Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Iowa (Iowa (IA))
Iowa (Iowa (IA)) features major hubs at Des Moines, Iowa City & Dubuque. Key sights, National & State Parks, and travel highlights across the state include Amana Colonies, Pella Dutch Village, Bridges of Madison County, Field of Dreams (Dyersville) & Mississippi River bluffs at Dubuque.
How to get to Iowa
Des Moines International Airport (DSM), Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), Amtrak California Zephyr across southern Iowa, and I-80/I-35. Use our Amtrak & USA Rail Pass Calculator ($) and $80 National Parks Pass Calculator to plan your route.
Signature local food in Iowa
When visiting cities and towns across Iowa, look out for these regional American specialties at classic diners, smokehouses, seafood shacks, and farmers markets:
- Iowa chop (thick-cut center loin pork chop)
- Breaded loose-meat tavern sandwiches
- Sweet bi-color corn & Maytag Blue cheese
- Dutch letters almond pastry & rhubarb pie
- Midwest farmhouse ales & honey ciders
Best time to visit Iowa
Best time to visit Iowa: May–Oct.
Featured cities & towns in Iowa (23 featured · 149 total)
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, county & elevation facts, nearest airport/Amtrak station, regional food specialties, and neighboring towns:
| City / Town | County & Type | Population | Elevation | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Des Moines, IA | US City | 214,133 | 266 m (873 ft) | City guide → |
| Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids, IA | US City | 130,405 | 247 m (810 ft) | City guide → |
| Davenport Davenport, IA | US City | 102,582 | 180 m (591 ft) | City guide → |
| Sioux City Sioux City, IA | US City | 82,821 | 366 m (1201 ft) | City guide → |
| Iowa City Iowa City, IA | US City | 74,220 | 204 m (669 ft) | City guide → |
| Waterloo Waterloo, IA | US City | 68,460 | 261 m (856 ft) | City guide → |
| Ames Ames, IA | US City | 65,060 | 287 m (942 ft) | City guide → |
| West Des Moines West Des Moines, IA | US City | 64,113 | 252 m (827 ft) | City guide → |
| Council Bluffs Council Bluffs, IA | US City | 62,597 | 301 m (988 ft) | City guide → |
| Dubuque Dubuque, IA | US City | 58,799 | 189 m (620 ft) | City guide → |
| Ankeny Ankeny, IA | US City | 56,764 | 302 m (991 ft) | City guide → |
| Fredericksburg Fredericksburg, IA | US City | 922 | 328 m (1076 ft) | City guide → |
| Keystone Keystone, IA | US City | 609 | 269 m (883 ft) | City guide → |
| Vail Vail, IA | US City | 424 | 384 m (1260 ft) | City guide → |
| Williams Williams, IA | US City | 335 | 371 m (1217 ft) | City guide → |
| Harpers Ferry Harpers Ferry, IA | US City | 319 | 198 m (650 ft) | City guide → |
| Gardiner Gardiner, IA | US City | 0 | 290 m (951 ft) | City guide → |
| Homer Homer, IA | US City | 0 | 338 m (1109 ft) | City guide → |
| Jackson Jackson, IA | US City | 0 | 268 m (879 ft) | City guide → |
| Key West Key West, IA | US City | 0 | 250 m (820 ft) | City guide → |
| Medora Medora, IA | US City | 0 | 272 m (892 ft) | City guide → |
| Monterey Monterey, IA | US City | 0 | 290 m (951 ft) | City guide → |
| Springdale Springdale, IA | US City | 0 | 238 m (781 ft) | City guide → |