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Vacations Iowa.

Regions in Iowa : Iowa Great Lakes, Loess Hills, Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, Quad Cities and Siouxland

Cities Iowa : Ames, Ankeny, Bettendorf, Burlington, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Iowa City, Marion, Marshalltown, Mason City, Muscatine, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Urbandale, Waterloo, West Des Moines, and more.

Iowa is bordered by Minnesota on the north; Nebraska and South Dakota on the west; Missouri on the south; and Wisconsin and Illinois on the east.

There are several natural lakes in the state, most notably Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake in northwest Iowa (see Iowa Great Lakes). Man-made lakes include Lake Odessa, Saylorville Lake, Lake Red Rock, and Rathbun Lake.

Capital City Iowa : Des Moines.


car rental, lodging [ hostels, hotels ], national parks, rental homes, tour operators, travel guides, transportation / traveling to iowa

links


Camping & Campgrounds

 IOwa State Parks  -  DNR Campground Map Previews 

 Upper Iowa Resort & Rental
 Go Camping America
 Koa  -  Campgrounds of America
 National Park Service Campground and Tour Reservation Site
 Funroads  -  Get Outta Town!
At Funroads.com, you'll find everything you need to organize your next RV trip, so you can relax and enjoy the process. In Get Outta Town, we can help you: Plan your trip and count the days until you depart, Get a map and driving directions, Check on the weather forecast, Find easy-to-make recipes for meals and snacks en route.

Car Rental Iowa

 Alamo - Luxury Discount Auto Rental Company
 Avis
 Budget Rent A Car
 Dollar Rent A Car
Dollar Rent A Car has suburban and on-airport car rental locations in all major cities throughout the United States.
 Hertz
 National Car Rental
 Thrifty Car Rental
Convenient rental car locations across the United States.

Hostels

 Hostelbookers.com  -  Great Hostels, Free booking, Fast & Easy to use
Hostelbookers.com is one of the worlds largest online booking services for hostels. All hostels you see here are offering realtime prices and availability.
 IYHF  -  International Youth Hostel Federation

Hotels Iowa / Lodging in Iowa

 Iowa Bed and Breakfast Accommodations 
They range in style from historic properties to farmhouses to newly constructed homes to riverboats, and are located from border to border--in large cities and in small towns, in the rural countryside and overlooking the great Mississippi River. 
 Heartland Inns Iowa
Lodging Accommodations in Des Moines, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Altoona

 HotelCentraUSA
Search and compare rates at USA hotels. They offer hotels ideal for business and leisure travel. You're sure to find an ideal hotel room to match your budget and desired comfort level. 
 USA Lodging
With a list of over 60,000 accommodations establishments, this directory is an impressive list of motels and hotels on the web. Use the search tool to find what you're looking for in seconds, or navigate to your destination city from the list of states.
 Hotels.com

National Parks / State Parks

 Iowa State Parks
Recreation Opportunities abound in Iowa State Parks and Recreation Areas. From hiking and camping to bird -watching and bicycling, each park offers outdoor enthusiasts a multitude of diverse and exciting adventures. Rich in history and natural resources, Iowa is a treasure chest of recreational excellence.

Rental Homes / Apartments

 Apartments.com 
Free Nationwide Apartment Search with the Most Visual Rental Listings Online.

Tour Operators / Travel Agents

 Northland Travel  -  see public tour packages
From charter motor coach service to comprehensive planning for groups of all sizes. Public tours from day trips in Iowa to very complete packages throughout North America.



 Central Iowa Tourism ***
4-Mile Creek Greenway Trail, Chichaqua Valley, Cinder Path, Comet Trail, Great Western Trail, Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Jordan Creek Trail, Linn Creek Greenbelt Pkwy, Neal Smith Trail , Pioneer Trail, Raccoon River Valley Trail, River City Greenbelt, Summerset Trail, Volksweg Trail, Wapsi- Great Western Line
 Eastern Iowa Tourism ***
As you travel one of the Scenic Byways or Historic Routes you'll see the beauty of meandering streams, the mighty Mississippi River, rolling hills, towering limestone bluffs, patchwork countrysides, unexpected wildlife, and quaint villages.
Stop along the way to sample the fun of memorable festivals, top-notch stage performances, unique shopping , year-round outdoor recreation, adventurous dining, unique attractions, and romantic riverboat cruises.
 Travel Iowa
Put aside the rush of your daily routine and indulge in a getaway that puts balance back in your life. The hospitality of an Iowa destination helps shuffle those priorities to make 'what really matters most' at the top of the list. Iowa's all-season playground provides an ideal backdrop to connect with family and friends. To awaken your spirit of adventure. And satisfy your appetite for urban cultural pleasures. Discover the changes that spending quality time together in Iowa can make in your life.
 Western Iowa Tourism Region  -  find exciting events, festivals and weekend getaways.
Western Iowa is proud of it's the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, big city entertainment and small town history and hospitality.
The interactive map lets you make your travel choice by highway or by city. You can learn about western Iowa's unique Loess Hills and when you visit, plan to explore the rare and spectacular natural landscape that can be found only in western Iowa and in China. Travel the historic Lewis and Clark or Mormon Pioneer trails and learn about the westward migration of early settlers at the Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs.
 Colony Visits  -  doorway to hospitality in the historic Amana Colonies and Eastern Iowa
The 7 Amana Villages are laid out in the manner of German Dorfleins (villages) with farms at one end of the village and shops and factories at the other end, and homes in between. The Amana Villages form a circle with a circumference of about 20 miles ~ the distance between each village is 2 to 3 miles, or, as measured in the old days, two hours apart by ox cart. There's a lot of ground to cover and so much to see.

