Anyone spend time in Iowa?

[ClassicBlue]

My wife has a business trip to Cedar Rapids in a couple months. I know it's a ways away, but I'm trying to decide if I want to join her on this trip. All I would have to do is cover my air fair. My wife would be in meetings during the day which would leave me open to explore and site see and Des Moines is only two hours away as well. Also, I've never been to the heartland. Can someone give me the 411 on Iowa? Anything really worth visiting?

Thanks in advance..

 

[Sigman15]

So I went to college in Ames, IA, Iowa State University. That was almost 30 years ago. I drive thru Iowa every summer on a trip up to MN for summer vacation. Cedar Rapids is cool little town. I've stopped in for a bite to eat but never spent any time checking things out. Many years ago, it was rated as one of the top small cities in the US. Iowa City is not far from Cedar Rapids, that's a college town, Univ of Iowa. I like driving thru Iowa because its miles and miles of farmland. Some may think that's boring but I find it peaceful. I've been to Des Moines a few times, but don't really member much about it. I, personally, would move to Iowa, but that's just me. If you went, I'd think you'd find some pretty laid back time. Ames is a small town, I believe it was about 26K residents and 26K students while I was there. Not sure what the locals did for fun. North of Cedar Rapids is Waterloo, its a ****hole so don't waste your time there. The Quad Cites is east on Iowa/Illinois border, you have the Mississippi River there.

I can't sell you that you are going to have an incredible time and want to go back each year, but I like it, so does the wife.

 

[ClassicBlue]

I've been reading "things to do in Iowa" online and I think I'm gonna make the trip. Driving through farmland between destinations is peaceful and I enjoy that kind of scenery. Aside from the recommended must see sites online, I'm sure I can find things I'll enjoy on my own.

 

[jackrabbit]

We really enjoyed the river road. Also, don't forget American Pickers.

 

[DerekB711]

i love flat road lands like up there driving through indiana and illinois so should be similar.

im a foodie so fresh cheese curds are awesome as they are fried too lol. when on trips i try to find crazy food spots different from down here or google search man vs food in that state to see if their is a challenge i need to do lol

thin crust pizza from the midwest is the best thing ever. its usually cut into little squares i grew up on it and miss it. all we do when we go back is eat that and strombolis.

which down here a stromboli is a calzone without ricotta cheese.... Up there its an awesome sandich with ground sausage and totally different than what they try to pass off down here as a calzone

 

[LARGO9]

You do know what IOWA means don't ya,, IDOITS OUT WANDERING AROUND,, lol My wife is from Iowa and see told me that. Been there once with her to bury her father. It was 40 below and everything was frozen there, she lived in Lake Park. The only thing I can say is that they have the best beef in the world.

 

[jackrabbit]

Yep, forgot about the cheese curds, yummy. We liked the white ones.

 

[DerekB711]

the white ones are the best mind blowing

 

[ClassicBlue]

Whenever I travel to a state or town for the first time, I always research and ask about local food joints that are unique or must visits. Sounds like a big juicy steak is on the agenda.

 

[ClassicBlue]

Cheese curds.....like these? Had to look online.