Explore art, listen to music or enjoy a little history at these 17 Iowa cultural stops this summer.
Celebrate America’s 250th at Living History Farms
Head to Living History Farms in Urbandale this summer for more than a dozen events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States and Iowa’s contributions to the nation’s history.
Catch a grandstand concert at the 2026 Iowa State Fair
Celebrate the best Iowa has to offer at the Iowa State Fair from Aug. 13 to Aug. 23 in Des Moines. This year’s grandstand entertainment includes HARDY, Lainey Wilson, BiXthatPlug, Riley Green, TLC, Alabama and more.
More: Iowa State Fair 2026 concert announcements wrap up with country legend
The 2026 theme is “Fair Spirit,” celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Discover the world’s largest man‑made grotto in West Bend
Located in West Bend, nine separate grottos, or cave‑like spaces, each depict a scene from the life of Jesus Christ. The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption is considered the largest man‑made grotto in the world and contains one of the largest collections of precious stones and gems in a single location, according to its website.
Dive into river history at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Learn about America’s waterways at this museum along Dubuque’s Riverwalk. See what kinds of animals live in the Mississippi River or explore interactive exhibits like the DriftlessAviary, which highlights the unique landscape of eastern Iowa, and the Boatyard, where visitors can watch blacksmithing demonstrations and learn how boats were built in Dubuque.
More: Meet Becky, an otter now thriving in Dubuque, years after she was first rescued in Iowa
Explore local and global art at Iowa festivals
From June 5-7, the Iowa Arts Festival turns downtown Iowa City into an open‑air arts district, filling the Ped Mall and surrounding streets with juried visual art, live music and local food. Later in the month, from June 26-28, the Des Moines Arts Festival draws more than 150,000 visitors annually to Western Gateway Park with performance pieces, interactive installations, music, food and more.
Experience an acclaimed opera in central Iowa
Enjoy performances of “Tosca,” “King Roger” and “Of Mice and Men” at the Des Moines Metro Opera in Indianola.
Explore larger‑than‑life art at Des Moines’ Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Enjoy outdoor art spread across 4.4 acres in downtown Des Moines’ Pappajohn Sculpture Park. See iconic sculptures from artists like Keith Haring and celebrate the return of Jaume Plensa’s “Nomade,” which returned to the park in May after several months away for conservation work.
Visit the Iowa Aviation Museum
Located in Greenfield, the Iowa Aviation Museum showcases the history of aviation in Iowa. Visitors can view the vintage aircraft on display, including planes from the 1920s.
Recreate the famous image at the ‘American Gothic’ house
Be the pitchfork-wielding farmer and his daughter in front of the house in Eldon that inspired Grant Wood’s iconic “American Gothic” painting. You can also tour Grant Wood’s home and studio at the Grant Wood Studio and Visitor Center in Cedar Rapids.
See a reimagined Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum in West Branch
Learn about the life and legacy of the only president from Iowa while you tour the museum. The library and museum have been closed for renovations since January 2025, but will celebrate a grand reopening on Aug. 6. Hoover’s childhood home and grave are located on the grounds in West Branch.
Save some money and visit the free Des Moines Art Center
With rotating exhibits year-round, the Des Moines Art Center is sure to have a piece that will catch your eye. There are also various summer arts camps for children ages 5 to 14.
See a record number of performers at Hinterland Music Festival
The Hinterland Music Festival returns to St. Charles for its 11th edition, July 30 to Aug. 2. The festival expands from three to four days in 2026, and the headliners are KATSEYE, Lorde, Mumford & Sons and Kali Uchis.
More: Hinterland’s new outdoor stage adds permanency to the festival
Stop by Captain James T. Kirk’s ‘future birthplace’ in Riverside
A marker is seen at the, “Future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk,” Wednesday, May 13, 2020, in Riverside, Iowa. According to “Star Trek” lore, Kirk will be born in Riverside in 2228.
You don’t have to be a Star Trek fan to appreciate this piece of pop‑culture lore in southeastern Iowa. When visitors arrive at 60 Greene Street in Riverside, they’ll encounter a monument marking the “future birthplace” of the starship captain, first portrayed and made famous by William Shatner.
Visit the National Hobo Museum
Open from around Memorial Day until early August, the National Hobo Museum in Britt was created by three lifelong migratory workers. It features an archive of written documents and recordings, documentaries, artifacts and a hobo gift shop.
The National Hobo Museum is open Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
The town also hosts the annual Hobo Days festival Aug. 13-16.
Visit the Surf Ballroom and the Buddy Holly crash site
A pair of glasses marks the spot where a memorial to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “the Big Bopper” Richardson sits in the field on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, in Clear Lake where their plane crashed on February 3, 1959 after their concert at the Surf Ballroom during the Winter Dance Party tour.
The Surf Ballroom and Museum in Clear Lake offers a glimpse into the past and a look at tomorrow’s headliners with tours of the famed dance floor and stage where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson played their final show. The Surf Ballroom also plays host to current touring acts, and its 2026 concert lineup includes the Eli Young Band and Gavin DeGraw.
A short drive north of town is the field where Holly, Valens, Richardson and pilot Roger Peterson were killed in a plane crash in February 1959. A pair of glasses marks the site.
Go to the birthplaces of John Wayne and other famous Iowans
Visit the birthplace of Marion Robert Morrison, who would go on to become one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars under his stage name, John Wayne.
The John Wayne Birthplace and Museum in Winterset offers a huge collection of artifacts and memorabilia from actor John Wayne’s life and career.
You can also visit the childhood homes of other famous Iowans, such as Johnny Carson in Corning and Donna Reed in Denison.
Watch Shakespeare at the Salisbury House
The large crowd enjoys The Merchant of Venice for Shakespeare on the Lawn at the Salisbury House on June 13, 2014.
Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy an outdoor performance of “Shakespeare on the Lawn” July 15-19 at the Salisbury House in Des Moines. You can also tour the historic home and gardens built in the 1920s by cosmetics tycoon Carl Weeks.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 17 things to do in Iowa this summer to explore history, art or culture
