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Travel Magazine 

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Iowa: When The Leaves Change, Fun Begins

by Scott Salwolke  

Traveling Eastern Iowa in the fall is to experience a variety of colors. The once lush green landscape has been transformed into a rainbow of colors. Driving through the countryside becomes an activity unto itself.

Sightseeing

If coming into Iowa through Dubuque, two locations in particular demand a visitor’s attention. Eagle Point Park offers more than just a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River. There are fishponds, pavilions, and a hilly landscape to explore.

Open through October the 164-acre park overlooks a lock and dam, as well as the states of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Although smaller in size, the Dubuque Arboretum offers an equally diverse landscape and an even greater abundance of color, particularly its award winning rose gardens.

When traveling through Dubuque in October take advantage of the “Prairie Walk,” offered at the Mines of Spain on Oct. 5. Travelers, and residents, as well, can take an educational walk through a tall grass prairie.  The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center offers other programs throughout the year.

Dyersville is forever identified with toys and baseball. The National Farm Toy Museum has over 30,000 toys to interest collectors, children and the young at heart. Field of Dreams still brings tourist from all over the world to see the locations where the film was made. The Ghost Players make their last appearance of the year on the last Sunday of September at Left and Center Field of Dreams.

Clayton County offers many beautiful views of the Mississippi from its numerous bluffs and hills. To help visitors take advantage of the landscape, the state has designated some of the highways as River Bluffs Scenic Byway. It begins in McGregor and winds its way through nine communities, finally ending in Fayette.

The county also is proud of the German heritage of many of its citizens. The last weekend in September Guttenberg plays host to a German festival. Live music, a pig roast, and horse-drawn buggy rides are among the activities available.

The town of Monona stages its own “German Fest” the first weekend of October. In addition to fine German cuisine, there is music and polka dancing.

Available at any time of the year are walking tours in Guttenberg that take in many fine examples of German architecture, as well as some from France.

There is no better time to experience Effigy Mounds National Monuments, north of Marquette, than in the autumn. The 191 prehistoric Indian burial mounds and the cooler temperatures make it easier to traverse the numerous walking trails that encircle them. How much energy a visitor has will determine whether they walk one of the small trails or attempt the seven-mile Hanging Rock Trail.

Mount Homer City Park allows for a breathtaking view of 50 miles of the Mississippi River. The 104-acre park features a 450-foot bluff that overlooks the town of Lansing. One can also take a peek across at Minnesota and Wisconsin and see their fall foliage.

If Cedar Rapids is most often associated with sporting events, such as the Kernels Baseball Team and the Hawkeye Downs Speedway, it is also steeped in history. 

Usher’s Ferry Historic Village is composed of more than 30 buildings that show how Iowans lived before there was electricity and even indoor plumbing. On the third week of September, it plays host to a Civil War re-enactment. It also has an old fashioned Halloween (Oct. 27) that children are sure to enjoy.

Jones County will be forever identified with Grant Wood. Traveling to Stone City, in the fall, one can see many of the places that inspired his work. The Grant Wood's Art Gallery, in Anamosa, houses a number of his paintings. Anamosa is also the home of the National Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. In addition to saluting a number of famous riders, there are a number of vintage motorcycles on display.

Children, used to carrying their own pumpkins, will be shocked if they attend the Pumpkinfest in Anamosa. Held the first weekend in October, there are entrants from a half-dozen states, with some of the pumpkins weighing in at 900 pounds.

Anamosa is the starting point for the route dubbed the Grant Wood’s Highway, incorporating beautiful settings with small communities that each have their own individual charm. Remaining on the route means entering Jackson County, and eventually discovering the Maquoketa Caves State Park. There are 13 limestone caves in the park, a natural bridge, and numerous rock formations that capture the imagination. Leaving the Park, one can make their way to Costello’s Old Mill Gallery. It has a look in the fall that makes it seem like something out a painting.

Just as breathtaking is the island city of Sabula. The city celebrates its colorful transformation the first two weekends of October with its Love and Leaf It days. There are tours, refreshments, and an old fashioned schoolhouse.

The town of Clinton takes on a whole new look with it's “Living History Day” (Sept. 21). Pioneer crafts, homemade food, and a variety of demonstrations, all occur. This also provides an excuse to take in Bickelhaupt Arboretum and its 14 acres of shrubs and perennials. Open year round, one can get a chance to see up close the effect the seasons have on plants.

Even residents of the Quad Cities are not always aware of the history that surrounds Davenport. 

A cowboy legend is remembered in The Buffalo Bill Museum and at the Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead. The Village of East Davenport is a historic district that was once a Civil War military community. Walk along the brick streets and visit the many shops or simply stop in at one of the various pubs.

While traveling through Cedar County, visitors are encouraged to take the Herbert Hoover Highway, with its 42 miles of beautiful scenery. Naturally this takes them into West Branch, Hoover’s birthplace. The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site has the cottage in which the 31st president was born, as well as a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, and the graves of Hoover and his wife.

In all of the excitement over Hawkeye Football, it seems as all other activities are forgotten in Iowa City. This is certainly not the case.

The Iowa Children's Museum is a must for families any time of the year. Drive an ambulance, be a television broadcaster, or simply work on an engineering project. Dozens of hand on programs are available. At the Museum of Natural History, visitors can learn about Iowa's history and study birds and mammals.

The Amana Colonies are still one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. These seven authentic German villages date back to the 1800s and in the first weekend of October they celebrate their heritage. German music and food are in abundance, as well as a number of activities for children.

