The Most Overrated and Underrated Attractions in the State of Iowa

There are plenty of things to see and do across the state of Iowa, but some of those things are more worth your time than others! Love Exploring recently put together a couple of lists outlining the most overrated attractions and underrated attractions in all 50 states. Let's take a look at the picks for Iowa!

Iowa's Most Overrated Attraction: Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, Council Bluffs

Let's start with Love Exploring's pick for the most overrated attraction in Iowa, which was determined by looking at Tripadvisor reviews that use the term "overrated." The article named Harrah’s Hotel and Casino in Council Bluffs as the attraction that just doesn't live up to the hype. The article reads:

"The main complaints are outdated rooms and casino areas, bad service, and restaurants that close too early."

We can't speak on the "bad service" or "outdated casino areas," but when you go to Harrah's official website, it says that the hotel's rooms and suites are "newly renovated." It doesn't list exactly when they were done, though, so we don't know if some of these reviewers visited before the upgrades were made. The 12-story hotel has a total of 251 rooms and suites.

As far as restaurants go, the website says that guests have two options. There's 360 Steakhouse, which is located on the top floor of the building and offers gorgeous views, and Guy Fieri’s Kitchen & Bar, which opened back in May of 2023.

To be fair, 360 Steakhouse's hours are pretty limited. The eatery is open Sunday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. But, Guy Fieri’s Kitchen & Bar is open all day and stays open late on weekends. You can check out the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

In addition to the hotel rooms, restaurants, 24-hour TAG Lounge & Bar, and more than 600 slot machines, Harrah's also hosts a number of concerts each year at Stir Cove, their outdoor music venue. Upcoming shows on the schedule include Foreigner, Wynonna Judd, Cole Swindell, Old Dominion, Weezer, and more. Check out the full lineup for summer 2025 HERE.

Harrah's Council Bluffs Hotel & Casino has a 3.9-star rating on Google with more than 5,000 reviews and a 4.1-star rating on Trip Advisor with 3,000+ reviews.

READ MORE: The 20 Best Places to Visit in the State of Iowa [GALLERY]

Iowa's Most Underrated Attraction: Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines

On the other hand, we have the most underrated attraction in the state of Iowa. Love Exploring also used Tripadvisor reviews to determine each state's most underappreciated spot, and the pick for Iowa was the Des Moines Art Center. The article says:

"Art lovers in Iowa should beeline for the Des Moines Art Center, whose far-reaching collection includes landmark works from big names like Georgia O'Keeffe and Edward Hopper. You'll see work in the mediums of sculpture, fiber, photography, and print. A highlight for many is the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, where striking installations are spread across more than four acres."

The Des Moines Art Center first opened in 1948 and features three unique buildings that contain a huge collection of artwork dating all the way back to the 1500s. The outdoor sculpture park was established back in 2009 and contains an additional 30+ works. But, the best part of the Des Moines Art Center? Admission is always FREE!

The center's hours are Tuesday & Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday & Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The outdoor John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is open daily from sunrise to midnight. You can get more information ahead of your visit on the official website HERE.