10 Photos You'll Only Understand If You Hail From Iowa
By Raymond Goldfield|Published August 19, 2023
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Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
The more I learn about Iowa, the more I’m amazed by just how much there is to discover in the Hawkeye State. The state may have a reputation for being “Flyover Country” from outsiders, but the truth is anything but. In just about every corner of the state, you’ll find something unique, quirky, fascinating, historic, or delicious! Some of these quirks are Iowa’s little secrets – and the residents like it that way. The odds are, if you come across any of the pictures here without having any knowledge of the Hawkeye State’s unique cultural legacy, you may be a bit puzzled. So read on and discover 10 Iowa icons that show just how one-of-a-kind the state really is!
Iowa is home to RAGBRAI - the (Des Moines) Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. It's the country's largest and oldest recreational bike tour. Every year, this massive race crosses the state. It starts from a town on the Missouri River in the west and the finish line is in a town on the Mississippi in the east. The route passes through different communities along the way each year.
2. The Washington Monument... In Iowa?
Sergeant Floyd Monument, 2601 S Lewis Blvd, Sioux City, IA 51103, USA
Okoboji is a huge tourist destination during the summer, but fewer people know about its winter adventures. Every winter, the lakes are home to a two-day snowmobile race!
4. Is That A Sandwich Or A Hubcap?
St. Olaf Tavern, 106 S Main St, St Olaf, IA 52072, USA
Iowa pork tenderloin sandwiches are definitely on another level, many dwarfing the bun and requiring a knife and fork to eat. This one, maybe the state's biggest, hails from St. Olaf's Tavern.
5. A Seashore Shrine In The Midwest?
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, 208 1st Ave NW, West Bend, IA 50597, USA
A massive shrine in Sioux City depicting scenes from the New Testament, this huge religious site is primarily made out of minerals and petrified materials, including shells. It's considered to be the largest shrine of its kind in the world.
6. Is It A Railway Or An Elevator?
Fenelon Place Elevator, 491 W 4th St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
The Fenelon Place Elevator, carrying visitors up and down the bluffs over Dubuque, is a unique ride that's considered the shortest and steepest railway in the world. It's only a few dollars to ride!
7. A Massive Gnome In The Woods?
World's Largest Concrete Gnome, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Looking more like some sort of medieval device, the Squirrel Cage Jail is a unique machine called a rotary jail, which was controlled by a crank that kept only one cell accessible at a time. It's the only jail of its kind that's still intact - but now, it's a popular tourist attraction.
9. A Top Restaurant... Under An Overpass?
Canteen Lunch in the Alley, 112 2nd St E, Ottumwa, IA 52501, USA
Canteen Lunch in the Alley is maybe Iowa's most humble restaurant, and one of its most delicious. The specialty here is loose-meat sandwiches and fresh-baked pie!
10. A Memorial From The Future?
Future Birthplace of Captain Kirk, 60 Greene St, Riverside, IA 52327, USA
No, your eyes aren't deceiving you - that sign really does say 2228! The small town of Riverside was made famous when it was canonized as Captain James Kirk's hometown in the Star Trek franchise - and Riverside leans into its fame!
How many of these iconic spots in Iowa did you know about? Which have you visited? Tell us all about it in the comments section! Iowa is such a fascinating state – and that’s not even getting into some of the most unique restaurants in the Hawkeye State. If you’re planning to see all of these unique spots across the state, you’ll be planning quite a road trip – so make sure you’re showing your Iowa pride on your journeys!
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