How to Enjoy Iowa

Iowa is a state full of interesting eccentricities, but it is located in the Midwest, so no one brags about them. They just smile and offer you another lemon bar when you complain about how boring it is there. Because, real Iowans know the truth.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A car
• An open mind

1. Do your research. Pick up "Oddball Iowa" by Jerome Pohlem and read about some of Iowa's fascinating and odd heritage. With a sense of humor and an open mind you can gorge at Iowa's smorgasbord of fun.
2. Visit the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa. It is one of the largest grotto's in the world and has an odd history.
3. Visit The Big Treehouse in Marshalltown, Iowa. Make sure you call ahead. They are very picky about when they allow visitors.
4. Wander over to Gladbrook, Iowa and visit the Matchstick Marvels museum. It is also the home of the Iowa State Fair Butter Cow. Make sure you plan enough time for a movie (the movie theater is in the same building as the museum and matinees are $2 and for an additional $1 you can reserve your seat) and for fried pickles over at the local eatery. It's the only eatery in town, so you don't need to remember the name.
5. Grant Wood, the artist who painted American Gothic, lived and worked in Iowa. Head on over to Cedar Rapids and view his studio at the top of the Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. And while you are there get some Root Beer in a frosty mug at one of the last original A&Ws, located at 1136 Ellis Blvd NW.
6. If that didn't satisfy your Grant Wood fix, then head on over to Eldon, Iowa and get your picture taken in front of the original American Gothic barn.
7. Love to meditate? Or are you curious to see if people can really levitate? Go to Vedic City, home of the Maharishi Institute. The city is a Mecca for transcendental meditation.
8. Located 25 miles from Dubuque and 3.5 miles NE of Dyersville, this Iowa cornfield was featured in the movie "Field of Dreams." They built it, you should go.
9. No, they are not Amish, but the Amana Colonies offer a wealth of fun. Go in September for the beer festival. Or simply go and enjoy the family style dining at the Oxe Yoke Inn. If you have to eat Wiener Schnitzel, eat it here. There is also a bevy of wine shops that allow you to sample every kind of wine from dandelion to apple.

Tips & Warnings

• Go morel hunting. Unlike snipes, they do exist and they are a delicious treat. The truffle of the Midwest.
• Iowa is a center for Czech and Slovak Heritage, so make sure you eat some kolaches in Czech village in Cedar Rapids.
• Don't take anything too seriously.