25 days in Glacier National Park & Iowa Itinerary

The glaciers from which Glacier National Park takes its name mostly dissipated eons ago, but they left behind a scoured landscape of high and steep mountain peaks, sparkling lakes, lush alpine meadows, and thick forests.

Glacier National Park is known for nature, scenic drive, and trails. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: cruise along Going-to-the-Sun Road, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake McDonald, stroll through Swiftcurrent Pass Hike, and admire the verdant scenery at Logan Pass.

To find more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Glacier National Park day trip website.

New York City to Glacier National Park is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to Mountain Standard Time is minus 2 hours. Traveling from New York City in August, expect cooler with lows of 48°F in Glacier National Park. On the 20th (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly to Des Moines.

Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. Venture out of the city with trips to Iowa State University (in Ames) and Fun Valley Ski Area (in Montezuma). The adventure continues: ponder the world of politics at Capitol Building, explore the world behind art at Salisbury House, stroll around Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and take an in-depth tour of State Historical Museum.

To see more things to do, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, read our Des Moines tour itinerary planner.

Fly from Glacier National Park to Des Moines in 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of car and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Glacier National Park to Des Moines is 1 hour. Traveling from Glacier National Park in August, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 65°F in Des Moines. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Thu) so you can go by car to Council Bluffs.

Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. Kick off your visit on the 25th (Fri): try to win big at Harrah's Casino and then try your luck at Horseshoe Council Bluffs. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 26th (Sat): identify plant and animal life at Desoto National Wildlife Refuge and then take an in-depth tour of Union Pacific Railroad Museum.

For maps, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Council Bluffs online trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Des Moines to Council Bluffs takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. August in Council Bluffs sees daily highs of 85°F and lows of 65°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sat) so you can go by car to Sioux City.

Sioux City is a city in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Iowa. Start off your visit on the 27th (Sun): get a taste of the local shopping with Jolly Time Museum and Koated Kernels Shoppe, have fun and explore at LaunchPAD Children’s Museum, and then examine the collection at Sioux City Public Museum. Here are some ideas for day two: get engrossed in the history at Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center and then get engrossed in the history at Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Sioux City vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Council Bluffs to Sioux City in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In August, daily temperatures in Sioux City can reach 82°F, while at night they dip to 62°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Mon) so you can go by car to Mason City.

Mason City is a city in and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. Start off your visit on the 29th (Tue): take an in-depth tour of Floyd County Historical Society Museum and then identify plant and animal life at Fossil & Prairie Center. On your second day here, admire the landmark architecture of Historic Park Inn Hotel and then look for all kinds of wild species at Lime Creek Nature Center.

To find ratings, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Mason City road trip app.

Getting from Sioux City to Mason City by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive. In August, plan for daily highs up to 80°F, and evening lows to 58°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Cedar Falls.

Cedar Falls is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. Kick off your visit on the 31st (Thu): test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, then visit Cedar Falls Main Street, and then stroll around Big Woods Lake Recreation Area.

To find photos, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, use the Cedar Falls trip site.

Traveling by car from Mason City to Cedar Falls takes 1.5 hours. In August, plan for daily highs up to 81°F, and evening lows to 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Thu) so you can drive to Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. Get out of town with these interesting Cedar Rapids side-trips: Bailey's Ford Recreation Area (in Manchester), A J's Copper Garden (in Amana) and Iowa City (University of Iowa & Old Capitol Museum). It doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at National Motorcycle Museum and have fun and explore at The Iowa Children's Museum.

For reviews, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Cedar Rapids journey planner.

You can drive from Cedar Falls to Cedar Rapids in 1.5 hours. In August in Cedar Rapids, expect temperatures between 81°F during the day and 60°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sun) early enough to drive to Davenport.

Davenport is the county seat of Scott County in Iowa and is the largest of the Quad Cities, a metropolitan area with a population estimate of 382,630 and a CSA population of 474,226, making it the 90th largest CSA in the nation. Davenport is known for museums, sightseeing, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: get your bearings at Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, admire the masterpieces at Figge Art Museum, learn more about the world around you at The Putnam Museum & Science Center, and have fun and explore at Family Museum of Arts and Science.

To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Davenport tour itinerary planning app.

Traveling by car from Cedar Rapids to Davenport takes 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 80°F in September, and nighttime lows around 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) early enough to drive to Dubuque.

Dubuque is the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. Dubuque is known for zoos & aquariums, sightseeing, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the galleries of National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, admire the striking features of Clock Tower, try to win big at Diamond Jo Casino, and walk around Eagle Point Park.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, use the Dubuque day trip planning app.

Drive from Davenport to Dubuque in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. While traveling from Davenport, expect little chillier days and about the same nights in Dubuque, ranging from highs of 75°F to lows of 54°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 9th (Sat) to allow time for the flight back home.