Best fall color photos of 2023
Iowa Road Trip asked our followers to submit their favorite fall photos – and you didn’t disappoint. We had almost 200 photos submitted and here are some of the favorites that viewers liked.
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Things to do in Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield is not your standard rural Iowa small town. Fairfield has its own unique vibe. Spend a few minutes strolling the town square and you’ll catch the vibe, as Fairfield is environmentally friendly, diverse, and progressive. Fairfield has been coined “Silicorn Valley” for its mixture of startups and entrepreneurial ventures. If you ask who the largest…
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American Gothic Barn near Mt. Vernon, Iowa
It’s located on Highway 30 near the entrance of Palisades-Kepler State Park between Cedar Rapids and Mt. Vernon. The mural was done by Mark Benesh, a local art teacher, a replicate of some of Grant Wood’s work. Location: 1278 US Highway 30, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. (Google Maps exact location) NOTE: The American Gothic Barn is…
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Things to do in Lansing, Iowa
They claim that Lansing, Iowa is where Main Street meets the Mississippi. And this is no joke. You can literally drive down Main Street and end up in the river. Besides a “Dead End” warning sign giving you notice, Main Street turns into a boat launch plunging you into the Mighty Mississippi. Lansing is located…
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Hiking through natural prairie at Folsom Point Preserve
Folsom Point Preserve is truly a unique location – as it is privately owned, but the public is welcome. Back in 1999, the land was purchased by the Nature Conservancy and today it is one of the largest contiguous prairie remnants in the southern Loess Hills. Address: 50365 Brohard Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 Restrooms:…
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Free tethered hot air balloon rides at Illumifest in West Des Moines! (2024)
Saturday, September 14th is IllumiFest, a fall festival of light, held at the City Campus in West Des Moines, Iowa. The festival includes free family activities, including free tethered hot air balloon rides. When: Saturday, Sept 14th, 4pm to 9pm Where: 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa Website with more info: https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/parks-recreation/illumifest What…
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7 bridges that Iowans either love or hate
Over the years, I’ve photographed and posted online about many of Iowa’s unique bridges and I’ve discovered that there are a number of bridges that Iowans love – or – hate. 1. Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing, Iowa At the top of the most loved and most hated list is the Black Hawk Bridge in…
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The best grottos in Iowa
Did you know that the world’s largest grotto is in Iowa? And that it’s not the only grotto in the state? In fact, the Midwest is known for its large collection of man-made grottos, mostly built by German Catholic priests who loved to build concrete shells and decorate them with ornate rocks and minerals. You’ll…
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The Best Swinging Bridges in Iowa
Swinging bridges are fun and terrifying, all at the same time. Unless you are Indiana Jones in the 1984 film Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom, where his swinging bridge challenge wasn’t fun at all. Although you won’t encounter crocodiles or men with machetes, you can still find some great swinging bridge adventures around Iowa….
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How you can visit 6 stunning waterfalls in one day.
Iowa isn’t exactly blessed with an overwhelming number of waterfalls. In fact, most of them are spillways and other man-made structures. Your best chance of seeing the most natural waterfalls is to head to the far northeast corner of Iowa. It’s known as the driftless area because it was not impacted by the most recent…
