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As a traveler you will be fascinated by the array of things to do and experience in Iowa, from history settlements along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, to cultural rich towns that welcome you with genuine hospitality, to bustling cities alive with modern attractions and amenities. Visit museums and art galleries, take in an opera or theatrical performance or cheer on your favorite team at major sporting events.
Iowa is famous for its bucolic outdoor landscape and wild virgin beauty. Whether your outdoor excursions take you through urban areas or throughout the scenic countryside, you will find a lot of places to hike in Iowa. Along the way, you will experience the hospitality at trail side communities, enjoy a festival, county-wide bike rides, or escape to solitude on a prairie or woodland trail.
If you like driving, you should know that in June 2000, two Iowa roadways were designated as National Scenic Byways by the US Department of Transportation. The Loess Hill Scenic Byway and the Iowa Great River Road received the national designation because of their scenic, historic, cultural, archeological and recreational qualities.
If you are a theater and arts lover, Iowa has a lot to offer. Tap your feet, laugh or dance! Experience the thrill of live performances at musicals, theatre, dance and comedies in several southwest Iowa communities. Eclectic seasonal entertainment also offers improv, storytelling, impersonations and much more. The Southwest Iowa Performing Arts and Education Association is setting the stage by offering a wide range of entertainment at public performances. In addition, performing arts workshops and classes for all ages are offered throughout the year.
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Des Moines, meaning 'of the monks' not 'in the corn' as the surrounding fields might suggest, is Iowa's often-mocked capital. However, bear in mind that the town is anything but dull. It takes a little exploration to get to know the places, especially the capitol area. Des Moines followed as a capital to Iowa City, a town that bustles with a youthful, artsy vibe. The University of Iowa campus, home to good art and natural history museums, spills across both sides of the Iowa River. In the summer the city mellows somewhat, but there is always something fun happening. And yet another great stop is Dubuque: 19th century Victorian homes line this city's narrow and surprisingly urban streets between the Mississippi River and seven steep hills.
If you have children or if you simply love sweets, don't forget to stop in the 'Ice Cream Capital of the World', in Le Mars, Iowa, where more ice cream is produced by a single company than any other city in the world!
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