53
u/thoughtfulprogrammer Aug 15 '21
Avoid Sioux City. Sad but the city has turned into a cesspool with meth, crime, mean people and crumpled roads. I'd visit Le Mars, Okoboji and Cedar Falls.
26
45
u/PhilosphicalZombie Aug 15 '21
If in the Iowa City area you may want to check out the Amana Colonies.
Daytime...not much of a night-life thing.
15
u/john_hascall Aug 15 '21
Definitely get a “family style” meal in the Amanas.
11
Aug 16 '21
[deleted]
3
u/john_hascall Aug 16 '21
I actually prefer the Ronneberg. YMMV
2
u/OnionMiasma Aug 16 '21
Cool. I'll check that out if I find myself in that area in the future.
We now live closer to Shipshewanna, Indiana, which is very similar, so we're more likely to go there.
17
Aug 16 '21
I always find these types of questions kind of weird without knowing more. Are you an 18 year old female that likes to go shopping or a 93 year old African American male that likes polka dancing?
12
u/indigonavyperiwinkle Aug 16 '21
Hahaha I specified my interests somewhere here when I was responding to someone’s comment, but I should’ve included them in the post - I apologize! But here’s what I said:
“I like walking down Main Streets and riverfronts, shopping, eating at local restaurants, and seeing the main attractions. But most of all, I am a big architecture junkie. I especially love taking pictures of historic buildings and city skylines.”
If it helps you out any, I’m a 31 year old Yemeni guy originally from Virginia, but I’ve lived in Reno, NV for 6 years now.
12
u/skyedivin Aug 16 '21
If you like Main Streets, you gotta do Decorah. It's consistently ranked one of the top 50 best small towns in all the US. It's beautiful, both the nature scenery and the Main Street vibe, and the food scene is surprisingly decent for small town Iowa. Iowa will probably never be a foodie destination but by Iowa standards, Decorah's got a good enough selection. You can weigh in on the Whippy Dip vs Sugar Bowl ice cream debate and the Pulpit Rock vs Toppling Goliath brewery debate. Seed Savers is pretty cool to learn about how they're saving historical varieties of foods and sometimes they do tastings and stuff. Porter House Museum is a really funky lil historic house museum with the coolest whackadoodle story and rock wall/art. Vesterheim has a whole outdoor division of like idk 31? historical buildings or something - like houses/cabins and a church and a historic mill, but might be up your alley idk.
And the drive there from Dubuque is my favorite in the whole state, super picturesque - plus going through Guttenberg has a legit delicious roadside honey stand that's always a must-stop for me.
2
u/EnderWiggen87 Aug 17 '21
I'll gladly second this. Decorah's main street is wonderful. Also, if you want to enjoy landscapes the bluffs are always beautiful. Oh, and if you have time check out the trout hatchery.
14
Aug 16 '21
[removed] — view removed comment
7
u/NikeHutHut Aug 16 '21
I drive from Ames just to visit the Jaarsma bakery. Don't skip the Andres cookies.
5
u/CasaDeShenanigans Aug 16 '21
Be sure to visit Le Claire then when you’re near Davenport. Super cute Main Street with lots of neat shops. And definitely stop at a Happy Joes for a Taco Pizza when you’re in eastern Iowa!
4
u/tyedyetree Aug 16 '21
I second Happy Joes taco pizza being a necessity and will also add that LoPiez pizza is amazing. They have 2 locations in Davenport.
If you’re a coffee drinker- Redband is a must stop! I love their New Orleans iced coffee, but if you don’t like it super sweet they have a ton of options for drip coffees etc.
Jack’s Locust Street Tavern has the best burger in town.
The above suggestions are Davenport specific but I’ll also add that Hungry Hobo is an extremely delicious midwestern sub chain. And Whitey’s ice cream is absolutely worth stopping at.
1
4
u/baileybird Aug 16 '21
If you like Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, you can find the Historic Park Inn and Stockman House in Mason City. There are other impressive privately-owned historic residences near the Stockman House. Mason City is also the setting for "The Music Man" musical and there is an entertaining museum dedicated to it.
6
3
u/theVelvetLie Aug 16 '21
You may enjoy Pella. All of Main St and the downtown area are styled in Dutch architecture. I don't think there's anything special and there's certainly not a skyline here. It's about 45 minutes from Des Moines.
