Okay, maybe not EVERYTHING, but it’s a pretty good start! There is a heck of a lot to pack into twenty six fun facts about Iowa, so strap in, this is Iowa A to Z, the following 26 facts, figures, and other fun info will give you a pretty good understanding of what Iowa is all about:

Atanasoff-Berry Computer

Joe Wolf/Flickr The first automatic electronic digital computer, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, was invented at Iowa State College in 1942.

Bridges of Madison County

Jeff Lawson/Flickr The charming, covered Bridges of Madison County were so beautiful, they inspired a movie which starred Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep!

Cy-Hawk Trophy

GoIowaState.com/Flickr Since 1894, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State University Cyclones have battled it out on the football field in their over-century old rivalry. At the end of the game, the winner goes home with the coveted Cy-Hawk trophy.

Des Moines

Jason Mrachina/Flickr Life is Iowa is pretty sweet, and it is extra sweet in the capital, Des Moines , is also the largest city in the state, and a growing hub of business and culture. Recently, Des Moines was ranked as the richest capital city in the nation, and it was named the number one city for young professionals by Forbes. Des Moines, IA, USA

Ethanol

futureatlas.com/Flickr Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production, creating nearly 30% of all ethanol, or 3.9 billion gallons per year, according to the Iowa Promotion Board.

Field of Dreams

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr If you have never seen Field of Dreams, you’re not a very good Iowan. And if you have actually visited the filming site in Dyersville, then you get bonus points! Dyersville, IA, USA

Grant Wood

Michael Leland/Flickr One of the most iconic American artists, Grant Wood, was born and raised right here in Iowa. He is most well known for his “American Gothic” painting, which is shown reproduced on this barn in Jones County.

Herbert Hoover

Doug Kerr/Flickr Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, was born in West Branch, Iowa. The Herbert Hoover Birthplace and childhood home is now a National Historic Landmark.

Iowa Cubs

Justin Brockie/Flickr Iowa’s professional baseball team, the Iowa Cubs, play at Principal Park in Des Moines. If you want to be considered a true Iowan, you should probably go to at least one of their games, even if you don’t like baseball!

John Wayne

John Jacobsen/Flickr Western film star John Wayne was born Marion Morrison in a little house in Winterset, Iowa. The Duke’s childhood home is now open as the John Wayne Museum.

Keosauqua

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Keosauqua is one of the Villages of Van Buren, a cluster of tiny towns known for their historic charm and simple way of life. Keosauqua, IA 52565, USA

Loess Hills

Michael Leland/Flickr The Loess Hills of western Iowa are formed by a clay-like substance called loess soil, and they run for 200 miles along the Missouri River. They are truly one of the most remarkable sights that you will ever see. In fact, the only other place you can see anything like this is in Shaanxi, China. Loess Hills State Forest, Jackson Township, IA 51564, USA

Maid Rites

rreihm/Flickr These favorite loose meat sandwiches got their start in Muscatine, Iowa, when Fred Angell opened the first Maid Rite restaurant in 1926.

National Balloon Classic

Phil Roeder/Flickr The National Balloon Classic, which is held in Indianola each year, is a 9-day festival of hot air ballooning, fireworks, live music, and other fun.

Okoboji

Collin Ulness/Flickr One of the “Iowa Great Lakes,” Okoboji is a favorite vacation spot for many Iowans, and is well-known for its gorgeous beaches and bright blue water. Okoboji, IA 51355, USA

Pikes Peak State Park

Michael Paul Willis/Flickr Pikes Peak State Park is a gorgeous area overlooking the Mississippi River, and it happens to be one of the most photographed places in Iowa. Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA

Quilts

Adam Schweigert/Flickr Barn quilts, more specifically. No matter where you drive, you’re sure to encounter one of these beauties on almost any barn you pass.

Red Rock Reservoir

Randy Kasal‎/Facebook Located in Marion County, you can get the best view of Red Rock Reservoir from the nearby Cordova Observation Tower. Red Rock Dam, 1105 Co Hwy T15, Knoxville, IA 50138, USA

Surf Ballroom

Jasperdo/Flickr Surf Ballroom and Museum in Clear Lake is a Historic Rock and Roll Landmark that has seen many famous performers, most notably Buddy Holly, who played his last performance here before the tragic plane crash that killed him. Surf Ballroom & Museum, 460 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake, IA 50428, USA

Tenderloins

wdecora/Flickr There’s nothing in the world like an Iowa pork tenderloin.

