Floyd IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Floyd, Iowa.
1. Charles City WhiteWater at Riverfront Park
THRILLING WATER RECREATION
Charles City WhiteWater at Riverfront Park offers exciting water recreation opportunities for visitors of all skill levels. The park features whitewater rapids that attract kayakers and water enthusiasts throughout the region. Visitors can enjoy the scenic riverfront setting while watching adventurers navigate the challenging waters.
2. Charles City Arts Center
LOCAL ART SHOWCASE
Charles City Arts Center serves as a cultural hub for the local artistic community. The center hosts rotating exhibitions featuring works by regional and local artists throughout the year. Visitors can appreciate diverse artistic styles and occasionally participate in workshops and art-related events.
3. Mooney Art Collection
HISTORICAL ART DISPLAY
The Mooney Art Collection showcases an impressive array of artistic works valued by locals and visitors alike. This collection highlights significant pieces that represent various periods and styles of art history. Art enthusiasts appreciate the carefully curated selection that offers cultural and historical insights.
4. Hot Shots Billiards
LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Hot Shots Billiards offers a relaxed atmosphere for locals and visitors to enjoy games of pool. The venue serves as a social gathering spot where people can challenge friends to friendly competitions. Visitors appreciate the casual environment and opportunity to unwind with this classic pastime.
5. Sergeant Floyd Monument
HISTORIC MEMORIAL LANDMARK
The Sergeant Floyd Monument stands as a 100-foot-tall white stone obelisk commemorating the only fatality of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This impressive structure, which was the first registered National Historic Landmark in the United States, overlooks Sioux City and the Missouri River valley. Visitors can learn about Sergeant Charles Floyd, who likely died of a ruptured appendix during the historic journey, while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
6. Sergeant Floyd Towboat
HISTORIC RIVER VESSEL
The Sergeant Floyd Towboat served as the flagship of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction fleet for 50 years. This preserved diesel inspection ship now houses exhibits on Missouri River transportation history through rare photos, artifacts, and dioramas. Visitors can view one of America's largest displays of scale Missouri River steamboat and keelboat models while learning about the region's waterway heritage.
7. Effigy Mounds National Monument
ANCIENT NATIVE EARTHWORKS
Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than 200 prehistoric mounds built by Native American cultures. These unique earthen sculptures, many shaped like bears and birds, date back to the late Woodland Period (350-1300 CE). Visitors can explore hiking trails that wind through the forested landscape while viewing these sacred archaeological treasures.
8. Prairie Meadows Casino
ENTERTAINMENT AND GAMING
Prairie Meadows Casino offers a comprehensive entertainment experience with gaming, racing, and hotel accommodations. The facility features a variety of slot machines, table games, and seasonal horse racing events throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy dining options, live entertainment, and comfortable lodging all within one convenient location.
9. Amana Colonies
HISTORIC GERMAN SETTLEMENT
The Amana Colonies consist of seven historic villages founded by German immigrants as a religious communal society in 1855. This national historic landmark preserves the crafts, culture, and traditions of its original settlers while offering unique visitor experiences. Travelers can explore museums, shops featuring handcrafted goods, and restaurants serving traditional German-inspired cuisine.
10. Farm House Museum
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SITE
The Farm House Museum stands as the first building on Iowa State University's campus and now serves as a National Historic Landmark. This preserved farmhouse offers visitors a glimpse into rural Iowa life during the mid-19th century through period furnishings and artifacts. Guests can explore the historic structure to better understand the agricultural foundations of the state and university.
11. George M. Verity Riverboat
HISTORIC MISSISSIPPI VESSEL
The George M. Verity Riverboat represents an important piece of Mississippi River transportation history as one of Iowa's National Historic Landmarks. This preserved vessel now serves as a museum showcasing the era of steamboat travel and commerce along America's greatest river. Visitors can tour the boat's various decks and compartments while learning about river navigation and the economic importance of waterway transportation.
12. Blood Run Site
ANCIENT NATIVE SETTLEMENT
Blood Run Site served as an intertribal and ceremonial center for the Oneota and Prairie Dakota tribes from 900 to 1720 A.D. This archaeological area along the Big Sioux River includes significant burial mounds and village sites that have earned National Historic Landmark status. Visitors can access the site on foot to explore this important Native American cultural location while appreciating its natural riverside setting.
13. Cedar Rock State Park
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT ARCHITECTURE
Cedar Rock State Park features a stunning Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence that exemplifies the architect's distinctive style and philosophy. The property includes the main house, boathouse, and landscaped grounds overlooking the Wapsipinicon River. Visitors can take guided tours of this architectural gem to appreciate Wright's innovative designs and integration with the natural landscape.
14. Floyd County Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Floyd County Historical Museum preserves and displays artifacts representing the rich history of the Floyd County area. The collection includes agricultural implements, household items, photographs, and documents that tell the story of local development through the decades. Visitors gain insights into pioneer life, agricultural innovation, and community growth in this well-maintained regional museum.
15. Carrie Chapman Catt Girlhood Home
WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE HISTORY
The Carrie Chapman Catt Girlhood Home commemorates the early life of the renowned women's suffrage leader who played a crucial role in securing voting rights for American women. This restored 1866 brick house provides insights into rural Iowa life during Catt's formative years and her eventual path to national leadership. Visitors can learn about Catt's influential activism and the women's suffrage movement through exhibits and informational displays at this historic site.