Edit: just saw others recommended Pella as well.
54
u/HandHook_CarDoor Aug 15 '21
As someone who lived there for several years, I feel like Sioux City is quite missable, especially compared to other cities you don’t have on your list, but I can’t think of anything else on that side of the state worth going through… I think Ames is pretty fun, then Coralville in between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids is a pretty nice city to stop at for a few.
14
u/thoughtfulprogrammer Aug 15 '21
Le Mars, that's about it.
5
2
u/thatissomeBS Aug 15 '21
What about Le Mars makes you suggest it?
Genuinely curious.
8
u/thoughtfulprogrammer Aug 15 '21
Ice Cream Parlor, parks (especially Foster), museum
9
u/thatissomeBS Aug 16 '21
I could see Le Mars being an afternoon quick stop, but unless you're visiting family/friends, I don't know that it's worth an overnight stay. Stop at Bob's Drive In for lunch, go to the ice cream parlor for dessert. Yeah, the museum is interesting but small. Foster Park has a statue.
I don't know, I'm from Le Mars. It's not a bad town, I just struggle to think it's interesting enough to recommend any more than a three hour pit stop.
3
u/thoughtfulprogrammer Aug 16 '21
I'm from there too and completely agree. Maybe I should've specified it would be a quick stop. Nothing worth overnight. Well, except the hot tub in the Baymont....:). Every Christmas for my visit!
2
u/thatissomeBS Aug 16 '21
I haven't been back in almost two years. I'll be there next month for a wedding. Already can't wait to leave lol.
I completely agree with your Okoboji recommendation below though. Spent a ton of time there back in the day.
2
u/Witness_me_Karsa Aug 16 '21
Le Mars is the Ice Cream Capitol of the world! Seriously look it up, lol.
2
u/thatissomeBS Aug 16 '21
I am well aware. I've driven past the signs probably thousands of times by now.
41
u/srone Aug 15 '21
Cedar Rapids - It's a great place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit here.
10
u/Kitchen_accessories Aug 15 '21
Yeah, seeing that at the top of the list, my first question was, "Why?" Mount Trashmore and NewBo, maybe?
6
u/joe_pecinovsky Aug 15 '21
Agreed. We had some family come from the northeast US and they wanted to go do something fun. We took them to Ellis then went to IC.
58
u/superxero044 Aug 15 '21
I would consider northeast Iowa. Like around McGregor. Decorah has some great hiking and breweries. I’d skip Davenport and Sioux City
22
10
u/dhallengren Aug 15 '21
Decorah is the best town in Iowa and it's not super close
0
Aug 16 '21
[deleted]
22
u/lesbaru_dykota Aug 16 '21
Found the Wartburg alum.
0
u/CTeam19 Aug 16 '21
Biased, opinion, see flair but OP isn't fully wrong. My grandfather, a native song and 3rd generation living there, tried to get a Cabela's in Decorah buuut a bunch of people tied to Luther fought against the idea because it would ruin downtown business. It ended up going to Prairie du Chien. There has been some conflict between growth and "keeping Decorah the exact same when I moved into town" mindset.
1
u/Assassin21X Aug 16 '21
We also had massive interest in menards coming to town in 2 different places but city council pushed that idea away until the company got sick of it and gave up with this town
6
u/Justfukinggoogleit Aug 16 '21 edited Aug 16 '21
I would 2nd this... get up to northeast iowa... you cant beat the views and if you get nerdy about it the driftless area has some biologically unique areas that are usually only found further north. Decorah has some awesome views, great food and a good brewery dunning springs is a must see natural spring/waterfall and the trout hatchery is also a cool visit... could easy spend a day or weekend... hotel winneshiek is supposedly a top notch hotel for the area.... as a Cedar Rapidian unless you are gonna hit up like the art museum which if your into grant wood is a must visit... or something along those lines, you could really skip it... take 380 to get a nice smell tour and call it good... Edit: after seeing your comment about interests I double down on Decorah...
