

Activities

→

Woodland trail hiking

Day

Mcgregor Iowa

pike's peak overlook surveys mississippi river drama

10 photos

Day 17

🔍

Discover

Point Ann Trail hike to overlook

Additional bluff trails exploration

Beulah Falls viewing at Spook Cave Campground entrance

🎯

Activities

→

Mississippi Valley photography

Day

Mcgregor Iowa

pike's peak overlook surveys mississippi river drama

10 photos

Day 18

🔍

Discover

Dunnings Spring Park - waterfall boardwalk

🎯

Activities

→

Peaceful reflection by waterfall

Day

Mcgregor Iowa

pike's peak overlook surveys mississippi river drama

10 photos

Day 19

🔍

Discover

Rustic stone arch bridge

🎯

Activities

→

Valley views from trail summit

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 65.4 km

Travel time: 1h05

Day

Decorah

6 photos

Day 20

🔍

Discover

Upper Ice Cave Hill Trail hike

Pont rustique en arc de pierre

Randonnée sur le sentier Upper Ice Cave Hill

🎯

Activities

→

Vues sur la vallée depuis le sommet du sentier

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

IOWA & MIDWEST: SACRED MOUNDS, NORDIC CULTURES AND GREAT PLAINS

📅 12 days 🛣️ 1616.2 Km

WISCONSIN, GO TO THE BEST PLACES !

📅 23 days 🛣️ 1855.3 Km

🛡️ Travel advice - United States

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.

Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.

Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 17 and 25 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United States?

Continental diversity with iconic landmarks, cultural melting pot, and endless possibilities. Experience natural wonders, vibrant cities, and authentic American dreams from coast to coast. The country offers incredible diversity with modern amenities and cultural richness. United States provides life-changing experiences with natural beauty and cultural authenticity.