Slog
News & ArtsWednesday, April 14, 2010
Homo / News / At Large Rewarding Iowa
Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Apr 14, 2010 at 10:43 AM
So same-sex marriage is legal in Iowa and has been for a more than year now. Efforts to ban same-sex marriage in Iowa have stalled and many Democratic politicians and candidates are sticking their necks out for us. Seems to me that teh gays should reward Iowa by—I hope you're sitting down—visiting the state and spending some of our big gay tourist dollars there. Yes, yes—I know. Iowa. No beaches, no big cities. But the Midwest in the summer has its charms. There are lots of pretty little towns along the Mississippi. (Check out Clinton, Iowa, sometime.) And if someone wanted to organize something big—well, big for Iowa—this story in today's New York Times suggests one possibility:
Perry’s fortunes dived in the late 1970s, when the Milwaukee Road, the last of the rail lines that sustained the town from its founding in 1869, was shut. But rather than trying to land one big project or employer, in the 1990s Perry embraced a development strategy based on adding recreation, lodging, education and clean energy to its traditional strength in livestock agriculture.... From the corner of Second and Otley, Perry’s multipronged efforts are apparent. The Raccoon River Valley Trail, a 89-mile bike path that ties downtown Des Moines to Perry and, farther on, to Jefferson, runs down Otley Avenue. The last half-mile section in Perry will be paved this month at a cost of $100,000, financed by the state.Across the square is the Hotel Pattee, an elegant 40-room, full-service hotel where rooms are modestly priced by big city standards, typically around $140. The hotel closed for two years in 2006 after a renovation in the late 1990s financed by Roberta Green Ahmanson, a wealthy native daughter, that city leaders said cost an estimated $20 million. In 2008 the hotel was reopened by Steven C. Olson, the chief executive and president of Leisure Hotels... Mr. Olson said in an interview that the hotel had indeed lost $400,000 over the last two years, but that he expected to break even by the start of next year. Part of the reason is that the completion of the Raccoon bike trail should encourage more of Des Moines’s athletic young professionals and couples to spend summer weekend evenings in his hotel. “We see the trail as a marketing opportunity,” Mr. Olson said.
Des Moines—where I was once briefly incarcerated—is an interesting city with corn-fed gay boys (and a couple of actual gay bars) and tons of straight people who are thrilled when people drop by in between the Iowa caucuses. If teh gays got together and booked a block of rooms in a hotel in Des Moines on a Thursday night and bought out the Hotel Pattee for the rest of the weekend, I'd fly in—instead of over—for that. Ride the Raccoon River Valley Trail from Des Moines to Perry on Friday, spend the night (and some money) in Perry that night, ride to Jefferson on Saturday morning, have lunch, ride back to Perry, spend the night (and more money), ride back to Des Moines on Sunday morning, fly home. The Midwest—the warm, green, flat Midwest—is a lot more scenic than folks who've never been assume. And Iowa deserves our support.
Anyone else interested? (By which I mean: anyone interested in doing all the work so that I can blow into town and enjoy a nice bike ride through the cornfields? And spend my gay tourist dollars, of course.)
UPDATE: There's a website, and a video...
Looks pretty—not a single pig-manure lagoon in sight.
1
For sure! Another awesome set of spots in Iowa include the MOUNDS! There used to be mounds all over the midwest, but most were tilled over for agriculture. Iowegians preserved a few in some parks along the Mississippi, and all humans living in North America should experience them. :)
2
(insert sound of car coming to a screeching halt)
"where I was once briefly incarcerated"
Huh? Do tell...
"where I was once briefly incarcerated"
Huh? Do tell...
3
As a proud Iowan, I can confidently suggest Iowa City as an ideal setting as well: quaint pedestrian mall, liberal folk, divided by a beautiful river, great food. Thanks for posting this, Dan.
4
Promising lots of gays to visit somewhere because they passed gay rights might not be that helpful to the cause. I think you might get better results by promising lots of gays to come to somewhere like Itawamba, Miss.
