Iowa

Over 800 years ago, indigenous cultures in what is now northeastern Iowa built their last mound, burial mounds in different shapes to honor those who’ve died. These mounds — some in shapes of animals, such as bears —  continue to exist today, and can be visited without much effort or hiking at Effigy Mounds National…

Iowa is one of my favorite Midwest states to explore because it is full of wonderful outdoor opportunities, great food, and cultural attractions. Plus, Iowa has its fair share of quirky and strange road side attractions! After more than a decade of road trips through the state, I’ve come up with the definitive list of…

Lake Manawa State Park may be best known for its namesake, Lake Manawa, but hear me out: Don’t skip a trail hike or a trail ride while you’re there. After you’ve had your fill of water sports, the park has several trails for hiking and biking that offer beautiful views of the lake and surrounding…

Every state has its naturally-occurring oddities, or at least, things found in nature that have been around forever. In Iowa, one of these oddities is the Tree In The Middle Of The Road. The name says it all – well, specifically, it’s a 100-foot-tall cottonwood tree in the middle of an intersection. Curious? Read why…