No, it isn't heaven, no matter what the Oscar-nominated Field of Dreams may imply. But the 29th state admitted to the Union is a pretty cool place to visit. The movie's famous baseball field is here (and you can play on it), as are cornfields galore, one of the country's oldest and most celebrated state fairs, and the famous covered bridges of Madison County. Forget New Hampshire; this is square one for aspiring presidential candidates on the political caucus trail (only one native's managed to make it all the way -- Herbert Hoover, whose unfortunate presidency dovetailed with the Great Depression). It's also the home state of Grant Wood, the artist whose American Gothic is one of the most famous pieces of art on the planet (that particular work isn't in Iowa, but 5,000 or so of his other works are scattered throughout the state).
Love the great outdoors? Iowans do, and visitors reap the benefits of the local passion for recreation. Iowa offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including an abundance of fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, and biking. The state even has the largest number of golfers per capita in the country, and they tee up on some of America's best public courses. Native minigolfers are so devoted to getting in their strokes, they even play on ice in the winter (bring spikes!). And before the snow starts falling, the state offers some beautiful fall foliage-watching (and prices that aren't as sky-high as those in states better known for their seasonal coloring). In other words, Iowa is a hidden bargain that hasn't truly been discovered yet. Which is pretty heavenly when you think about it.
