6 Must-Visit Agritourism Destinations in Iowa
Iowa leads the nation in corn production, but there’s more to the Hawkeye State than a single crop. It regularly sits among the leaderboard for soybean production and also produces an impressive amount of oats, rye, wheat and apples. If you want to discover more about the state and its booming agriculture industry, there’s no better place to start than this list of its top Iowa agritourism destinations.
Living History Farms
Living History Farms tells the story of the more than 300-year-old agricultural movement in Iowa, which transformed the prairie lands into bountiful farmland boasting some of the most plentiful harvests in the country. Full of interactive activities and walking trails, this museum spans more than 500 acres. You can even take a tractor-drawn cart ride from site to site, where you can learn firsthand from historic interpreters what it would have been like to make a living in agriculture over the course of the last 300 years.
See more: What’s Growing? Iowa Produce Calendar
Wildlife Lakes Farm
It isn’t every day that you get to visit an elk farm, but why not put it on your itinerary if you’re planning a trip to Iowa? Wildlife Lakes Farm offers the perfect backdrop for a curious agricultural detour. They produce everything from all-natural elk meat to life-size bronze elk statues and dog chews. Whether you want to get an inside look at life on an elk farm or purchase one of their many elk-related products, be sure to give them a call to arrange a visit.
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Summerset Winery
A list of top agritourism destinations in Iowa would be incomplete without at least one winery, and we’ve selected Summerset Winery in Indianola. This award-winning winery produces an impressive variety of bottles made exclusively with locally grown and harvested Iowa grapes. They offer wine tastings and tours, but you can also pop by to enjoy a glass of wine, a flight, or a bottle to take home or savor on the deck overlooking the vineyard.
Carroll Brewing
Carroll Brewing is a local brewery designed with easy-drinking ales and lagers in mind. In addition to their remarkable list of unique beers, the actual brewery is nestled away in a historic building downtown that is practically spilling over with industrial charm. Their taproom seats 100 people, and with 30 draft lines, you can be sure that everyone in your group is guaranteed to find something they’ll love. They’ve even been known to serve up some hard cider for those who are craving something a little different.
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Hansen Dairy
This family-owned creamery in Hudson has been in operation on the same property for more than 150 years, producing everything from milk and ice cream to cheese curds and butter. If you happen to find yourself in the area between April and October, you can schedule a bus tour that takes you on an adventure through the farm to see the cows and calves while learning all about what it takes to transform fresh milk into the variety of products we know and love. Visitors also get to enjoy a free bowl of ice cream at the end of the tour!
See more: 6 Annual Festivals That Make Iowa a Top Foodie Destination
Hawkeye Buffalo Ranch
Tucked away on 350 acres in northeast Iowa, Hawkeye Buffalo Ranch traces its heritage all the way back to 1854, when the family’s ancestors settled into a sod house and began the arduous and rewarding work of farming the land. Today they raise Hereford cattle and grass-fed bison, and they offer wagon tours so you can get up close and personal with these fascinating animals. Tours include learning about the history of the farm and bison, as well as the chance to hand feed some of the gentle giants who call this place home.