Kansan looking for 2008 vacation ideas in your state

We would like to go on vacation during spring break this year and am at a loss for what to do. Our oldest will be graduating so it may be the last time we all take a big trip together! Flying is really not an option with the size of our family (and budget). We are about equally split between liking outdoor activities and just lounging. A trip near outdoor activities but with nearby modern accomodations (from cabin up) would be ok. Trips over the years (to help with our interests) have included camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota, all things tourist in San Antonio, white water rafting in Colorado, all things tourist on the East coast from North Carolina to Massachusets, visiting family and doing tourist type things in Alabama and Minnesota. We try and do different things/places to reach all areas of the country. It has been a few years since we have been on a big trip together (too many teenagers with too many activites).

Do you have any suggestions for your state? Our kids are 12-18. Trip would be March 15 - 22, 2008

Kansan looking for 2008 vacation ideas in your state

My three favorite sights in Iowa are the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque; the Herbert Hoover Library in West Branch, and Living History Farms in Urbandale (Des Moines).

Your family%26#39;s tastes will be different. The Dubuque Aquarium is amazing, with a hotel and waterpark nearby. There is lots more to see in Dubuque.

The Hoover Library is just off I-80. He gets a lot of bad press as president. He was a much better engineer and philanthropist. Stanford University owes much of its greatness to him. Tributes from the Belgians he managed to feed during the Great War are particularly moving.

Save Living History Farms for another trip; it is closed from Labor Day to May 1.

http://www.rivermuseum.com/main.cfm

http://www.nps.gov/heho/

http://www.livinghistoryfarms.org/

Kansan looking for 2008 vacation ideas in your state

Kansan,

If it was a month or two later, I would suggest the Iowa Great Lakes. It is a series of Lakes that were formed from glaciers. There is the historcal: Gardner cabin, nautical history on the lakes including a steamboat, Rock %26#39;n Roll museum, one of the few wooden rollercoasters still around. There is also the lake with boats, skiing, jet skiing or in March, ice and snow (but a beautiful quiteness surrounds the area.)

Also in the Northwest Iowa area:

The Grotto in West Bend

Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Ice Cream tour

Or, for information regarding events going on in Iowa, check out the travel bureau website:

http://www.traveliowa.com

There are a lot of nice places to go in Iowa. Northeast Iowa has Pikes Peak State Park, (Very beautiful) among other nice places there. %26#39;Field of Dreams%26#39; movie site and Ertl toys in Dyersville. In central part of the state there is the Amana colonies, the bridges of Madison Co., the Boone Scenic railroad. In Des Moines, there is the Living History Farms, one of the most beautiful state capitals in the country, and a nice museum nearby. Lots more to do, but I just can%26#39;t think of anymore now.

You must try the Eagle Landing Bed and Breakfast in Marquette, Iowa. My husband and I go every year during leaf seasons (Sept. and Oct.) and hope to retire in this part of Iowa. The B%26amp;B sits right on the Mississippi River. The main house would probably accomodate your family or our love is the winery suite. We took our 2 small kids this year and it is a 2 room suite with room for a pull out downstairs. Connie and Roger and the best hosts you will every find and the breakfast around their large family table is outstanding.

After you fill your bellies, there are beautiful bluffs at Pike Peak and Effigie Mounds (Indian Burial grouds) that you must take in! Don%26#39;t be surprised to see Eagles and wildlife. Our first stop each trip is Pikes Peak were you can see miles of the Mississippi River. If you are wine lovers, Connie and Roger have their own winery and store up the street. Our favorite is the Rhode Red. Semi-Dry.

Be sure to book NOW if you are thinking about next March. There is a bridge right in Marquette that will take you to the Wisconsin side where you will find much to do in Prairie Du Chien. Our kids are begging to back to hike we will probably book a house boat next trip to take out on the river.

Best of Luck. You will not be sorry you visited Connie and Roger. We are heading there next weekend and I am so excited!

Hi: I would recommend checking into renting a canoe on our

rivers in the central east regin in the summer time. Check into

monticello and central city, iowa for some rentals,

We love the Decorah area in NE Iowa --- it has a thriving downtown, Norwegian heritage museum, and Luther College -great for fine arts! North of town is the Seed Savers foundation - savers of heirloom varieties of seeds, in an amazing setting. Continue north from there a few miles and discover the Willow Glen Nursury - one of our favorites. Keep heading north and venture about 20 miles into SE Minnesota to the villages of Harmony and Lanesboro --- fantastic bike trails, canoeing, cross country skiing, Amish businesses, b%26amp;b%26#39;s abound. We go back to this area over and over again -- you will find lots of local artists as well. Enjoy your trip!

Forget to mention, Iowa is cold in March and summer outdoors

is the best time to come.

I was raised in Kansas but now live in Iowa...Honestly, dont consider Iowa as a fun spring break spot..it is likely to be 10 degrees colder than Kansac City. Des Moines, Iowa is a ';mini'; kansas city with the same restaurants, shops, etc...Iowa is great in the summer months with Okoboji Lake and lots of outdoor activities but not much fun for teenagers during the cold months...try Nashville if you all like country music or even skiing in Colorado?? Hope you all have fun!

If you%26#39;re heading east:

• Coralville Reservoir spillway was flooded in %26#39;93 and when the water receded it took the topsoil, creating a fossil hunters paradise. Free and fun ... hiking in the area too.

• For the inner geek -- MacBride Hall at UIowa in Iowa City houses a freakish collection of stuffed and mounted animals in its natural history museum.

• I.C., Cedar Rapids and Des Moines all have worthy art museums.. DM%26#39;s Botanical Center has a biodome, if the weather turns on you.

• Kalona has its Amish population (due south of IC) although I hesitate to suggest a religion as tourist attraction.

• Southeast Iowa can be up to 15 degrees warmer. Burlington, the state%26#39;s first capitol is cute, has an indoor water park at Fun City (as well as bumper cars, lazer tag ... that kind of stuff)

• Fort Madison, south on the River Road, has Old Fort Madison, a recreated Indian Wars fort with reenactors (vastly underrated), Right across the river is Nauvoo, Ill., where the Mormons have rebuild the temple that was torched after they left for Salt Lake City. They also are rebuilding Old Nauvoo, an area of town where reenactors live as their ancestors had.

• Lake Geode, near B%26#39;ton, has a great path circling the lake (6ish miles) and camping.

• The Mississippi River. Get on it, get by it. If its cold, head down to Burlington and watch the eagles. It is pretty cool.

Have fun... Iowa really is underestimated as a vacation spot. The vistas always remind us of Ireland. And the local food scene is thriving in many towns as the state reembraces its roots.

Des Moines has added several very worthwhile attractions in recent years. The Science Center, the Iowa Hall of Pride, Living History Farms, etc. would all be doable in March. The state sports tournaments are going on at that time, though, so rooms could be at a premium. In western Iowa, there are some neat attractions in the Council Bluffs area that always seem to get overlooked, most notably the big Union Pacific railroad museum there. Just fantastic. Some of the nation%26#39;s last great hometown soda fountains are located in that area, including ones in Shenandoah and Sidney. (Your kids might get a kick out of the dirt collection at the Sidney museum, as well.) Check out www.essentialiowa.com for some ideas.