5
Other places with great rails-to-trails: Cedar Rapids to Waterloo, where you could be incarcerated by another Savage brother if you don't play your cards right. Nice minor-league ballparks all over Iowa, especially in Davenport (Quad Cities) right on the Mississippi, and Cedar Rapids. Clinton is kind of a dump, actually, but has one of the oldest minor league ballparks in the country.
6
I've visited Iowa City twice—to give talks, in the middle of winter. And I loved it there in the winter. Imagine how lovely it would be in the summer!
8
fantastic idea. ride for equality. and be sure to invite the gay friendly relatives and pals and the gay parented kiddies.
it's the milwaukee road, call it a freedom ride, invoke the pioneers.
lots of USA flags.
oh and while you're there, pick out a few super liberal candidates and give them some monay.
you could also organize promise keeper meetings at which committed gay couples could give free advice to straights on how to stay married, how to negotiate terms of relationships, how to raise children in a fair and loving way, etc.
it's the milwaukee road, call it a freedom ride, invoke the pioneers.
lots of USA flags.
oh and while you're there, pick out a few super liberal candidates and give them some monay.
you could also organize promise keeper meetings at which committed gay couples could give free advice to straights on how to stay married, how to negotiate terms of relationships, how to raise children in a fair and loving way, etc.
9
My mom's family is from Iowa -- the other Iowa tourism-related things I can suggest are: the Amana Colonies (a historical German community), the covered "bridges of Madison county", the Des Moines Art Center (actually a decent museum and cool building, designed by I.M. Pei and Saarinen and... someone else I'm forgetting). I always liked the State Capitol and the State Fair, but those are probably not too different from what you'd get in any other state.
One potential issue with Dan's plan is that it can be really expensive to fly into Des Moines. Allegiant Air is super cheap and they fly there, but in WA they only fly out of Bellingham, not Seattle.
One potential issue with Dan's plan is that it can be really expensive to fly into Des Moines. Allegiant Air is super cheap and they fly there, but in WA they only fly out of Bellingham, not Seattle.
10
I second You Look Like You Need a Drink - Iowa City is really nice, a walkable, pretty, liberal town with coffee shops and independent bookstores and good ethnic food and a nice river to walk along. If you're into biking you should also check out RAGBRAI (the Register's Annual Green Ride Accross Iowa at http://ragbrai.com/. It's a great time, with tens of thousands of people riding and drinking and drinking and riding and eating and riding and it's way beautiful.
11
You can fly in and out of the Moline, IL airport and it's usually much cheaper than Des Moines or Cedar Rapids.
The Hotel Patee is beautiful just be prepared that a former owner was uber-conservative Christian and some of the decor and library titles still reflect that.
The Hotel Patee is beautiful just be prepared that a former owner was uber-conservative Christian and some of the decor and library titles still reflect that.
12
That area of the country is truly and uniquely beautiful in the summer. There's something about the landscape and the people that I find soothing.
The thunderstorms are cool, too.
The thunderstorms are cool, too.
13
Actually, never mind on the flight thing. I just did a quick Orbitz search and there are a bunch of weekends in July where you can get a round trip from SEA for only $300. In the past, it seemed like any time we wanted to fly my grandma anywhere from Des Moines, minimum ticket price was $500, but maybe they've improved in recent years.
14
My family used to drive through Iowa on our summer road trips. I always enjoyed it. On the surface, they might not be as exciting as Seattle, but it has a certain midwest charm. And I remember the people there being really friendly too.
15
Dudes, it's Tax VICTORY day tomorrow. When those of us paying LESS taxes in the Middle Class cheer on President Obama.
Why nothing on that?
Lay off the other stuff until the 16th.
Why nothing on that?
Lay off the other stuff until the 16th.
16
Can't organize - but would love to come. Heck - my partner and I could even get legally married while we were there just to underline the point.
17
I can drive up from AR if we have enough notice. I have lots of travel planned but am a big biker!!!!!
Also, other fun stuff in Iowa http://www.roadsideamerica.com/location/…
More details!
Drew
Also, other fun stuff in Iowa http://www.roadsideamerica.com/location/…
More details!
