1. Iowans Have Unlocked The Secret To Great Food—Fry Everything
When you move to Iowa, you learn real fast that everything—and I mean everything—is better fried.
Fried Oreos, fried Twinkies, fried butter. Yes, fried butter on a stick at the Iowa State Fair is nothing short of amazing. So if you’re a calorie counter, get over it before you move to Iowa.
2. There’s No Better Place To Get Your Fried Grub On Than The Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair is just downright the best state fair in the country. Not only are there delicious fried foods, quintessential fair rides, and amazing vendors up the wazoo, but there are also butterstatues.
So, while you’re enjoying your fried butter on a stick, you can hang out with a butter statue of Harry Potter. Seriously.
3. The Only Thing Better Than Fried Food Is Iowa’s Fresh Fruit At The Farmers Market
While there are a ton of amazing farmers markets in the state, the Des Moines Farmers Market is filled with healthy, farm-to-table food options and plenty of fun and games.
Eat delicious food that’s made with locally sourced, natural ingredients or buy your own fresh corn, apples, strawberries, and pretty much any other fruit or vegetable you can think of.
Plus, the farmer’s market is filled with great knick-knacks, jewelry, handbags, and clothes, too!
4. Scotcheroo Is The Only Dessert Iowans Will Ever Need Or Want
Scotcheroo is an amazing, wholesome Iowa snack that basically defines an Iowan’s childhood.
It’s peanut butter, rice krispies, and chocolate: what more could a kid want? But, not to worry, it’s not just for kids: bring a plate of scotcheroo to a college party and it’ll be a crowd pleaser like none other.
5. Iowa Has Every Kind Of Scenery You Could Ever Dream Of
Let’s be real, Iowa is beautiful. People think it’s just miles and miles of cornfields, but Iowa is also surrounded by rolling hills, prairies, rivers, lakes, and woods.
In Iowa City alone there are 41 public parks that will give you an array of Iowa’s scenery—drive one way for an hour (yes, an hour: Iowa measures distance in hours, not miles) and you’ll be in the prairies.
Another hour in the opposite direction and you’ll see cities and rivers. This is the best part of being an Iowan: You get the best of all worlds when it comes to scenic beauty.
6. Homecoming In Iowa Is A Red Carpet-Worthy Event
Iowans love their homecoming. And it’s not just the students that attend homecoming that get super pumped for the big day—the entire town is involved in the grand event.
Depending on where you are in Iowa, people will call it different things, but there are homecoming “walk-ins” or “grand marches” that go on all over the state during homecoming season. During these “marches” or parades, each homecoming couple is announced over a loudspeaker individually while the whole town watches the parade on a small-town red carpet.
Basically, for one night each year, Iowa towns turn into Hollywood.
7. Iowa Has It’s Own Tour De France—And It’s Spelled R-A-G-B-R-A-I
The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa is the largest bike touring event in the world—step back, Tour De France, you’re small potatoes compared to what Iowa has to offer!
But RAGBRAI isn’t just an awesome bike tour that promotes exercise and well-being, it’s also a giant party. As riders bike across the state, RVs and buses caravan and Iowans from all over the state participate along the way. Not only do sales of power bars increase, but alcohol sales increase as well. Surprise, surprise 😉
8. Nothing Matters More Than Iowa-Iowa State Football
If you’re an Iowan, you’ve been raised on the Cyclones or the Hawkeyes—and no matter who you root for, you know there’s nothing more important than the Cy-Hawk Series, or, as it’s more popularly known as, the “Iowa-Iowa State” football game.
This rivalry is just as much fun as it is intense. And when I say intense, I mean it. You may even want to avoid Facebook during the series to avoid losing friends, ruining relationships, or destroying your marriage. Things get dirty with this rivalry, so if you’re new to series, choose wisely.
9. Buying Corn From Strangers On The Side Of The Road Is Not Weird, It’s Encouraged
Farm-fresh Iowa sweet corn with a little butter and salt is by far the best thing you’ll ever taste.
While driving on the long, straight roads through the prairies and cornfields of Iowa, you’ll definitely see farmers on the side of the road selling their fresh corn. And if you love yourself at all you will stop and try some of this corn. It’s unbelievably delicious.