Upper Iowa River

Ellen Macdonald/Flickr The Upper Iowa River is one of the most beautiful places in the state, marked by the towering bluffs that sit on the river’s edge. The 156-mile long river runs through the cities of Chester, Lime Springs, Florenceville, Kendallville, Bluffton, and Decorah. Iowa River Landing, Coralville, IA 52241, USA

Vesterheim

Jonathunder/Wikimedia Commons The Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum in Decorah is an absolutely amazing, premiere museum for anything Norwegian American. They were recently named one of the “15 Best Small Town Museums in the U.S” by Fodor’s. Vesterheim Museum Store, 502 W Water St, Decorah, IA 52101, USA

Wind farms

Brooke Raymond/Flickr Iowa is one of the states leading the nation in wind energy. In 2014, Iowa produced 28% of its electricity from wind power, which was the first in the nation, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

Xanthium strumarium

Roger Culos/Wikimedia Commons Or, as normal people call them, cockleburs! These are those annoying little plants that get stuck to you when you go out hiking or hunting in Iowa.

Yellow River State Forest

Ellen Macdonald/Flickr Located in Allamakee County, Yellow River State Forest is a great place to do a little hiking, or maybe some camping, in one of Iowa’s gorgeous state forests. Yellow River State Forest, 729 State Forest Rd, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146, USA

Zwingle

Jordan McAlister/Flickr Zwingle is a tiny town in Dubuque and Jackson counties that has a population of around 91. We’re not quite sure how they came up with the town name, but for the purpose of this list, we’re glad they picked something with a Z. Zwingle, IA 52079, USA

Obviously this Iowa A-z list just barely scratches the surface, (there are only 26 letters, after all) but it’s a good start! What are some things that you would add? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below! And definitely take a look at these extra fun facts about Iowa.

Joe Wolf/Flickr

The first automatic electronic digital computer, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, was invented at Iowa State College in 1942.

Jeff Lawson/Flickr

The charming, covered Bridges of Madison County were so beautiful, they inspired a movie which starred Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep!

GoIowaState.com/Flickr

Since 1894, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State University Cyclones have battled it out on the football field in their over-century old rivalry. At the end of the game, the winner goes home with the coveted Cy-Hawk trophy.

Jason Mrachina/Flickr

Life is Iowa is pretty sweet, and it is extra sweet in the capital, Des Moines , is also the largest city in the state, and a growing hub of business and culture. Recently, Des Moines was ranked as the richest capital city in the nation, and it was named the number one city for young professionals by Forbes.

Des Moines, IA, USA

futureatlas.com/Flickr

Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production, creating nearly 30% of all ethanol, or 3.9 billion gallons per year, according to the Iowa Promotion Board.

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

If you have never seen Field of Dreams, you’re not a very good Iowan. And if you have actually visited the filming site in Dyersville, then you get bonus points!

Dyersville, IA, USA

Michael Leland/Flickr

One of the most iconic American artists, Grant Wood, was born and raised right here in Iowa. He is most well known for his “American Gothic” painting, which is shown reproduced on this barn in Jones County.

Doug Kerr/Flickr

Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, was born in West Branch, Iowa. The Herbert Hoover Birthplace and childhood home is now a National Historic Landmark.

Justin Brockie/Flickr

Iowa’s professional baseball team, the Iowa Cubs, play at Principal Park in Des Moines. If you want to be considered a true Iowan, you should probably go to at least one of their games, even if you don’t like baseball!

John Jacobsen/Flickr

Western film star John Wayne was born Marion Morrison in a little house in Winterset, Iowa. The Duke’s childhood home is now open as the John Wayne Museum.

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

Keosauqua is one of the Villages of Van Buren, a cluster of tiny towns known for their historic charm and simple way of life.

Keosauqua, IA 52565, USA

The Loess Hills of western Iowa are formed by a clay-like substance called loess soil, and they run for 200 miles along the Missouri River. They are truly one of the most remarkable sights that you will ever see. In fact, the only other place you can see anything like this is in Shaanxi, China.

Loess Hills State Forest, Jackson Township, IA 51564, USA

rreihm/Flickr

These favorite loose meat sandwiches got their start in Muscatine, Iowa, when Fred Angell opened the first Maid Rite restaurant in 1926.

Phil Roeder/Flickr

The National Balloon Classic, which is held in Indianola each year, is a 9-day festival of hot air ballooning, fireworks, live music, and other fun.

Collin Ulness/Flickr

One of the “Iowa Great Lakes,” Okoboji is a favorite vacation spot for many Iowans, and is well-known for its gorgeous beaches and bright blue water.

Okoboji, IA 51355, USA

Michael Paul Willis/Flickr

Pikes Peak State Park is a gorgeous area overlooking the Mississippi River, and it happens to be one of the most photographed places in Iowa.

Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA

Adam Schweigert/Flickr

Barn quilts, more specifically. No matter where you drive, you’re sure to encounter one of these beauties on almost any barn you pass.

Randy Kasal‎/Facebook

Located in Marion County, you can get the best view of Red Rock Reservoir from the nearby Cordova Observation Tower.

Red Rock Dam, 1105 Co Hwy T15, Knoxville, IA 50138, USA

Jasperdo/Flickr

Surf Ballroom and Museum in Clear Lake is a Historic Rock and Roll Landmark that has seen many famous performers, most notably Buddy Holly, who played his last performance here before the tragic plane crash that killed him.

