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Iowa's secret treasures: uncovering the state's best-kept secrets

Beyond the rolling cornfields and the image of the Midwest's tranquil life lies a series of clandestine wonders scattered across Iowa. This collection is an invitation for adventurous souls to discover some of the state's most unique hidden gems. From historical landmarks that tell tales of the past to natural escapes untouched by the hustle of modern life, each point of interest offers an exclusive glimpse into the beauty and diversity tucked away in Iowa.

Grotto of the Redemption
Grotto of the Redemption

West Bend, Iowa, USA

An awe-inspiring religious shrine built from stones and gems

Maquoketa Caves State Park
Maquoketa Caves State Park

Maquoketa, Iowa, USA

A network of caves perfect for exploration

High Trestle Trail Bridge
High Trestle Trail Bridge

Madrid, Iowa, USA

A breathtaking trail bridge with LED-lit archways at night

Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park

McGregor, Iowa, USA

Stunning panoramic views of the Mississippi River

Brucemore
Brucemore

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

Historical estate with beautiful gardens and architecture

Snake Alley
Snake Alley

Burlington, Iowa, USA

The Crookedest Street in the World located in Iowa

Ledges State Park
Ledges State Park

Boone County, Iowa, USA

A beautiful park known for its sandstone ledges and trails

Figge Art Museum
Figge Art Museum

Davenport, Iowa, USA

Modern art museum featuring regional and national artists

Backbone State Park
Backbone State Park

Delaware County, Iowa, USA

Iowa's oldest state park famous for its rugged cliffs

Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center
Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center

Gladbrook, Iowa, USA

Museum showcasing intricate models made completely of matchsticks

Bily Clocks Museum
Bily Clocks Museum

Spillville, Iowa, USA

Exhibiting intricately carved clocks by the Bily brothers

Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
Iowa 80 Trucking Museum

Walcott, Iowa, USA

Museum dedicated to the history of trucking in America

Roseman Covered Bridge
Roseman Covered Bridge

Winterset, Iowa, USA

Featured in 'The Bridges of Madison County,' this bridge is a picturesque spot

Fenelon Place Elevator
Fenelon Place Elevator

Dubuque, Iowa, USA

The world's steepest and shortest railway

Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens

Ames, Iowa, USA

Stunning public gardens located at Iowa State University

Vander Veer Botanical Park
Vander Veer Botanical Park

Davenport, Iowa, USA

Historic botanical park featuring a conservatory and floral displays

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Prairie City, Iowa, USA

Wildlife conservation area dedicated to restoring prairie ecosystems

Hitchcock Nature Center
Hitchcock Nature Center

Honey Creek, Iowa, USA

A center for environmental education and land stewardship

Historic General Dodge House
Historic General Dodge House

Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA

Restored Victorian home of Army General Grenville M. Dodge

Motor Mill Historic Site
Motor Mill Historic Site

Elkader, Iowa, USA

Picturesque 1860s mill on the Turkey River with surrounding trails

Terrace Hill
Terrace Hill

Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Governor's mansion and National Historic Landmark open for tours

Port of Dubuque
Port of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa, USA

Riverfront area offering museums, casinos, and scenic pathways

The World's Largest Strawberry
The World's Largest Strawberry

Strawberry Point, Iowa, USA

A colossal strawberry statue symbolizing the community's agricultural pride

Iowa Aviation Museum
Iowa Aviation Museum

Greenfield, Iowa, USA

Museum honoring Iowa's aviation heritage with aircraft and pilot hall of fame

Salisbury House & Gardens
Salisbury House & Gardens

Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Historic house museum inspired by King's House in Salisbury, England

Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Union Pacific Railroad Museum

Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA

Railroad museum housed in a Beaux-Arts library building

The Danish Windmill
The Danish Windmill

Elk Horn, Iowa, USA

Authentic Danish windmill transported and reconstructed in Elk Horn

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Des Moines, Iowa, USA

A vibrant array of horticultural displays with indoor and outdoor gardens

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

Decorah, Iowa, USA

The largest museum in the United States dedicated to a single immigrant group

Maquoketa Caves State Park
Maquoketa Caves State Park

United States of America

Show cave in Iowa

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center

United States of America

State park in Iowa

Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park

United States of America

State park in Iowa

Preferences

Grotto of the Redemption

Grotto of the Redemption
Maquoketa Caves State Park

Maquoketa Caves State Park
High Trestle Trail Bridge

High Trestle Trail Bridge
Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park
Brucemore

Brucemore
Snake Alley

Snake Alley
Ledges State Park

Ledges State Park
Figge Art Museum

Figge Art Museum
Backbone State Park

Backbone State Park
Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center

Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center
Bily Clocks Museum

Bily Clocks Museum
Iowa 80 Trucking Museum

Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
Roseman Covered Bridge

Roseman Covered Bridge
Fenelon Place Elevator

Fenelon Place Elevator
Reiman Gardens

Reiman Gardens
Vander Veer Botanical Park

Vander Veer Botanical Park
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Hitchcock Nature Center

Hitchcock Nature Center
Historic General Dodge House

Historic General Dodge House
Motor Mill Historic Site

Motor Mill Historic Site
Terrace Hill

Terrace Hill
Port of Dubuque

Port of Dubuque
The World's Largest Strawberry

The World's Largest Strawberry
Iowa Aviation Museum

Iowa Aviation Museum
Salisbury House & Gardens

Salisbury House & Gardens
Union Pacific Railroad Museum

Union Pacific Railroad Museum
The Danish Windmill

The Danish Windmill
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Maquoketa Caves State Park