Drew
18
No trip to the midwest is complete without reading :The Lost Continent" by Bill Bryson, which is out of print, tragically, but available from Abe Books
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchRe…
You will do the always embarrassing "snorting while laughing" thing while reading it on the plane ride over there. (Bryson is from Iowa.)
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchRe…
You will do the always embarrassing "snorting while laughing" thing while reading it on the plane ride over there. (Bryson is from Iowa.)
20
@2
Ah-
An excuse for Dan's monthly reminder that he had a letter in the NYT!
Look for reluctant, aw shucks, if you really want to know post in 3...2...1...
Ah-
An excuse for Dan's monthly reminder that he had a letter in the NYT!
Look for reluctant, aw shucks, if you really want to know post in 3...2...1...
22
A "Doorknobs I Have Licked" Tour would draw lots of credulous fanboy participants eager to lick an actual doorknob their idol Danny did and willing to pay big DINK bucks for the privilege -
What do you say, Dan?
Do it for "The Cause"....
What do you say, Dan?
Do it for "The Cause"....
23
For any bicycle enthusiasts out there, you could visit Iowa and ride on the Ragbrai - it's a weeklong trip across the entire state that happens the last full week in July. Website here:http://ragbrai.com/ Sadly I've never been, but I've heard it's a really fun time!
24
While not the most liberal of towns(thought we are the largest consentration of Democrats in the state) Dubuque blows away the competation as far as Iowa is concerned. Located on the Mississippi, many trails, charming architecture, large histortic districts, very clean, low crime. People are very polite. And the thought of Dan Savage, droves of fans of Dan Savage and homosexuals pouring into the city strikes me as just what it needs! Really, please come!!
26
Our second son has accepted a graduate student spot at the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa, so he is leaving the gay-friendly confines of San Francisco for the open-minded prairie and a new adventure. We will be thrilled to visit him there and spread a little cash around!
27
Holyshit. Dan! I grew up in Clinton. Lived there for 18 years. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest now, but wow - I never thought Clinton Iowa would make it to the Slog. I feel strangely...awesome? Iowa has a long liberal tradition, and I always felt that the homosexuals I knew growing up there didn't face the extreme prejudice that permeates large swaths of the country. Anyway, thanks Dan! You rock.
28
Fabulous idea, but summer? In Iowa? Isn't it about 95 degrees there with 100% humidity? Always ending with a severe afternoon thunderstorm and a tornado or two?
Maybe autumn seems more appropriate?
Maybe autumn seems more appropriate?
29
Or, better yet, give money to those Democrats who are our allies and who have tough re-election bids this year, like Governor Chet Culver.
http://www.oneiowa.org/news-events/culve…’s-constitution
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/en…
http://www.oneiowa.org/news-events/culve…’s-constitution
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/en…
31
My thoughts exactly, Bauhaus. Anybody who wants to go to Iowa in the summer has obviously never been to Iowa in the summer.
32
As a native Midwesterner, I am also firmly behind this idea, though like Bauhaus I, I'm not sure smack in the middle of summer would be my #1 recommended time to go. Early June would be nice. But it's a beautiful state even just to drive through--very green.
33
I'd like to recommend Fairfield, IA. Interesting small town out in the middle of nowhere. Apparently, after the Maharishi group took over the old U, the town revived a little. There are some nice little cafes and restaurants, fields full of weird sundials, and a very charming old restored hotel. I visited in late October. Not a place to hang out for several days, but a great place to stop on a long car drive through the corn.
34
I could organize it, my partner is from the quad city area so we visit often and know the area. Pick out some dates and we can get the ball rolling.
35
How about early June? My fiance says she will marry me as often as it takes, and I think a lovely wedding after a day of riding a bike thru Iowa countryside sounds like fun. so are you talking 35 miles of ride a day, Dan? but it's flat so that will be like riding 2 miles in Seattle.
37
Agree with 28. I'm heading to Illinois next week to visit the aged P's. I've already instructed them NOT to die during the summer, because I will miss their funerals.
39
I am not against you coming and spending your dollars here and this has nothing to do with gay life because I have had my fun with my lady friends from time to time as well and I am proud that my state has legalized gay marriage.
