Table of Contents
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Food and Drink
1 Enjoy a Sandwich at the Seawall 2
2 Lunch in the Alley 3
3 Sip on a Hot or Cold Brew 4
4 A Korean Experience 6
5 A Taste of Holland 7
6 Experience a Southern Comfort Meal 8
7 Get the Scoop in Le Mars 9
8 Did Somebody Say "Steak"? 10
9 Luxuriate in a Farm-to-Table Experience 14
10 Savor Fall-off-the-Bone Ribs 15
11 The Perfect Way to Start Your Day 16
12 Sink Your Spoon into Black Raspberry Ice Cream 17
13 Welcome-Velkommen-to Mabel's Lunchroom 18
14 Hungry for Broasted Chicken? 20
15 Experience an Amana Colonies Tradition since 1940 22
16 Bring a Little Mexico into Your Life 23
17 Sip a Glass of Wine in the Vineyard 24
18 Experience a Giant Breakfast Pancake 26
19 Dine with Tradition and All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp 27
20 Nothing Beats Home Cooking 28
21 Experience the World One Dish at a Time 29
22 Devour the Best Tenderloin in the World 30
23 Scooping Up an Iowa Tradition 32
24 Cut into a Slice of Pizza for Breakfast 33
25 I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream! 34
26 Brewed to Perfection 36
27 Experience a Taste of Japan 40
28 Baked to Perfection in Winterset 41
29 Comfort Food in Iowa City 42
30 Enjoy a Down-on-the-Farm Meal 43
Music and Entertainment
31 View Fireworks over the Lake at America's Best Family-Friendly 4th of July Celebration 46
32 Celebrate Dutch Heritage 47
33 Enjoy 76 Trombones Leading the Big Parade in River City 48
34 Find Your Fun at the Largest Event in Iowa 50
35 Relive Fifties Music at the Legendary Surf Ballroom 51
36 Dance with Irish Dancers and Celtic Bands 52
37 Worship at the #1 Destination for Weddings in the Midwest 53
38 Celebrate Danish Village Traditions 54
39 Would You Dare Stay in One of the Most Haunted Houses in America? 55
40 Indulge in Homemade Ice Cream at a County Fair 56
41 Create Memories in a Hot-Air Balloon 58
42 Fly a Kite on a Frozen Lake 59
43 Learn about Agriculture and Farm Life 60
44 It's Time to Roll the Dice 62
45 Go Picking in Le Claire 63
46 Fuel Up at the World's Largest Truckstop 64
47 Take a Ride on the Shortest, Steepest Railway in the World 65
48 Ride a Legendary Wooden Roller Coaster 66
49 Meet 800 Furry and Exotic Creatures 67
50 Velkommen to Nordic Fest 68
Sports and Recreation
51 Drive the Iowa Great River Road National Scenic Byway 72
52 Mountain Biking 101 at Lizard Creek Mountain Bike Trails 74
53 Challenge Yourself at Iowa's World-Class Skate Park 75
54 A Bird's-Eye View of the Mississippi River 76
55 Go Caving in Maquoketa 77
56 Bike the High Trestle Trail 78
57 Wave at the Kids in Iowa City 98
58 Drive Iowa's Unbelievably Crooked Road 99
59 If You Build It … They Will Come 100
60 Bike America's Largest Bike Ride 101
61 Go on a Sculpture Walk 102
62 Toss Your Line in the Water to Catch a Big Fish 104
63 Ride the Trails on Your ATV 106
64 Play on the Water for Days near the Iowa Great Lakes 107
65 Camp in a Yurt 108
66 Lace Up Your Hiking Boots and Hit the Trail 109
67 Float down Iowa's Waterways 110
Culture and History
68 Stay in the Last Known Hotel in the World
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright 114
69 Explore the Mighty Mississippi Where Iowa Started 116
70 Learn How the Iowa Farm Has Evolved through the Years 118
71 Discover the Largest Meteorite to Have Fallen in North America 119
72 Become a Dane for a Day 120
73 Bring History to Life with John Deere 122
74 Experience Grant Wood 124
75 Celebrate Freedom in 99 Counties 125
76 Experience the Old West in Winterset 126
77 Discover the Legacy of Meredith Willson in River City 128
78 Visit the Girlhood Home of the Founder of the League of Women Voters 130
79 Visit the "Eighth Wonder of the World" 131
80 Meet the Man Who Fed the World 132
81 Explore Sacred Space in the Upper Mississippi River Valley 134
82 Learn about America's 31st President 135
83 Visit World-Famous Bridges 136
84 Take Flight at the Airpower Museum 138
85 The Clocks Go Ticktock in Spillville 139
86 Discover the History of the Pearl Button 140
87 Take a Step Back in Time with Toys from Your Childhood 141
88 Make the Trek to the Crash Site Where the Music Died 142
89 Go See Iowa's Tallest Mural 143
Shopping and Fashion
90 Shop 'Til You Drop 146
91 Search for Big-City Finds in Small-Town America 147
92 Indulge in Chocolate at Van Veen Chocolates 148
93 Go on a Treasure Hunt 150
94 Discover Local Artisans and Produce Your Own Glass Artwork 152
95 Experience Pop Culture and Collectibles under One Roof 153
96 Dress to the Nines and You'll Be Fine 154
97 Shop at the Best Little Toy Store in the Midwest 155
98 Discover the Latest and Greatest Fashions in One Place 156
99 Search out Your Next Dream Quilting Project 158
100 A Salute to the Midwest in Dubuque 160
Activities by Season 161
Suggested Itineraries 165
Index 167
