We recently asked Iowa Road Trip followers this question: “Name an Iowa restaurant you would drive an hour to eat at.” We received about 1,600 comments with your favorite restaurants that are worth the one hour drive. After reviewing all of the comments, we recorded the most frequently mentioned restaurants – and then organized…
————————————————————- Central Iowa Museums with free admission State Historical Museum of Iowa, Des Moines What: Exhibits relating to the history of Iowa including: Civil War exhibit, RAGBRAI history, and Iowans in Hollywood. Where: 600 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50319Website: https://history.iowa.gov/visit/state-historical-museum-iowa Iowa Gold Star Museum, Johnston What: The premier veteran’s museum in the state…
During December, catch up with the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan, featuring the trademark bright red Coca-Cola semitrailer with holiday lights. They are parked at various businesses for select hours where Santa is available for photos. Not only are the photos FREE, but you also choose to get them digital or have them printed for free, and…
What is a Holiday Pop-up Bar? Typically, it’s a restaurant and/or bar that pops up extra decorations during the holiday season. In fact, it’s usually to the point of an extra overload of holiday decorations, as well as holiday-themed drinks and other offerings. Related articles.. Holiday Pop-up Bars in Eastern Iowa How LPSF Stole Christmas…
Sisters Pat Palmer, Ann Lockwood, and Mary Underwood have been collecting animated Christmas figurines for years. And now their collection, totaling over 600, is available for the public to view – and it’s FREE admission. Other holiday-related articles…. What is the Christmas Animated Extravaganza? See the collection of over 600 holiday figurines. There’s a wide…
It’s the newest holiday lights tradition in Central Iowa, featuring lights in the tropical indoor gardens under the geodesic dome at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Des Moines, Iowa. Location: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 90 Robert Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309 Website: https://dmbotanicalgarden.com/dome-for-the-holidays/ Other holiday-related articles…. What is Dome for the…
November and early December are the season for holiday markets and here are the best holiday markets in Iowa. Des Moines Holiday Boutique WHEN: Nov 7-9, 2025WHERE: EMC Expo Center at Iowa Events Center, Des MoinesWEBSITE: https://www.desmoinesholidayboutique.com/ADMISSION: $14 Corridor Market, Coralville WHEN: Nov 14 and 15th, 2025WHERE: Hyatt Regency Coralville Expo Center, Coralville, IowaWEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/CorridorMarket/…
We’re building a list of the best FREE Christmas Lights in Iowa. No admission, no reservation, just beautiful Christmas lights for your family to enjoy! You can add them to the comments section below or email them to brian@iowaroadtrip.net What qualifies to make the list? Related topics: The best FREE Christmas lights in SE Iowa…
Each year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Winterset celebrates its Festival of Lights. Here’s a glimpse of what the typical schedule of events. Location: 112 S. John Wayne Drive, Winterset, IA Starting at 5pm: Activities including: More information on their website – Festival of Lights in Winterset, Iowa Starting at 7:15pm: The lighted Christmas parade…
We recently asked Iowa Road Trip followers to submit their own fall photos – and here are some of our favorites!