Are you looking to discover the best Iowa has to offer? Whether you’re exploring the rich history, stunning parks, or iconic landmarks, the right Iowa travel guide can enhance your journey. With so many options out there, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 Iowa travel guides that will ensure you make the most of your trip. These carefully selected books offer everything from insider tips to picturesque photography. Let’s dive in!
Iowa Travel Guides You Must Have
By [Author Name]
#10 – Fun Facts of Iowa Coloring Book
Author: K.L. MacGrath
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars, 3 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
This unique coloring book offers a fun and engaging way to learn about Iowa. Perfect for families, kids, and even adults who enjoy a creative twist while traveling, it’s packed with fun facts and colorful images representing Iowa’s iconic locations and history.
Why We Choose It: The interactive design makes it not just a travel guide, but an experience for all ages, helping you understand Iowa’s charm through art.
Why You’ll Love It: A great way to relax and learn about Iowa’s famous landmarks. Color your way through Iowa and discover interesting facts you didn’t know.
Fun Fact: The book is filled with images of Iowa’s unique wildlife, festivals, and historical landmarks.
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#9 – Mysterious McGregor: Exploring the Ghosts, Pirates, and History of a Town in Iowa
Author: Adrian Lee
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars, 3 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
Explore one of Iowa’s most intriguing towns, McGregor, through a lens of mystery and history. With stories of ghosts, pirates, and unsolved mysteries, this guide will take you on a thrilling journey through the past.
Why We Choose It: This book is ideal for those who love a bit of thrill mixed with their travels. It’s perfect for mystery lovers and history buffs alike.
Why You’ll Love It: Get ready for spine-tingling tales and a deeper dive into Iowa’s hidden past. Perfect for adventurous spirits!
Fun Fact: McGregor is home to some of the oldest buildings in Iowa, which are believed to be haunted!
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#8 – IOWA STATE PARKS GUIDE
Author: Carlos Carl
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 stars, 15 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
The Iowa State Parks Guide is your ultimate companion for exploring over 70 state parks. Whether you’re looking for hiking, camping, or birdwatching, this book covers all the essentials.
Why We Choose It: With detailed maps and park-specific activities, this guide is the perfect resource for outdoor enthusiasts.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s more than just a guide—it’s a blueprint for your adventure, from campgrounds to serene lakeside views.
Fun Fact: Iowa is home to some of the best preserved natural areas in the Midwest. The guide features the best ones to visit year-round.
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#7 – The Expert’s Travel Guide to Des Moines, Iowa: 101+ Things to See, Do and Visit!
Author: People Who Know
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars, 12 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
When it comes to exploring Iowa’s capital, this guide has it all! From the statehouse to hidden gems off the beaten path, it reveals over 100 things to see and do in Des Moines.
Why We Choose It: The book’s thoroughness is its strongest asset, making sure you don’t miss out on any local experience.
Why You’ll Love It: Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local, this guide will help you uncover Des Moines’ best kept secrets.
Fun Fact: Des Moines is home to one of the country’s largest farmers’ markets, and this guide tells you the best time to visit!
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#6 – Driftless: Photographs from Iowa (Center for Documentary Studies/Honickman First Book Prize in Photography)
Author: Danny Wilcox Frazier
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2 stars, 10 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
This stunning photography book offers an intimate view of Iowa’s hidden gems. Through breathtaking images, Frazier captures the essence of the state’s landscapes, people, and rural life.
Why We Choose It: It’s more than a travel guide—it’s a visual experience of Iowa that immerses you in its beauty.
Why You’ll Love It: Photography lovers will appreciate the gorgeous images, while travelers will find inspiration for their next trip to Iowa.
Fun Fact: The Driftless area of Iowa is unique for never having been touched by glaciers, making its landscape one of the most distinct in the region.
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#5 – The Miracle Season
Author: Kathy Bresnahan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8 stars, 296 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
This inspiring true story takes you through the highs and lows of a high school girls’ volleyball team in Iowa. A tale of resilience and community spirit, it’s an emotional and uplifting read.
Why We Choose It: Not just for sports fans, it highlights the power of perseverance and teamwork, essential elements of the Iowa spirit.
Why You’ll Love It: A heartwarming story that shows how sports can bring communities together. It’s an essential read for anyone seeking inspiration.
Fun Fact: The book inspired a movie, making this an iconic story not only in Iowa but nationwide!
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#4 – Harker’s Barns: Visions of an American Icon
Author: Michael P. Harker
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3 stars, 5 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
Discover the beauty of Iowa’s iconic barns through this detailed photographic journey. Harker’s Barns presents the state’s agricultural heritage through the eyes of its most enduring structures.
Why We Choose It: A visual treat that celebrates Iowa’s agricultural history, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the state’s rural life.
Why You’ll Love It: The stunning photographs capture the essence of Iowa, showcasing the craftsmanship and history behind each barn.
Fun Fact: Iowa is home to some of the most unique barn styles in the United States, each reflecting the state’s cultural heritage.
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#3 – A Bountiful Harvest: The Midwestern Farm Photographs of Pete Wettach, 1925-1965 (Bur Oak Book)
Author: Leslie A. Loveless
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6 stars, 16 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
A perfect tribute to the hardworking farmers of Iowa, this book captures the spirit of the state through powerful black-and-white photos from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Why We Choose It: It highlights the labor, love, and perseverance that built Iowa’s farming legacy.
Why You’ll Love It: Photography enthusiasts will admire the vintage feel, and history buffs will appreciate the detailed context behind each image.
Fun Fact: The photographs have been widely displayed in museums and exhibitions, further cementing their place in Iowa’s rich cultural history.
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#2 – Iowa State Parks Bucket List: Travel Log & Memory Journal | America Passport & Stamp Book | Trip Planner & Outdoor Adventure
Author: Max Kukis Galgan
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2 stars, 3 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
Perfect for outdoor adventurers, this travel log and journal help you track your visits to Iowa’s parks and natural landmarks. A must-have for anyone wanting to experience the state’s beautiful outdoors.
Why We Choose It: It doubles as a travel journal and adventure guide, encouraging travelers to visit more parks and record their experiences.
Why You’ll Love It: For nature lovers and hikers, this book is the perfect companion for your outdoor Iowa journey.
Fun Fact: Iowa has over 70 state parks, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year.
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#1 – The Miracle Season
Author: Kathy Bresnahan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8 stars, 296 ratings)
Category: Iowa Travel Guides
Rounding out our list is The Miracle Season, a story of sportsmanship, friendship, and community spirit in the heart of Iowa. This book has earned high praise for its heartfelt narrative and powerful message.
Why We Choose It: It’s an inspiring tale of resilience and unity, ideal for those who enjoy motivational stories that highlight the human spirit.
Why You’ll Love It: With its emotional depth, this book resonates with anyone who appreciates sports and the power of community.
Fun Fact: The story was adapted into a Hollywood movie, further spreading the inspirational message across the nation.
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Discover More Iowa Travel Gems
Ready to uncover more about Iowa’s hidden gems and explore its diverse offerings? Check out some more Top10 categories at www.top10books.org.
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