Eastern Iowa is the central region along the Mississippi River in Iowa, home to several of the state's main population centers. The region is both somewhat characteristic of the rest of the state in terms of demographics but also unique in both its geography (bluffs and rolling hills) and its denser population. In many respects, it shares more in common with the nearby Illinois and Wisconsin regions than the rest of Iowa.

Regions

Grant Wood Country

I-380 Corridor

Quad Cities

Cities

• 1 Amana Colonies
• 2 Burlington
• 3 Cedar Rapids
• 4 Clinton
• 5 DeWitt
• 6 Dubuque
• 7 Iowa City
• 8 Mount Vernon
• 9 Muscatine
• 10 Quad Cities - Bettendorf, Davenport, Le Claire

Understand

Eastern Iowa is most heavily populated and developed area of Iowa outside of Des Moines.

Get in

Eastern Iowa is located along two of the country's major east-west thoroughfares (I-80 and US 30) and the Highway of the Saints, a designated route of shared highways between the Twin Cities and St. Louis. I-380 serves a secondary route connecting Iowa City to Cedar Rapids and Waterloo.

The entire region is also serviced by airplane via the Eastern Iowa Airport, located just south of Cedar Rapids.

See

• Field of Dreams, Dyersville. Various Websites. Considered one of baseball's most-treasured landmarks. The field is the same used in the film, "Field of Dreams," nominated by the Academy Awards for Best Film of the Year of 1989. The film, based upon W.P. Kinsella's book "Shoeless Joe," starred Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones. The field is owned by two families amid much controversy. Various events, including baseball and softball games, take place on the field at various times during the year. Approximately 200 mi (322 km) NE of Des Moines via I-80 and US Hwy 20. Free. 

Eat

• 1 Ladora Bank Bistro, 811 Pacific St, Ladora, IA 52251 (on Highway 6), ☏ +1 319 623-7766, info@ladorabank.com. Th–Sat, 4–9PM; Sun, noon to 6PM. Small, upscale restaurant serving craft beer and shared plates in a century-old bank building, which was built in the famed "Jewel Box" style. Reserve your table a few days in advance. No large groups are accepted, and sometimes the entire restaurant is closed for private events. Four broad steps up, with no handrails, means that this building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is completely inaccessible to wheelchair users. Restrooms in the basement. (updated May 2018)