However, your article comes across as short sighted and not really fair to the people that live in Iowa and I think someone should bring that to your attention. If it is such an awful place (I get that you are trying to be supportive here and show what you deem as nice areas of Iowa) then keep your tourist dollars. We are happy and love EVERYTHING about where we live and our state and maybe that is why we were happy to legalize gay marriage because we want everyone to be completely happy and keep Iowa the utopia of love and friendliness that it is.
Please don't place a bias on where we choose to be. It's not like we live here against our will. Iowa is a wonderful place all around and it shows to anyone that has spent a significant amount of time here.
Our economy is built in a way where tourist dollars are not necessary. It is NICE to get them and we do welcome you here to experience part of our lives and should you choose to spend your money FANTASTIC! But don't just come here because you are gay, upset that gay marriage isn't legal where you live and then stick it to your local government by spending your money here and then pick where we live apart into what is acceptable and what isn't.
We want to live in harmony and everyone is welcome remember that as Buddha said "It is essential to have the ability to find beauty in the small." That is Iowa. Iowa is the beauty in the small it is different from any other place you have been and the people care and our state has ALWAYS been known for the generosity of it's people and how we take care of one another.
More...
However, your article comes across as short sighted and not really fair to the people that live in Iowa and I think someone should bring that to your attention. If it is such an awful place (I get that you are trying to be supportive here and show what you deem as nice areas of Iowa) then keep your tourist dollars. We are happy and love EVERYTHING about where we live and our state and maybe that is why we were happy to legalize gay marriage because we want everyone to be completely happy and keep Iowa the utopia of love and friendliness that it is.
Please don't place a bias on where we choose to be. It's not like we live here against our will. Iowa is a wonderful place all around and it shows to anyone that has spent a significant amount of time here.
Our economy is built in a way where tourist dollars are not necessary. It is NICE to get them and we do welcome you here to experience part of our lives and should you choose to spend your money FANTASTIC! But don't just come here because you are gay, upset that gay marriage isn't legal where you live and then stick it to your local government by spending your money here and then pick where we live apart into what is acceptable and what isn't.
We want to live in harmony and everyone is welcome remember that as Buddha said "It is essential to have the ability to find beauty in the small." That is Iowa. Iowa is the beauty in the small it is different from any other place you have been and the people care and our state has ALWAYS been known for the generosity of it's people and how we take care of one another.
40
Hi Dan- I'm a lesbian who was just accepted to the UIowa MFA program, and I'm sending your post to all of my friends so they will visit me and spread the gay around! Bike rides, what fun!
41
I was born and raised in western Iowa, which is lovely, scenery-wise, but sort of bleak and nasty, people-wise (I blame Omaha, which is a dreadful place, and has control of all the media). I then spent seven years in Iowa City, which is wonderful, and there are many days I wish I'd never left there.
And who says there are no beaches in Iowa? Lake Okoboji has tons of them!
And I should say in Council Bluff's/western Iowa's defense: Iowa Senate Majority leader and hero of the gay marriage movement, Mike Gronstal, is not only from Council Bluffs, he goes - or at least went - to my parent's church, which shows that not all Catholics are assholes.
He is also being targeted by western Iowa Republicans - who are as dreadful as Omaha is - so you might want to think about showing him some love in his re-election campaign.
And western Iowans are the ones who keep electing tax cheat and right-wing loon Steve King, so keep that in mind.
And who says there are no beaches in Iowa? Lake Okoboji has tons of them!
And I should say in Council Bluff's/western Iowa's defense: Iowa Senate Majority leader and hero of the gay marriage movement, Mike Gronstal, is not only from Council Bluffs, he goes - or at least went - to my parent's church, which shows that not all Catholics are assholes.
He is also being targeted by western Iowa Republicans - who are as dreadful as Omaha is - so you might want to think about showing him some love in his re-election campaign.
And western Iowans are the ones who keep electing tax cheat and right-wing loon Steve King, so keep that in mind.
