The Ultimate Guide to Romantic Getaways in Iowa: Plan Your Dream Vacation

Have you thought of taking a honeymoon or weekend trip to the Midwest? Visit Iowa for your romantic adventures! With so many locations to see in Iowa, there is more to offer than many tourists may realize.

The ideal Iowa vacation is waiting for you, with everything from the posh city of Des Moines to charming Dutch-inspired towns.

Visitors are kept busy and engaged throughout the year in Iowa because of the wide array of things to do from wintertime snowmobiling to summertime lakeside relaxation.

Take in a drive-in movie in the autumn and a round of golf in the spring. In Iowa, there are countless attractions to explore.

Couples will be happy to learn that there is lodging created specifically for their romantic gateways in Iowa. Stay at elegant spa hotels or romantic cabins in Iowa.

Your weekend trips to Iowa will provide you with the ideal vacation with so many cities to discover.

Here are some of the best romantic gateways in lowa.

Des Moines

Des Moines
Des Moines

Not only is Des Moines the largest city in Iowa, but it also features some of the best attractions for couples in the state.

Family-friendly activities abound, including outdoor strolls, delicious food, and kid-friendly museums.

For some festival excitement, check out a Broadway performance, a nearby farmers market, an art museum or the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

The Civic Centre in Des Moines offers conventional entertainment. This theatre, one of the biggest in Iowa, presents ballets as well as other acts.

Aside from that, you should also visit Adventure Land Amusement Park and Prairie Meadows Casino for a great night out.

Dubuque

Dubuque
Dubuque

Due to its artisan beer, extensive history, breathtaking bluffs, and Loras College, Dubuque is the perfect destination for weekend vacations in Iowa.

Dubuque is renowned for its traditional architecture, which blends contemporary enhancements with timeless charm. Couples can enjoy a variety of romantic activities in Dubuque, Iowa.

The area, which has an attractive appearance and a rich historical heritage, is the perfect getaway for a quiet weekend with your better half. If you’re on a tight budget, you won’t be let down because it also offers a variety of suites.

In addition, the nearby Caroline’s Restaurant offers excellent American fare if you’re looking for comfort food to keep you warm over the weekend. A riverwalk and a commercial district are also available to complete your weekend escape.

Dubuque is home to numerous additional well-known tourist destinations. If you appreciate the outdoors, the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are fantastic destinations.

Iowa City

Iowa City
Iowa City

While on your romantic trips to Iowa, explore the wonderful city of Iowa City. This charming city along the Iowa River is home to the University of Iowa.

On your romantic weekend getaway, visit craft breweries, vineyards, fine dining establishments, museums, concert venues, parks, and more.

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The Graduate City Hotel in Iowa City is the ideal spot to stay if you’re looking for romantic weekend activities in the state of Iowa.

The hotel’s location in the scenic University of Iowa neighbourhood makes it a fantastic choice for nature lovers.

Thanks to the top-notch services and activities, staying at this hotel will grant you excellent access to the entire city.

Walking distance from the Coral Ridge Mall, the Englert Civic Centre, the Old Capitol Museum, and the University Of Iowa Museum.

Reiman Gardens

Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens

The ideal place to go in Iowa is Reiman Gardens, which is renowned as one of Ames’ finest wedding venues. Iowa’s tranquilly and scenic splendour offers the ideal setting for romantic getaways.

Visit the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing or take a romantic stroll through the Jones Rose Garden to view beautiful butterflies.

Pella

Pella
Pella

One of the most romantic gateways to visit in Iowa for couples is the charming Dutch village of Pella. Like no other American city, Pella has a distinct charm of its own.

The city of Pella is the ideal holiday destination in Iowa because it has won honours for its excellent tourism and hospitality.

Pella is the top destination in Iowa for couples seeking a romantic weekend vacation. It is the site of the popular Tulip Time Festival.

Spend a relaxing afternoon at Lake Red Rock or visit the Pella Historical Village to learn about the city’s extensive Dutch past.

There are numerous recreational opportunities, stunning landscapes, delectable food, and more. Stay at some of Iowa’s most exquisite hotels.

There are numerous activities in Pella, Iowa, ranging from the Sinterklaas Christmas Parade to the Tulip Time Festival. You and your significant other will undoubtedly enjoy the most tranquil and enchanting getaways in Iowa in this lovely little town.

Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids

The best place to go for your next romantic weekend in Iowa is Cedar Rapids, which is situated on the Mississippi River in Eastern Iowa.

One of the Best Growing Cities in America in Cedar Rapids, which was just named. Eastern Iowa’s huge metropolis is its real beating heart, and a trip there will undoubtedly be your ultimate Iowa vacation.

It is undoubtedly the ideal place for weekend trips.

Visit the Cedar Rapids Museum with your kids to teach them about the customs and cultures of the region. There are original works on exhibit by numerous well-known painters if you’re an art enthusiast.

The venue features a sizable collection of Grant Wood’s paintings, who is an Iowa native.

Okoboji

Okoboji
Okoboji

Okoboji, Iowa, is among the best sites in Iowa to take in the sun and the surf. This beach town, which is situated on the Iowa Great Lakes, offers water-based recreation for people of all ages.

Arnolds Park is a popular location in the summer because it offers a ton of rides, water sports, amusing eateries, shopping, and evening boat trips.

Never assume that this lively lakeside community closes during the winter.  In actuality, the wintertime is just as enticing.

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Overlooking the Iowa Great Lakes, Okoboji holds its version of the Winter Olympics. Amazing Iowa attractions in the region draw tourists from across the nation.

Couples can enjoy summer theatre performances, cultural events, museums, and the obvious waterfront and resort town activities in Iowa.

