Central Iowa Tourism
Central Iowa Tourism on IowaBeautiful.com. Central Iowa Tourism - your Central Iowa Travel Guide to Vacations, Attractions and Events
Meskwaki Indian Pow Wow - Tama, Iowa
Meskwaki Indian Pow Wow - Tama, Iowa
The Meskwaki Pow Wow originated from the traditional religious and social beliefs of the tribe. Today it is more of a social gathering than a religious event.
Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center - Gladbrook, Iowa
Matchstick Marvels Tourist Center - Gladbrook, Iowa
See amazing creations by the talented artist Pat Action using matchsticks, thousands and thousands of them to create his art.
Come and see the best matchstick models in the world!
Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace - Boone, Iowa
Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace - Boone, Iowa
In Boone, Iowa, a small frame house with a restored summer kitchen contains furniture, photographs, and memorabilia concerning the early life of the wife of the twenty-fifth president of the United States.
There is Doud family furniture, including the bed in which Mamie was born. The lower-level museum and library feature early items and memorabilia of Mamie’s life after she married Dwight David Eisenhower.
Mahanay Bell Tower - Jefferson, Iowa
Mahanay Bell Tower - Jefferson, Iowa
On one corner of the Jefferson town square is located a fourteen-story carillon. The structure is built of glass and ceramic cement. After taking a ride on a glass elevator to the 120-foot high observation deck, visitors can view the city and its surrounding countryside. The fourteen cast bells chime the time of day every 15 minutes; concerts are also offered daily at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.
Living History Farm - Urbandale, Iowa
Living History Farm - Urbandale, Iowa
In the Urbandale section of Iowa’s capital city, a 600-acre open-air agricultural and historical museum has been developed. Its mission is to tell the story of Midwest agriculture over the past three hundred years, to help preserve pioneer farming skills, and to present aspects of Iowa’s history.
Ledges State Park - Boone, Iowa
Ledges State Park in Boone, Iowa
Ledges State Park in Boone, Iowa offers 94 campsites; 40 with electrical hookups (2 of which are fully accessible), 42 non-electric and 12 hike-in. Modern rest rooms, showers, a trailer dump station and a playground are located in the campground.
There are thirteen miles of hiking trails lead up and down steep slopes to scenic overlooks and provide access to spectacular views of Pea’s Creek "canyon".
La Vida Loca Winery - Indianola, Iowa
La Vida Loca Winery - Indianola, Iowa
This winery proves that it doesn’t take just grapes to make wine. They use locally grown fresh fruits for their wines.
For many years fruits other than grapes have been used to produce wines. The elderberry, black raspberry, apples, cranberries and other fruits have a distintive taste that appeal to many that enjoy a good glass of wine.
John Ernest Vineyard & Winery - Tama, Iowa
John Ernest Vineyard & Winery - Tama, Iowa
This family owned vineyard is now 4 years old. They host live entertainment during the summer and fall for your pleasure.
They grow a variety of grapes such as Edelweiss, LaCrosse, Foch, Fontenac, St. Croix, St. Pipen, Einset, Concord and Catawba. With this selection of grapes the vineyard is able to produce a wide variety of types of wine including the dry wines, semi-sweet wines, sweet wines and a cranberry wine, perfect for that turkey dinner at holiday time. (Or add some clear soda and fresh cut fruit, such as strawberries, for a great spritzer!)
Jasper Winery - Newton, Iowa
Jasper Winery - Newton and now Des Moines, Iowa
This vineyard grows over six varieties of French-American grapes, including Chancellor, Foch, St. Croix, Edelweiss, Seyval Blanc and La Crescent, which are bred to withstand Midwestern winters.
The Japser Winery is moving to Des Moines. They are building a production facility, retail shop and event center at 2400 George Flagg Parkway (about 3 blocks west of Fleur Drive).
Iowa State Fair - Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa State Fairgrounds - Des Moines, Iowa
The Iowa State Fair, held during the middle of August for eleven days, is America’s classic fair and is considered to be Iowa’s largest tourism event. It is the most important of the over 160 activities that are held in this area each year.
