Nestled On The Mississippi River Is An Iowa City With Scenic Views, Midwestern Charm, And A Walkable Downtown

Just under a three-hour drive from Des Moines is Fort Madison, a small Iowa town reachable by plane, train, car, or bus. If you're traveling by plane, consider flying into Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (BRL), which is a 20-minute drive from Fort Madison. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) provides direct service to BRL. 

Nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, Fort Madison is very walkable — boasting a 70 out of 100 WalkScore. With its perfect combination of sweeping water views and fascinating history, you'll be busy for at least a weekend. Fort Madison's charm is further enhanced by its Victorian architecture and tree-lined streets. During the fall, these trees' leaves burst with color, complementing the authentic architecture they're paired with.

The town's history is fascinating as well. In the early 19th century, for five years, Fort Madison was an active military fort. While the original fort was burned in mid-1813 as the Army retreated during the War of 1812, preservation groups built a replica for visitors just blocks away. The town itself sprouted around the old fort site. Efforts are currently underway to preserve and reopen Old Fort Madison.

Walking trails in Fort Madison provide outdoor immersion. The 1.5-mile Rodeo Park Trail Way is the most notable path, leading hikers around most of the scenic Rodeo Park. Extensive river views hovering in the background add to the route's experience. You can access the Rodeo Park Trail Way, which is situated on the north side of town, at any point.

Another quality aquatic sight is the Kuhlmeier Reflecting Pond (pictured above), located at Riverview Park downtown on the banks of the Mississippi River. Consider checking out the Kuhlmeier Reflecting Pond before or after grabbing a bite at Turnwater Bar and Grill, as the two stops are steps apart. 

Need more scenic views? The surrounding river bluffs just outside of Fort Madison loom near the banks with quality photo opportunities. Plus, the Great River Road goes through town, so if you're in the mood for something beautiful, you'll want to follow it for at least a few miles. For example, the BNSF Fort Madison Toll Bridge, located on the Great River Road and leading into Fort Madison, is worth the price of admission with expansive Mississippi River views. The Great River Road is one of America's most underrated — and longest — highway drives, crossing 10 states. While driving, remember that Nauvoo — an underrated Illinois city with horse-drawn wagons and riverside charm — is just 14 miles away from Fort Madison. 

With a compact, gridded land area of less than 10 square miles, Fort Madison is a highly walkable town with some slopes and hills, but nothing too strenuous. Public transportation (in the form of an on-demand bus system Monday through Friday) is an option, but one doesn't really need it when it's so easy to get lost in the historic maze of downtown on foot or bike.

Explore the Park-to-Park Residential Historic District in Fort Madison, a neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places (in the 400 to 1100 blocks of Avenues E and F). Here you'll find magazine-spread homes made up of a hodgepodge of elegant building styles, from Victorian and Gothic architecture to Queen Anne and Romanesque. Many of the houses are truly works of art.

While walking Fort Madison, you'll notice plentiful foliage, from large, mature trees and bushes to flowers and well-kept, bright-green lawns. This landscape ensures shade-covered sidewalks in the summer and leaf-covered sidewalks in the fall. There's something especially scenic about autumn color alongside the Park-to-Park Residential Historic District's classical architecture. In the winter, when untouched snow coats surfaces, the town feels a lot like a snow globe. Meander a few blocks south to explore Fort Madison's Downtown Commercial Historic District. It's here on Avenues G and H where you'll come face-to-face with many of the town's old, historic buildings in the charming forms of unique shops and eateries. 

During November, you can count on Fort Madison to be especially festive. Events during this time include the annual Parade of Lights, which wows adults and children with illuminated floats featuring intricate decorations. Mistletoe on Main also encapsulates the childlike whimsy of the holiday season with horse-drawn wagon rides downtown and embellished storefronts. Still feeling adventurous? Just over an hour up the river is Muscatine, a scenic city with historic mansions, small-town charm, and gardens often called the "Pearl of the Mississippi River".