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Surprising Iowa Tourist Attractions
While driving through Iowa on my way to Denver, I found some surprising Iowa Tourist Attractions. First of all, there is the Surf Ballroom. Also, found the Historic District of downtown Ames. Finally, found the Mucky Duck Pub in Ames. Also, found a designated “Prairie Remnant Trail” but not worth further mention, so I won’t! And, of course, the obligatory Welcome to Iowa. Here is a link to another post and another link.
Diamond Jo’s Casino
Didn’t get a picture here. First of all, the casino location is handy to both Minnesota and Iowa. Also, it’s in an area that doesn’t have much other recreation. Furthermore, the area contains two convenience stores, two hotels, and an Interstate 35 Rest Area. Here is a link to Diamond Jo’s.
Surprising Iowa Tourist Attractions
Surf Ballroom
The Surf Ballroom played a major role in music in the 1940s and ’50s. Many performers, bands and orchestras played here. From Guy Lombardo to Benny Goodman to Lawrence Welk. Starting the 1950’s, the Surf Ballroom booked rock and roll performers and country music stars. For example, Willie Nelson is prominently shown as appearing here.
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However, the Surf Ballroom’s claim to be well known is most likely for the last performance of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper (J. P. Richardson). Waylon Jennings, a member of Holly’s band, gave up his seat to Richardson as he had a bad cold. As a result, the friendly gesture saved Jennings life who went on to have a successful career in country music. Most noteworthy, Tommy Allsup, a band member, lost a coin toss with Ritchie Valens which saved Allsup’s life. Consequently, the crash created the song “The Day the Music Died” by Don McLean. (Even more, that song became known as both one of the best rock and roll songs as well as one of the worst!)
Here’s a link to another post from the Buddy Holly Crash Site Memorial.
“The Day the Music Died” by Don McLean
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
Something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
The next stop on the Winter Dance Party, Moorhead MN, lived by the axiom “The show must go on”. That led to pulling local artists into the show. As a result, Bobby Vee (from Fargo) got national attention and became a star.
Here are some pictures from the Surf Ballroom
The Driveby Tourist did not realize the enormous history of this place. So many great musical artists played here.
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Surprising Iowa Tourist Attractions
Belatedly, the obligatory picture of Welcome to Iowa
Ames, Iowa
Ames is the home of Iowa State University. Also, the full name is Iowa State University of Science and Technology. ISU is the largest university in Iowa and the third largest in the Big 12 athletic conference. ISU is a public land-grant and space-grant research university.
Ames has a historic downtown area that is picturesque but you’ve all seen historic downtown areas! My only questions is:
Surprising Iowa Tourist Attractions
End of days journey
Rest of day is quiet. Had late lunch at a British Pub. The Mucky Duck. According to the story I heard, there are more pubs in the UK named “White Swan” than any others. Some enterprising owners started naming theirs “Black Swan. From there, these became known as “The Mucky Duck”. Most noteworthy, there are a number of pubs in the US named “Mucky Duck. For example, Captiva Island, FL (link), Houston, TX (link) and Indianapolis, IN (link). Finally, they are all independent.
Uneventful dinner and cheap hotel!
The Driveby Tourist #thedrivebytourist
I didn’t realize Iowa had so many interesting places.
Guess you have to watch for them!!! (and not everyone would find them interesting. More coming from today’s travels.