Travel Guides Iowa / Related books / Magazines

Books about Iowoa 

Iowa Atlas & Gazetteer
Product Description : The first choice of outdoors enthusiasts. Beautiful, detailed, large-format maps of every state. Perfect for home and office reference, and a must for all your vehicles. Gazetteer information may include: campgrounds, attractions, historic sites & museums, recreation areas, trails, freshwater fishing site & boat launches, canoe trips or scenic drives.
Paperback: 64 pages; Publisher: Delorme Mapping Company; 3rd edition (March 1, 2004); Language: English; ISBN-10: 0899333362; ISBN-13: 978-0899333366
Oddball Iowa: A Guide to Some Really Strange Places - by Jerome Pohlen (Author)
Paperback: 256 pages; Publisher: Chicago Review Press (April 1, 2005); Language: English; ISBN-10: 1556525648; ISBN-13: 978-1556525643
Iowa Off the Beaten Path
From the Back Cover : Discover a different side of the Hawkeye State. Try Jet Karting with vehicles imported from Italy at the Iowa International Raceway. Sample the history—and delectable dishes—of Dubuque with the Victorian House Tour and Progressive Dinner. Or enjoy the rebirth of the Iowa wine industry with a trip along the Iowa Wine Trail. So if you've "been there, done that" one too many times, get off the main road and venture Off the Beaten Path.
Paperback: 224 pages; Publisher: Globe Pequot; 8.00 edition (April 1, 2007); Language: English; ISBN-10: 0762744154; ISBN-13: 978-0762744152

 Midwest Living Magazine [ magazine ]
 The Iowan
Mission of The Iowan : To celebrate the people and communities, the history and traditions, and the culture and events of Iowa that make our readers proud of our state.

Transport / How do I travel to Iowa

 Des Moines Airport
The Des Moines International Airport is owned and operated by the City of Des Moines.
 Southeast Iowa Regional Airport

 DOT Office of Aviation  -  pilots page, Iowa airports

 Airline Tickets / Plane Tickets / Bargain Flights  -  Flights to Iowa

 Allegiant Air
 American Eagle  -  see American Airlines 
 Comair.com  -  Delta Connection
 Continental Express
 Northwest Airlines
 Midwest Airlines
 United Airlines
 US Airways

 Amtrak  -  American Railways  -  Ottumwa, IA (OTM)
California Zephyr Route [ Chicago - Denver - Emeryville, CA (San Francisco) ]

 Greyhound Lines - Coach Line
 MTA Des Moines Metropolitan Transit Authority

 Iowa DOT Maps  -  Transportation Map, State Map, County Maps, City Maps, Traffic Maps
This information includes roadway, structure, and rail-crossing data, traffic statistics, and intelligent map products that support the economic, environmental, and social vitality of Iowa.
 Iowa DOT Travel Information 
 Weather in Iowa
Statewide Temp Conditions, Statewide Wind Conditions, Road Conditions, Road Construction

 Maps of Iowa [ Uni Texas  -  Perry-Castañeda Library  -  Map Collection ]
 Mapblast! Driving Directions  -  streetmaps etc.
Provides interactive maps and driving directions, as well as extensive information on services and products near a user's address or travel route.
 Mc Nally - Route Planner Iowa
 Multimap.com


Links 

 Travel Insurance

 Travel Iowa
Put aside the rush of your daily routine and indulge in a getaway that puts balance back in your life. The hospitality of an Iowa destination helps shuffle those priorities to make 'what really matters most' at the top of the list. Iowa's all-season playground provides an ideal backdrop to connect with family and friends. To awaken your spirit of adventure. And satisfy your appetite for urban cultural pleasures. Discover the changes that spending quality time together in Iowa can make in your life.

