Take a Trip: Highway 27 North

In the seventh episode of season 3 of Road Trip Iowa, we take a trip along the Avenue of the Saints, from Charles City to Waterloo. We'll discover the history, culture and landscapes along this stretch of highway in Northeast Iowa.

Want to take this journey with us on your next road trip? Use Travel Iowa's itinerary tool to send yourself a fantastic route along this byway to experience most of our episode in person (please note that the itinerary tool doesn't always have every stop featured in our show so you may need to add a couple of stops along the way if you want the full experience).

A wooden structure rises up from the grounds of the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. Plants hang symmetrically from the structure. A brick pathway curves past the front of the structure.
Highway 27 North

Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens

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Traverse 40 acres of lush landscape at the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.
Road Trip Iowa host, Brooke Kohlsdorf holds a baby kangaroo in a cloth bag -- passed to her by Jordan Hansen, of Hansen's Dairy.
Highway 27 North

Hansen's Dairy

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Tour a legendary Iowa dairy near Hudson, famous for its rich flavors and unique mascot.
A water, surface level view of inner tubers on clear water at a tropical-themed water park. Palm trees, thatch roofs and yellow inner tubes are viewable.
Highway 27 North

Lost Island Themepark and Waterpark

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Go fast and get wet at an unexpected oasis in Waterloo.
An exterior view of Barn Happy -- a converted silo and barn. Vehicles are parked out front.
Highway 27 North

Barn Happy

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Visit an old dairy barn serving up comfort food, alongside locally made arts and crafts.
Two large, red combines bash head-on into each other as a man wearing a ball cap and safety shirt in the foreground watches on.
Highway 27 North

Bremer County Fair Combine Demolition Derby

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Big stuff, boom! Watch some hard-hitting action at the Bremer County Fair.
An aerial view of the Little Brown Church in the Vale surrounded by trees.
Highway 27 North

Little Brown Church in the Vale

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Tour a place of worship made famous by a beloved hymn.
An interior, symmetrical view down an isle of an art gallery. Artwork hangs from all walls. Two blue cushioned chairs sit symmetrically next to each other on a wooden floor against the wall.
Highway 27 North

Mooney Art Gallery

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Tour a gallery full of world-famous artwork and prints in Charles City.
The All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club -- a grass tennis court in the backyard of a house.
Highway 27 North

All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club

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Step onto an unexpected patch of turf, where a timeless game takes center stage.