Iowa: Worth Another Look

A 3-Day Trip to a Beautiful Part of the Country

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Is This Itinerary Right For Your Group?

Ideal Demographic: Active Adult Travelers, Women’s Travel Groups, Cultural and Heritage Travelers
Mobility: Mostly accessible, with a few exceptions
Peak Window: Spring (March-May), Summer (June-August), Fall Foliage Season
Booking Lead Time: 3-6 months in advance

Discover a fresh side of Iowa on this three-day journey filled with new experiences, reimagined landmarks, and unexpected finds. From larger-than-life art and newly unveiled tributes to refreshed historic treasures and memorable Iowa experiences, this itinerary gives groups plenty of reasons to put Iowa back on their travel list. With a number of new, renovated, and expanded experiences across the state, Iowa gives groups many reasons to return.

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Planner's Hotline: Your Local Advocate

Chelsea Lerud

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Day 1: Explore a historic river town

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum

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Midday:

To begin your Iowa tour, pay a visit to Clinton. Set along one of the most scenic stretches of the Mississippi River, Clinton offers an enticing mix of outdoor adventure, history, culture, and small-town charm. Explore Eagle Point Park and Riverview Park to take in sweeping views of the Mississippi River. Clinton is also home to three giant trolls and a fourth creature created by internationally known Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo. The sculptures are built primarily from reclaimed materials and placed within the Mississippi River community’s outdoor landscape, turning the experience into a fun-filled troll hunt. Groups can see multiple installations, get outdoors and experience an unexpected side of eastern Iowa.

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Evening:

Clinton offers a number of restaurants and cafes your group will love. One popular stop is 7 Hills South, a creatively reimagined space inside a grand church building. It features a full menu, craft soda, mocktails, and 7 Hills beer on tap. Fine dining on the riverfront doesn’t get better anywhere along the Mississippi River than Candlelight Inn. Every table has a view of the Mississippi River, or you can enjoy your dinner and drinks on the beautiful deck.

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Day 1 Alternative:

With a 217-seat theater, the famed Clinton Showboat Theatre has produced renowned musicals and comedies, like Young Frankenstein and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella for four decades.

Day 2: Learn about Iowa’s only president

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Afternoon:

For those seeking more history, a short drive will take you to Iowa City, home of Englert Theatre. This historic downtown theater has been part of the community for more than a century and was saved and restored through a major grassroots community effort. The renovated vaudeville-era playhouse, now serving as a community arts center and 725- seat performance venue, is owned and operated year-round by Englert Civic Theatre, a nonprofit art organization.
Nearby, groups can visit Iowa City’s Downtown District, which features more than 60 locally owned shops. From books to handmade stationery, vintage wear, and sports memorabilia, unique quality artisan finds are the specialty at downtown Iowa City’s shops.

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Morning:

Start your day with a visit to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum in West Branch. The museum reopened in summer 2026 following an 18-month closure and an approximately $20 million renovation. It is the newest presidential library in the U.S. National Archives system.
Hoover was born in West Branch and is Iowa’s only president. The museum shares the impactful lives and legacies of Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover, using new research, technologies, and innovations. Groups can enjoy galleries from the Hoovers’ early years, including their days in West Branch and attending Stanford University, to his Secretary of Commerce years. The galleries also highlight Hoover’s leadership of the Commission for Relief in Belgium and the U.S. Food Administration, rallying a nation to conserve food and feed millions caught in the war’s path. The “From West Branch to the White House” gallery tells of an Iowa farm boy’s improbable climb to the 1928 election and the presidency.
The Presidential Library and Museum is found within the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, an 187-acre park administered by the National Park Service. Here, groups can also see his birthplace cottage, gravesite, and other historic structures.

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Evening:

Bluebird Diner in Iowa City is a renowned eating establishment that Reader’s Digest magazine named the most iconic diner in the state. Reader’s Digest also declared Bluebird Diner’s menu is “classic country cooking with an unexpected twist” and particularly lauds the Krakatoa omelet stuffed with bacon, jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and cilantro-lime cream cheese.

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Day 2 Alternative:

Another notable stop in the heart of downtown Iowa City is the Old Capitol Museum. This museum was the first State Capitol of Iowa and became a public museum in 1976. Groups are invited to explore the museum’s grand spaces and learn about Iowa history on self-guided tours or with a tour guide when arranged. Admission is free.

Day 3: Immerse yourself in award-winning gardens

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Afternoon:

Then, groups can travel to Boone, which sports the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum. Groups can experience Iowa in a new way on a spectacular train ride through the magnificent Des Moines River Valley. Ride in open-air motorcars across the156-foot-tallBass Point Creek High Bridge or climb aboard the classic Fraser Train for a journey through the valley. The experience combines beautiful scenery with a fascinating look at Iowa’s railroad heritage, and admission to the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum is included with train tickets. The museum displays thousands of Iowa railroad artifacts and memorabilia such as track equipment, toy trains, dining car China, timetables, photos, lanterns, and telegraph equipment. For groups, the railroad can accommodate everything from bus tours and family reunions to church groups and class field trips, with the Fraser Train accommodating groups of up to 600 people.

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Morning:

Start your day with a road trip to downtown Newton. Located just off I-80, Gray Moon Public Market occupies a restored 1929 building and brings together local food and drink businesses, artisan vendors, and rotating events, making it an easy lunch, snack, or shopping stop that also introduces travelers to a revitalized Iowa downtown.
Newton is also home to the popular Iowa Speedway, a state-of-the-art 7/8-mile asphalt track that features the thrill of world-class racing, including NASCAR events.
When you’re not quenching your need for speed, Newton is a charming community that boasts a host of entertainment and recreation opportunities. Groups will enjoy the area’s inspiring public art and exciting breweries and eateries.

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Evening:

Ames features a slew of excellent places to dine including Hickory Park, which serves a variety of smoked meats served in generous portions, and Cornbread Barbecue, which has won more than 250 awards, 35 Grand Championships and was named four-time Iowa BBQ Team of the Year. Another fun dining option is the Boone &Scenic Valley Railroad features Sunset Dinner Trains. Dine on your choice of seared pork chop with brown butter, chicken with white wine sauce, baked cod with lemon herb crumb or spinach and mushroom lasagna. Your meal also includes a starter, salad and sides.

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Day 3 Alternative:

Next, take a drive to Reiman Gardens in Ames. This award-winning 17-acre public garden on the Iowa State University campus includes extensive outdoor gardens and the indoor Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, which houses hundreds of exotic live butterflies. In 2026, the gardens welcomed a new giant baby gnome sculpture, adding a fresh companion to Elwood, the 15-foot concrete garden gnome that has been a longtime visitor favorite.

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How large of a group can this itinerary accommodate?

The itinerary has several attractions capable of handling substantial groups. Boone &Scenic Valley Railroad’s Fraser Train can accommodate groups of up to 600 people, making it particularly well suited to motorcoach and large group tours. The Hoover Museum also has established group-tour procedures, although planners should coordinate directly with the museum for larger groups.

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How much time should groups allow at the major attractions?

Planners should build in enough time for the experiences rather than treating each stop as a quick photo opportunity. The Hoover Museum recommends allowing one to two hours fora museum visit. A Fraser Train excursion at Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with admission to the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum included with train tickets. Groups should also account for boarding, unloading and restroom time at each stop.