Jay’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Try the dinner train across a historic bridge in nearby Boone.
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Museo ferroviario Boone & Scenic Valley | Museo ferroviario James H. Andrew
225 10th StTry the dinner train across a historic bridge in nearby Boone.
The Blanden Art Museum's permanent collection includes the Ann R. Smeltzer Modernist collection of European and American painting and sculpture, the Harold D. Peterson collection of European and American prints, American photography, contemporary American art, Iowa artists, and Japanese screens and prints.
Blanden Memorial Art Museum
920 3rd Ave SThe Blanden Art Museum's permanent collection includes the Ann R. Smeltzer Modernist collection of European and American painting and sculpture, the Harold D. Peterson collection of European and American prints, American photography, contemporary American art, Iowa artists, and Japanese screens and prints.
the Fort Museum & Frontier Village is a privately owned non-profit museum showcasing the Fort Dodge, Iowa area's frontier roots in an amazing replica 19th century fort. With a collection of thousands of artifacts ranging from military memorabilia to Native American art and tools, there's so much to discover.
The Fort Museum and Frontier Village
1 Museum Rdthe Fort Museum & Frontier Village is a privately owned non-profit museum showcasing the Fort Dodge, Iowa area's frontier roots in an amazing replica 19th century fort. With a collection of thousands of artifacts ranging from military memorabilia to Native American art and tools, there's so much to discover.
Giardini Reiman
1407 University BlvdWorld's Largest Concrete Gnome
I have nothing more to say on this.
Santuario della Grotta della Redenzione
208 1st Ave NWUnbelievable
Maquoketa Caves State Park
9688 Caves RdFood scene
This grocery store excels in both service and quality. Their meat department is amazing. Stop and get a steak to grill out during your stay.
Fareway Grocery
1711 Hawkeye DrThis grocery store excels in both service and quality. Their meat department is amazing. Stop and get a steak to grill out during your stay.
Kick-ass food at unbelievably low prices. Focused on pork. I highly recommend the pork ribeye or the pork tenderloin. Great service and no waiting!
Lucky Pig Pub & Grill
113 West Walnut StreetKick-ass food at unbelievably low prices. Focused on pork. I highly recommend the pork ribeye or the pork tenderloin. Great service and no waiting!
Tom Thumb Drive In
1412 A St WBest local hamburger joint hands down.
Local Bar and Grill offering nightly specials and standard bar fare. Live music some nights as well!
Copperhead Saloon & Grill
Local Bar and Grill offering nightly specials and standard bar fare. Live music some nights as well!
Great local diner serving daily specials and awesome core items. Tenderloins and burgers are awesome!
The Bakin' Diner
Great local diner serving daily specials and awesome core items. Tenderloins and burgers are awesome!
Not bad for a Chinese restaurant in the middle of the country in a small town. I enjoy the Kung Pao and the Orange Chicken. Great crabmeat rangoon as well!
New China Restaurant
716 Story StNot bad for a Chinese restaurant in the middle of the country in a small town. I enjoy the Kung Pao and the Orange Chicken. Great crabmeat rangoon as well!
Nice Mexican style restaurant in Boone. Order the large margarita, it's bigger than your head!
La Carreta
1215 S Story StNice Mexican style restaurant in Boone. Order the large margarita, it's bigger than your head!
A small fast food Mexican food chain with a cult following. The line for the drive through often spills out in the street.
Taco Tico
319 S 29th StA small fast food Mexican food chain with a cult following. The line for the drive through often spills out in the street.
Great Japanese restaurant with sushi, tempura, teriyaki, udon and other Japanese favorites. Full Bar, takeout as well.
Fuji Japanese Steak House
1614 S Kellogg AveGreat Japanese restaurant with sushi, tempura, teriyaki, udon and other Japanese favorites. Full Bar, takeout as well.
Longstanding favorite in Ames - they smoke their own meat and it's amazing!
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Hickory Park
1404 S Duff AveLongstanding favorite in Ames - they smoke their own meat and it's amazing!
Activities
The Des Moines River is a popular place to canoe, kayak, or inter tube on a hot summer day. There is also hiking, fishing and areas to swim.