42
Iowa is awesome! RAGBRAI is super fun and you do not need to be an experienced cyclist. Hardcore cyclists do it as well as people on hybrids, drinking beer in their water bottles! There is awesome scenery and pork on a stick at each small town (no worries, Dan. You earn your pork on a stick doing 50-90 miles a day). 10,000-15,000 people are riding each day. It is really cool.
And, if you like baseball, visit Dyersville and see the Field of Dreams!
The driftless area (NE Iowa) is green and rolling and beautiful. Lots to see.
And, if you like baseball, visit Dyersville and see the Field of Dreams!
The driftless area (NE Iowa) is green and rolling and beautiful. Lots to see.
43
Another born-and-raised Iowan! Hooray! I would just like to add, for the record: Iowa City in the summer was one of the most beautiful, wonderful, memorable summers of my life. Do not miss it!
44
I lived in Iowa the first twelve years of my life. It's a wonderful place to grow up. Very nice to see so many positive comments about the place.
45
@39: Hmm, sensitive much? I didn't get the impression that Dan was saying Iowa was an awful place. Rather I think he acknowledges it has a certain reputation amongst people who view it as part of flyover territory but he challenges that reputation, pointing out that Iowa is in fact worth visiting. Are all Iowegians as sensitive as you?
46
I'm an east coaster who loves Iowa - I used to there for work. The people are lovely. So is Dubuque's bluff which you can reach the top of in an old fashioned funicular. Also, the national museum of the Mississippi river is there, with a cool fresh water aquarium. I've also been to a native prairie grass reserve there, showing what the heartland was like before we monocultured it
48
If you're a jazz fan, Davenport is where Bix Beiderbecke was born and grew up. The house is still there, and his grave is in the cemetery.
49
i was born & raised i grinnell, iowa, lived in iowa city, & later moved to fairfield, iowa, where i still reside. all my family lives in iowa, incl a sister & her son in perry, & a another niece & her family in perry. (3 other sibs & their families live in DM.) we are all very pro-gay rights, & we're thrilled that iowa legalized gay marriage. (my wife & i are friends w/ at least 3 gay couples who've married.) everyone please come to iowa & make it a gay marriage mecca! (which will piss that asshole steve king off!!)
50
When my lesbian friends got married a couple months ago, they mentioned on their registry that they'd appreciate gifts made by craftspeople in Iowa. I thought that was a nifty idea.
51
Des Moines, Iowa is pronounced "de-moin"
Des Moines, Washington, is pronounced the same way, but most people pronounce it "de- moinz"
because they're white trash.
Des Moines, Washington, is pronounced the same way, but most people pronounce it "de- moinz"
because they're white trash.
52
Mm, midwestern thunderstorms. And biking long hill-less distances. Sounds lovely actually. Plus underpriced hotels with character FTW.
53
If you think Iowa is full of "long hill-less distances", you don't know Iowa ;-) Some parts are flat, but the center is mostly gently rolling hills, with steep bluffs along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. I grew up on a street that is every bit as steep as anything you'd see in Seattle.
54
i'd suggest iowa city. they could use some help since the floods, and in the summer there is "bar capacity" since the students are gone.
and, it is f-ing hot and humid in the summer
and, it is f-ing hot and humid in the summer
57
Is Iowa City still messed up from the floods? I haven't been there in fifteen years.
I was the night manager at the IMU for several years, and the last summer I was there (1990) we *almost* had a flood, but squeaked by. I remember standing out on the river walk at midnight, and wondering if I should call somebody, because the water was just a few inches away from spilling over, which would have taken out the building - or at least the area that used to be the bar, before they got all prissy on us.
Then I thought "screw it", clocked out, and went to Joe's.
I was the night manager at the IMU for several years, and the last summer I was there (1990) we *almost* had a flood, but squeaked by. I remember standing out on the river walk at midnight, and wondering if I should call somebody, because the water was just a few inches away from spilling over, which would have taken out the building - or at least the area that used to be the bar, before they got all prissy on us.
Then I thought "screw it", clocked out, and went to Joe's.