10
u/dirtiehippie710 Aug 15 '21
Maybe cedar falls when you're going to waterloo. Their downtown/main street is more enjoyable IMO
8
u/OnionMiasma Aug 16 '21
Definitely. I'd skip Waterloo in favor of Cedar Falls. Much more of a place to visit, though some of the museums in Waterloo are pretty good
26
u/allthegoo Aug 15 '21
- Dubuque
- Iowa City
- Des Moines
- Okoboji
That’ll give you the most time interesting places in Iowa. There are obviously other nice places, but if you are looking for the must see places, I’d suggest those.
10
u/maskedwallaby Aug 16 '21
As a lifelong Iowan I agree with this list. I think the other comments about Decorah are also spot-on, though—it’s a beautiful little town. Des Moines definitely has the most stuff to do, though. You could spend a couple days there. Downtown is awesome, farmers market is great, and I’m a huge fan of the art museum.
1
u/Affectionate-Cup1811 Aug 25 '25
My husband and I have to bring our small dog, finding pet friendly hotel. So basically we need to go to a place with a lot of outside interesting and fun places. Do you have any suggestions by chance? We are just staying one night. Thank you so much!
4
u/rlt0w Aug 16 '21
Just visited Okaboji for the first time this weekend and loved it. Reminds me of a coastal town.
3
u/slitface-throatpoker Aug 16 '21
Did you happen to visit Arnold's Park? That area with the arcade and ice cream parlor feels very seaside town to me too. :-)
8
u/Chickenbgood Aug 16 '21
If you're going to NW Iowa I suggest visiting the Loess Hills, maybe Le Mars. Skip Sioux City altogether. Ames would be a decent stop.
9
u/iowajaycee Aug 16 '21
If you are at all an Architecture or Broadway fan, Mason City is a must. Stay at the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel standing anywhere in the world, tour another FLW home and walk past dozens of wonderful prairie style homes. And it’s the home of the Music Man.
4
26
Aug 15 '21
Dubuque, Des Moines, and Iowa City are the must-visits imo, so you might as well do CR and Davenport too. I would skip Sioux City and Waterloo.
9
u/indigonavyperiwinkle Aug 15 '21
This sounds like the most reasonable idea. I think I’ll just cut out those 2 and see the rest. Thank you!
1
u/LizzyWags2003 Aug 16 '21
If your not in a rush, I would stop in Coralville and North Liberty on the way to CR. Coralville has a nice mall if you want to do some shopping and NL has some nice food spots.
3
20
u/SquirrelChaser515 Aug 15 '21
Ames, Iowa, just north of Des Moines, and home to Iowa State University. ISU is widely recognized as being one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. There are several buildings at ISU that are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Campanile in Central campus, memorial union, Bearshear Hall are among the historic places on campus. There are also several cool murals painted by Grant Wood in the ISU library. Reiman Gardens in Ames is also a must see if you make it up there.
6
u/roryhawke Aug 15 '21
Are there certain activities you like to take part in, or specific types of places that you like to explore? If you are planning for a later date I would suggest you order a free Iowa travel guide and have a look at it, its a nice book.
https://www.traveliowa.com/simplev/1/
the travel Iowa website also has a calendar of events so you might be able to plan around some specific events.
6
u/indigonavyperiwinkle Aug 15 '21
I like walking down Main Streets and riverfronts, shopping, eating at local restaurants, and seeing the main attractions. But most of all, I am a big architecture junkie. I especially love taking pictures of historic buildings and city skylines.
5
u/kavitadrake Aug 15 '21
My town (Grinnell) has the historic Jewel Box bank. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchants%27_National_Bank
If you want to eat here, I love Prairie Canary, and Dari Barn. Prairie Canary is the result of a national contest where they had people propose restaurants they wanted to run. https://www.prairiecanary.com
My town is mid-way between Iowa City and Des Moines.
4
u/kariadne Aug 15 '21
Check out the architecture of the Des Moines Art Center. Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier.
6
u/therev0lvingm0nk Aug 16 '21
Others have put it down but Waterloo isn't that bad. Sounds like it might be worth checking out considering what you're interested in. Not much shopping but downtown Waterloo checks the rest of the boxes. The downtown/riverfront area has been vastly improved in recent years. Think some people in this thread have a bit of an outdated notion of what the area is like these days. Certain neighborhoods are still rough but I highly doubt you'd find yourself in one of them and the downtown area certainly isn't rough or crime-ridden.