10. There’s Only One Place To Get Your Groceries, And That’s Hy-Vee
Some places have Piggly-Wiggly. Others have Publix. But Iowa knows they have the best because they have Hy-Vee.
Hy-Vee is the only grocery store around with a “smile in every aisle”—the people that work there are not just normal friendly, their Iowa friendly. And that’s saying a lot. They’ll help you with your groceries, and probably also help you with your life crises. They’re just that good.
11. You Can’t Talk Iowa Without Talking Morel Mushrooms
The first time you see a morel mushroom, you might mistake it for a bee’s honeycomb or an alien brain. But these delicious mushrooms are a staple of any Iowan’s diet.
There are even Iowans who call themselves Morel hunters who “hunt” these delectable mushrooms down for the greater good of Iowa.
Iowa morels even have their own Facebook page. This is serious business, people.
12. Iowans Need Their A/C And Their Heat On The Same Day
Iowa weather is unpredictable and fickle—it can rarely make up its mind, so get used to never knowing what the weather will be next. You’ll be scraping ice off your car in the morning and turning the A/C on by the afternoon when it’s 70 degrees and sunny.
Every true Iowan keeps sweatshirts, shorts, hats, scarves, gloves, and all other articles of clothing in their car at all times… just in case!
13. Maid-Rite Sandwiches Make Iowans’ World Go Around
Maid-Rite is a delicious food franchise that started in Iowa. Known for their Iowan version of a sloppy joe, this delicious “loose hamburger” is one of the best parts about living in Iowa.
Ask any Iowan what their top five favorite things in the world are and just below the Iowa-Iowa sports rivalry and some sweet corn will be a maid-rite sandwich.
14. Fishing on the Missouri River in Sioux City Will Make Your Life Complete
The Iowa way is to chill and be chill. And, to an Iowan, there’s nothing more relaxing than taking a boat out on the Missouri River, which runs through Sioux City, Iowa.
Kick back with some friends, a few beers, and your fishing line and it will make for a perfect afternoon.
15. Have An Adventure At Adventureland
The film, “Adventureland,” brought some attention to awesome amusement parks, especially the actual Adventureland in Des Moines. This amusement park is a huge part of an Iowan’s childhood, but it’s also a guilty pleasure for adults.
There are amazing rides, great food, fun people, and events and shows going on all the time. You can even camp out on the grounds, so if you don’t feel like having all of your adventures in one day, you can stay at the park.
16. If “Field of Dreams” Isn’t Your Favorite Movie, Get Out
The field from the popular baseball movie, “Field Of Dreams” Is in Dyersville, Iowa. And Iowans love the movie. People often visit the farms (they used two farms to film the movie to make sure they always had a good angle for the sunset) to check out the Iowa baseball diamond that made movie-history.
17. The Best Breakfast Is At The Ox Yoke Inn in Amana
This German restaurant makes delicious food—delicious enough to be featured on the Food Network.
While people love this place for their German chocolate cake, and their locally brewed beer, the breakfast here is surprisingly incredible. You can get some of the best pancakes in Iowa at Ox Yoke. This family owned, family-style restaurant will make your day.
18. The Only Kind Of Potato Chips Are Sterzing Potato Chips
Idaho may be known for its potatoes, but it’s Iowa that has a lock on top notch potato chips. And all Iowans know the only kind of potato chips that are worth a dime are Sterzing Potato Chips.
Produced and distributed in Burlington, Iowa, these delicious treats are a staple of any true Iowan household. A bag of Sterzings + Iowa craft beer = perfection.
19. Iowa Is The Place Where Future Presidents Shake Your Hand and Kiss Your Baby
Every four years, Iowa Caucuses are held all around the state and mark the beginning of election season. And Iowans love being front and center for the festivities. Iowa is perhaps one of the only places you can casually drink a beer over a shared Fried Twinkie at the Iowa State Fair with the future president of America.
Pretty much every Iowan has had a presidential candidate shake their hand and kiss their baby.
20. Iowans Love Bacon So Much, They Have Festivals For It
Iowa is the No. 1 hog-producing state in the country and pigs actually outnumber people 3-1. There are just over 3 million residents in the state, but more than 20 million hogs. Yeah, that’s a lot of pig.
