Interested in visiting Iowa on a travel nursing assignment? From its scenic farmland to its year-round outdoor recreation, this Midwestern state is a great travel nursing destination with everything from rural travel assignments to opportunities in larger cities. Learn more about the Hawkeye State in our Iowa travel guide!
One of the best ways to prepare for an upcoming travel nursing assignment is to get a feel for your new location before you arrive. Below, we’ve outlined important things to know about living in Iowa, including how to get around, major regions, local weather, and more.
Because of the state’s location on the Great Plains, Iowa’s climate has four distinct seasons. This means you can expect more rainfall, humidity, and storms in the summer, with snowfall, ice, and below-zero temperatures in the winter.
While preparing for your trip to Iowa, pack seasonally appropriate clothes to make the most of your travel experience. With proper attire, you’ll be able to enjoy everything the Hawkeye State has to offer, regardless of the time of year.
Whether you’re planning to drive yourself, want to use public transit, or need airport access during your Iowa travel nursing assignment, there are many transportation options available.
Wherever your travel assignment is in Iowa, there’s something to enjoy about each of the state’s seven major regions.
Many consider spring and fall the peak seasons to visit Iowa, since the weather at this time of year is milder than the hot, humid summers and cold, icy winters. That said, there are all kinds of things to do in Iowa throughout the year.
During the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, outdoor recreation in Iowa is more comfortable than during times of year with more extreme weather. It’s the perfect time for enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and camping.
Summer, despite its hot temperatures, is still a great time to visit Iowa, as this is the season when visitors can experience some of Iowa’s best festivals and events.
Meanwhile, the snowfall brought in by Midwest winters opens up a whole new side of outdoor fun, including skiing and snowboarding at Iowa resorts.
Whether you’re researching cities to visit during your time off or want to learn more about where you’ll be spending your travel nursing assignment, here’s what you need to know about some of the most popular travel destinations in Iowa.
Des Moines is Iowa’s capital city and the state’s most populous city. It offers a wide range of things to do, including arts, culture, dining, shopping, local sports, and festivals.
An arts and cultural hub in the Heartland, Cedar Rapids offers a wealth of performing arts venues, museums, and more. Cedar Rapids is also the second most populous city in Iowa.
Part of the Quad Cities along the Mississippi River, Davenport is a major economic and cultural hub in Iowa, boasting several urban amenities and attractions, as well as a robust downtown.
The oldest city in the state, Dubuque is known for its arts and history. It’s also located along the Mississippi River, offering plenty of opportunities for waterfront recreation.
Whether it’s the vibrant local sports scene, nationally recognized historic district, or natural beauty that surrounds it, Iowa City has some of the best attractions in the Hawkeye State.
Sometimes called “Little Chicago,” Sioux City is an urban hot spot in the heart of the Great Plains, where visitors can find great shopping, restaurants, and more.
Part of the larger Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area, Waterloo is a Northeast Iowa city that blends urban amenities and small-town charm with rural outdoor recreation.
Wherever your Iowa travel nursing assignment takes you, there’s something for everyone in the Hawkeye State. Here are some of the best things to do for traveling nurses working in Iowa.
One of the most iconic things to do in Iowa is attend the Iowa State Fair. This internationally acclaimed experience is the largest event in Iowa, featuring everything from live music to shopping—and, of course, delicious fair food.
Go on rides and other attractions at Thrill Ville. Head to the Grandstand for musical performances from nationally known acts and small artists alike. Check out art and sculptures like the famous Butter Cow. Or try fairground treats like fried Oreos, funnel cake, and more from dozens of vendors.
With its rich agricultural industry, it’s no surprise that farmers markets are a popular thing to do in Iowa from May through October. There are many such markets to be found throughout the Hawkeye State, with some even earning national recognition for their quality and size.
Head to the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market in Des Moines for farm-fresh produce, art, and more. Enjoy the farmers market experience all year at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids, where you’ll find great artisanal goods, culinary classes, and more. Visit the state’s longest-running farmers market May through October at the Dubuque Farmers Market in Dubuque, where you can shop for jellies and jams, local produce, and more. Or shop, enjoy live music, and browse art from local makers at the Sioux City Farmers Market in Sioux City.
