Coburg IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Coburg, Iowa.
1. Pierce Creek Equestrian Campground
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FOR RIDERS
Pierce Creek Equestrian Campground offers specialized camping facilities for horseback riders and their equine companions. The campground features trail access to scenic riding paths throughout the surrounding countryside. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of Iowa while camping with their horses in this unique outdoor setting.
2. Red Oak City Pool
REFRESHING SUMMER RECREATION
Red Oak City Pool is a popular summer destination for families looking to cool off during hot Iowa summers. The pool offers various swimming areas suitable for different age groups and skill levels. Visitors can enjoy amenities such as slides, diving boards, and a concession stand.
3. Restored BN Depot & World War II Museum
HISTORY PRESERVED IN TIME
The Restored BN Depot & World War II Museum showcases the rich railroad history of southwestern Iowa alongside wartime exhibits. The beautifully preserved depot building houses collections documenting the area's significant contribution to the war effort. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and personal stories connecting local history to national events.
4. Thomas D. Murphy Company
HISTORIC ART CALENDAR MAKER
The Thomas D. Murphy Company was once known as one of America's premier art calendar manufacturers. The historic site offers insights into the printing and publishing industry that helped shape Red Oak's economy and cultural identity. Visitors can learn about the company's innovative marketing approaches and artistic contributions to commercial printing.
5. Essex Golf Course
RELAXING RURAL LINKS
Essex Golf Course provides a laid-back golfing experience in the peaceful Iowa countryside. The course features well-maintained fairways and greens suitable for players of various skill levels. Golfers can enjoy affordable rates while taking in the rural landscape and friendly small-town atmosphere.
6. Red Oak Fabrication
INDUSTRIAL TOURISM EXPERIENCE
Red Oak Fabrication offers visitors a glimpse into modern manufacturing processes in rural Iowa. The facility showcases metal fabrication techniques and industrial innovation that drives the local economy. Tours provide educational insights into skilled trades and manufacturing careers available in the region.
7. Driftless Area Scenic Byway
STUNNING NATURAL LANDSCAPES
The Driftless Area Scenic Byway offers breathtaking views of northeastern Iowa's unique geological landscape untouched by glaciers. The byway winds through steep valleys, limestone bluffs, and dense forests that showcase Iowa's diverse natural beauty. Travelers can enjoy numerous overlooks, hiking opportunities, and charming small towns along the route.
8. Iowa State Capitol
GOLDEN DOME ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
The Iowa State Capitol features a stunning 23-karat gold-leafed dome that dominates the Des Moines skyline. Inside, visitors can explore elaborate marble staircases, decorative murals, and a law library with a spiral staircase. Free guided tours showcase the building's impressive architecture, historical artifacts, and the functioning centers of Iowa's government.
9. Reiman Gardens
BOTANICAL BEAUTY AND BUTTERFLIES
Reiman Gardens spans 17 acres featuring diverse themed gardens, plant collections, and a magnificent butterfly wing. As Iowa State University's living laboratory, the gardens combine education, research, and stunning horticultural displays that change with the seasons. The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing houses hundreds of exotic butterflies in a tropical environment that delights visitors year-round.
10. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
URBAN TROPICAL OASIS
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden features a stunning geodesic dome conservatory housing tropical plants from around the world. The facility includes both indoor gardens with rare specimens and extensive outdoor gardens showcasing native prairie plantings and ornamental displays. Visitors can enjoy educational programs, special exhibitions, and a café overlooking the Des Moines River.
11. Sergeant Floyd Monument
FIRST NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
The Sergeant Floyd Monument is a 100-foot-tall white stone obelisk honoring the only fatality of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This impressive structure holds the distinction of being the first registered National Historic Landmark in the United States. From its position overlooking Sioux City and the Missouri River valley, the monument offers spectacular views while commemorating an important figure in American exploration history.
12. Sergeant Floyd Towboat
MISSOURI RIVER MARITIME HISTORY
The Sergeant Floyd Towboat served for 50 years as the flagship of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction fleet. The vessel now houses one of America's largest displays of scale Missouri River steamboat and keelboat models. Visitors can explore rare photos, artifacts, and dioramas that document the fascinating history of Missouri River transportation.
13. Herbert Hoover Birthplace
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY SITE
The Herbert Hoover Birthplace in West Branch preserves the humble cottage where the 31st U.S. President was born in 1874. The 76-acre site includes President Hoover's grave site, a reconstructed blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, and a tallgrass prairie restoration. The visitor center interprets Hoover's early life in Iowa through engaging exhibits about his path from small-town beginnings to the White House.
14. Historic General Dodge House
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE
The Historic General Dodge House is a magnificent 14-room, three-story Victorian mansion built in 1869 for Civil War general and railroad builder Grenville Dodge. The home features remarkably advanced amenities for its time, including central heating and hot and cold running water. Visitors can tour this National Historic Landmark to experience the elegant lifestyle of one of Iowa's most influential historical figures.
15. Amana Colonies
HISTORIC COMMUNAL VILLAGES
The Amana Colonies consist of seven historic villages established by German Pietists seeking religious freedom in the 1850s. These well-preserved settlements operated as a communal society for nearly 80 years and now showcase traditional craftsmanship, architecture, and culinary traditions. Visitors can explore museums, shops, restaurants, and wineries while learning about this unique chapter in American immigration and religious history.