People love their bacon so much, they have a festival for it in Des Moines each year: The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival—which is basically an excuse to eat bacon and drink beer. During the festival, the state also crowns a Bacon Queen, a Pork Queen and a Pork Princess.
21. The Walking Ched Burger at Zombie Burger Are To Die (And Come Back To Life) For
Zombie Burger in Des Moines has some incredibly creative burger options, but their gooey, delicious Walking Ched burger definitely takes the cake.
There’s nothing dead about it: it’s deep-fried and breaded mac and cheese with fresh beef, a cheese bun, bacon, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and mayo. It is holy cow incredible and sums up, in a nutshell, just how awesomely delicious Iowa can be.
22. No Matter What Your Impression Of Iowa, This State’s Art Scene Is A Masterpiece
Iowa isn’t all pigs and corn. It also has some incredible artists and creative types.
You can see some of the state’s best artwork at the Iowa Arts Festival in Iowa City, where everything from salsa dance to painting to culinary arts are celebrated by people from all over the state.
A ton of emerging Iowa artists enjoy getting the chance to display their art to the masses, and the festival brings awareness to the diversity of art and culture in the state.
23. And It’s Also Filled With Theater Geeks
The Englert Theater in Iowa City playhouse has the architecture of the Vaudeville era, while still maintaining a modern atmosphere that encourages theater and the arts. It’s a great place for local artists and theater geeks alike to celebrate the local music and theater culture.
You can watch live performances here, or enjoy an art exhibit, or watch a great local band put on an amazing show. Regardless, Englert is where its at.
24. And—Let’s Not Forget—The Poets!
Many people do not realize just how cultured Iowans really are. In fact, the best writers program in the country, Iowa Writers’ Workshop, is located at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. It’s a graduate creative writing program that many influential and world-renowned writers have attended, such as Kurt Vonnegut, Louise Gluck, and Robert Lowell. Yeah, Iowa’s got writer swag.
25. NewBo City Markets Is So Bohemian
The NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids is an all-year market where you can buy locally grown, specialty foods, meat, seafood, or delectable baked goods.
Located in Cedar Rapid’s New Bohemia neighborhood, the hippie vibe of the market will surely rub off on you. But is that so bad?
Plus, the market holds festivals, flea markets, concerts, and even cooking classes. It’s constant source of entertainment—and deliciousness.
26. It’s All Downhill—At Snake Alley In Burlington
Iowa is home to the windiest road in the entire world—Snake Alley in Burlington. The street was designed to link the downtown area with the shopping district. Because of the angle of the road and the sharp curvature of the turns, it is restricted to one-way traffic only—and that traffic is all downhill.
So get in the car, buckle-up, and take a ride down the windiest road in the world. Just try not to accelerate too much—you’ll make yourself dizzy!
27. Sail The West Okoboji Lake
There’s nothing more peaceful than sailing the Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County. Part of Iowa’s own collection of “Great Lakes,” this lake is truly great: it’s 3,847 acres of wonderment and it’s absolutely breathtaking.
While there are all sorts of fun things to do on the lake, one of the best things to is to sail the lake’s expansive waters.
28. Have A Cone At the World Capital Of Ice Cream
The ice cream capital of the world is located in Le Mars, Iowa. This city is home to Wells Dairy, which is well-known for its line of delicious Blue Bunny ice cream treats.
Blue Bunny makes all sorts of delicious flavors of ice cream, but their classic chocolate covered vanilla ice cream cones are by far some of the best treats they have to offer. Nothing says Iowa like a Blue Bunny ice cream cone.
29. Fong’s Takes Pizza To The Next Level Of Awesome
Fong’s Pizza in Des Moines brings an entirely new twist to classic pizza recipes: it’s Chinese food in pizza form.
They’ve made it on to the Food Network for their famous Crab Rangoon pizza, which combines traditional pizza with traditional Chinese food.
This place is just one more example of how Iowa pushes the norm to new levels of awesome.
30. B & B Groceries Is The Way To Be
The pork tenderloin sandwiches at B & B are one of the best parts of living in Iowa. Not only is this grocery store a family-owned business with great service, but the deli is killer (yeah, that explains the name of their deli sandwiches: killer sandwiches…)
What do you love about living in Iowa? Leave a comment and let us know!