Maquoketa Caves State Park
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center
Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park

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Grotto of the Redemption An awe-inspiring religious shrine built from stones and gems

Grotto of the Redemption
Grotto of the Redemption An awe-inspiring religious shrine built from stones and gems
Maquoketa Caves State Park A network of caves perfect for exploration

Maquoketa Caves State Park
Maquoketa Caves State Park A network of caves perfect for exploration
High Trestle Trail Bridge A breathtaking trail bridge with LED-lit archways at night

High Trestle Trail Bridge
High Trestle Trail Bridge A breathtaking trail bridge with LED-lit archways at night
Pikes Peak State Park Stunning panoramic views of the Mississippi River

Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park Stunning panoramic views of the Mississippi River
Brucemore Historical estate with beautiful gardens and architecture

Brucemore
Brucemore Historical estate with beautiful gardens and architecture
Snake Alley The Crookedest Street in the World located in Iowa

Snake Alley
Snake Alley The Crookedest Street in the World located in Iowa
Ledges State Park A beautiful park known for its sandstone ledges and trails

Ledges State Park
Ledges State Park A beautiful park known for its sandstone ledges and trails
Figge Art Museum Modern art museum featuring regional and national artists

Figge Art Museum
Figge Art Museum Modern art museum featuring regional and national artists
Backbone State Park Iowa's oldest state park famous for its rugged cliffs

Backbone State Park
Backbone State Park Iowa's oldest state park famous for its rugged cliffs
Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center Museum showcasing intricate models made completely of matchsticks

Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center
Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center Museum showcasing intricate models made completely of matchsticks
Bily Clocks Museum Exhibiting intricately carved clocks by the Bily brothers

Bily Clocks Museum
Bily Clocks Museum Exhibiting intricately carved clocks by the Bily brothers
Iowa 80 Trucking Museum Museum dedicated to the history of trucking in America

Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
Iowa 80 Trucking Museum Museum dedicated to the history of trucking in America
Roseman Covered Bridge Featured in 'The Bridges of Madison County,' this bridge is a picturesque spot

Roseman Covered Bridge
Roseman Covered Bridge Featured in 'The Bridges of Madison County,' this bridge is a picturesque spot
Fenelon Place Elevator The world's steepest and shortest railway

Fenelon Place Elevator
Fenelon Place Elevator The world's steepest and shortest railway
Reiman Gardens Stunning public gardens located at Iowa State University

Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens Stunning public gardens located at Iowa State University
Vander Veer Botanical Park Historic botanical park featuring a conservatory and floral displays

Vander Veer Botanical Park
Vander Veer Botanical Park Historic botanical park featuring a conservatory and floral displays
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife conservation area dedicated to restoring prairie ecosystems

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife conservation area dedicated to restoring prairie ecosystems
Hitchcock Nature Center A center for environmental education and land stewardship

Hitchcock Nature Center
Hitchcock Nature Center A center for environmental education and land stewardship
Historic General Dodge House Restored Victorian home of Army General Grenville M. Dodge

Historic General Dodge House
Historic General Dodge House Restored Victorian home of Army General Grenville M. Dodge
Motor Mill Historic Site Picturesque 1860s mill on the Turkey River with surrounding trails

Motor Mill Historic Site
Motor Mill Historic Site Picturesque 1860s mill on the Turkey River with surrounding trails
Terrace Hill Governor's mansion and National Historic Landmark open for tours

Terrace Hill
Terrace Hill Governor's mansion and National Historic Landmark open for tours
Port of Dubuque Riverfront area offering museums, casinos, and scenic pathways

Port of Dubuque
Port of Dubuque Riverfront area offering museums, casinos, and scenic pathways
The World's Largest Strawberry A colossal strawberry statue symbolizing the community's agricultural pride

The World's Largest Strawberry
The World's Largest Strawberry A colossal strawberry statue symbolizing the community's agricultural pride
Iowa Aviation Museum Museum honoring Iowa's aviation heritage with aircraft and pilot hall of fame

Iowa Aviation Museum
Iowa Aviation Museum Museum honoring Iowa's aviation heritage with aircraft and pilot hall of fame
Salisbury House & Gardens Historic house museum inspired by King's House in Salisbury, England

Salisbury House & Gardens
Salisbury House & Gardens Historic house museum inspired by King's House in Salisbury, England
Union Pacific Railroad Museum Railroad museum housed in a Beaux-Arts library building

Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Union Pacific Railroad Museum Railroad museum housed in a Beaux-Arts library building
The Danish Windmill Authentic Danish windmill transported and reconstructed in Elk Horn

The Danish Windmill
The Danish Windmill Authentic Danish windmill transported and reconstructed in Elk Horn
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden A vibrant array of horticultural displays with indoor and outdoor gardens

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden A vibrant array of horticultural displays with indoor and outdoor gardens
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum The largest museum in the United States dedicated to a single immigrant group

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum The largest museum in the United States dedicated to a single immigrant group
Maquoketa Caves State Park Show cave in Iowa

Maquoketa Caves State Park
Maquoketa Caves State Park Show cave in Iowa
Pikes Peak State Park State park in Iowa

Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park State park in Iowa