Des Moines River
6,500 acre state park with hiking, swimming, horseback riding, biking, boating, hunting, fishing and camping. Shelter reservations available.
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
2802 Brushy Creek Road6,500 acre state park with hiking, swimming, horseback riding, biking, boating, hunting, fishing and camping. Shelter reservations available.
Gypsum City OHV Park
2390 Mill RdLooks like FUN!
Living History Farms
11121 Hickman RdFarm + History = Cool
Parco Adventureland
305 Adventureland DrFUN FUN FUN!
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th StKing's Pointe Resort
water park!
The Iowa State Fair is one of the best in the country. Every kind of food on a stick, dueling chainsaw art, free entertainment, it's a blast. Ask me, I have fliers.
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Iowa State Fairgrounds
3000 E Grand AveThe Iowa State Fair is one of the best in the country. Every kind of food on a stick, dueling chainsaw art, free entertainment, it's a blast. Ask me, I have fliers.
Haunted Places
This western style saloon is in the building that used to be the Opera House in Dayton, Iowa. They have bar food, pool tables and a variety of drinks to wet your whistle. The place is thought to be haunted, and a conversation with the owner will get you more info. A local favorite.
Iron Saddle Saloon
39 South Main StreetThis western style saloon is in the building that used to be the Opera House in Dayton, Iowa. They have bar food, pool tables and a variety of drinks to wet your whistle. The place is thought to be haunted, and a conversation with the owner will get you more info. A local favorite.
Visitors have reported everything from a door opening and closing on its own, feeling chills and being pinched to hearing children laughing and playing with toys in empty rooms. Experience these sensations and more in the Villisca Ax Murder House, where eight people, including six children, were murdered in their sleep over 100 years ago by an unknown killer.
Villisca Axe Murder House
Visitors have reported everything from a door opening and closing on its own, feeling chills and being pinched to hearing children laughing and playing with toys in empty rooms. Experience these sensations and more in the Villisca Ax Murder House, where eight people, including six children, were murdered in their sleep over 100 years ago by an unknown killer.
Dating back to the 1900s, this fully restored Victorian Hotel in Strawberry Point will take visitors back in time with its vintage lobby, dining room and staircase. However, throughout its history it has attracted some visitors that refuse to leave. Many claim the hotel is home to two ghosts. One is a woman named Lily who wears a lavender gown and can be heard singing or moaning. She frequents what used to be her room, moving furniture to her preference and walking to and from the lobby. The other is a former merchant known as Leo, who operated the hotel's laundry for 30 years and can be heard ringing the hotel's old bell message system.
Franklin Hotel
102 Elkader StDating back to the 1900s, this fully restored Victorian Hotel in Strawberry Point will take visitors back in time with its vintage lobby, dining room and staircase. However, throughout its history it has attracted some visitors that refuse to leave. Many claim the hotel is home to two ghosts. One is a woman named Lily who wears a lavender gown and can be heard singing or moaning. She frequents what used to be her room, moving furniture to her preference and walking to and from the lobby. The other is a former merchant known as Leo, who operated the hotel's laundry for 30 years and can be heard ringing the hotel's old bell message system.
Voted as one of the top 10 most haunted theaters in the Midwest, the Cresco Theatre opened in 1915 and offers a 100-year history of live performances and modern motion pictures. While the theatre is still in operation, it is now home to some unwelcome guests. Visitors have witnessed what appear to be ghosts of vaudeville performers on the stage, while another lone ghost has been seen sitting in the theater while the lights are off, disappearing when anyone tries to approach. More unknown entities have been reported in the basement, where strange electrical disturbances occur and odd sounds and voices are heard when the Cresco theater is empty.
Cresco Theatre and Opera House
Voted as one of the top 10 most haunted theaters in the Midwest, the Cresco Theatre opened in 1915 and offers a 100-year history of live performances and modern motion pictures. While the theatre is still in operation, it is now home to some unwelcome guests. Visitors have witnessed what appear to be ghosts of vaudeville performers on the stage, while another lone ghost has been seen sitting in the theater while the lights are off, disappearing when anyone tries to approach. More unknown entities have been reported in the basement, where strange electrical disturbances occur and odd sounds and voices are heard when the Cresco theater is empty.
