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I have not been to Iowa in 30 years. This time I will be following I-80 on my way to Wyoming. Do you have suggestions as to what I might see or do while in Iowa specifically so I won't have to go too far off my driving route? I am interested in a lot of things, like culture, Native American sites, scenery, or special foods as opposed to pizzas, chain restaurants and the like. Thank you...
My suggestions are:
- The Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClaire (near Bettendorf)
- The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch (near Iowa City)
- The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge near Prairie City, to see buffalo and elk herds and to learn about the prairie
- Living History Farms in Urbandale (suburban Des Moines)
- The covered bridges in Madison Co. (SW of Des Moines, near Winterset)
For food, you may want to investigateRube's near Waukee (suburban Des Moines) for good quality, grill-your-own steaks.
Enjoy your trip!
Try this website to find things to see in Eastern IA.
http://www.silosandsmokestacks.org/
I suggest you avoid Omaha and take 680 so you get to see a bit of the Loess Hills. More than anything, it is just a pretty drive.
Enjoy the drive. It is very Grant Wood this time of year.
This isn't for Iowa, but since Rubes was mentioned- there is a steakhouse in York, NE called Chances R. Very good prime rib. The reviews on TA are mixed, but I vouch for the good food.
Thank you! I especially like the nature area suggestion; that is right along my favorite interests. I appreciate the food suggestions, too. I am vegetarian, but my husband and other family member traveling are not.
I should add that I usually swing right past big cities. The traffic we encountered driving west years ago was nerve-wracking.
For vegetarian food, a couple of options are in Iowa City/Coralville:
The Red Avocado http://theredavocado.com
New Pioneer Coop's deli http://www.newpi.com
You might like the restaurant Trostel's Dish, located on the west side of Des Moines, not far off I-80. It offers small plates (tapas) with vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. It is a nice restaurant, but you don't have to be too concerned about dressing up - it is summer, and everything is relaxed. I've also seen signs for the LT Organic Farm and restaurant in Waukee, just north of I-80, but don't know anything about it.
Don't forget the world's largest truck stop.
Cedar Ridge Vineyards, Winery & Distillery