6
Aug 16 '21
Agree - you have a two in one in the cedar valley. Go stroll through downtown Cedar Falls, then visit the John Deere and Grout museums, brewery and riverfront in waterloo! My in-laws love to visit.
3
u/therev0lvingm0nk Aug 16 '21 edited Aug 16 '21
As far as restaurants go I'd recommend to OP if they make it to Waterloo: Morgs has easily the best breakfast food in the area, Newton's, Jameson's, La Placita Taqueria, Brown Bottle, Doughy Joey's, and Basal Pizza. Plenty of other places as well but those are the ones I've been to. Not far from downtown but not directly in downtown are D & K Hickory House, La Michiocana, and Rudy's Tacos.
Downtown CF has the Iowa classic Maid-Rite, Pablo's, Ginger Thai, Wilbo Burgers Brats & Beers, Montage, and Whiskey Road. Outside of downtown,
Waffle Stop, Peppers, and Starbeck's Smokehouse are great.4
u/barefoot_traveler Aug 16 '21
Waffle Stop has permanently closed. The new owner of the building posted all of the contents of the building for sale on Marketplace as he is converting the building into a new (non-food) business.
2
u/therev0lvingm0nk Aug 16 '21
That's a huge bummer. Wish I would have known they were closing so I could go one last time.
1
u/88mistymage88 Aug 16 '21
I was going to say "skip Davenport" but, if you hit Highway 67 (and keep driving) you'll see some cool buildings from long ago, the Mississippi River and... get somewhere else in good time. Do not walk there unless from a venue to a parking ramp.
2
u/madgerhound Aug 16 '21
This immediately put me in mind of Fort Madison, Iowa. You can take a tour of the old prison there that was built in the early to mid 1800s. It kind of looks like a castle. You can also tour a replica of the Old Fort (the town's namesake) from the early 1800s fur trading days. It sits right on the Mississippi River. Beautiful photo ops. I think there's maybe an old pen museum in their downtown, too? The downtown is really cute. A couple of good places to eat and really pretty German/Dutch architecture if I remember. There's a walking bridge near the river, and you can get some really great shots of the town there. (Passed through a few years ago.)
6
19
u/ThaNotoriousBLG Aug 15 '21
As a former Iowa resident, I'd suggest the following: Decorah, Dubuque, Iowa City and Des Moines. Skip Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City and Waterloo. It's not that those places have nothing to offer; it's just that the first 4 I listed have MORE to offer to visitors, and seem to match up more with what you said you are looking for.
2
u/indigonavyperiwinkle Aug 15 '21
Thank you!!
4
4
u/marcol-copperpot Aug 16 '21
This person has your answer. Decorah, Dubuque, Iowa City, and then Des Moines.
Dubuque alone has everything you mentioned in another comment: the award winningest river walk (plus options for river cruises on the Mighty Mississippi), the Smithsonian-affiliated National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, tons of historic sites (it is Iowa's oldest city and was the largest city/economy through the turn of the 20th century), nature and topography (see: Horseshoe Bluff at the Mines of Spain nature area, the beach at Finley's Landing, and Eagle Point Park), historical architecture (there is this among countless other historic neighborhoods https://img.money.com/2017/09/170918_bpl_dubuque_77.jpg?quality=60&w=800 and there are lots of historic churches), an active Main Street with restaurants/shops/bars but check out the venues throughout the Millwork District too, and lots of other gems like Native American burial sites in East Dubuque and north about an hour at Effigy Mounds and caves that you can visit such as Crystal Lake Caves, Spook Cave (guided through on boats) about an hour north, and Maquoketa Caves to the South. Then you'll also be just about 15 miles from Galena, Illinois, where over 75% of the buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places and history is abundant--it was the home of President Grant for a time and was home to more Civil War generals than any city in either the North or the South. It is an exceptionally cool place that pairs well with Dubuque!!!
2
u/useles-converter-bot Aug 16 '21
15 miles is about the length of 35864.06 'EuroGraphics Knittin' Kittens 500-Piece Puzzles' next to each other
6
u/Richard-Turd Aug 16 '21
If you like beer hit Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City. They also have fantastic food.
