Lester IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lester, Iowa.
1. Blood Run National Historic Landmark
ANCIENT INDIGENOUS HERITAGE SITE
Blood Run National Historic Landmark is a significant archaeological site located just 12.63 miles from Lester. The site preserves the remains of an ancient Native American village and trading center along the Big Sioux River. Visitors can explore this important cultural heritage site that offers insights into indigenous history of the region.
2. Jester Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Jester Park offers 1,675 acres of diverse outdoor experiences along Saylorville Lake's west shore. Visitors can enjoy numerous hiking trails and observe migrating pelicans in their natural habitat. The park provides a perfect setting for nature enthusiasts and outdoor recreation seekers.
3. Lester Milligan Park
SERENE URBAN OASIS
Lester Milligan Park is a picturesque retreat located in Mason City that beckons visitors with its serene landscapes. The park features vibrant natural beauty and provides a peaceful escape from urban life. Visitors can enjoy various recreational activities in this tranquil setting.
4. Amana Colonies
HISTORIC GERMAN SETTLEMENT
The Amana Colonies are a National Historic Landmark consisting of seven historic villages founded by German Pietists. These well-preserved communities offer visitors a glimpse into 19th-century communal living with distinctive architecture, crafts, and cuisine. The colonies are renowned for their handcrafted furniture, woolen textiles, and traditional German food.
5. Herbert Hoover Birthplace
PRESIDENTIAL HERITAGE SITE
The Herbert Hoover Birthplace in West Branch includes the presidential library, museum, and the cottage where President Hoover was born. The 76-acre grounds feature the grave sites of President Hoover and Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover, along with a reconstructed blacksmith shop and one-room schoolhouse. The visitor center, administered by the National Park Service, interprets the early life of the 31st president in Iowa.
6. Historic General Dodge House
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The Historic General Dodge House is a 14-room, three-story Victorian home constructed in 1869 for Civil War general Grenville Dodge and his wife. The house features innovative amenities for its time, including central heating and hot and cold running water. This architectural treasure offers visitors insight into the life of Dodge, who was a prominent railroad builder, banker, and politician.
7. James B. Weaver House
CIVIL WAR GENERAL'S HOME
The James B. Weaver House was the residence of Bloomfield lawyer and Civil War General James B. Weaver. This striking two-story pink-brick structure was built in 1867 by the former United States representative. The historic home preserves the legacy of this significant political and military figure in Iowa's history.
8. The Lone Star Steamer
HISTORIC RIVER VESSEL
The Lone Star Steamer is the last wooden-hull sternwheeler now housed in the Buffalo Bill Museum in Le Claire. Constructed in 1868, this historic vessel once navigated the Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri Rivers during America's steamboat era. The museum not only showcases this remarkable boat but also serves as a tribute to legendary native "Buffalo Bill" Cody and early American history.
9. Farm House Museum
IOWA'S AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE
The Farm House Museum is a National Historic Landmark on the Iowa State University campus in Ames. Built in 1860, it was the first building on what would become the Iowa State campus and now preserves the state's agricultural heritage. Visitors can explore period rooms furnished to reflect different eras of the house's occupation from 1860 to 1910.
10. Effigy Mounds National Monument
ANCIENT CEREMONIAL MOUNDS
Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than 200 prehistoric Native American mounds, including rare effigy mounds shaped like bears and birds. Located along the Mississippi River, this sacred site offers both cultural significance and stunning natural beauty with forested landscapes and river views. Visitors can hike trails to view these ancient ceremonial structures dating back thousands of years.
11. Pikes Peak State Park
MISSISSIPPI RIVER OVERLOOKS
Pikes Peak State Park features one of Iowa's most spectacular views from its 500-foot bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The park offers 11.5 miles of hiking trails through hardwood forests, alongside unique geological features like Bridal Veil Falls. Visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, and wildlife observation while taking in the panoramic vistas where the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers meet.
12. Maquoketa Caves State Park
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDERS
Maquoketa Caves State Park contains more caves than any other state park in Iowa with 13 named caves that visitors can explore. The park features a six-mile trail system connecting the caves, limestone formations, and rugged bluffs throughout its 370 acres. Natural bridges, balanced rocks, and unique geological formations make this one of Iowa's most unique outdoor destinations.
13. Grotto of the Redemption
RELIGIOUS ROCK MASTERPIECE
The Grotto of the Redemption is one of the largest man-made grottos in the world, constructed from precious stones and minerals valued at over $4 million. Built by Father Paul Dobberstein over a 42-year period, this religious wonder depicts scenes from the life of Christ in nine separate grottos. The intricate rock and gemstone mosaics attract thousands of visitors annually to view what has been called the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
14. National Mississippi River Museum
AQUATIC LIFE SHOWCASE
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque offers an immersive experience focusing on the cultural and environmental importance of America's rivers. The facility houses over 100 species of animals in both indoor and outdoor habitats, including river otters, alligators, and various fish species. Interactive exhibits, historic boats, and a 4D theater provide educational entertainment about the mighty Mississippi and river ecosystems.
15. Living History Farms
INTERACTIVE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM
Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor museum that tells the story of Midwestern rural life across 300 years. Visitors can explore working historical farms from 1700, 1850, and 1900, staffed by costumed interpreters demonstrating period-appropriate farming techniques. The 500-acre open-air museum also includes a frontier town where blacksmiths, shopkeepers, and other tradespeople showcase life in a rural Iowa town from 1876.