 Eastern Iowa Tourism Association
Eastern Iowa invites you to follow our highways and venture off the beaten path to see the beauty, sample the fun, and enjoy it all in Eastern Iowa......
As you travel one of our Scenic Byways or Historic Routes you'll see the beauty of meandering streams, the mighty Mississippi River, rolling hills, towering limestone bluffs, patchwork countrysides, unexpected wildlife, and quaint villages.
Stop along the way to sample the fun of memorable festivals, top-notch stage performances, unique shopping , year-round outdoor recreation, adventurous dining, unique attractions, and romantic riverboat cruises.

 State of Iowa [ Government ]

 City of Des Moines  -  Capital City Iowa, located in Polk County
As Iowa's capitol city, Des Moines is a hub of government action, business activity and cultural affairs. With a Metro population of > 450,000, Des Moines is a bustling metropolis. But though it has a big city bustle, it's extremely proud of its small town atmosphere. The community offers quality schools, superb public services, and friendly neighborhoods. Truly the best of both worlds!

 Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau 
Here you'll find everything you need to plan an exciting weekend getaway, productive meeting, or memorable vacation in Greater Des Moines. Be sure to stop back frequently to keep up-to-date on the many exciting attractions and events Greater Des Moines has to offer.

 Iowa Great Lakes  -  refers to a group of natural glacial lakes in northwestern Iowa
The three principal lakes of the group are Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake. They are the largest natural lakes in the state of Iowa.
The region is a popular destination for fishermen, both in summer and winter.
 Loess Hills
The Loess Hills is a formation of wind-deposited loess soil in the westernmost part of Iowa. There are numerous scenic drives, with county and state parks in the area. The Loess Hills State Forest is located in west-central Iowa in Harrison and Monona counties. It is comprised of 4 units, and offers hiking, backpacking, picnicking, and fishing opportunities.
 Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area
The Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area is a metropolitan area comprised of the cities of Omaha, Nebraska, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and surrounding areas.
 Quad Cities and Siouxland 
The Quad Cities are a group of cities which flank the Mississippi River in Iowa [ e.g. Bettendorf and Davenport ] and Illinois in the midwestern United States. See Visit Quad Cities and / or WeAreQC.com.

 Ames  -  City of Ames  -  Ames is a city in Story County
 It is located roughly 30 miles (48 km) north of the state capital Des Moines. Two small rivers run through the town: the Skunk River and Squaw Creek.
 Ankeny  -  City of Ankeny  -  city in Polk County
 Bettendorf  -  City of Bettendorf  -  city in Scott County - one of the Quad Cities
 Burlington  -  City of Burlington  -  county seat of Des Moines County
Burlington is the home of Snake Alley, the crookedest alley in the world, and has been called the Backhoe Capital of the World.
 Cedar Falls  -  Cedar Falls  -  city in Black Hawk County
Home to one of Iowa's three Public Universities, the University of Northern Iowa.
Where else can you find the perfect combination of history, culture and technology? This is a city where one can visit the past by strolling through structures listed with the National Historic Registry, stay updated by attending a lecture at the University of Northern Iowa or catching a traveling Broadway show at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, keep in shape by traveling the miles of bike trails and catch a glimpse of the future with the latest technological offerings supplied by a municipally-owned utility company.
 Cedar Rapids  -  Cedar Rapids - Cedar Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau 
 Clinton  -  City of Clinton - Greater Clinton Area - Clinton 150 years 
 Council Bluffs  - Council Bluffs 
 Davenport  -  Davenport
 Dubuque  -  Dubuque
 Fort Dodge  -  Fort Dodge
 Iowa City  -  Iowa City
 Marion  -  Marion
 Marshalltown  -  Marshalltown
 Mason City  -  Mason City
 Muscatine  -  Muscatine
 Ottumwa  -  Ottumwa
 Sioux City  -  Sioux City
 Urbandale  -  Urbandale
 Waterloo  -  Waterloo
 West Des Moines  -  West Des Moines