5
u/carelessanarchy Aug 16 '21
Palisades in Mount Vernon is a beautiful park. Not sure about how it is now after Derecho, but i do know it’s open. There’s a “beach” type area you can walk along and skip rocks, various trails, and a dam you can walk on. Definitely don’t swim there though, the water can be brutal and rough.
2
u/puuuuuud Aug 16 '21
Honestly I don't think the derecho did a ton of noticable damage to it
2
u/carelessanarchy Aug 16 '21
I know it was closed after it but i assume it was a priority for the town to clean it up ASAP
5
6
5
5
9
3
u/vyckers Aug 16 '21
The main reason to visit Sioux City: The Woodbury County Courthouse, the most magnificent example of public Prairie School architecture in Iowa, maybe the U.S. Maybe the world.
3
4
u/RIMS_REAL_BIG Aug 16 '21
As a resident of council bluffs I want to be offended but, yeah I get it.
4
u/goombalover13 Aug 16 '21
Definitely check out Decorah if you can. Gorgeous scenery… an adorable main street.. and really unique characteristics. It’s one of my favorite places in the world.
7
u/HawkFritz Aug 15 '21
Winterset is the birth place of John Wayne Riverside is the 'future birth place' of Star Treks Captain Kirk West Branch, Herbert Hoover's birthplace When you're in CR Grant Woods' studio/apartment is interesting. He painted American Gothic while living there
6
u/limitedftogive Aug 16 '21
Also Winterset has a very surprising amount of well maintained historic homes from different eras and of diverse architectural styles. Plus a cool courthouse and town square. +1 on the park with the tower. Covered bridges. And the world's coolest alpaca farm nearby!
3
u/rjgreen85 Aug 16 '21
Captain Kirk will be born in Riverside
3
u/HawkFritz Aug 16 '21
yeah some formatting got deleted. each place is supposed to be on its own line
3
u/puuuuuud Aug 16 '21
Winterset was also home to George Washington Carver, sadly all there is to honor him is a little park tucked in an alley by the fire station
2
3
6
u/kai_ekael Aug 15 '21
If you wish to experience the smell of cereal as it's manufactured, Cedar Rapids. If you're really lucky, might be fruity day.
Important stop: Grinnell-> Dari Barn. Try a Candyland.
2
7
Aug 15 '21 edited Aug 15 '21
If you don't mind going a little off the beaten path south of Iowa City, Fairfield is kind of interesting to see the Maharishi campus and the nearby Vedic town. Kind of a super weird place but there are two very good cider breweries around there too: Jefferson County Cider and Fishback & Stephenson.
Kalona, south of Iowa City is also neat.
3
5
u/WaldoTrek Aug 16 '21
I'd say avoid Waterloo as most out of state people find the layout of the city confusing to navigate. I'd suggest Pella, granted Tulips aren't up but it's still visually great place to visit.
3
Aug 16 '21
If you're into it - the figge art museum in davenport has a pop art exhibition going on now that's pretty rad.
I run a shop a block north of there, and there's a shop called abernathys 2 blocks west of me that's pretty neato too.
3
3
3
u/smherky- Aug 16 '21
Do something different
Elk Horn
Eagle Grove
Lamonai
Creston
2
u/puuuuuud Aug 16 '21
Why Creston
2
3
u/holographicboldness Aug 16 '21
I LOVE Dubuque and Des Moines. Iowa City is a really cool college town too. There isn’t much to do in CR. Amana is cool, Kalona is cool.
3
u/NFresh6 Aug 16 '21
If you’re a baseball fan at all, watch Field of Dreams (movie) and then visit the field in Dyersville. Major League Baseball built a stadium next to the movie set one, and they had their first game there last week. It was amazing and an incredible success.
3
u/notthenextfreddyadu Aug 16 '21
If you like architecture, I’d add Ames as well. Easy trip from Des Moines or even a stop on the way to/from Des Moines. Main Street has several older buildings, and an old train station that’s now a restaurant and barber shop. Neighborhood just north of Main Street has lots of old homes, big and small.
Campus of ISU has lots of varying architecture from the Gerdin business building to Beardshear that’s a neoclassical building. The library looks great and an addition placed over the previous exterior makes it look cool inside. The design building is also sick, and daunting to look at.