58
My uncle is currently in Keokuk(sp), Iowa putting on a show this weekend, here is a link to his website and what he does. this is his first time in keokuk and is not sure how the show is gonna go off given the talent pool he is working with, but its for charity so go check it. Also Dan, he has been coming up to Seattle and Yakima for years doing shows. You should check it out sometime.
http://www.jaimedoneganproductions.com/
http://www.jaimedoneganproductions.com/
60
I'll second (or third, or Nth - i didn't read all the comments) Iowa City. I visited the U of Iowa on business a few weeks ago, and it's a really nice town. Great little shopping and restaurant district.
62
Half of my family is from Clinton, IA, and I never thought I'd see it mentioned anywhere outside the midwest. The summers there are really nice, especially close to the river, where my grandparents' house is. The riverwalk is nice, especially the breeze off the water and the down-town area is pretty cute. I'd suggest this as a good place to stop for a few hours, maybe not a whole day if you aren't vising relatives.
63
Brit, IA is the home of the National Hobo Museum and hosts the Hobo Festival every year. Yes, hobos from all around the country ride the rails to Iowa to vote for the Hobo King and Queen...AWESOME!
64
Yeah, yeah, but Denver had Ken Kesey and Alan Ginsberg and Judy Collins and the Smothers Brothers. Big whoop.
65
Dan, you're a writer: you clearly want to go to Iowa City not Des Moines! Additionally, there is a damn cool gay bar downtown and the town-folk would love a weekend of happy visitors.
more fun in iowa city... http://www.festival.missionfreak.com/
more fun in iowa city... http://www.festival.missionfreak.com/
66
I'll be in Iowa this summer for a family reunion, a class reunion, and to elope. See you all there.
68
Oh please please please please all come to Clinton. Riverboat days is a small town local festival right on the dike, local bars would LOVE to welcome gays and their gay dollars and I personally would like to see all of you here. I may have to organize a nearby pride event (we all generally either travel an hour to Davenport or farther to Iowa City). Dan, could you MC?
70
Hey, I'm from Clinton too! If you like to run, I highly, highly, highly recommend the Bix 7 held at the end of July each year. The course is great but the highlight is the fans! There are house parties all along the course, music galore, and an insane number of people cheering the runners on. Out of the many races I've run, this is my favorite. I'm going back this year for it, in fact, hope I see some of you there!
71
RAGBRAI's great, but come for Pride Ride on May 22! The state's largest LGBT advocacy organization, One Iowa, holds the ride every year. We're in Waterworks Park in Des Moines this year for a 20-mile ride, 2-mile family ride or 5k run. More info: http://www.oneiowa.org/
72
To anyone seriously considering visiting Iowa, I can recommend one place you'll definitely want to skip - Sioux City, my hometown. Smells like cow shit, full of breeders, downtown is completely rundown, generally completely lacking in anything resembling culture.
73
yes! Come see me in Iowa City, where I am incarcerated in a doctoral program. But oddly, even though I will return to Seattle, and even though my partner is dumping my ass here and going back to Washington, I - I kind of like it here.
74
Having lived in Iowa most of my life, and also having organized conventions in Iowa for about half of my life, if this is something you want to do, Dan, I will provide on the ground support for any big organized events.
Yes, go to Iowa City (still recovering from flooding, true) and Des Moines. Even though Sioux City is stinky, it's also the largest red city in Iowa and probably the place that needs to see GLBTQA people en masse the most. There are also a couple gay bars there, so it's not entirely hostile.
Other things to do:
The Amana colonies are great. Everything from a woolen mill to absolutely gorgeous clocks and solid wood furniture to beer and wine, with plenty of homestyle Old German food.
Kalona is close, also, and they have the best fresh cheese curds ever. There's also a quilt museum.
Eastern Iowa has both covered bridges and quilted barns, if you like to drive around and look at such things.
Cedar Rapids, like Sioux City, is rather stinky, but has a nice art museum devoted to Grant Wood (he's local) and their city hall is on an island, just like Paris, and has a huge stained glass memorial window designed by Grant Wood.
For cyclists, do as my old roommate did and ride the entire River Road, which goes along the eastern border of the state following the Mississippi.
