Cheap Vacation Ideas

I am looking for some ideas for an inexpensive getaway that I can do by myself before I have to go back to teaching this fall. I am in Northwest Iowa at my parents house, and was thinking of jumping in the car for a few days and see where that takes me. Anyone have some cool places that they like to visit. I am a history teacher, if that helps as to things I might be interested in. Thanks for the info. Brad

Try the Amana's. Not far from Iowa City, they are rich in historical architecture and feature a couple of winerys, bake shop, Amana Woolen Mill, and a furniture shop. They are in the middle of tearing up their main street, but all of the shops are open and fun to wander through. Good luck! Jeri H.

If you're from NE IA; go to the Field of Dreams... it's not that far and I thought it was neat. Go to Dubuque and to the cable car... it was fun; or visit Belleview for my money the prettiest little river town around. (lots of stuff to do), the mill is neat (my ansestors built and ran it for quite awhile). There is sooo much history around here; check out the Jackson county and Clinton county tourism pamplets. Also Galena, or maybe House on the Rock for a day?! Come down a little south to Davenport and check out the Putnam, the River Museum and the IMAX. Just driving down Hwy 67 gives you an awesome view of the river. Just brainstroming... Paula

I am in dubuque.....there is a lot of history here......the field of dreams is in dyersville which is 20 minutes from dubuque.....we have anew river museum and aqauarium that is getting national reviews.....we have a new riverwalk along the mississippi that has a lot of interesting facts and stories all along the way.....the cable car is fun and gives a great view....it is the stepest cable car in america.....ummmmmm there are a lot of great things to do around here......there is the maquekota caves a hour half south of here.....an hour north of here right before you get to prairie du chein there is the spook caves.....it is a boat tour through some dark caves....it is fun, at some places you have to lay down in the boat to pass through the caves...it is located at an awesome campground if you are into camping......there is tons of fun places to check out from osage.....decorah is fun and beautiful.....rockford fossil cory is a fun and free day trip.......I know our museum is like $9 the cable car is 1.50 the spook cave is $9 bucks......all the other things are free.....we also have a paddle boat here the takes mulit daily sightseeing cruises up and down the mississippi....those are $14 for the 1.5 hour cruise....and you learn a little about the history of the mississippi and the barge systems etc......have fun and let us know where ya go!! Take Care Jesi

Hi Brad, Since you are in NW Ia hop in the car & go see the Grotto at West Bend, this is east of Cherokee a way. It's really beautiful & worth the trip. Also Yankton, SD is a great getaway seeing the dam & be sure to go to JoDeans to eat fabulous food! Hope you have fun. We are going to make a trip to the Grotto this month sometime haven't been there in a couple of years. Carolyn

Thanks for all of the replies. Being from Iowa, I tend to forget about some of these places to go. Once I decide what I am doing, I will let ya all know. Thanks Brad

Brad, Certainly let us know if you come near Davenport. I'm just a little north of there and some of our friends a little further north come this way to visit also. Whatever you do, have a blast! I'm thinking of doing one more mini-vacation before school starts also. When do you start back up? Do you teach high school age? I am a SpEd teacher - K-4th grade. I love what I do!!! God bless and have a great time! Andrea

Being from the "ICE CREAM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD" I am somewhat bias, but I know there are some wonderful places to visit in Sioux City. The Lewis & Clark center is a very interesting place to go.