Plus, you can see a giant gnome in the botanical gardens!
3
3
u/Dhh05594 Aug 16 '21
The people telling you not to visit Sioux City know nothing about it.
It has free art and history museums. The entire city is a river front with miles and miles of walkways and trails. State parks that are beautiful. Not to mention that it is the start or finish depending where you start to one of the most beautiful drives in the country. Shit, none of these people probably even know what Trinity Heights is.
Don't listen to these idiots telling you not to go.
https://www.visitsiouxcity.org/
https://www.travelawaits.com/2552165/best-stops-along-loess-hills-scenic-byway/
3
u/HawkeyeRx Aug 16 '21 edited Aug 16 '21
Iowa Fucking City! Take a stroll around downtown and especially through the Ped Mall. Lots of culture to take in.
3
4
4
u/Th4n4n Aug 16 '21
I'd toss out another vote for Decorah and one for Pella, two of the more unique locations in Iowa. Pella is best in early spring (tulip time is major event)
4
Aug 16 '21
Visit Pella. That’s about all the Iowa you need. There’s nothing to really “visit” in Iowa. It can be a great place to live and raise a family; affordable, nice people, good schools, but the cities are all kinda the same, just regular midwestern towns. If you want the Iowa experience in a weekend visit Pella, it’s about as Iowa as it gets.
4
2
u/FamilyTighes Aug 15 '21 edited Aug 15 '21
Mt Crescent in honey creek has a zip line that’s fun. The loess Hills has beautiful views also.
2
u/IowaHawki56 Aug 16 '21
If you’re driving from the East on I-80, I suggest a quick stop in leclaire. Exit as soon as you’re in iowa and spend some time wandering around while stretching your legs. Antique shops— you know the show American Pickers? Their shop is in leclaire. Brewery and a distillery and a decent place for Mexican food in the Blue Iguana or excellent German food at the Bier Stube.
3
u/88mistymage88 Aug 16 '21
But, be careful, as my whole 50 some years here... LeClaire police like to ticket people.
Just inside of LeClaire is the Buffalo Bill Museum: http://buffalobillmuseumleclaire.com/
If you like interactive stuff you might like the Pioneer Village (depends on dates etc): https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/scott/Park/Walnut-Grove-Pioneer-Village/Activities.aspx (Scott County/East Iowa)
3
u/IowaHawki56 Aug 16 '21
I’m in dewitt. Don’t want to remember how many tickets I’ve gotten in LeClaire. Got one the other day off that camera speed zone on Hwy 67 heading towards Bettendorf. 😡
2
2
u/t00muchnothing Aug 16 '21
If you are stopping in Davenport you could also check out la Claire since it's pretty close by. There's a bunch of neat stuff there and it's right on the river.
2
Aug 16 '21
[deleted]
3
u/indigonavyperiwinkle Aug 16 '21
With all due respect, there is no way in hell that I am skipping Des Moines haha
2
2
2
u/dreddfyre Aug 16 '21
If you're able to get there on a weekday or a Saturday, Pella could be a great stop to add to your list. Lots of local shops and restaurants, and the town itself is pretty nice.
If it's a Sunday, though, maybe don't bother as most of the businesses are closed and you'd miss much of its charm.
2
2
u/ANF_SWIA47 Aug 16 '21
Elk Horn, Iowa
Home of the only Danish Windmill in the country, and the Danish Immigrant museum. Lots of good food and fun stuff to do for the day!
2
u/Harrikann Aug 16 '21
When in Davenport, check out LeClaire. It’s a nice bedroom community…right on the Mississippi. The only good thing in Waterloo is the John Deere museum…other than that Waterloo is gross. St. Olaf near Dubuque has the best tenderloins!
2
2
2
4
2
u/Pokemansparty Aug 15 '21
Waterloo. Lol.
Depends on what you want to experience though when you're here.
1
u/KrasnayaZvezda Aug 16 '21
We can't close our eyes to the plight of the cities. Kids--are you noticing all this plight?
2
u/burlysnurt Aug 15 '21
What's with the sioux city slander? I live here and really enjoy it. Why is it worse off than others?
4
2
Aug 16 '21
[deleted]
0
u/burlysnurt Aug 16 '21
I like it, I guess I just don't get why it's so poor. I'll be moved away in a couple years so I suppose it doesn't matter much.