The Edinburgh property is more than meets the eye. Initially designed at a courthouse, the original building was redone in the mid-1800s to be a poor farm, where the poor, disabled and incurably insane farmed the land in return for room and board. Back then, farming was a dangerous task and many accidents and deaths resulted in the addition of a cemetery, where 80 former residents are buried. In 1910, the poor house was demolished, and the Edinburgh Manor built in its place. The new building housed the elderly and those with extreme mental illnesses and disabilities. Operation of the manor ceased in 2010. Today, the Scotch Grove building is open for tours and overnight stays, but be warned -- one of its spirits called "The Joker" is known to be violent, throwing plates across the room and attempting to choke visitors.
Edinburgh Manor
13241 E23 County Home RdThe Edinburgh property is more than meets the eye. Initially designed at a courthouse, the original building was redone in the mid-1800s to be a poor farm, where the poor, disabled and incurably insane farmed the land in return for room and board. Back then, farming was a dangerous task and many accidents and deaths resulted in the addition of a cemetery, where 80 former residents are buried. In 1910, the poor house was demolished, and the Edinburgh Manor built in its place. The new building housed the elderly and those with extreme mental illnesses and disabilities. Operation of the manor ceased in 2010. Today, the Scotch Grove building is open for tours and overnight stays, but be warned -- one of its spirits called "The Joker" is known to be violent, throwing plates across the room and attempting to choke visitors.
Built in the 1880s as the Malvern's first hotel, the building has since gone through various owners, once housing a nursing home and group home, before being bought by the current owner. Visitors to the property can schedule 30-minute guided tours Tuesday through Sunday for $10/person, or reserve the property for overnight paranormal investigations. Guests have reported seeing and hearing everything from shadow figures and voices to unexplained sounds like moans, screams and footsteps.
The Malvern Manor
Built in the 1880s as the Malvern's first hotel, the building has since gone through various owners, once housing a nursing home and group home, before being bought by the current owner. Visitors to the property can schedule 30-minute guided tours Tuesday through Sunday for $10/person, or reserve the property for overnight paranormal investigations. Guests have reported seeing and hearing everything from shadow figures and voices to unexplained sounds like moans, screams and footsteps.
Home to the menacing eight-foot-tall Black Angel statue, this Iowa City cemetery has been scaring late-night thrill seekers for decades. The statue watches diligently over the Feldevert family plot and was once a beautiful golden monument. It was installed in 1912 to mark the sorrow of Teresa Feldevert after losing her young son and husband. After Teresa's death in 1924, the statue mysteriously began turning black, starting with the eyes. Many theories surround this strange occurrence, including the belief that Teresa was secretly a witch and cursed the statue to protect the family's gravesite. Today, these legends are accompanied by the belief that touching, or even kissing, the angel will result in instant death. Visitors also report hearing ghostly voices and seeing strange light anomalies floating throughout the cemetery.
Oakland Cemetery
Home to the menacing eight-foot-tall Black Angel statue, this Iowa City cemetery has been scaring late-night thrill seekers for decades. The statue watches diligently over the Feldevert family plot and was once a beautiful golden monument. It was installed in 1912 to mark the sorrow of Teresa Feldevert after losing her young son and husband. After Teresa's death in 1924, the statue mysteriously began turning black, starting with the eyes. Many theories surround this strange occurrence, including the belief that Teresa was secretly a witch and cursed the statue to protect the family's gravesite. Today, these legends are accompanied by the belief that touching, or even kissing, the angel will result in instant death. Visitors also report hearing ghostly voices and seeing strange light anomalies floating throughout the cemetery.
Though Iowa has a strange collection of haunted roads, this is known as the scariest one. This stretch of gravel outside of Burlington comes with the story of a woman named Lucinda who reportedly threw herself off a nearby cliff after learning her husband left her. While locals avoid this road at night, it is a popular spot for ghost hunters. It is said that if you say Lucinda's name three times, her ghost will appear standing atop the cliff. But be warned -- should she lay a rose at your feet, legend says you will meet your demise the following day.
