When you picture Iowa, cornfields and acres of sprawling
land may come to mind. While the state is in the Midwest, Iowa boasts a whole
host of quirky attractions from the past to the future. Whether you’re just
passing through on a road trip across America’s heartland or looking for a
unique getaway idea, here are five places definitely worth seeing with your own
eyes in Iowa.
Riverside: The Future Birthplace of Captain Kirk
If you’re a Star Trek fan, you should know the captain of the starship Enterprise is set to be born in Riverside on March 22, 2228 and make the pilgrimage every summer for “Trek Fest,” a celebration of ultimate geekdom. Be sure to get a photo in the town park next to the "USS Riverside," which bares a striking resemblance to the official USS Enterprise, yet not enough to get sued by Paramount.
Get Trippy at the Davenport SkyBridge
A pedestrian cable-stayed bridge spanning River Drive (Highway 67) in downtown Davenport, the SkyBridge is a suspended walkway lit up by psychedelic kaleidoscope LEDs in all kinds of colors and patterns. At the south end is an observation deck with views of the Mississippi River, LeClaire Park Bandshell, the Centennial Bridge, and the Davenport Levee, where many summer festivals take place. Awesome? Yes. Traffic hazard? Probably.
Throw a pitch at the Field of Dreams
A mecca for baseball enthusiasts, the baseball diamond created as a set for the award-winning 1989 movie is now one of Iowa’s star attractions. Located in the small town of Dyersville, the field is actually a working farm and aside from taking a photo to say you’ve been there, there’s not much else to do in the area. Because you know what they say, “if you build it, they will come.”
Travel Back in Time at the Amana Colonies
A group of German settlers who migrated into seven colonies, Amana is a treasure of the Iowa prairie and a national historic landmark. Basically a self-sufficient economy, major attractions include the woodworking studios, wine shops, and a brewery called Millstream.
Snake Alley, one of the crookedest streets in the world
Another recognized national historic place, Ripley's Believe It or Not declared Snake Alley the Crookedest Street in the World back in the ‘40s, beating out even San Francisco for it’s sharp angles. Built of limestone and blueclay bricks, the street in Burlington, Iowa is the site of an annual uphill bike race and various cultural attractions like art shows.