Holy Cross IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Holy Cross, Iowa.
1. Park Farm Winery
WINE TASTING AND VIEWS
Park Farm Winery offers visitors a chance to enjoy wine tastings in a beautiful rural setting. The winery features a selection of locally produced wines and provides scenic views of the Iowa countryside. Visitors can tour the facilities, learn about the winemaking process, and enjoy events throughout the year.
2. Field of Dreams Movie Site
ICONIC BASEBALL LANDMARK
The Field of Dreams Movie Site is the famous baseball field where the 1989 movie starring Kevin Costner was filmed. Visitors can walk on the iconic baseball diamond surrounded by cornfields, just as it appeared in the film. The site maintains its nostalgic charm and continues to attract fans who want to experience the magic of this beloved movie location.
3. PromiseLand Winery
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
PromiseLand Winery invites guests to sample a variety of locally crafted wines in a welcoming atmosphere. The winery provides tastings that showcase their unique flavors developed specifically for the Iowa palate. Visitors can relax in the tasting room or on the grounds while enjoying the fruits of Iowa viticulture.
4. Cassville Car Ferry
HISTORIC RIVER CROSSING
The Cassville Car Ferry offers a unique way to cross the Mississippi River between Iowa and Wisconsin. This historic ferry service has been operating for generations and provides both a practical transportation option and a nostalgic experience. Passengers can enjoy scenic views of the river and surrounding bluffs during the crossing.
5. Son Chasers Social Club
LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Son Chasers Social Club serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors in Holy Cross. The venue offers entertainment, refreshments, and a chance to experience authentic small-town Iowa culture. Guests can enjoy live music, socialize with locals, and participate in various community events throughout the year.
6. Grotto of the Redemption
WORLD'S LARGEST GROTTO
The Grotto of the Redemption is believed to be the largest grotto in the world, built over a span of 42 years. This impressive religious site draws more than 100,000 visitors annually and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The grotto features intricate stonework and religious scenes that make it a unique spiritual and artistic destination.
7. Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
SCENIC RIVER CROSSING
The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connects Iowa and Nebraska with its graceful curvature and tall twin spires. This 3,700-foot bridge, which starts at River's Edge Park in Iowa, has been recognized by Travel+Leisure Magazine as one of the world's most beautiful pedestrian bridges. Visitors can enjoy picturesque views of Omaha reflecting off the waters of the Missouri River while crossing this architectural marvel.
8. All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club
IOWA'S GRASS COURT
The All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club features the only grass tennis court in Iowa and one of just a few in the entire country. Built on a family farm near Charles City, this unique sporting venue is often referred to as tennis' "Field of Dreams" story. Visitors can make reservations via email to play on this distinctive court that offers a rare grass court experience in the Midwest.
9. Buddy Holly Crash Site
HISTORIC MUSIC MEMORIAL
The Buddy Holly Crash Site marks the tragic location where music legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper died in a 1959 plane crash. This solemn memorial commemorates "the day the music died" following the performers' final show at the legendary Surf Ballroom during the Winter Dance Party. Visitors can pay their respects at this important piece of music history located north of Clear Lake.
10. Reed/Niland Corner
HISTORIC HIGHWAY JUNCTION
Reed/Niland Corner stands at the crossroads of the historic Lincoln and Jefferson highways, offering a glimpse into early American road travel. Niland's Café and the Colo Motel have long served as a haven for travelers seeking food and lodging. This "one-stop" experience allows visitors to step back in time while enjoying a hot meal and comfortable accommodations in a historically significant setting.
11. Swinging Bridge
HISTORIC SUSPENSION BRIDGE
The Swinging Bridge in Columbus Junction was originally built in 1886 and stretches 262 feet across the landscape. Also known as the "Lover's Leap Bridge," this historic structure comes with a legend about a lovesick Indian maiden who reportedly jumped to her death from the bridge. Visitors can experience this unique piece of Iowa history while enjoying the gentle swaying sensation that gives the bridge its name.
12. Lake Ahquabi State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Lake Ahquabi State Park offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities centered around its beautiful 115-acre lake. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking along the scenic trails that wind through the park's woodlands. The park also features camping facilities, picnic areas, and wildlife viewing opportunities that make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.
13. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
URBAN ART COLLECTION
Pappajohn Sculpture Park showcases more than 20 world-class sculptures spread across 4.4 acres of urban park space in downtown Des Moines. The collection, valued at more than $40 million, features works by internationally acclaimed artists including Jaume Plensa, Willem de Kooning, and Deborah Butterfield. Visitors can explore this free public art space at their own pace while enjoying the creative interplay between modern sculpture and green space.
14. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site preserves the birthplace cottage and childhood home of America's 31st president. The 187-acre park includes the modest two-room cottage where Hoover was born in 1874, a blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, and the presidential library and museum. Visitors can learn about Hoover's humble beginnings, his rise to the presidency, and his humanitarian efforts around the world.
15. Devonian Fossil Gorge
ANCIENT SEABED DISCOVERY
The Devonian Fossil Gorge offers visitors a chance to explore an ancient seabed dating back 375 million years. This unique geological site was exposed during flooding events when water overtopped the Coralville Dam spillway, washing away soil and revealing the fossil-rich limestone beneath. Visitors can observe numerous marine fossils including brachiopods, crinoids, and corals while walking directly on this prehistoric ocean floor.