Iowa Adventures | Iowa Adventurer

May 11

Picturesque Ingemann Danish Church, nestled in the Loess Hills near Moorhead, is lovingly preserved

West of Moorhead in Monona County on county blacktop E54 is a small church that seems like it could be plucked right out of a Hollywood m...

'The Secret's in the Sauce' since 1957 at El Fredo Pizza in Sioux City

Iowa Adventurer

Mar 30

'The Secret's in the Sauce' since 1957 at El Fredo Pizza in Sioux City

I'm paraphrasing here, but there is an old saying that essentially says, "There's no such thing as bad pizza". For someone who likes pizz...

With their famous pork tenderloins, TJ's Cafe in Villisca serves up 'homemade food people love'

Iowa Adventurer

Mar 27

With their famous pork tenderloins, TJ's Cafe in Villisca serves up 'homemade food people love'

Many small towns throughout Iowa have that one special restaurant where the locals gather for a good meal and a hot cup of coffee and the...

Crystal Lake in Hancock County is 'Home of the World's Largest Bullhead'

Iowa Adventurer

Mar 26

Crystal Lake in Hancock County is 'Home of the World's Largest Bullhead'

Iowa is home to a number of different "World's Largest". Sac City is home of the "World's Largest Popcorn Ball", Brandon has a huge fryin...

No need to head overseas, The Emerald Isle is actually in Imogene in Fremont County

Iowa Adventurer

Mar 16

No need to head overseas, The Emerald Isle is actually in Imogene in Fremont County

For many, a trip to beautiful Ireland is a bucket list trip. I've personally never been but perhaps someday. After all, anybody with a "M...

Murray Hill Scenic Overlook in Harrison County offers breathtaking Loess Hills views

Iowa Adventurer

Mar 9

Murray Hill Scenic Overlook in Harrison County offers breathtaking Loess Hills views

Every once in awhile I hear someone repeat the tired and obviously wrong cliche that Iowa is just a boring and flat state. Sure, we may n...

Once home of the Blue Jays and square dancing Farmall tractors, Nemaha is 'A Mighty Small Town'

Iowa Adventurer

Mar 2

Once home of the Blue Jays and square dancing Farmall tractors, Nemaha is 'A Mighty Small Town'

To the outside observer or first-time visitor, Nemaha might seem quaint. But this close-knit community, with it's confident slogan of "A ...

Independent comedy has a hilarious new home at Teehee's Comedy Club in Downtown Des Moines

Iowa Adventurer

Feb 17

Independent comedy has a hilarious new home at Teehee's Comedy Club in Downtown Des Moines

Teehee's Comedy Club in the Western Gateway neighborhood of Downtown Des Moines is the new home of local and independent comedy in the De...

Emerson in Mills County is a 'Southwest Iowa community of friendly neighbors'

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 29

Emerson in Mills County is a 'Southwest Iowa community of friendly neighbors'

"Nestled in the Southwest corner of Iowa between the east and west branches of the Nishnabotna River, Emerson typifies the small town atm...

With Cornbred, Ames has found a tantalizing and top-notch tenant for its historic train depot

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 27

With Cornbred, Ames has found a tantalizing and top-notch tenant for its historic train depot

Downtown Ames is a great place to visit at any time of year. With its array of impressive and historic buildings housing a diverse line-u...

Allendorf, an unincorporated town in Osceola County, lies just south of the Minnesota border

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 24

Allendorf, an unincorporated town in Osceola County, lies just south of the Minnesota border

Just about every county in our state is home to one or multiple towns that, for any number of reasons, is no longer incorporated. Allendo...

Sippis in Davenport, with its multiple levels, is a spot to celebrate any milestone

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 22

Sippis in Davenport, with its multiple levels, is a spot to celebrate any milestone

Just a few blocks from the mighty Mississippi River in downtown Davenport is Sippis American Grill and Craft Beer, a great local restaura...

Once considered the state's highest point, Ocheyedan Mound is a geological landmark

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 21

Once considered the state's highest point, Ocheyedan Mound is a geological landmark

Growing up as a student in Northwest Iowa in the 1990s and early 2000s, we were always told that the "Ocheyedan Mound" near Ocheyedan in ...

Mondamin in Harrison County is the 'Gateway to the Loess Hills'

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 20

Mondamin in Harrison County is the 'Gateway to the Loess Hills'

Traveling on I-29 between Sioux City and Omaha can be a beautiful drive. Obviously, especially during warmer months, you see a lot of cor...

Gravity is overrated at Urban Air Adventure Park in Ankeny

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 17

Gravity is overrated at Urban Air Adventure Park in Ankeny

The first trampoline was invented in 1936 and, as the decades have passed, these springy platforms have become a common toy in backyards ...

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 16

'You Are Among Friends' in Blencoe

Located between the world famous Loess Hills and the mighty Missouri River is the quaint Monana County community of Blencoe. Thousands of...

Osceola County is the home of Hawkeye Point, our state's highest point of elevation

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 15

Osceola County is the home of Hawkeye Point, our state's highest point of elevation

In far northwest Iowa, just south of the Iowa-Minnesota border, you can exit Highway 60 and visit the site of the former Sterler Family F...

Los Pueblos in Arnold's Park is a reason to visit the Okoboji area any time of the year

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 14

Los Pueblos in Arnold's Park is a reason to visit the Okoboji area any time of the year

During the warmer summer months, Okoboji is Iowa's 'vacation destination'. Yet these days, even when the lakes are frozen over and the sn...

Bancroft in Kossuth County lays claim to being the 'Garden Spot of Iowa'

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 13

Bancroft in Kossuth County lays claim to being the 'Garden Spot of Iowa'

In 1851, nearly 170 years ago, the Iowa Legislature enacted a bill to add an additional 52 counties to the already established 48. 52 + 4...

Colorful creations help Pepperharrow Farms near Winterset build a blossoming business

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 10

Colorful creations help Pepperharrow Farms near Winterset build a blossoming business

Nestled just south of Winterset in Madison County, at the end of a long dirt driveway and above the Middle River Valley, is Pepperharrow ...

Cedar Rapids is home to the historic 'Mother Mosque of America'

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 9

Cedar Rapids is home to the historic 'Mother Mosque of America'

Approximately one percent of Iowans identify as Muslim, yet our state is home to a very important landmark for those of the Islamic faith...

Hillview, with year-round recreation, is the crown jewel of Plymouth County's parks

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 8

Hillview, with year-round recreation, is the crown jewel of Plymouth County's parks

When I was in grade school, I distinctly remember taking a winter field trip to Hillview Recreation Area, just outside of Hinton in Plymo...

Established in 1882, Ayrshire in Palo Alto County is the home of the Beavers

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 7

Established in 1882, Ayrshire in Palo Alto County is the home of the Beavers

In the southwest corner of Palo Alto County is the community of Ayrshire. With a population of just under 150 as of the last census, it's...

Emma Rae's Cafe in Merrill offers 'food so great, you'll lick your plate'

Iowa Adventurer

Jan 6

Emma Rae's Cafe in Merrill offers 'food so great, you'll lick your plate'

Located just off the highly trafficked Highway 75 in Merrill in Plymouth County is Emma Rae's Cafe, a darling little spot that offers a m...

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