59 days in Iowa Itinerary

Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. Escape the urban bustle at Fun Valley Ski Area and Devonian Fossil Gorge. Visit Old Capitol Museum and Kalona Historical Village for their historical value. Venture out of the city with trips to Wanatee Park (in Marion), Cedar Rapids (Indian Creek Nature Center & Cedar Rapids Museum of Art) and Amana (Ackerman Winery, White Cross Cellars, &more). Next up on the itinerary: learn more about the world around you at Museum of Natural History, immerse yourself in nature at Palisades-Kepler State Park, stroll around Terry Trueblood Recreational Area, and buy something for everyone on your list at Coral Ridge Mall.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, read our Iowa City road trip planner.

Cedar Rapids to Iowa City is an approximately 1-hour car ride. In January, daily temperatures in Iowa City can reach 31°F, while at night they dip to 13°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) so you can go by car 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. The Putnam Museum & Science Center and Wide River Winery are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Pine Creek Grist Mill and Wilton Candy Kitchen will appeal to history buffs. Change things up with these side-trips from Davenport: Clinton (The Sawmill Museum, Eagle Point Park, &more), Muscatine (Muscatine Art Center, National Pearl Button Museum, &more) and TYCOGA Winery & Distillery (in DeWitt). The adventure continues: indulge your thirst for a good beer at Great River Brewery, enjoy some diversion at Modern Woodmen Park, explore the engaging exhibits at Family Museum of Arts and Science, and admire the masterpieces at Figge Art Museum.

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

Drive from Iowa City to Davenport in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In January, plan for daily highs up to 32°F, and evening lows to 14°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Burlington.

Burlington is a city and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. Your inner history buff will appreciate Aspen Grove Cemetery and Bentonsport National Historic District. Step off the beaten path and head to Mosquito Park and American Gothic House. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Burlington: Fairfield (Maharishi Vedic Observatory & Maasdam Barns), Swedish American Museum and Historical Society (in Swedesburg) and Mount Pleasant (Midwest Old Threshers, Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana, &more). And it doesn't end there: take a stroll through Villages of Van Buren County, look for gifts at Dutchman's Store, deepen your knowledge of military history at Old Fort Madison, and immerse yourself in nature at Lacey Keosauqua State Park.

For where to stay, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Burlington online trip maker.

Traveling by car from Davenport to Burlington takes 1.5 hours. In January in Burlington, expect temperatures between 33°F during the day and 16°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Des Moines.

Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. Escape the urban bustle at Seven Oaks Recreation and Clive Greenbelt Trail. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Salisbury House and Bob Feller Hometown Exhibit. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Des Moines: Fort Dodge (Community Orchard & Soldier Creek Winery), Deal's Orchard (in Jefferson) and Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and Prairie Learning Center (in Prairie City). There's lots more to do: examine the collection at World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, catch a live event at Wells Fargo Arena, do a tasting at Snus Hill Vineyard and Winery, and relax in the rural setting at Living History Farms.

To see photos, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Des Moines trip itinerary builder website.

Traveling by car from Burlington to Des Moines takes 3 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 33°F, and evening lows to 15°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Council Bluffs.

Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. Get some historical perspective at Hausbarn and Kanesville Tabernacle. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Museum of Danish America and Historic General Dodge House. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Council Bluffs: Prairie Rose State Park (in Harlan), Farmall-Land USA (in Avoca) and Danish Windmill Museum (in Elk Horn). There's much more to do: take a memorable drive along Loess Hills Scenic Byway, contemplate the long history of Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum, pause for some photo ops at Lewis and Clark Park, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Mt. Crescent Ski Area.

To find more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Council Bluffs visit planner.

You can drive from Des Moines to Council Bluffs in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. In January, plan for daily highs up to 35°F, and evening lows to 15°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Sioux City.