Maytag blue cheese is made near Newton. Pella, home to the window company, is a very nice little Dutch town where even the Taco Bell has Dutch window shutters and every year they have a big tulip festival.
Knoxville speedway to watch car racing, Prairie Meadows for dogs and horses in season, and also slots and a few table games.
And so on. Really, if you want the grand tour, I can hook you up.
More...
Yes, go to Iowa City (still recovering from flooding, true) and Des Moines. Even though Sioux City is stinky, it's also the largest red city in Iowa and probably the place that needs to see GLBTQA people en masse the most. There are also a couple gay bars there, so it's not entirely hostile.
Other things to do:
The Amana colonies are great. Everything from a woolen mill to absolutely gorgeous clocks and solid wood furniture to beer and wine, with plenty of homestyle Old German food.
Kalona is close, also, and they have the best fresh cheese curds ever. There's also a quilt museum.
Eastern Iowa has both covered bridges and quilted barns, if you like to drive around and look at such things.
Cedar Rapids, like Sioux City, is rather stinky, but has a nice art museum devoted to Grant Wood (he's local) and their city hall is on an island, just like Paris, and has a huge stained glass memorial window designed by Grant Wood.
For cyclists, do as my old roommate did and ride the entire River Road, which goes along the eastern border of the state following the Mississippi.
Maytag blue cheese is made near Newton. Pella, home to the window company, is a very nice little Dutch town where even the Taco Bell has Dutch window shutters and every year they have a big tulip festival.
Knoxville speedway to watch car racing, Prairie Meadows for dogs and horses in season, and also slots and a few table games.
And so on. Really, if you want the grand tour, I can hook you up.
76
As a lifelong Iowa resident and equal rights supporter, I'd recommend a few locations in Des Moines as well. (Nothing against Iowa City, I just think a lot of other commenters have covered what is cool about it.)
For anyone who hasn't been to Des Moines in a few years, the city is a lot bigger and better than last time you were here. There's an actual nightlife now, which for anyone who lived here 10 years ago is probably a little surprising.
For restaurants and bars, you'll mostly want to be downtown. We have The Royal Mile, a great British style pub with a massive selection of beer and scotch, and great food (I recommend the Scotch Egg, the Steak and Guiness stew, or one of the pasties.) Not far from that is Hessen Haus, a german bar, and The Lift, a martini bar with a cozy, dark atmosphere and a liberal owner.
If you are looking more upscale, I'd recommend Centro, an Italian restaurant with a good selection of cocktails and probably the best pizza in town if you're in the mood. (They also do great brunch on the weekends.) There's also Django, a french restaurant not far from Centro, 801 Steak and Chop House (probably the priciest option in the city) and Sbrocco, a wine bar and excellent restaurant. East of the river in downtown, there is Miyabi 9, excellent for sushi (I recommend the roll with eel and avacado) and the Continental, a nice little cocktail/small plates place that often has live jazz on the weekends.
For gay bars there is The Garden (dance club) and The Blazing Saddle. Because of the nature of Iowa culture, you'll often find at least a small number of straight people at either who have come with GLBTQ friends.
We have a good independent coffee house scene too. Downtown there is Java Joes, and Ritual Cafe, which is vegetarian. Mars Cafe is near Drake University, and is a liberal establishment, and Cup O' Kryptonite is on the south side, a combination of coffee house/comic book store, and a haven for Iowa's nerd/geek culture.
There is also a sculpture park downtown by the Public Library, and the Des Moines Art Center has a good collection for a city this size. The Fleur Theatre and Cafe is also on the south side, and usually has movies that don't get shown by the larger, more mainstream theatres. The same is true for the Varsity Theatre by Drake University. (If you're looking for bigger, more mainstream movies, I'd go to Jordan Creek Mall and check out the theatres there, they pretty much play all the blockbusters.) If you check out our Datebook you can almost always find a selection of plays, live music, and other events.
Anyway, I hope people come visit Iowa. Its a great state, and I always have fun here.
