# Things to do in Iowa **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378 "2011-07-17T21:22:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/21 "2011-07-18T21:30:20Z")
You mentioned scenery. There are a lot of great trails around here if the weather becomes less unpleasant. One idea that would be fun would be to drive up to Madrid and walk over the Trestle Trail Bridge. I’ve only biked this, but if you get on just this leg of the trail, it’s walkable. You could do this in the evening - they light up the bridge at night, and it’s pretty sweet. It wouldn’t be so hot then, either. It is a half-mile, 13 story high pedestrian/bike bridge over the river. The pics here don’t really do it justice: [http://www.inhf.org/trails/high\_trestle\_trail/hightrestletrail.htm](http://www.inhf.org/trails/high_trestle_trail/hightrestletrail.htm) There are also some very nice trails near Saylorville Lake and the dam that have some decent scenery. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/22 "2011-07-18T21:37:33Z")
> [@fluiddruid](#): > > The Science Center downtown is also pretty rad, and Body Worlds is there right now. It’s inside and cool. 🙂 > > You could also rent a paddleboat over at Gray’s Lake for a more laid-back afternoon kinda deal. Body Worlds – is that the plasticinized (sp?) bodies? I’d love to see that. I think it’s been to Seattle but I don’t know if Chris went. The paddleboat sounds like fun too, and that trestle bridge. Madrid isn’t that far. Cool! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/23 "2011-07-18T23:06:04Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > State Fair isn’t until later in August, but there are some others going on now – not so big, but there’d be funnel cakes. :smack: Sorry, dunno how I misplaced myself in the space-time continuum by a full month. ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/24 "2011-07-19T01:23:12Z")
RAGBRAI (mammoth bicycle rally) is this coming week: [http://ragbrai.com/2011/07/17/small-towns-welcome-ragbrai-with-fun-food-and-more-food/](http://ragbrai.com/2011/07/17/small-towns-welcome-ragbrai-with-fun-food-and-more-food/) You can consult the route map to either meet up with it or to avoid it. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/25 "2011-07-19T01:41:32Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > :smack: > > Sorry, dunno how I misplaced myself in the space-time continuum by a full month. Dang. I was hoping you could tell me if my Social Security check will come in August. 🙂 **FeAudrey** , I think he’ll be on his way home by then, but the RAGBRAI map will come in handy, for roads to avoid. His other brother was here a few years back when the route came within a few miles of us – it’s sure fun to watch. More years ago one of the off-shoots came to our little town – that was awesome. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/26 "2011-07-19T02:02:22Z")
Effigy Mounds [Effigy Mounds National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)](http://www.nps.gov/efmo/index.htm) Pike’s lesser known Peak [Pikes Peak State Park, an Iowa State Park](http://www.stateparks.com/pikes_peak.html) Just outside Decorah are the eagles of streaming fame Brian ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/27 "2011-07-19T02:32:29Z")
I was thinking about the northeast part of the state. I’ve only been that way once and didn’t do any sight-seeing. Effigy Mounds and Pike’s Other Peak are definite possibilities. Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/28 "2011-07-19T02:40:25Z")
Find a nice, quiet spot to plan a Vegas vacation? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/29 "2011-07-19T03:13:26Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Body Worlds – is that the plasticinized (sp?) bodies? I’d love to see that. Yep, exactly. It’s the current traveling exhibit. There’s also an IMAX theatre and all of their routine exhibits, too. If you’re in Des Moines on a weekend, check out the farmer’s market, too. Lots of great food, even if you have no interest in the produce, plus music, crafts, etc. I highly recommend the papusas (usually on the far east block of Court Ave) and there’s also a guy who sells interesting Bosnian food over on the northwest end, by Java Joe’s I think. > [@jamiemcgarry](#): > > Find a nice, quiet spot to plan a Vegas vacation? We do have daily direct flights. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/30 "2011-07-19T16:03:54Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Lots more good ideas! We did the River Museum last time, and looked all around for a spot where we could watch river traffic but couldn’t find anything. Eagle Point Park! It’s got a great river view right on top of an awesome bluff overlooking the Lock & Dam #11. Great in the spring and summer, better in the winter when it’s the only area for miles where the eagles can fish in the frozen river. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378/31 "2011-07-19T17:42:27Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Effigy Mounds [http://www.nps.gov/efmo/index.htm](http://www.nps.gov/efmo/index.htm) > Pike’s lesser known Peak [Pikes Peak State Park, an Iowa State Park](http://www.stateparks.com/pikes_peak.html) > [@AuntiePam](#): > > I was thinking about the northeast part of the state. I’ve only been that way once and didn’t do any sight-seeing. Effigy Mounds and Pike’s Other Peak are definite possibilities. Thanks! 🙂 If you end up in the NE, near Effigy Mounds, Cabela’s has a store just across the river in Wisconsin, in Prairie du Chien. And it comes with AC, to cool off after the hiking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-iowa/589378.md?page=1)