Make Okoboji your next choice for romantic weekend getaways in Iowa if you’re looking for romance, humour, and adventure.

Red Cedar Lodge

Red Cedar Lodge
Red Cedar Lodge

Take your loved someone to the Red Cedar Lodge, a vacation in Iowa’s countryside on the beautiful Cedar River, to get away from the stresses of everyday life.

We respect your need for privacy, so you and your special someone will have a log-sided cabin rental all to yourselves.

Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, tubing, and other activities away from your private lodge.

The Red Cedar Lodge offers campfire rings, sledging, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling if you decide to schedule your romantic getaway during the winter.

Davenport

Davenport
Davenport

Davenport, a city known for its interesting bridges, is an ideal romantic getaway in Iowa. Along the Mississippi River, the city of Davenport is home to a diverse population.

Couples travelling together will have a front-row seat to distinctive and varied works of art, music, architecture, history, and nature in Davenport.

Spend your mornings strolling through the magnificent Sky Bridge and discovering the city. Through the transparent glass walls that loom above the city streets, take in the breathtaking river vistas.

Enjoy a picnic by the river or wander through Vander Veer Botanical Park.

There are many pathways, flower beds, and ponds to explore, so there are many options for nature lovers as well. A couple’s massage in Davenport, Iowa is a necessity for any trip to Iowa.

Your weekend trips to Davenport in Iowa will undoubtedly be filled with adventure and romance with all the fantastic things to do there.

Burlington

Burlington
Burlington

Burlington is a quaint little town in Iowa that’s ideal for a weekend getaway with loved ones. Thousands of tourists visit the Des Moines County village each year despite it being a small town.

Burlington’s Starr’s Cave Nature Centre is a great destination for couples and families. The 184-acre nature reserve and park have been preserved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Families with active kids who are always bouncing out of their seats should visit the park. The activities available here include cave exploration, rock climbing, motorcycling, and hiking.

In addition, you can pitch a tent in a nearby campground and spend the night outside.

Grinnell

Grinnell
Grinnell

Grinnell, sometimes known as Iowa’s “jewel of the prairie,” is a charming small town in the state’s centre.

Its downtown shops are impeccably maintained and host a range of inexpensive retail businesses and neighbourhood cafes.

The crown jewel of Grinnell’s downtown is The Sullivan Bank, an excellent National Historic Landmark built by the renowned architect Louis Sullivan.

Both the interior stained glass windows and the intricate exterior decorations are magnificent.

Crystal Lake Cave

Crystal Lake Cave
Crystal Lake Cave

One of the most stunning sites to visit in Iowa is without a doubt Crystal Lake Cave, which is located five miles south of Dubuque.

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Adventure-seeking couples can explore the vast cave system and view spectacular stalagmites, uncommon authorities, and helictites. One of the top things to do in Dubuque, Iowa, is this.

Despite being a well-liked tourist attraction, the delicate natural formation of the cave has been meticulously protected.

The ideal romantic ambience is created by the cave lighting and the soft trickling of water. After a thrilling underground excursion, have a romantic lunch overlooking Crystal Lake.

This should be on your list of things to do this weekend in Iowa.

Grotto of Redemption

Grotto of Redemption
Grotto of Redemption

The Grotto of Redemption frequently referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World, is a must-see attraction while visiting Iowa.

The Grotto of Redemption is made up of nine man-made grottos, each of which represents a scenario from Jesus’ life.

 Here, you may explore minerals worth over $4 million, including stalactites and stalagmites as well as quartz, topaz, calcite, and jasper. Near Sioux City in West End, Iowa, is where you’ll find The Grotto.

Without a doubt, this is a must-see for any weekend trip in Iowa, as seen by the more than 100,000 visitors it receives each.

Ames

Ames
Ames

Ames, Iowa, is full of charming bed and breakfasts, comfortable coffee shops, a great downtown skyline, and a gorgeous landscape.

Therefore, be sure to include a stop in this quaint town on your romantic trips to Iowa. Luxury hotels in Ames, Iowa, as well as enchanting inns, are just a few of the fantastic lodging options available.

Unique wineries and breweries, shopping, golfing, and a wide range of outdoor activities are just a few of the attractions in Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State University is located in this quaint town, which makes for an amazing autumn setting for engagement photos.

Even though Ames has four distinct seasons, autumn’s deep hues shine out the most and are ideal for an outdoor wedding celebration.

There has never been a more romantic time to capture your love through photography, whether it is in stunning natural settings or stunning cityscape views.

Ames is the finest romantic gateway in Iowa if you’re looking for romance.

Iowa Great Lakes

Iowa Great Lakes
Iowa Great Lakes

One of the most breathtaking Iowa attractions and a must-see on any traveller’s itinerary is the Iowa Great Lakes. From the Minnesota border in the southwest, these glacier-carved lakes occupy more than 15,000 acres.

West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Lower Gar, and Minnewashta Lake are the five smaller lakes that make up the Iowa Great Lakes. If you visit Okoboji, you must at least see one of these breathtaking lakes.

Conclusion

It’s astounding how much there is to discover in Iowa! Visitors enjoy returning often for their romantic getaways in Iowa because there are so many amazing spots to see.

Your stay can be as relaxing or opulent as you wish, with weekend getaways in Dubuque and honeymoon suites in Des Moines.

At the Mont Rest Inn, book a night at one of Iowa’s most awesome themed hotels. Take part in an interactive tour of Baraboo, Iowa’s Spirit Walk.

Or take a cheap day trip to the Reiman Gardens or Crystal Lake Caves in Iowa. Your Midwest trip will undoubtedly be a memorable one, regardless of how or where you decide to spend it.