Want more reason to love Iowa? I'll leave you with this. There was a Constitutional Law Symposium at Drake University Law School the other week. Of the 100+ attendees, only three were against same-sex marriage. The rest were in favor. These are Iowa's lawyers, judges, etc.
Outside the event, Westboro Baptist Church sent its JV squad to protest. There were six of them. Des Moines residents, mostly Drake Alumni, put on a counter protest.
There were 500 counter protesters.
More...
For anyone who hasn't been to Des Moines in a few years, the city is a lot bigger and better than last time you were here. There's an actual nightlife now, which for anyone who lived here 10 years ago is probably a little surprising.
For restaurants and bars, you'll mostly want to be downtown. We have The Royal Mile, a great British style pub with a massive selection of beer and scotch, and great food (I recommend the Scotch Egg, the Steak and Guiness stew, or one of the pasties.) Not far from that is Hessen Haus, a german bar, and The Lift, a martini bar with a cozy, dark atmosphere and a liberal owner.
If you are looking more upscale, I'd recommend Centro, an Italian restaurant with a good selection of cocktails and probably the best pizza in town if you're in the mood. (They also do great brunch on the weekends.) There's also Django, a french restaurant not far from Centro, 801 Steak and Chop House (probably the priciest option in the city) and Sbrocco, a wine bar and excellent restaurant. East of the river in downtown, there is Miyabi 9, excellent for sushi (I recommend the roll with eel and avacado) and the Continental, a nice little cocktail/small plates place that often has live jazz on the weekends.
For gay bars there is The Garden (dance club) and The Blazing Saddle. Because of the nature of Iowa culture, you'll often find at least a small number of straight people at either who have come with GLBTQ friends.
We have a good independent coffee house scene too. Downtown there is Java Joes, and Ritual Cafe, which is vegetarian. Mars Cafe is near Drake University, and is a liberal establishment, and Cup O' Kryptonite is on the south side, a combination of coffee house/comic book store, and a haven for Iowa's nerd/geek culture.
There is also a sculpture park downtown by the Public Library, and the Des Moines Art Center has a good collection for a city this size. The Fleur Theatre and Cafe is also on the south side, and usually has movies that don't get shown by the larger, more mainstream theatres. The same is true for the Varsity Theatre by Drake University. (If you're looking for bigger, more mainstream movies, I'd go to Jordan Creek Mall and check out the theatres there, they pretty much play all the blockbusters.) If you check out our Datebook you can almost always find a selection of plays, live music, and other events.
Anyway, I hope people come visit Iowa. Its a great state, and I always have fun here.
Want more reason to love Iowa? I'll leave you with this. There was a Constitutional Law Symposium at Drake University Law School the other week. Of the 100+ attendees, only three were against same-sex marriage. The rest were in favor. These are Iowa's lawyers, judges, etc.
Outside the event, Westboro Baptist Church sent its JV squad to protest. There were six of them. Des Moines residents, mostly Drake Alumni, put on a counter protest.
There were 500 counter protesters.
77
Great idea, but can we gays avoid any hotels financed by the Ahmanson family? Google them. Mr Ahmanson is a massive gay-hater who provided major funding to Prop 8 because God Told Him To. He's a full-scale Dominionist, Biblical Government type. Let's not help bring his hotel venture out of the red, please.
78
While you're in the Midwest, perhaps you might want to hop over the border to Mitchell, South Dakota, where Sen. George McGovern's alma mater Dakota Wesleyan University is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a party at the famous Corn Palace featuring The Village People.
http://www.dwu.edu/press/2010/mar26.htm
http://www.dwu.edu/press/2010/mar26.htm
79
Hey - great idea! I'm ordained by the Universal Life Church and would love to perform a wedding or two.
My summer home is in western Iowa - I intend to spend some time picketing Steve King and then heading to MN to do the same for Michele Bachman.
Seriously, if this comes off, I want to be involved
Hope
S/V Starshine, Grenada W.I.
My summer home is in western Iowa - I intend to spend some time picketing Steve King and then heading to MN to do the same for Michele Bachman.
Seriously, if this comes off, I want to be involved
Hope
S/V Starshine, Grenada W.I.
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