With a distinct Czech and Slovak heritage, the second-largest city in Iowa is the largest corn-processing city on the planet, at the heart of one of the largest manufacturing centers in the nation. It’s hard to mention Cedar Rapids without talking about the painter, Grant Wood (1891-1942), who lived and worked here. You can visit …
At the confluence of the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers, Sioux City is also where Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota all meet. The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through in July and August of 1804, pausing to lay to rest Sergeant Charles Floyd, whose grave is marked with a grand monument. In the early 20th …
The first thing to mention about Iowa City is the prestigious university that has been part of daily life here since 1847. The University of Iowa imbues the city with culture, style and a sense of fun, unmistakable in the pedestrian-friendly downtown area. This institution has high-ranking programs for law, the fine arts and healthcare, …
A northern suburb of Des Moines, Ankeny is growing at an amazing rate, but has a history reaching back to the late 19th century. On this side of the state capital you’re within shouting distance of Adventureland Park, Iowa’s top theme park, with a world-class water park attached. Ankeny is also minutes from some of …
On the Cedar River, the seat of Black Hawk County is part of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area, home to more than 170,000 people. Waterloo is known for its industry, which developed in a sudden burst at the turn of the 20th century, and counts the agricultural multinational, John Deere among its biggest employers. There’s …
Known as Valley Junction until 1938, the largest suburb of Des Moines is growing at a staggering rate, more than doubling in population since 1990. West Des Moines has humble origins, taking shape around a railroad depot at the turn of the 20th century. Decades before, the abolitionist and first settler, James C. Jordan had …
Around 35 miles north of Des Moines, the city of Ames is best known for Iowa State University (ISU), the largest university in the state and the third-largest in the Big 12. With a sprawling, verdant campus, the university contributes museums, impressive architecture, world-class cultural events and a feast of varsity sports action. There’s a …
The oldest city in Iowa is draped over the bluff line on the Mississippi where states of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin share a common border. Dubuque is the anchor for the Tri-State Area and a blossoming visitor attraction mixing natural wonder with a captivating history. This is summed up by the interesting downtown area with …
Bounded on its south side by U.S. 6, Urbandale is a fast-growing suburban city in the northwest of the Des Moines metropolitan area. You can reach downtown Des Moines, and its slew of attractions, in a matter of minutes. Meanwhile, to the north and west are the big skies of rural Iowa, which you can …
Across the Missouri River from Omaha, the city of Council Bluffs is connected to its neighbor by a marvelous pedestrian bridge that opened in 2008. There may not be a better place than Council Bluffs to ponder the United States’ epic westward expansion in the 19th century. The city is named for a parley made …