National Iowa Day - February 8: What Visitors Must Explore

Why is it celebrated?

National Iowa Day celebrates Iowa as the 29th state to join the Union. The state is situated in the Midwestern region of the United States of America. Iowa has a population of around 3.2 million people.

What is Iowa Famous for?

Cornfields, rolling hills, and small towns capture the essence of Iowa. Although it may not sound like a very happening place at first, there are still many interesting facts related to the state.

Historic Dubuque

Dubuque is the oldest city in Iowa and one of the oldest settlements situated in the Midwest. The city was founded in 1788 and has the oldest church in Iowa, the St. Marys Catholic Church from 1833.

Bowling Alleys

Iowa offers over 400 bowling alleys which is the the highest per capita number of bowling alleys in all of America. Anyone who loves indoor lighthearted activities will enjoy visiting these facilities in Iowa.

RAGBRAI

Iowa hosts numerous unique events and festivals annually. One of the most popularly known events is the RAGBRAI. It stands for the Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. This event runs for a week in July. Participants bike ride for the entire week and travel to new destinations every year since the route changes. Thousands of people join the event from around the world.

National Balloon Museum

This Museum is located in Indianola. Visiting the museum will enlighten you on the history of hot air balloons. Also, it showcases a collection of ballooning equipment and vintage hot air balloons. Visitors can also get a wonderful view of Iowa by taking a hot air balloon ride.

Maquoketa Caves State Park

Iowa is the home of many natural attractions. Maquoketa Caves State Park is one such experience which is found in the states eastern area. Multiple underground caves, numerous hiking trails, and countless picnic areas can be explored at the park.

Effigy Mounds National Monument

In the northeast part of Iowa, you can find another natural attraction, the Effigy Mounds National Monument. The monument has many ancient Native American earthworks. These are captures in the shapes of animals. Also, the site includes several hiking trails for nature lovers.