Iowa Bed and Breakfast Budget Hotel Guest House Accommodation
Immerse yourself in Iowa, and find that the land between two rivers is overflowing with warm hospitality, significant historic sites, smart cities and beautiful rolling countryside. Iowa offers countless opportunities for the traveller wanting to take advantage of its outdoor scenery. Camping sites across the state afford relaxing retreats and access to hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails. It is the Mississippi River which forms the eastern boundary of the state. Along the western boundary flows the Missouri River south of Sioux City and the Big Sioux River northwards. In this region are the picturesque Loess Hills, and the city of Council Bluffs. Here, 3 exciting casino resorts feature 2 riverboats, greyhound racing, dining, music and lodging. Explore the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, or discover history at the Western Historic Trails Center and General Dodge house. There are a number of centres devoted to the region’s rich railroad heritage, such as the Union Pacific Museum Railroad Museum.
In the southeast region, Fort Madison has a history dating back to the early 1800s, when it was the first military fort on the Upper Mississippi. The historic downtown area offers an array of boutiques and antique stores, housed in accurately reconstructed Victorian architecture. In the villages of Van Buren, you can step back in time, to 12 quaintly preserved villages with their ´specialty shops’, local artisans, and the local traditions of the Amish and Mennonite communities. Farmington offers an abundance of outdoor recreation at Indian Lake Park and Shimek State Forest.
The capital city, Des Moines, is situated in the central region of the state. Apart from fantastic shopping, at the Historic East Village, the Historic Valley Junction or the Merle Hay Mall, the city has exciting nightlife centred around several major arts venues from theatre and ballet to opera. There are many art galleries and museums as well as nearby golf courses and recreation parks. Des Moines is buzzing with great bars, restaurants and family attractions. Visit the Holiday Aquatic Center, the Blank Park Zoo and the Chichaqua Valley Trail.
Northern Iowa offers even more recreational activities amid sun-drenched prairies and historic river towns. At Elkader, admire the Keystone Bridge, built in 1888, one of 9 local structures on the National Register of Historic Places, and appreciate one of the communities participating in the downtown revitalisation programme with its award-winning Main Street. At Burr Oak, you can visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum, the one-time home of the well known children’s author who wrote the ‘Little House on the Prairie’ series which evoked so vividly the life of one pioneering family.
Or escape to Eldora, admire the pretty town square, and see the steep bluffs and sandstone caves along the scenic Iowa River Valley. This is backpacking, canoeing and camping country, or if you like, you can tube down the river. Then catch a show at the Grand Theatre, restored to its 1913 splendour and offering nightly movies. Mason City offers some fascinating attractions such as the Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House and the Meredith Willson Boyhood Home, as well as the beautiful outdoors, with golf courses, campgrounds and nature trails.
Make sure you bookmark this site, and sign up for the Newsletter (box on left) which will bring you special offers, discounts and other great ideas for destinations in Iowa. Remember more often than not we can bring you the best priced accommodation. Our size means we negotiate better deals with Hotels; we are better value than going direct and a lot less hassle.
Places to stay when on your Bachelor party, Bachelorette party, Golf Break, Iowa Wedding Venue, Iowa Airport Hotels, Romantic Weekends away in a hotel with Luxury Spa , or stay at an Colonnial Style Lodge, Country Retreat , Resort or Something Unique .
Opera fans can look for accommodation near Iowa Opera venues. Baseball fans should look for Hotels near Iowa Stadiums.