Stony Hollow Rd, Iowa, Stati Uniti
Though Iowa has a strange collection of haunted roads, this is known as the scariest one. This stretch of gravel outside of Burlington comes with the story of a woman named Lucinda who reportedly threw herself off a nearby cliff after learning her husband left her. While locals avoid this road at night, it is a popular spot for ghost hunters. It is said that if you say Lucinda's name three times, her ghost will appear standing atop the cliff. But be warned -- should she lay a rose at your feet, legend says you will meet your demise the following day.
Built in 1917 as a luxury hotel, the building was then closed in 1973 and sat abandoned for nearly a decade. In 1982, a local family purchased the property and restored it to the hotel it is today. However, the Ottumwa building reportedly houses several unwelcomed guests. In the basement, the apparition of a woman wearing white is often seen and the face of a man follows guests down the halls. Other apparitions have been seen throughout the building, often accompanied by sounds of breathing.
Hotel Ottumwa
Built in 1917 as a luxury hotel, the building was then closed in 1973 and sat abandoned for nearly a decade. In 1982, a local family purchased the property and restored it to the hotel it is today. However, the Ottumwa building reportedly houses several unwelcomed guests. In the basement, the apparition of a woman wearing white is often seen and the face of a man follows guests down the halls. Other apparitions have been seen throughout the building, often accompanied by sounds of breathing.
Known as a "textbook haunting," this home-turned-museum offers plenty of history and scares for visitors. The home's former owner, Mathias Ham, came to Dubuque in 1833 to take advantage of the steamboat business, where he met his wife and expanded this home to accommodate their six children. Throughout the years, several family members died in the home, including Ham, his first wife and their daughter May, as well as an intruder shot and killed by their daughter Sarah. Since being turned into a museum in 1964, employees and visitors have reported a variety of mysterious activities. While an apparition has never been seen, cold breezes randomly blow through the house, objects move unaided from room to room, lights flicker and disobey light switches and various sounds such as footsteps, scooting furniture and music from the inoperative organ can be heard.
Mathias Ham Historic Site
2241 Lincoln AveKnown as a "textbook haunting," this home-turned-museum offers plenty of history and scares for visitors. The home's former owner, Mathias Ham, came to Dubuque in 1833 to take advantage of the steamboat business, where he met his wife and expanded this home to accommodate their six children. Throughout the years, several family members died in the home, including Ham, his first wife and their daughter May, as well as an intruder shot and killed by their daughter Sarah. Since being turned into a museum in 1964, employees and visitors have reported a variety of mysterious activities. While an apparition has never been seen, cold breezes randomly blow through the house, objects move unaided from room to room, lights flicker and disobey light switches and various sounds such as footsteps, scooting furniture and music from the inoperative organ can be heard.
As the only three-story revolving jail ever built, the Squirrel Cage Jail already has an interesting history. Built in 1885 and used until 1969, today it is a museum and tourist attraction featuring many unexplainable occurrences. Visitors touring the Council Bluffs jail often report seeing or hearing several ghosts, including that of the jail's first resident and a young girl dressed entirely in gray. From opening and closing doors and strange lights to disembodied voices and apparitions, this historical building will be sure to give you the creeps.
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Squirrel Cage Jail
226 Pearl StAs the only three-story revolving jail ever built, the Squirrel Cage Jail already has an interesting history. Built in 1885 and used until 1969, today it is a museum and tourist attraction featuring many unexplainable occurrences. Visitors touring the Council Bluffs jail often report seeing or hearing several ghosts, including that of the jail's first resident and a young girl dressed entirely in gray. From opening and closing doors and strange lights to disembodied voices and apparitions, this historical building will be sure to give you the creeps.
