Growing up in the Hawkeye State gave me plenty of places to cherish. Some remain personal favorites, including Pagliai’s, while others lost their appeal as I got older. Then there were the attractions I judged too quickly and later saw in a completely different light.
These five Iowa tourist spots once left me doubtful. A few seemed overrated, while others simply did not sound worth the trip. Still, each one managed to change my mind after an actual visit.
Now I can admit that my early opinions were wrong. These places won me over, and they may surprise you in the same way.
1. Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville
The Field of Dreams Movie Site never appeared on my Iowa travel list. I enjoyed the film, but visiting movie locations has never held much appeal for me. That changed when my baseball-obsessed eight-year-old learned the famous diamond was real and begged to go.
I expected a brief stop, a quick walk near the cornfield, and an even quicker exit. Instead, we stayed for hours. Watching families play catch on the field and seeing my son’s excitement gave the visit far more meaning than I anticipated.
Since then, I have returned several times with both of my children. What once seemed like an easy-to-skip roadside attraction became a place filled with warm memories. I was doubtful at first, but this Dyersville landmark completely won me over.
2. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch
My first trip to the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site happened during an elementary school outing. At that age, the small buildings and presidential history failed to hold my attention. The stop felt more educational than exciting.
As I grew older, I learned more about Hoover’s presidency and his complicated public legacy. That knowledge did not make me admire his time in office, but it changed how I viewed the Iowa site connected to his early life.
Today, I appreciate the fact that West Branch preserves the birthplace of a U.S. president. Few states can make that claim, especially west of the Mississippi River. What once seemed like a dull school-trip stop now feels like a meaningful piece of Iowa history.
3. Amana Colonies
My parents first took me to the Amana Colonies when I was in elementary school. Since we lived near Iowa City, visits for meals or day trips were fairly common. At the time, I saw little more than old buildings, gift shops, bakeries, and Christmas stores.
Years later, those same details started to feel far more appealing. The preserved architecture, locally made goods, hearty German dishes, wine, and beer gave the area a charm I had completely missed as a child.
Now I happily admit that my younger self judged the place too harshly. Give me a plate of sauerbraten, a bakery stop, and an afternoon wandering through the shops, and I am more than satisfied.
4. Spook Cave in Elkader
Caves do not always impress me, especially privately operated attractions that lean heavily on tourist gimmicks. I usually prefer the raw trails and natural formations found at places such as Maquoketa Caves State Park.
Spook Cave, however, breaks that pattern. Instead of walking through dim passages, visitors ride a boat along an underground river. The experience feels strange, playful, and far more memorable than a standard cave tour.
I first visited as a child, so the place still carries some of that early wonder for me. Even now, the quirky boat ride remains worth the stop. Anyone traveling through northeast Iowa should give Spook Cave a fair chance.
5. Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk in Riverside
Riverside is a small Iowa town of roughly 1,000 residents, located south of Iowa City. According to Star Trek lore, Captain James T. Kirk will be born in Iowa centuries from now. Since no official town had claimed the honor, Riverside declared itself his future birthplace in 1985 with approval from franchise creator Gene Roddenberry.
The idea later gained credibility through references in Star Trek television shows and films. Riverside also began hosting Trekfest, an annual summer celebration that brings thousands of fans into town. Costumes, themed activities, and devoted followers turn the small community into a gathering place for science-fiction enthusiasts.
At first, I found the entire claim rather absurd. It was an invented location celebrating the future birth of a fictional character. Still, Riverside’s wholehearted commitment changed my attitude once I visited.
A monument, character statue, Trek-inspired business names, and a themed playground reveal how fully the town has embraced its connection to the franchise. What sounded like a flimsy tourism gimmick became unexpectedly charming in person. Anyone with even mild interest in Star Trek should consider adding Riverside to an Iowa road trip.
You may also like :
