Iowa Falls, Iowa Travel Guide
Welcome to Iowa Falls, Iowa! Known as “Scenic City,” Iowa Falls is home to around 5,000 residents. Located in central Iowa and is near Des Moines, IA (1hr 15min, 80 miles), Cedar Rapids, IA (1hr 40min, 110 miles), and Sioux City, IA (2hr 45min, 165 miles). Visitors to Iowa Falls can walk across the swinging bridge, learn about Native American history, and even take a ride in a riverboat. In addition to great outdoor recreation and fun boutiques, the town also has good spots for food. Come and see what this little Iowa town has to offer!
Iowa Falls is small but has some great activities for visitors. Walk across the Iowa Falls Swinging Bridge for a view of the Iowa River or even ride on the Scenic City Empress Riverboat for a trip on the water! For more time with the river, consider walking or biking along the Iowa River Greenbelt, a 42-mile-long trail along the river. For hiking and a butterfly garden, head to Calkins Nature Area, and check out the Native American and Natural History Museum there.
Head downtown for some fun. Try shopping at one of the many local businesses. Grab a book at Coffee Attic & Book Cellar or go antiquing at Antique Gallery. Iowa Falls has several boutiques to shop in including Ugly Peanut Boutique, Small Town Girl Boutique, and The Good Olde Days. Experience the arts at the Pat Clark Art Collection or catch a movie at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Time to eat? Start your day with coffee from Coffee Attic & Book Cellar, a coffee shop book store combo. For lunch, grab barbecue at Reds Smokehouse or Mexican from Las Flores. Try some new beers from Timbukbrü. For dinner, grab classic American favorites from The Five O Two or Princess Grill & Pizzeria.
If you need to spend the night, consider booking a room at AmericInn or Super 8. Need a whole place to yourself? Consider booking a Vrbo. Here are some of our favorites: River Cabin for 4 and Swinging Bridge Cottage for 6.
Thinking about visiting Iowa Falls but not sure when? Consider coming during the Scenic City Labor Day Car Show. Whatever you’re into, Iowa Falls, Iowa has something worth seeing. We hope this travel guide gives you a glimpse into life in Iowa Falls that can inspire a future visit.
Happy Travels!
The Modern Travel Guide
