IOWA -  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - TRAVEL & LODGING GUIDE

Romantic Destinations in Iowa   by Richard Rspad

When you first think of romance, Iowa might not come to mind. In truth, romantic destinations in Iowa are excellent and show you a beautiful hidden side of this underappreciated state.

Romantic Destinations in Iowa

The Hawkeye State, Iowa, holds much more beauty than a lot of travelers give it credit for. There are ten different travel areas for tourists to explore when they come to this state, from the Northwest area (where you can follow the path of historic explorers Louis and Clark) to the Southeast area that boasts of containing the world's "crookedest" street. Lovers will also find much to do here, such as solitary hiking and just holing up in a room and enjoying each other's company - romantic destinations in Iowa are enjoyable for everyone!

Pines on the Prairie Bed and Breakfast is located in Wilton, Iowa, just 30 or so minutes from Davenport and Iowa City, Iowa. This bed and breakfast offers all of the hospitality of a Midwest inn, with the Mississippi River just a small ways outside your door! Located in eastern Iowa, the Pines on the Prairie Bed and Breakfast is convenient to both the Wildcat Den and Palisades Kepler State Parks, which makes it an ideal spot to stay for your outdoor themed trip. This 1910 home, decorated in the "Arts and Crafts" style, is great for seclusion - you are never forced to spend time around other guests unless you want to.

This b & b has just two rooms, which means you will get a level of service that you might not find in larger inns or hotels. The Prairie Room is perfect for couples, with a comfortable queen size bed and its own shower. The Pine Loft is larger (it can accommodate up to six people), but it also includes a claw foot tub as well as other amenities that complete this spacious room. Lovely green plants and a library's worth of books make this nook of a room one of the most perfect places for romantic destinations in Iowa.

Potter's Mill bed and breakfast is lodged in Iowa's oldest grist mill (from 1843). This beautiful inn and restaurant is also a great place to have your next romantic retreat. Located in Bellvue, Iowa, Potter's Mill offers guests five rooms to choose from, with different themes and motifs in each. Gourmet breakfasts are also included. The atmosphere in this inn is like no other, with the mill theme including exposed beams and other subtle hints to the building's original purpose. The Potter's Mill's restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner.

Spending some quality time with the one you love in picturesque Iowa can be just the thing for any special occasion. Whether you are celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, you can be sure romantic destinations in Iowa will be just the thing.

The next time you're planning a family vacation you might want to consider Iowa and specifically its capital city, Des Moines. If you're looking to explore America's heartland there is no better place to start. In the midst of this agriculturally based state sits Des Moines.

Originally Des Moines was a fort created in 1843 by the military to look after the rights of the Sak and Fox tribal communities. It has changed tremendously since those beginnings and is now the largest city in Iowa and has gained a reputation for being the epicenter of the insurance industry. However, Des Moines has a lot more to offer visitors than just agriculture and insurance industries. If you decide to make Des Moines a vacation, stop then there are some places & things to do that may be of interest.

A first stop may be a visit to the Iowa State Capitol building. It was built in the late 1800's, between 1871 and 1886, and architecturally showcases the best of 19th century design. Beautiful 23 karat gold leaf covers the magnificent dome and gives it a glow, especially when the sun is out. Daily tours are offered for this impressive structure so be sure to take advantage and add this to your travel itinerary.

Another popular attraction is the Des Moines Botanical Center. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly and is located by the Des Moines River. It's a lovely place to visit, relax and discover nature's beauty. Be sure to contact the Center to discover the perfect time for visiting and set aside enough time to stroll through these 14 acres.

Des Moines is also a place for animal lovers. The Blank Park Zoo has thousands of animal species to view and offers fun for children and adults alike. Their mission now includes conservation and education about animals and their habitats. The entire family can enjoy the animals and learn a little as well.

If your taste runs to outdoor activities then consider Walnut Woods State Park. It is a 260 acre land preserved forest that meets at the Racoon River in Des Moines. You can do any number of activities, from river rafting to hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding and all sorts of other outdoor fun. The enjoyment is limitless and the best part is the preserves are open all year long.

If you're interested in history then the Jordan House is a must visit. This house was known as a stop on the famous Underground Railroad. The owner of the house, James Jordan, was an abolitionist who took this issue to heart by helping slaves escape to freedom. Today his house is a museum and a place to learn about America's past.

Another historical house to visit is the Wallace House. It is the former home of agricultural secretary Henry Wallace. It is an historical landmark and does offer tours.

If you really have an interest in historical houses, you should add the Mathias Ham House to your itinerary. It is one of the oldest houses in the state and built by the architect for the state capitol, John F. Rague. It is located in Dubuque, Iowa, but its close enough to make a nice day trip. It does have a log cabin located next to the mansion that might be of particular interest.

If you have the time, take a walk through the Iowa State University campus. It has a reputation as a pristine campus and it is filled with numerous historical buildings. It might be an enjoyable way to spend part of your vacation.

Baseball is a great past time and Iowa does have a Minor league team that plays in the area. They're called the Iowa Cubs and are actually affiliated with the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Stop by and see a game, you never know which one of these players will eventually be sent up to the major leagues. It's a way to see baseball stars before they were stars, or a way to just have a good time at a game.

Finally, if you simply want to relax and play a good game of golf then take a look at Willow Creek Golf course. It has 36 holes and is considered to be one of the best golf courses in Des Moines. Go out to the driving range, swing a few clubs, and just enjoy vacationing in Iowa.