Did you know Iowa is home to the filming location of the 1989 blockbuster movie Field of Dreams? Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville is a must-see stop during your trip to the Hawkeye State.
In addition to being a piece of film history, the location is still a functioning baseball field, where the Ghost Players entertain people of all ages with their sports-comedy act: Ghost Saturdays. General admission is free, but a VIP ticket will get you additional offerings, such as seating on the farmhouse porch, a hot dog meal, private entrance to the Field of Dreams Farm House, an autographed baseball, and more.
Another piece of Iowa film history, the Bridges of Madison County are more than just the inspiration for the 1995 movie of the same name. This collection of historic covered bridges is a fantastic sightseeing spot for locals and visitors to the Hawkeye state alike.
Each of these bridges has its own unique look, from the Imes Bridge in St. Charles to the Cutler-Donahoe Bridge at City Park in Winterset. Go for a ride along the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway by bike or car leading to the famous covered bridges, as well as other Iowa sightseeing spots, like the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum.
With its beautiful Great Plains landscapes, Iowa is home to dozens of state parks where visitors can camp, hike, fish, and enjoy other outdoor recreation.
Experience the beauty of the Loess Hills at the stunning Preparation Canyon State Park in Monona County, featuring ten hike-in campsites and rugged yet scenic trails. Explore a cave system with more individual caves than any state park, including the 1,100-foot Dancehall Cave, at the unique Maquoketa Caves State Park near Maquoketa. Head to Wildcat Den State Park, one of the most photographed parks in the state, in Muscatine County to view unique historic sites like the 19th-century Pine Creek Grist Mill. Or go swimming, bird-watching, or hiking on the five-mile crushed limestone trail at the largest state park in Iowa, Lake MacBride State Park near North Liberty.
Since the Hawkeye State is bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River to the west—with plenty of lakes, rivers, and streams between—getting out on the water is another fun way to enjoy the great outdoors when traveling to Iowa.
Go fishing, kayaking, or boating in Iowa’s Great Lakes region, including East and West Okoboji, Big Spirit Lake, and other bodies of water throughout Northwest Iowa. Catch a ride across West Okoboji Lake on the Queen II, a historic excursion with an open-air upper deck and enclosed lower deck in Arnolds Park. Head from LeClair to Dubuque on a day cruise down the Mississippi on the Riverboat Twilight. Or try your hand at whitewater rafting at Manchester Whitewater Park in Manchester.
There are tons of great events and festivals in Iowa year-round, so you’re sure to find something going on no matter when you’re visiting the Hawkeye State.
Take on the cycling challenge or watch among the spectators during the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), an eight-day group bike ride across the state. Get a taste of a variety of different bacon, beer, and other treats, as well as live music and more at the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines. Experience an Iowa event that has been going on for more than 40 years, featuring visual artists, live music, drinks, food, and more at the Iowa Arts Festival in Iowa City. Celebrate Czech culture at Houby Days in Cedar Rapids with folk dance performances, a parade, live music, and Czech-inspired dishes. Or enjoy free live music in an open-air setting every mid-May through September at the Friday Night Concert Series in Iowa City.
As a major hub for livestock and agriculture, it’s no surprise that there are so many top-notch restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries in Iowa.
Try dishes made with locally sourced beef like the 14-ounce New York Strip at Main+Abbey in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City. Sample Asian fusion dishes like Asian Pear Chicken Salad or unique pies like the Crab Rangoon Pizza at Fong’s Pizza in Des Moines. Order a cone or dish of ice cream in your choice of flavor at the home of Blue Bunny: Wells Dairy Ice Cream Parlour in Des Moines. Visit several great Iowa breweries, each offering their own unique brews and vibes, along the Cedar Falls Beer Trail in Cedar Falls. Or check out the Mystery Dinner Theater experience while sampling fine wines at Stone Cliff Winery in Dubuque.
Interested in visiting Iowa as a travel nursing destination? With travel jobs available through TRS Healthcare in cities like Sioux City, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and more, visiting the Hawkeye State is an excellent way to grow your travel nurse career!
Healthcare facilities where we have travel assignments in Iowa include (but are not limited to):
View current travel nurse job openings in Iowa, or apply with TRS Healthcare now to start your next travel assignment!