Built in 1846, this quaint hotel was once used as a hospital and a station on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. With its rich history, the hotel is also rich in paranormal activity -- it is thought to be one of the most haunted inns in Iowa, with up to 100 spirits inhabiting it at any time. Some of these spirits include a boy on the landing of the stairs, a lady in a white night gown and an old man who stares at visitors.
Mason House Inn Bed & Breakfast
Built in 1846, this quaint hotel was once used as a hospital and a station on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. With its rich history, the hotel is also rich in paranormal activity -- it is thought to be one of the most haunted inns in Iowa, with up to 100 spirits inhabiting it at any time. Some of these spirits include a boy on the landing of the stairs, a lady in a white night gown and an old man who stares at visitors.
Banwell Bridge: There are many tales behind this rural bridge, but the most popular is rather gruesome. It is said that a woman brought her children to the bridge to watch the trains pass below. Instead, she threw each child over the bridge railings, watching as they were struck and killed before jumping in front of the train herself. Fort Dodge locals warn against stopping your car on the bridge without locking the doors and windows as the woman's spirit may try to throw you off. Visitors who are brave enough to exit their vehicles report seeing strange orbs, hearing voices in the woods or a woman moaning beneath the bridge and finding strange handprints on their car windows.
Fort Dodge
Banwell Bridge: There are many tales behind this rural bridge, but the most popular is rather gruesome. It is said that a woman brought her children to the bridge to watch the trains pass below. Instead, she threw each child over the bridge railings, watching as they were struck and killed before jumping in front of the train herself. Fort Dodge locals warn against stopping your car on the bridge without locking the doors and windows as the woman's spirit may try to throw you off. Visitors who are brave enough to exit their vehicles report seeing strange orbs, hearing voices in the woods or a woman moaning beneath the bridge and finding strange handprints on their car windows.
Built in 1873, the Independence State Hospital was used to hold alcoholics, geriatrics, drug addicts, the mentally ill and the criminally insane. On site, you can see the graveyard, hydrotherapy tubs and lobotomy equipment from the asylum’s gruesome and dim past. The old part of the building is neglected due to the large amount of paranormal activity. Ghosts of former staff and patients are seen in the buildings and on the grounds. People have reported being touched and pushed by unseen forces along with voices, whispers and laughter. Doors open and close on their own and phantom footsteps are heard. Lights have also been known to flicker or simply turn on and off.
Independence State Hospital
Built in 1873, the Independence State Hospital was used to hold alcoholics, geriatrics, drug addicts, the mentally ill and the criminally insane. On site, you can see the graveyard, hydrotherapy tubs and lobotomy equipment from the asylum’s gruesome and dim past. The old part of the building is neglected due to the large amount of paranormal activity. Ghosts of former staff and patients are seen in the buildings and on the grounds. People have reported being touched and pushed by unseen forces along with voices, whispers and laughter. Doors open and close on their own and phantom footsteps are heard. Lights have also been known to flicker or simply turn on and off.
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Know what to do if bad weather arrives
The midwest is known for powerful storms and sometimes tornadoes. Knowing what to do when one of these forces of nature arrives can help keep you and your family safe.
In the event of a storm
Storms occur often in the midwest. Most storms contain strong wind and rain. When these happen, stay inside and keep the windows and door shut.
Bring an umbrella to keep yourself dry.
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When storms contain lightning and thunder
Storms may contain lightning and thunder. Thunder can be scary, especially for small children. Thunder in and of itself is not dangerous, but the lighting that almost always ensues can be. Watch for the flash after you hear the thunder and start counting. The quicker the lightning strikes, the closer the event is to you physically. Stay inside if you see lightning. Although very rare, there is a small chance that you could get struck.
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Tornados
Tornadoes occur when a warm front of air meets a cool front of air. The result is a swirling mass of wind that can destroy everything in its path for miles. It's important to know what to do when a tornado strikes.
Listen to the local weather to hear the latest news. A tornado watch means that the conditions are there for a tornado to form. A tornado warning means that there has been one sited and that you should take cover. If there is a warning, please move to the storm shelter directly outside the accommodations.
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The night sky
See deep into the sky without any light pollution. Ask me to turn out the yard light on a clear night and you will be amazed at what you see.