Stay Iowa Rentals, Vacation Rentals in Iowa

When Iowa became a state in 1846, its capital was Iowa City; the more centrally located Des Moines became the new capital in 1857. At that time, the state's present boundaries were also drawn. Although Iowa produces a tenth of the nation's food supply, the value of Iowa's manufactured products is twice that of its agriculture. Major industries are food and associated products, non-electrical machinery, electrical equipment, printing and publishing, and fabricated products. Iowa stands in a class by itself as an agricultural state. Its farms sell over $10 billion worth of crops and livestock annually. Iowa leads the nation in all corn, soybean, and hog marketings, and comes in third in total livestock sales. Iowa's forests produce hardwood lumber, particularly walnut, and its mineral products include cement, limestone, sand, gravel, gypsum, and coal.

The arts include creative activities such as graphic art, music and literature. The culture of Iowa includes the beliefs, customs and behaviors of different groups of people who live in the state. These two ideas—Arts and Culture—work together. The arts are a way to represent our diverse cultural traditions. We find out who we are as Iowans by researching our arts and culture. People across the country and the world know about Iowa's arts and cultures. The struggle for civil rights is part of our culture. The culture of Iowa is also reflected in many other characteristics ranging from religious organizations to tourist attractions and from local festivals to political events. Iowa's culture is revealed in the past, present and future forms of communicating. Health conditions and epidemics tell the story of Iowa’s culture. Sports competitions and the way people use their free time explain a state’s culture. A wide selection of artistic expression ranging from painting, building design and Native American bead work make up the arts. Performances of plays and dances, concerts and movies make up the arts. Books and Native American talk stories are part of the arts. Examine the cultural traditions and artifacts of Iowa that make us "Iowans."

The best time to visit will be when the average temperatures are at a comfortable level (between 20°C and 30°C on average) which is during months June, July and August. Other great months to visit are April, May, September and October when the average temperatures are a little cooler but still between a pleasant 10°C and 20°C. If you don't mind bringing a coat, you might also enjoy visiting during March and November but average temperatures are fairly cool (between 0°C and 10°C). Can become a little chilly in other months of the year with temperatures sub zero °C. If you don't mind the cold, then visit during January, February and December. But don't forget to pack your thermals!

Des Moines: Hometown of the mighty Bill Bryson!!! 'I come from Des Moines. Someone had to.' The Lost Continent.

Sioux City: Sioux City, Iowa is located in northwestern Iowa and shares its borders with North Sioux City, South Dakota and South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Mason City: Mason City is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population is estimated to be about 30,000. It is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County.

Iowa City: The best summary of Iowa City is a typical Midwestern college town. There are some great cheap places to eat, bar specials every night, and always a college atmosphere.

Dyersville: Dyersville is a small agricultural town in Iowa. There are two nice reasons to visit this community. The St Francis Basilica is located here.

Battle Hill Museum of Natural History: Small town museum stuffed with dead animals, created by a guy stuffed with every fact about them.

Albert the Bull: Albert, pride of the town of Audubon, is a formidable concrete replica of the perfect Hereford Bull.

Ax Murder House: The 1912 maniac who killed the people in this house is still unknown, but that doesn't stop travelers from wanting to sleep over.

Snake Alley: Twisty switchback road is claimant in World's Crookedest Street Battle.

Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk: Speculative bit of civic pride for Riverside's future son and Star Trek's original starship captain.

World's Largest Strawberry: The town erected a big statue of its namesake.

Grotto of the Redemption: Massive religious grotto built by Father Paul Dobberstein from 1912 until his death in 1954.

Interstate Highways: Iowa has four primary interstate highways. Interstate 29 runs along the western edge of the state through Council Bluffs and Sioux City. Interstate 35 goes from the southern border to the northern border through the center of the state, including Des Moines. Interstate 74 begins at Interstate 80 just north and east of Davenport. Interstate 80 goes from the west end of the state to the east end through Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities. Interstate 380 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, which runs from Interstate 80 near Iowa City through Cedar Rapids ending in Waterloo and is part of the Avenue of the Saints highway.

Airports: Iowa is served by several major airports including the Des Moines International Airport, the Eastern Iowa Airport, in Cedar Rapids, Quad City International Airport, which is located in Moline, Illinois, and Eppley Airfield, located in Omaha, Nebraska. Smaller airports in the state include the Davenport Municipal Airport (Iowa), Dubuque Regional Airport, Fort Dodge Regional Airport, Mason City Municipal Airport, Sioux Gateway Airport, Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, and Waterloo Regional Airport.

Railroads: Amtrak's California Zephyr serves the south of Iowa with stops at Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola, and Creston on its daily route between Chicago and Emeryville, California (across the bay from San Francisco). Fort Madison is served by Amtrak's Southwest Chief, running daily between Chicago and Los Angeles.