Surf Ballroom & Museum, 460 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake, IA 50428, USA

wdecora/Flickr

There’s nothing in the world like an Iowa pork tenderloin.

Ellen Macdonald/Flickr

The Upper Iowa River is one of the most beautiful places in the state, marked by the towering bluffs that sit on the river’s edge. The 156-mile long river runs through the cities of Chester, Lime Springs, Florenceville, Kendallville, Bluffton, and Decorah.

Iowa River Landing, Coralville, IA 52241, USA

Jonathunder/Wikimedia Commons

The Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum in Decorah is an absolutely amazing, premiere museum for anything Norwegian American. They were recently named one of the “15 Best Small Town Museums in the U.S” by Fodor’s.

Vesterheim Museum Store, 502 W Water St, Decorah, IA 52101, USA

Brooke Raymond/Flickr

Iowa is one of the states leading the nation in wind energy. In 2014, Iowa produced 28% of its electricity from wind power, which was the first in the nation, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

Roger Culos/Wikimedia Commons

Or, as normal people call them, cockleburs! These are those annoying little plants that get stuck to you when you go out hiking or hunting in Iowa.

Located in Allamakee County, Yellow River State Forest is a great place to do a little hiking, or maybe some camping, in one of Iowa’s gorgeous state forests.

Yellow River State Forest, 729 State Forest Rd, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146, USA

Jordan McAlister/Flickr

Zwingle is a tiny town in Dubuque and Jackson counties that has a population of around 91. We’re not quite sure how they came up with the town name, but for the purpose of this list, we’re glad they picked something with a Z.

Zwingle, IA 52079, USA

If this article has you wondering “what is living in Iowa like?” You might want to check out our list of reasons that you should want to live in Iowa. There is so much wonderful stuff about our state, and these ten reasons are just the tip of the iceberg.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Discovering Iowa December 30, 2022 Sara Dager Which are the best road trips through Iowa to take?  A great way to discover all that our beautiful state has to offer is by taking a road trip through Iowa. Pack up the car, call some pals to come along, and get on the road on some of these trips:

The Iowa Great Lakes road trip The Iowa waterfalls road trip The haunted Iowa road trip The Iowa ghost towns road trip The natural wonders in Iowa

  Are there any Iowa traditions I can follow to be a little bit more like the locals?  When you first enter Iowa, the locals may be doing a few things you don’t fully understand, but these are actually long-held Iowa traditions that you might want to take part in, such as

Storm chasing Doing the “farmer wave” Putting olives in beer Building butter cows The National Hobo Convention

  What classic Iowa foods do I need to try on my trip? You may not think first of Iowa when you are on the hunt for great cuisine, but you would be wrong, there are so many delectable classic Iowa foods out there to try, like:

Maid-Rite sandwiches Morel mushrooms Scotcheroos Rhubarb pie Breakfast pizza AND taco pizza Iowa chops

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Discovering Iowa

December 30, 2022

Sara Dager

Which are the best road trips through Iowa to take?  A great way to discover all that our beautiful state has to offer is by taking a road trip through Iowa. Pack up the car, call some pals to come along, and get on the road on some of these trips:

The Iowa Great Lakes road trip The Iowa waterfalls road trip The haunted Iowa road trip The Iowa ghost towns road trip The natural wonders in Iowa

  Are there any Iowa traditions I can follow to be a little bit more like the locals?  When you first enter Iowa, the locals may be doing a few things you don’t fully understand, but these are actually long-held Iowa traditions that you might want to take part in, such as

Storm chasing Doing the “farmer wave” Putting olives in beer Building butter cows The National Hobo Convention

  What classic Iowa foods do I need to try on my trip? You may not think first of Iowa when you are on the hunt for great cuisine, but you would be wrong, there are so many delectable classic Iowa foods out there to try, like:

Maid-Rite sandwiches Morel mushrooms Scotcheroos Rhubarb pie Breakfast pizza AND taco pizza Iowa chops

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

A great way to discover all that our beautiful state has to offer is by taking a road trip through Iowa. Pack up the car, call some pals to come along, and get on the road on some of these trips:

  • The Iowa Great Lakes road trip
  • The Iowa waterfalls road trip
  • The haunted Iowa road trip
  • The Iowa ghost towns road trip
  • The natural wonders in Iowa

 

Are there any Iowa traditions I can follow to be a little bit more like the locals? 

When you first enter Iowa, the locals may be doing a few things you don’t fully understand, but these are actually long-held Iowa traditions that you might want to take part in, such as

  • Storm chasing
  • Doing the “farmer wave”
  • Putting olives in beer
  • Building butter cows
  • The National Hobo Convention

What classic Iowa foods do I need to try on my trip?

You may not think first of Iowa when you are on the hunt for great cuisine, but you would be wrong, there are so many delectable classic Iowa foods out there to try, like:

  • Maid-Rite sandwiches
  • Morel mushrooms
  • Scotcheroos
  • Rhubarb pie
  • Breakfast pizza AND taco pizza
  • Iowa chops