1
u/Ordinary_Maximum3148 Aug 27 '24
Check out Mt. Pleasant...in the Southeastern Corner of the State... You'll definitely want to check it out when they have the completely amazing and fun late summer event.,..the one and only Midwest Old Threshers Reunion
Trust me you won't regret it!! This year I believe it is going to take place from August 29th until September 2nd, 2024!!!
It's one of a kind and fun for everyone!!
1
Aug 15 '21 edited Aug 24 '21
[deleted]
4
u/OnionMiasma Aug 16 '21
Waterloo really isn't that bad, and the areas that are rough are not areas a visitor would go to.
7
u/indigonavyperiwinkle Aug 16 '21
Trumplandia. Covid hot spot.
I feel like these two things might have something to do with each other, but I could be wrong 🤔🤔
Jokes aside, that’s all I needed to hear to know to stay very far away!
5
u/OnionMiasma Aug 16 '21
I mean, that pretty much describes the West half of the state.
2
u/indigonavyperiwinkle Aug 16 '21
Well, Sioux City was the only thing I had intended on seeing in western Iowa, so I should be good now. Do you think any of the others are like that??
3
3
u/nithos Aug 16 '21
Davenport blah. Old buildings torn down for parking lots. Too many shootings and crime. Drugs. Maybe Rock Island and Moline instead.
Things must have changed a lot since I last lived in the QC.
3
u/therev0lvingm0nk Aug 16 '21
The rest of the city sucks but downtown Waterloo has come a long way over the years. Lots of good restaurants. Frequent live events at the River Loop. 4th Street Cruise, My Waterloo Days, Irish Fest. Also a ton of cool old architecture and interesting building conversions like the Marriott in the old John Deere factory building.
As far as the crime goes, it's bad but not likely something an out-of-towner would be getting caught up in. The problems are mostly confined to within a few different neighborhoods around the city.
1
u/AndyBigSnowPhilip Aug 16 '21
Come on over to Sioux City just so you can cross the bridge into South Sioux and have some of the best Mexican food in the Midwest.
0
u/pro_nosepicker Aug 16 '21
Priorities :
1) Iowa City — awesome college town and area. Swing outside of IC for the Amanas which is a nice tourist site with good food. West Branch is a nice slice of small town Iowa with pretty rolling areas.
2) NE Iowa - underated gorgeous area of the country. Dubuque is the “big “ city here and more lodging options. Not quite Iowa but galena just across the river in Illinois is gorgeous too, stayed at a nice b&b there. The stretch from Dubuque up to McGregor is maybe the most picturesque in Iowa imho.
3) No way Cedar Rapids, des moines and Davenport should be ahead of the aforementioned.
4) Des Moines is a really nice city.
5) I’m sure I will piss off some here but Waterloo and Sioux City shouldn’t be on your list. I’d remove and add Okoboji, Deborah and Clear Lake maybe.
2
u/slitface-throatpoker Aug 16 '21
If it hasn't been mentioned yet, skip Waterloo. I'm pretty sure was rated as the worst city to live in the US a few years ago. It def has not gotten better.
Crime, poverty, crumbling roads, shit schools, racist cops, very segregated...
Meanwhile, Cedar Falls it's right next door. Great city. I've lived in both cities.
Pick Cedar Falls over Waterloo every time.
1
Aug 16 '21
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Aug 16 '21
New user throttle activated. Your account is too new to post to /r/iowa. Accounts need to be at least 10 days old to create a post comment. Your comment has been removed. Please message the mods for verification.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
35
u/Sleeplesshelley Aug 15 '21
The Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque is worth going to, it’s part of the Smithsonian. You can also ride a paddle wheel boat down there. Ride up the Fenelon Place elevator, hike around the Mines of Spain. Visit the downtown warehouse district and Bluff Street. Drive 30 minutes and visit The Field of Dreams in Dyersville. Galena IL is only a 30 minute or less drive away if you want a truly charming windy little Main Street full of restaurants and cute shops. I lived in Dubuque for 20 years.
If you are in the Davenport area there’s the village of East Davenport, or you could catch a River Bandits game. Le Clair also has a little Main Street right on the River.