Sioux City is a city in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Iowa. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Sioux City Railroad Museum and Stone State Park. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Trinity Heights and Abbie Gardner Cabin. Venture out of the city with trips to Lewis and Clark State Park (in Onawa), Okoboji (Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum & Okoboji Classic Cars) and Milford (Gull Point State Park & Clark Museum of Okoboji Area & Iowa History). Next up on the itinerary: explore the world behind art at Sioux City Art Center, examine the collection at Sioux City Public Museum, explore the activities along Spirit Lake, and pause for some photo ops at Sergeant Floyd Monument.

To find traveler tips, maps, photos, and other tourist information, use the Sioux City tour builder website.

You can drive from Council Bluffs to Sioux City in 1.5 hours. In January, daily temperatures in Sioux City can reach 32°F, while at night they dip to 11°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) early enough to drive to Mason City.

Mason City is a city in and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. Get outdoors at Grotto of the Redemption and Clear Lake State Park. Music Man Square and Rock Crest - Rock Glen Historical District will appeal to history buffs. Venture out of the city with trips to Algona (Algona P.W. Camp Museum & Train Wreck Winery), Floyd County Historical Society Museum (in Charles City) and Pilot Knob State Park (in Forest City). Next up on the itinerary: explore the world behind art at Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, don't miss a visit to Plane Crash Site of Buddy Holly, look for all kinds of wild species at Fossil & Prairie Center, and admire the majestic nature at McIntosh Woods State Park.

To see traveler tips, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Mason City online journey planner.

Drive from Sioux City to Mason City in 3.5 hours. When traveling from Sioux City in February, plan for slightly colder days in Mason City, with highs around 27°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 10°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Waterloo.

Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum and Backbone State Park. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Cedar Falls Main Street and Historical Society of Marshall County. Venture out of the city with trips to LIttle Brown Church in the Vale (in Nashua), Cedar Rock State Park (Lowell Walter Residence) (in Independence) and Matchstick Marvels Museum (in Gladbrook). Spend the 16th (Sat) exploring nature at George Wyth State Park. Next up on the itinerary: take in the exciting artwork at Phelps Youth Pavilion, admire the natural beauty at Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, walk around Hickory Hills Park, and explore the landscape on two wheels at Cedar Valley Nature Trail.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Waterloo travel route builder website.

Drive from Mason City to Waterloo in 1.5 hours. In February, daytime highs in Waterloo are 30°F, while nighttime lows are 11°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sat) so you can go by car to Decorah.

Decorah is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. Explore hidden gems such as Eagles Landing Winery and Pulpit Rock Brewing Company. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Effigy Mounds National Monument and Masters Hotel. Change things up with these side-trips from Decorah: Yellow River State Forest (in Harpers Ferry), McGregor (Paper Moon, Froelich Foundation Museum, &more) and Marquette (Casino Queen Marquette & Driftless Area Wetlands Centre). There's much more to do: indulge your thirst for a good beer at Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, relax in the rural setting at Seed Savers Exchange Heritage Farm, take in the dramatic scenery at Dunnings Spring Park, and hike along Trout Run Trail.

For reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Decorah trip itinerary site.

Traveling by car from Waterloo to Decorah takes 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 27°F in February, and nighttime lows around 12°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Fri) so you can go by car to Dubuque.

Dubuque is the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. Discover out-of-the-way places like St. Luke's United Methodist Church and Park Farm Winery. Get some cultural insight at St. Francis Basilica and PromiseLand Winery. Change things up with these side-trips from Dubuque: Lock and Dam No. 10 (in Guttenberg), Dyersville (Dyer-Botsford Doll Museum & National Farm Toy Museum) and Bellevue State Park (in Bellevue). There's still lots to do: hit the slopes at Sundown Mountain, try your luck at The Iowa Greyhound Park, enjoy some diversion at Mystique Ice Center, and examine the collection at Jackson County Historical Museum.

For reviews, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Dubuque trip itinerary planning tool.

Drive from Decorah to Dubuque in 2 hours. In February in Dubuque, expect temperatures between 30°F during the day and 12°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive back home.