Iowa

Farming shapes the rhythm of life in Iowa more than any single city does, since planting and harvest set the calendar for many families and keep local food simple and hearty. The state’s nickname, “The Hawkeye State,” most likely honors Chief Black Hawk, a Sauk leader, though the exact origin is debated and often discussed by residents themselves.

The Iowa State Fair, held each August in Des Moines, is one of the largest in the country and a genuine expression of the state’s agricultural pride, complete with the famous Butter Cow sculpture. Pork tenderloin sandwiches and Maid-Rite loose meat sandwiches reflect that same farm-to-table food culture.

Each July, RAGBRAI, the oldest and largest bike ride of its kind in the world, crosses the state and draws small-town crowds along the way.