No matter who you are, we all get overwhelmed sometimes. Whether we’re stressed about school, trying to pave your path in our careers, or dealing with some family tensions, sometimes we all just need to get away. When you need a break from it all, head to one of these quiet, peaceful places in Iowa and take some time for yourself.
- Pappajohn Sculpture Garden
Flickr / Phil Roeder The Pappajohn Sculpture Garden is one of the most peaceful urban parks in the country. You’ll find it filled with over two dozen stunning, larger-than-life sculptures, with plenty of room for walking, relaxing, and exploring these works of art.
- Lake MacBride State Park
Flickr / Tony Webster Lake MacBride State Park is full of trails that lead you through one of the most unique ecosystems in the state. Be sure to hike out to the waterfalls, where you’ll find a perfect spot to catch a sunset.
- Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge
Flickr / USFWS Midwest Traveling to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is like traveling back in time! You’ll find this unique spot shows off life on the prairie the way it was years before humans made their mark on the landscape.
- Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Flickr / DMichael Burns This beautiful botanical garden is one of the most serene spots in the Dubuque area. In a city that’s known for charm and relaxed culture, it’s truly a hidden gem.
- Pikes Peak State Park
Flickr / Scott Smithson Pikes Peak State Park offers one of the prettiest views in Iowa. Take in the enormity of the Mississippi River Valley from the overlook, where you’ll be able to sit and relax for as long as you’d like.
- Reiman Gardens
Flickr / Scott McLeod Reiman Gardens is another brilliant botanical garden in Iowa! This oasis is located in Ames, and it’s also home to the world’s largest gnome, so be sure to say hi while you’re walking the quiet paths.
- Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa
Flickr / Tom Gill
- Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Flickr / USFWS Midwest Here’s a cool place to enjoy in Iowa. Birdwaters and wildlife spotters love to come here to enjoy the open wetlands, which are so flat that the water flow changes based on the wind.
- Dunnings Spring Falls and Decorah Ice Cave
Tripadvisor / Ima P. Enjoy both a beautiful waterfall and a cave that stays frozen for most of the year at these sister parks near Decorah. The waterfall is a great place to relax and eat lunch, and the Cave park is one of the coolest (no pun intended!) in the Midwest. Be sure to bring hiking shoes!
- Effigy Mounds National Monument
Flickr / greenheron47 This quiet, sacred site is home to over 200 preserved Native American burial mounds. The trails that wind through this National Monument are quiet and peaceful, and the view from the park’s many overlooks will take your breath away.
- Backbone State Park
Flickr / Louis Backbone State Park is Iowa’s oldest state park, and there are miles of trails for you to explore. Try the Backbone Trail or hike down to the lake, where (once summer’s over) you’ll have a whole stretch of sand to yourself.
- Loess Hills Lavender Farm
Facebook / Loess Hills Lavender Farm The Loess Hills in general are one of the most peaceful areas in Iowa, and this lavender farm in Harrison County has picked the perfect location. Lavender itself will help you relax and unwind as you escape your everyday stresses.
If you’re looking for more than just a few hours of peace and quiet, maybe it’s time to contemplate a big change. Here’s a list of 10 Small Towns In Iowa That Offer Nothing But Peace And Quiet, and each of them would welcome you with open arms.
Flickr / Phil Roeder
The Pappajohn Sculpture Garden is one of the most peaceful urban parks in the country. You’ll find it filled with over two dozen stunning, larger-than-life sculptures, with plenty of room for walking, relaxing, and exploring these works of art.
Flickr / Tony Webster
Lake MacBride State Park is full of trails that lead you through one of the most unique ecosystems in the state. Be sure to hike out to the waterfalls, where you’ll find a perfect spot to catch a sunset.
Flickr / USFWS Midwest
Traveling to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is like traveling back in time! You’ll find this unique spot shows off life on the prairie the way it was years before humans made their mark on the landscape.
Flickr / DMichael Burns
This beautiful botanical garden is one of the most serene spots in the Dubuque area. In a city that’s known for charm and relaxed culture, it’s truly a hidden gem.
Flickr / Scott Smithson
Pikes Peak State Park offers one of the prettiest views in Iowa. Take in the enormity of the Mississippi River Valley from the overlook, where you’ll be able to sit and relax for as long as you’d like.
Flickr / Scott McLeod
Reiman Gardens is another brilliant botanical garden in Iowa! This oasis is located in Ames, and it’s also home to the world’s largest gnome, so be sure to say hi while you’re walking the quiet paths.
Flickr / Tom Gill
Here’s a cool place to enjoy in Iowa. Birdwaters and wildlife spotters love to come here to enjoy the open wetlands, which are so flat that the water flow changes based on the wind.
Tripadvisor / Ima P.
Enjoy both a beautiful waterfall and a cave that stays frozen for most of the year at these sister parks near Decorah. The waterfall is a great place to relax and eat lunch, and the Cave park is one of the coolest (no pun intended!) in the Midwest. Be sure to bring hiking shoes!
Flickr / greenheron47
This quiet, sacred site is home to over 200 preserved Native American burial mounds. The trails that wind through this National Monument are quiet and peaceful, and the view from the park’s many overlooks will take your breath away.
Flickr / Louis
Backbone State Park is Iowa’s oldest state park, and there are miles of trails for you to explore. Try the Backbone Trail or hike down to the lake, where (once summer’s over) you’ll have a whole stretch of sand to yourself.
Facebook / Loess Hills Lavender Farm
The Loess Hills in general are one of the most peaceful areas in Iowa, and this lavender farm in Harrison County has picked the perfect location. Lavender itself will help you relax and unwind as you escape your everyday stresses.
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