Hawkeye IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hawkeye, Iowa.
1. University of Iowa
HISTORIC ACADEMIC INSTITUTION
The University of Iowa is one of the top attractions in the region, offering beautiful campus grounds and historic architecture. Visitors can explore numerous academic buildings, museums, and cultural venues on campus. The university is known for both its academic excellence and its contribution to Iowa's cultural landscape.
2. Old Capitol Museum
IOWA'S FIRST CAPITOL
Old Capitol Museum is housed in Iowa's first capitol building, showcasing the state's political and cultural history. The restored building features period furnishings, exhibits on Iowa history, and impressive Greek Revival architecture. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about Iowa's governmental history and the building's significance.
3. Museum of Natural History
SCIENCE AND NATURE EXPLORATION
The Museum of Natural History offers fascinating exhibits featuring Iowa's natural environments and wildlife. Visitors can explore diverse collections including fossils, animal specimens, and interactive displays about ecology and conservation. The museum provides educational programming suitable for all ages throughout the year.
4. Wilson Orchard
APPLE PICKING PARADISE
Wilson Orchard offers a quintessential Midwestern agricultural experience with apple picking, fresh produce, and scenic countryside views. Visitors can enjoy seasonal activities including hayrides, a pumpkin patch, and fresh apple cider. The orchard's country store sells homemade pies, jams, and other local products.
5. Carver-Hawkeye Arena
HAWKEYE SPORTS VENUE
Carver-Hawkeye Arena is the premier sports venue for University of Iowa athletics and home to the famous Hawkeye basketball teams. The arena hosts numerous sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings throughout the year. Visitors can experience the electric atmosphere of Big Ten athletics and Iowa's passionate sports culture.
6. Iowa Avenue Literary Walk
CELEBRATING LITERARY HERITAGE
The Iowa Avenue Literary Walk celebrates the state's rich literary tradition with bronze panels featuring authors' words and biographical information embedded in the sidewalk. The walk honors writers connected to Iowa, including those associated with the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through this unique outdoor literary museum in downtown Iowa City.
7. Amana Colonies
HISTORIC GERMAN VILLAGE
The Amana Colonies consist of seven historic villages with rich German heritage and traditional craftsmanship. Visitors can explore local shops featuring handmade goods, enjoy authentic German cuisine, and learn about the communal living history of the area. The colonies host various festivals throughout the year celebrating their cultural traditions and history.
8. Herbert Hoover Birthplace
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL SITE
Herbert Hoover Birthplace preserves the humble cottage where the 31st U.S. President was born and includes his and Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover's grave sites. The 76-acre grounds feature a reconstructed blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, and tall-grass prairie for visitors to explore. The visitor center interprets Hoover's early life in Iowa through changing exhibits relating to American history.
9. Historic General Dodge House
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The Historic General Dodge House is a magnificent 14-room, three-story Victorian mansion built in 1869 by Civil War general and railroad builder Grenville Dodge. The house features innovative amenities for its time, including central heating and hot and cold running water. Visitors can tour this National Historic Landmark to learn about General Dodge's contributions to American history and admire the period furnishings and architecture.
10. Effigy Mounds National Monument
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN ART
Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than 200 prehistoric mounds built by American Indians in the shapes of various animals. These sacred ceremonial sites offer visitors insight into ancient Native American culture and spiritual practices. The monument features hiking trails with panoramic views of the Mississippi River valley and interpretive exhibits explaining the cultural significance of the mounds.
11. Living History Farms
INTERACTIVE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM
Living History Farms is an open-air museum dedicated to Iowa's agricultural heritage and Midwestern farming culture. The site features three working farm sites from different time periods where costumed interpreters demonstrate historical farming methods. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities and learn about the evolution of agricultural practices in Iowa over the centuries.
12. Maquoketa Caves State Park
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Maquoketa Caves State Park features the largest concentration of caves in Iowa with 16 unique cave formations of varying sizes. Visitors can explore a six-mile network of trails leading to caves, across a natural bridge, along scenic bluffs, and around the impressive 17-ton 'Balancing Rock'. The park offers opportunities for hiking, spelunking, picnicking, and camping in one of Iowa's most distinctive natural environments.
13. Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
SCENIC RIVER CROSSING
The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connects Iowa and Nebraska with its graceful 3,700-foot span recognized by Travel+Leisure Magazine as one of the world's most beautiful pedestrian bridges. The bridge begins at Iowa's River's Edge Park, home to a 33-foot aluminum humanoid sculpture titled 'Looking Up' that gazes skyward over western Iowa. Visitors can enjoy picturesque views of Omaha reflecting off the Missouri River from the bridge and the River's Edge Pavilion.
14. Grotto of the Redemption
RELIGIOUS STONE MASTERPIECE
The Grotto of the Redemption is an impressive religious shrine constructed from precious stones, minerals, and petrifications collected from around the world. Built by Father Paul Dobberstein over a 42-year period, it's considered the largest grotto in the world and valued at over $4 million. Visitors can tour nine grottos depicting scenes from the life of Christ and marvel at the intricate stone mosaics and sculptures.
15. Roseman Covered Bridge
HISTORIC WOODEN BRIDGE
The Roseman Covered Bridge is one of Madison County's famous covered bridges, built in 1883 and featured in the novel and film 'The Bridges of Madison County'. The 107-foot wooden structure spans the Middle River and represents Iowa's rural architectural heritage. Visitors can walk through the bridge, read about its history and legends, and enjoy the picturesque countryside setting.