Dexter, Iowa—population 611—was named after the famous trotting horse Dexter. It also became somewhat infamous after a 1933 shootout with members of the Barrow gang at a nearby amusement park.
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It’s been a little too long since my last big road trip, so next week I’m piling in the car with my family and heading east to visit relatives in Connecticut. Sure, it might be more practical to fly, but for quite few reasons, a road trip made the most sense…


If you would have told me a few months ago that one of the world’s most incredible handmade clock collections is located in a small northeast Iowa town, I’m not sure I would have believed you. But after stumbling upon Spillville’s Bily Clock Museum I was blown away.


Driving through Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District, it’s not difficult to imagine the hustle and bustle of the area’s industrial past. Located on the banks on the Mississippi River, one of the most intriguing parts of that history is Dubuque’s historic shot tower.


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I have a thing for old cemeteries. Not in a creepy, morbid way, but I love the intricate carvings and trying to find the oldest headstone…


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When we first started planning our road trip to Austin, one of the things I was most excited to see was the city’s thriving street art scene. Growing up in Chicago, I’ve always had a certain fascination with graffiti and various types of unexpected public art. So, along with a few World’s Largest things, we made stopping at some local street art favorites a priority during our May trip south…


Since I’m not an Iowa native, I didn’t grow up visiting the State of Iowa Historical Building or the Iowa Capitol on countless school trips, and for one reason or another, I’d never gotten around to going. That is, until recently.
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While it’s no secret that I love “world’s largest” things, I also can’t say no to an adorably small attraction. Recently while roadtripping through northeast Iowa, I took a detour to visit the St. Anthony of Pauda Chapel, which claims to be the world’s smallest church.


One of the best parts of exploring the Amana Colonies during the holiday season was our visit to the Tannenbaum Forest. Located inside the Festhalle Barn across from the Amana Visitors’ Bureau, it’s pretty hard not to feel jolly when you step inside the forest lit with hundreds of warmly growing Christmas lights…


I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I found an entry about L.J. Maasdam’s wheel art on Roadside America. Most of the photos were small and showed very little of what the sculpture actually looks like, but on a whim, we got off the highway. And I’m here to let you know: it’s better than you could imagine in person…


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Other than Kirsten the American Girl Doll or my love for Pippi Longstocking, I have no real ties to Sweden. And while I do love Swedish meatballs, I don’t have any real Swedish heritage.
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As a general rule, I wouldn’t say I’m the type of person who typically enjoys small, dark spaces, but a few weeks ago when we were in the area, a friend and I decided to make a trip to Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque, Iowa…
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[…] Downtown Dexter: Every time I pass through Dexter I’m charmed by its “downtown” area. And while the Dexter Museum has never been open when I’ve visited, I can only imagine the great, historic glimpse into small town life it offers. […]
[…] Downtown Dexter: Every time I pass through Dexter I’m charmed by its “downtown” area. And while the Dexter Museum has never been open when I’ve visited, I can only imagine the great, historic glimpse into small town life it offers. […]