Fall Road Trips in Iowa? There’s an App for That
As summer fades into fall, there’s no better time than now to plan a day trip or weekend getaway with help from the Iowa Culture app.
Developed by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, the app maps more than 3,500 art, cultural and historical sites across all 99 counties and features four new curated tours that highlight Iowa’s Scenic Byways, 20 state parks and the state’s presidential past.
“Fall is a perfect time to take a drive through Iowa,” said Jessica Rundlett, who curated the new featured tours. “Traveling designated Scenic Byways nearly guarantees jaw-dropping views, and using Iowa Culture adds to the experience with stories about arts, history and nature along the way.”
In this unusual year, when so many activities have been canceled or postponed, road trips are a fun and affordable way to get out and explore.
The Iowa Culture app’s new self-guided tours provide ready-made itineraries to ease the planning process for Iowans across the state. But travelers should check beforehand with individual venues to make sure they’re still open Covid-19 pandemic. For those who aren’t ready to travel yet, they can always use the app to start planning a trip for the future.
Here is a quick look at the four new featured tours, which include plenty of sites to see and enjoy. Download the free mobile app from Apple or Google Play stores or launch the desktop version at dcaapp.com.
Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
Discover the Loess Hills (pronounced “luss”), which were formed by unusual deposits of wind-swept dust and abound with both the natural beauty and rich history of Iowa’s western frontier. The unique land formation is found only in Western Iowa and China. The tour features numerous sites including the Rev. John Todd House and Tabor Anti-Slavery Historic District in Tabor, Chautauqua Pavilion in Riverton, Davis Oriole Earthlodge Site near Glenwood and the Loess Hill Scenic Overlook near Moorhead. Available through Nov. 23.
Explore the rolling hills that inspired the Regionalist artist Grant Wood, who grew up in Anamosa and Cedar Rapids, organized an artists’ colony at Stone City and painted “American Gothic,” one of the most famous paintings in the world. What better time to explore the Grant Wood Scenic Byway than the 125th anniversary of his birth? The tour features numerous sites, including the Decker House Hotel in Maquoketa, Hurstville Lime Kilns in Hurstville, Antioch School in Anamosa, Stone City Historic District in Stone City and Boot Hill Cemetery in Anamosa. Available through Nov. 23.
The only Iowan president, so far, was Herbert Hoover, who grew up in a tiny house in West Branch. But Iowa history abounds with other political stories and presidential contenders, including James B. Weaver, who won more than 1 million votes as a third-party candidate in 1892. His Bloomfield home is just one of many sites to discover from Iowa’s surprising presidential past. Available through Nov. 9.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Iowa’s beautiful state parks in 2020, 20 Iowa artists spent time creating artwork in 20 different parks in a special project organized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State University’s College of Design and the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. So go ahead: Explore the parks that inspired the artwork that celebrates a century of natural beauty. Available through Dec. 31.
— Jeff Morgan, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