 News  -  Clinton Herald
 News  -  Eastern Iowa DMA Incorporated
The Eastern Iowa DMA is a newspaper network including The Cedar Rapids Gazette, The Dubuque Telegraph Herald, and The Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier market areas.
 News from Iowa -  Iowa newspapers
 The Amana Colonies Willkommen!
Seven German villages that make up one of Iowa's top visitor attractions are located just 19 miles southwest of Cedar Rapids via U.S. Highway 151. Tour the museums, furniture and clock making shops, wineries, bakeries and woolen mill.
Take an on-line tour of the Amana Colonies; a National Historic Landmark tucked in the rolling hills of eastern Iowa. "Gemütlichkeit" (German for warmth, cheer and friendliness) overflows in our seven quaint villages, founded 150 years ago. Use this site to help you plan your visit to our unique corner of the world. The businesses and attractions listed here are investors in the Amana Colonies Convention & Visitors Bureau and are ready to serve you.
 TV  -  The Iowa Channel [ KCCI ]
 University Davenport  -  St. Ambrose University
St. Ambrose is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. The University is a community focused on educating the mind, cultivating the spirit, and developing the potential of everyone we serve.
 University Iowa  -  Iowa State University [ ISU ]
Iowa State is a large, prestigious university with a friendly hometown personality.
 University Iowa  -  The University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a major national research university located on a 1,900-acre campus in Iowa City, Iowa, USA, on the Iowa River in East Central Iowa.
 University of Northern Iowa [ City of Cedar Falls ]

Cuisine - Iowa Foods / Recipes

 Iowa Beef Recipes & Basics
Recipe Search, Beef Basics & Cookery Tips [ Choosing the right beef cuts, how to cook them right, degrees of doneness and more are explained. Find lots more beef recipes from previous Beef recipe brochures or special topics ], Beef. It's What's for Dinner, The Healthy Beef Cookbook [ Lean beef recipes for every occasion ], Winning recipes from the National Beef Cook-Off® 
 Iowa Egg Council  -  see recipes [ Egg recipes from Iowa ]
Howard Helmer's Omelet Recipes, "Eggs Make the Meal!" Recipe Book, Holiday Favorites and State Fair Recipes, Quick and Easy, Breakfast/Brunch, Appetizers, Main Dishes and Desserts.
 Iowa Pork Producers Association  -  Iowa Pork Recipes
Pork Cuts, Types of meals, Etnic recipes, Preparation Methods, Special Occasions, October is National Pork Month.

History of Iowa

 Iowa's History - see Wikipedia
Timeline Iowa, History [ Marquette and Joliet find Iowa lush and green, The Indians, Iowa's first American settlers, Transportation: railroad fever, The Civil War, The political arena, Iowa: home for immigrants, Vast changes ], References

 National Park Service - Links to the past
Explore America's cultural resources - buildings, landscapes, archeological sites, ethnographic resources, objects and documents, structures and districts.

 From Revolution to Reconstruction
A Hypertext on American History from the colonial period until Modern Times by the Department of Humanities Computing, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
 Links to the past - National Park Service Cultural Resources
 US History

Music, Art & Culture, Events & Entertainment

 Clinton Symphony Orchestra

 Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival
13 days filled with nearly many fun and educational events to Celebrate America in the Heartland and our great nation's birthday. Make plans now to join us for concerts, fireworks, parades, races, games, tributes, action zone, exhibits, festival food and many, many more activities.
 Fairfield Art Walk  -  first Friday of every of every month
 Iowa Arts Festival
Situated in the heart of downtown Iowa City, the Iowa Arts Festival draws children and adults to the celebration of great art and music!
Being a free event, this festival truly embraces the community which comes alive with entertainment and activities suitable for the young or young at heart!
 Live on the Square Concert Series [ Fairfield ] - Great Music and Free, Family Fun!
Live on the Square brings a strong cultural mix to Fairfield. In past years, we have listened and danced to Jazz, Salsa, Blues, Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Classic Rock, Oldies, New Age and Celtic music, while at the same time watched internationally ranked Irish dancers and African Drum lines and Gospel Choirs.

 Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines
 Sturgis Falls Celebration, Cedar Falls

 Ticketmaster.com  -  Concerts, Sports, Theater

Web Portals / Search Engines / Directories

 AccessDubuque  -  Dubuque Telegraph Herald
 Bestofiowa.com 
 DesmoinesRegister.com
 Iowagreatlakes.com - Guide to Okoboji, Spirit Lake, Spencer, Milford and surrounding communities
 State of Iowa rDirectory
 free wi-fi Iowa hotspots wireless internet access list

 American Discovery Trail

 Online Highways  -  destination guides
 Roadside America  -  online guide to offbeat tourist attractions
 Theme Parks USA
Directory of Theme Parks, Amusement Parks, Waterparks & Zoos

 Magic Yellow online Yellow Pages
 Google.com


Tourism : Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi River, Spirit Lake, Loess Hills, Cedar River, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Iowa City, Swan Lake, East Grand Avenue, National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa River, Mason City, Silver Lake, Cedar Rapids, Coralville Lake Project, Harpers Ferry, Missouri River, Native American, Backbone State Park, Big Sioux River, Cedar Falls, Civil War, Forest City, Maquoketa River.


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