Megan Bannister

Galena River Wine and Cheese is a cozy shop located in the heart of Galena’s downtown. In addition to a wide selection of wines, meats and cheeses, the shop also has all the charcuterie board additions you could dream of, including travel-sized coolers to bring home all your goodies. We were lucky enough to be able to pop into Galena River Wine and Cheese during our visit. During our trip we discovered some new-to-use wines and liquors that are still among our favorites to this day thanks to the Galena River Wine and Cheese team.

One of the things I love most about the Midwest is its number of offbeat attractions. In fact, there are all sorts of world’s largest things in Iowa! Whether you’re looking for a giant statue or a funky food item, there’s a world’s largest thing for you. The next time you plan a road trip, make sure you visit every world’s largest thing in Iowa along the way.

As a traveler, one of my favorite places to seek out when visiting a new place is an independent bookstore. Even while exploring my home state, I love finding the places that are havens for book lovers. Whether you love novels or feel more drawn to nonfiction, the Hawkeye state is full of bookish places. The next time you’re in need of something new to read, check out one of these amazing Iowa independent bookstores.

In Iowa City, The Highlander Hotel is the perfect example of a classic space turned into a modern gem. Originally opened in the 1960s as a supper club, this vintage hotel was recently renovated to fully embrace a glamorous retro aesthetic. Josh and I recently took a little staycation to The Highlander Hotel and absolutely loved the change of scenery. Whether you’re looking for a safe staycation or just passing through Iowa City, I can’t recommend a stay at The Highlander Hotel highly enough.