Those looking for a unique drive, should attempt Snake Alley in Burlington. Chosen by Ripley’s Believe It or Not, as the “crookedest street in the world,” the 275-foot long stretch drops 58 feet. Those with enough endurance can attempt it on foot or on a bicycle.

The Mississippi River serves as the backdrop for "Oktoberfest On the River" (Oct. 5), Burlington's celebration of it’s German heritage.

The city of Fort Madison offers a self-guided tour of some 89 Victorian homes. The time to do this is the second week of September, when there is a re-enactment at the fort of a battle from 1812. Another popular time is the first weekend of October, where there is a “Candlelight Tour of Old Fort Madison.” There is a theatrical presentation that incorporates many historical figures

They have been dubbed the Villages of Van Buren and the five small communities that have been so designated, all have their own unique appeal. The ideal time to enjoy them is the second week of October, when Keosauqua hosts the “Forest Craft Festival and Scenic Drive.” Buckskinners,

demonstrations, and forestry displays are just part of the experience. Nearby Bentonsport dates back to the 1840’s and features a century old iron bridge and walkway.

The Fort Atkinson Preserve is an educational experience anytime of the year. In addition to a fort that dates back to 1840, there is a museum loaded with historical artifacts. The last weekend in September, the “Fort Atkinson Rendezvous” takes place, giving visitors a chance to experience first hand what life was like when the fort was in use.

The Spillville Arts and Crafts Festival takes place the first weekend in October. In addition to many unique gift ideas, an authentic Czech lunch is provided. As the Bily Clock Museum is still open, this is another opportunity to see superbly created handcrafted projects. Some 40 clocks are on display.

In Nashua, The Little Brown Church remains a popular stop-off for visitors from all over the country. Guests are welcome to picnic on its large park facility. While still in Chickasaw County another nationally recognized attraction are the fainting goats at MTM Stables. Open through October, appointments are necessary on the weekend.

Fayette County was once so large it boasted Canada and the Mississippi River, as two of its borders. Although its size has been dramatically reduced, it has not lost any of its beauty. The effect of the Ice Age left behind miniature mountains and rolling hills that make it among the most photogenic locales in the area.

The last weekend of September and the first weekend of October, a “Magical Mystery Tour” is available that shows off the colors of fall. Beautiful any time of the year is Dutton’s Cave Park, near West Union. A dense forest leads up to a 50-foot limestone wall that overlooks the cave’s opening.

For families who have someone who has an interest in science, the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium, in Waterloo offers daily demonstrations. Learn about eggs, create a laser show, or even race bubbles. The last weekend in September it plays host to a “Super Science Weekend” on molecular magic. On the last weekend of October the topic is “Gross-ology,” the science of animals and human bodies.

In the fall, it is not an uncommon sight to see farmers on the road as they harvest their crops. In Buchanan County, the farmer may be using horses to pull their equipment. The Old Order Amish Community, near Independence, recalls a simpler time. Many stores in the area offer handcraft furniture and the bakeries have aromas that just draw people in.

The past also is celebrated in the town of Aurora in Jakway Park. “Septemberfest” takes place on the second Sunday of the month and is a daylong celebration of the past that includes a tour of a stagecoach stop and post office, circuit riders, and demonstrations of crafts.

Cedar Rock, remains one of the most recognized of all the homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is open through October, but it is the first Saturday of that month, that is of particular interest. An evening tour is available, complete with apple cider and hot chocolate.

Those with an interest in toys should take in the Red Barn Model Railroad Museum in Dundee. Open through the middle of October, there are antique railroads from Lionel, American Flyer, and Marx, as well as full-size railroad equipment.

In the year 2000, the town of Vinton underwent a face-lift. Artists from all over the county helped to create nine murals throughout the town. While visiting Vinton's many shops, tourists can pass by artwork that celebrates all aspects of the community's life, from farming to baseball. In fact, it celebrates life in Eastern Iowa.

Recreation

Just as there is a diverse amount of attractions in Eastern Iowa, there is an equal number of activities available.

Fishing and boating remain popular even as the leaves are announcing the arrival of fall. There are dozens of lakes throughout the region, such as Central Lake, Pollimer, and Lake Meyer, which have boat ramps for easy access.

Of course the Mississippi River is the main body of water in the area, but the Cedar River, Iowa River and Maquoketa River have just as much to offer.

Tubing on the Upper Iowa River was chosen by National Geographic Magazine as one of the Top 100 adventures in the United States. Further south, in Elkader, there are similar opportunities to tube on the Turkey River.

Bike trails have gained in popularity in the last few years and Eastern Iowa has a number of them. The

Cedar Valley Nature Trail is the longest trail (52 miles) in the country that links two metropolitan areas, in this case Waterloo and Cedar Rapids. The Heritage Trail, near Dubuque, is half the length, but offers great views of the Mississippi River while cutting through beautiful woodlands. The Riverway Trail in Davenport covers a 30-mile trek along the Mississippi River.  Bikers can even take the Channel Cat Water Taxis to cross the river and ride along on the Illinois side.

Along the Great River Road, there are a number of places to hike.

In addition to Effigy Mounds, there are trails at Bellevue State Park, Waubonsie Park, and Pikes Peak State Park. There are dozens of campgrounds in the region. Some, like those at Yellow River and Shimek Forest, allow for horseback riding.

The Volga State Recreational Area has it all, canoeing, hiking, and horseback riding.  It is also one of the many great areas to hunt in during the fall.