Iowa’s Americana Story

Travel across Iowa on a journey that celebrates the people, places, and stories that shaped America’s heartland. From the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to iconic music landmarks, presidential history, and classic roadside Americana, this tour blends national history with unforgettable local character. This itinerary offers a true slice of Americana with experiences travelers instantly connect to. This itinerary offers flexible, Americana-themed experiences across Iowa that can be customized or added to existing tours. All stops are available year-round and independent of America’s 250th Birthday.

Day 1: Council Bluffs to Okoboji – Westward Expansion, Riverways & Rock ‘n’ Roll

• Arrive in Council Bluffs
  • Explore the Union Pacific Railroad Museum
  • Visit the historic Squirrel Cage Jail
• Depart for Sioux City (1 hr, 26 min)
  • Lunch
  • Experience the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
  • Reflective stop at Sergeant Floyd Monument
• Travel to Okoboji (2 hrs)
  • Discover the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Museum
  • Tour Okoboji Classic Cars or Indian Motorcycle Factory & Visitor Center
  • Enjoy dinner overlooking the Iowa Great Lakes
• Overnight Okoboji

Day 2: Okoboji to Urbandale – Music, Legends, & Hollywood Roots

• Depart Okoboji for Clear Lake (2 hrs)
• Arrive in Clear Lake
  • Guided Tour of Surf Ballroom & Surf Music Experience
• Depart for Ames (1 hr, 20 min)
  • Lunch
  • Stroll through Reiman Gardens & photo op with Elwood, World’s Tallest Concrete Gnome
• Travel to Winterset (1 hr, 10 min)
  • Tour John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
  • Visit one of the six remaining Covered Bridges of Madison County
• Travel to Des Moines (40 min)
  • Farm-to-table dinner at Wallace House, Wallace Centers of Iowa
• Overnight Urbandale

Day 3: Des Moines to Keokuk – Democracy, American Art & Military Legacy

• Before departing the Des Moines Metro, enjoy a guided tour of Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines (90 minutes)
• Travel to Knoxville (46 min)
  • Explore the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum
  • Lunch
• Travel to Eldon (1 hr, 10 min)
  • Visit the American Gothic House & Center with photo opportunities
• Travel to Keokuk (1 hr, 15 min)
  • Visit Keokuk National Cemetery
  • View Lock & Dam 19, an engineering landmark on the Mississippi River
  • Dinner
• Overnight Keokuk

Day 4: Keokuk to Davenport – Presidential Legacy & Heartland Roots

• Travel to Kalona (1 hr 30 min)
  • Experience Kalona Historical Village
• Depart for Iowa City (37 min)
  • View Devonian Fossil Gorge, don’t forget a photo next to Dunkleosteous
  • Lunch
  • Photo op at the World’s Largest Wooden Nickel
• Travel to West Branch (20 min)
  • Visit the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum
  • Explore the Hoover National Historic Site
• Travel to LeClaire (50 min)
  • Shop at Antique Archaeology, home of American Pickers
  • Explore the Buffalo Bill Museum
• Travel to Davenport (23 min)
  • Dinner
  • Explore the Figge Art Museum
• Overnight Davenport

Day 5: Davenport to Dubuque – America at Work: Rivers, Industry & Baseball

• Start the day with breakfast in the Quad Cities
  • Visit the John Deere Pavilion
  • Board a 2-hour sightseeing Mississippi River cruise aboard either Riverboat Twilight or Celebration Belle
• Travel to Walcott (21 min)
  • Lunch at the World’s Largest Truck Stop
  • Explore I-80 Trucking Museum
• Depart for Dyersville (1 hr, 30 min)
  • Visit the National Farm Toy Museum
  • Tour If You Build It Exhibit & The Baseball Hall of Dreams
  • Have a catch at the Field of Dreams Movie Site
• Travel to Dubuque (38 min)
  • Ride the Fenelon Place Elevator
  • Visit the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
• Overnight Dubuque

Download the Itinerary: Americana Iowa_Itinerary-2026