Romantic Getaways in Iowa

Though Iowa is mainly known as a Midwestern state based on agricultural activity, it nevertheless possesses many attractions that would lure a couple away from the hectic bustle of city life. Historic mansions, extensive parks and thriving culture are only some of the facets of Iowa life that you would love exploring on your romantic getaway to the Hawkeye State.

Iowa City

Iowa City has all the conveniences of a large metropolitan area but maintains a small-town feel for couples who are looking to spend quality time with one another. The medium-sized Midwestern city, nestled along the scenic Iowa River, offers a variety of places for a romantic getaway. For outdoor enthusiasts, Iowa City is home to dozens of parks like City Park, Hickory Hill Park, Edgewater Park and Creekside Park. Many of the parks are connected by an intricate trail system, so you can leisurely stroll hand-in-hand through Iowa City. The longest trail, the Iowa River Corridor, is six miles long and meanders along the river. Many of the parks in Iowa City have picnic tables and cooking grills, if you prefer to prepare your own romantic meals.

Any romantic getaway must include at least one dinner at a fancy upscale restaurant and Iowa City will spoil you for choice. If you are feeling adventurous, head to the Atlas Restaurant, which offers a wide variety of international dishes made from local ingredients. Wine lovers should check out  Devotay where you can also enjoy a Spanish menu that includes tapas and paella. For more traditional upscale American cuisine including burgers and steak, drop in at Blackstone, which also serves brunch.

Once you are through with dinner, it is time to explore the nightlife of the city. Though not as trendy as New York City or Los Angeles, Iowa City nevertheless offers entertainment options including theater, live music and dancing to couples eager for a night about town. Culture lovers can go to watch a contemporary play at Iowa City's Riverside Theatre or a symphony performance at Orchestra Iowa. However if you are looking to enjoy live music in a more intimate setting, visit the Iowa City Yacht Club which offers a live band six nights per week. For a romantic nighttime stroll that will allow you to check out several nightlife spots, browse through the pedestrian mall in downtown Iowa City and you may find a place to boogie the night away.

Des Moines

Romance your sweetheart amidst the lovely environs of the Des Moines Botanical Center. Reputed for its huge collection of the Midwest's ornamental and native plants, this 14-acre center bordering the Des Moines River features a domed conservatory that houses over 1000 varieties of exotic plants from throughout the world. The center also has an impressive herb garden, tropical and desert plants, and one of the best bonsai collections in the country. Or you can hit the Clivewood Greenbelt Trail with your partner – an oasis of green one of the gems of the Western suburbs of Des Moines. You can easily walk, run, or bike almost any time of the day because it remains relatively uncrowded. Other outdoor attractions in Des Moines include Adventureland and the Blank Park zoo. The Des Moines Arts Center is a must-see for art lovers; this internationally acclaimed museum houses impressive works by artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe and Henri Matisse. History fans will of course gravitate to Salisbury House & Gardens,  a 42 room historic manor. Built between 1923-1928 by cosmetics pioneer, Carl Weeks and his wife Edith as a family home, the house is a 22,000 square foot Tudor, Gothic and Carolean manorial estate that was modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England.  The house is nestled atop 9.5 acres of pristine woodlands and manicured gardens and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. East Village is another quaint neighborhood in Des Moines which attracts out-of-town couples for its mix of rehabilitated buildings, higher end boutiques, quirkier stores and great options for eating and drinking regardless of time of day.

Cedar Rapids

Brucemore, Iowa's only National Trust Historic Site, is a favorite sightseeing destination of couples on a romantic getaway to Cedar Rapids. This 26-acre park-like estate in the heart of the town, boasts a delightful Queen Anne style mansion with 21-rooms. A hub for cultural, philanthropic, and educational activities, thousands of visitors flock here for musical events, fine arts performances, holiday celebrations, and garden walks that held on the estate each year. Other places of cultural interest are the Cedar Rapids Center of Art, African American Historical Museum, Ushers Ferry Historic Village and Masonic Library and Museum. After a tour of historical attractions, Head down to the US Cellular Center, where you can spend a day full of concerts, events, and family shows.

For outdoor enthusiasts, this town again offers loads of things to do ranging from strolling along the lovely Cedar River to practicing your swing with your beloved at any of the lovely golf courses in and around the city like the Stone Creek Golf Course, Cedar Valley Golf Course and the Washington Golf and Country Club. But lovers will especially the Indian Creek Nature Center where you can partake of  special events like Maple Syrup tapping and tasting or simply romance each other in the solitude and beauty of the trails.

Then there is nothing that spells romance like a cozy dinner at a fancy restaurant. And in this too, Cedar Rapids will not disappoint you. Daniel Arthur's is well known as being one of the best romantic restaurants in town with live music during dinner, and a wine list with over 30 choices. The décor too creates a beautiful ambience and includes lovely brick walls, fantastic wooden tables but on special days such as Valentine's Day, they have fancy table linen, center pieces, and new decorations, making this the place to woo your beloved. Again at Jiamen Innovative Asian Cuisine the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing, and a perfect place to bring a date, especially to try a different type of food than the steak and seafood which one normally finds in Cedar Rapids. A little out of town is the Iowa River Power Company. The romantic nature of this restaurant starts with the historical look and atmosphere this restaurant brings to the table, not to mention a romantic view of the Iowa River from most of the tables

Reiman Gardens, Aimes

Reiman Gardens is the largest public garden in Iowa and a must see for couples if you happen to pass through this part of the state. Situated on 14 pristinely planned acres, Reiman Gardens is one of the most stunning gardens in this part of the country and provides a spectacular entrance to Iowa State University's campus. The facility features 11 distinct gardens, as well as an indoor conservatory where you can take special tours or simply take in the beauty around you while strolling through the gardens with your beloved. If you wish you can extend your Aimes trip to an overnight stay since the lodging options in the town ranges from luxury hotels to pretty bed and breakfasts and quaint inns, all perfect for a romantic getaway.