As summer rolls around, Iowa has unlimited opportunities for fun in the sun. From waterparks and themeparks to lake activities, baseball games, raceways and more, there’s plenty of ways to make the most of the longer days. Here are the top summer attractions in each of Iowa’s travel areas.
Lakes & Land
For Thrills:
- Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Arnolds Park
- King's Pointe Outdoor Waterpark, Storm Lake
- Siouxnami Waterpark, Sioux Center
For Relaxation:
- Rock-n-Row Adventures, Eldora
- Okoboji Summer Theatre, Okoboji
- Queen II Excursions, Okoboji
- Lady of the Lake, Clear Lake
- Scenic City Empress, Iowa Falls
- Superior 71 Drive-In, Spirit Lake
For Competition:
- Sioux City Explorers, Sioux City
- Treasure Village Mini Golf, Milford
- Pirate’s Pointe Mini Golf, Storm Lake
Loess Hills & Beyond
For Farm Fun:
- Best Nest Farm, Glenwood
- Walnut Trail Farms, Stuart
- Loess Hills Lavender Farm, Missouri Valley
- Shady Lane Ranch, Council Bluffs
For Sights & Sounds:
- Mahanay Bell Tower and Rooftop Art, Jefferson
- Lewis & Clark Visitors Center, Onawa
- Albert the Bull, Audubon
- Manning Hausbarn, Manning
- Watson Steam Train and Depot Museum, Missouri Valley
- Reverend George B. Hitchcock House, Lewis
For Exciting Events:
- Stir Cove Concert Series, Council Bluffs
- Clarinda A’s Baseball, Clarinda
Capital Country
For Thrills:
- Seven Oaks Recreation, Boone
- Rail Explorers, Boone
- Adventureland Park, Altoona
For Competition:
- Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville
- Iowa Speedway, Newton
- Boone Speedway, Boone
- Slideways Karting Center, Knoxville
- Iowa Cubs Baseball, Des Moines
For Nostalgia:
- Story City Antique Carousel, Story City
- Heritage Carousel, Des Moines
- Valle Drive-In, Newton
- Living History Farms, Urbandale
Driftless Area
For Outdoor Adventures:
- Fossil & Prairie Park Preserve and Center, Rockford
- Motor Mill Historic Site, Elkader
- Sky Tours at YMCA Union Park, Dubuque
- Crystal Lake Cave, Dubuque
- Spook Cave, McGregor
- Blue Heron Eco-Cruises, Camanche
- American Lady Cruises, Dubuque
- Maiden Voyage Tours, McGregor
For Family Fun:
- Lost Island Adventure Park and Themepark, Waterloo
- Waterloo Bucks Baseball, Waterloo
- Field of Dreams Ghost Players, Dyersville
- Hansen’s Farm Fresh Dairy, Hudson
Storied & Scenic
For Relaxation:
- Miss Effie’s Country Flowers, Donahue
- Pine Creek Grist Mill, Muscatine
- Blue Grass Drive-In, Blue Grass
- Highway 61 Drive-In, Delmar
- Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana, Mount Pleasant
- Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum, Oskaloosa
For Competition:
- Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball, Cedar Rapids
- Quad Cities River Bandits Baseball, Davenport
For Water Fun:
- Channel Cat Water Taxi, Quad Cities
- Riverboat Twilight, LeClaire
- Celebration River Cruises, Quad Cities
- FunCity Resort, Burlington