Bridges, Giants, and Bluffs: Discovering the Hidden Side of Iowa

Iowa is a fantastic road trip destination, offering a variety of things to see and do. If you want a road trip with memorable stops along your route, Iowa will deliver. Here are three reasons why an Iowa road trip through Iowa should be on your radar. If you visit April through October, there’s a good chance you will see cornfields.

The Bridges of Madison County are located approximately 35 miles southwest of Des Moines, Iowa’s capital. Here you can experience six historic bridges, five original structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The most recognizable bridge is the Historic Roseman Covered Bridge, featured heavily in the movie The Bridges of Madison County. At 225 feet long, it spans across the Middle River. If you are wanting to drive through one of the covered bridges, the Historic Cedar Covered Bridge is the only bridge open to vehicular traffic. Plan a memorable day chasing bridges through Madison County on the 80+ miles of the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway.

For a tall tale, head to North Central Iowa where you can view Iowa’s tallest mural. Located in Fort Dodge, this incredible work of art towers 110 feet above the Des Moines River. Australian Artist Guido van Helten painted a grain silo showcasing the people of Fort Dodge, a farmer, teacher, student, miner, and an African-American community leader. Stoneware is featured, as each figure is passing the stoneware to the next generation. The stoneware pieces are made from clay found in the area. Stop into the Fort Museum and Frontier Village to view the stoneware. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the silo and enjoy the incredible view that it offers.

Dubuque is where Iowa started. Ride the world’s steepest and shortest elevator, the Fenelon Place Elevator. Located along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, you will quickly fall in love with the views and nature experiences. Fall brings incredible beauty, as the vibrant, fall foliage shines on the river bluffs. A visit to Dubuque should also include a stop at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Plan to spend a minimum of three hours as you explore and learn about life along the Mississippi River. A fun experience for street art enthusiasts is to view the 50+ murals throughout the community.

These three suggestions for your Iowa road trip are a fantastic way to introduce yourself to Iowa. After you have dipped your feet into Iowa, you will want to return. Unique architecture, caving experiences, and historical sites give you another reason to start planning your next Iowa road trip.