Iowa might not be the first state that comes to mind when planning city tours, but it’s packed with surprises. Its towns and cities combine Midwestern charm with lively downtowns, making them perfect for exploring in a fun, interactive way. We particularly like the scavenger hunts, which combine sightseeing with a little friendly competition, and the unique themed experiences like murder mysteries, which turn a simple walk into a memorable story. For example, the Des Moines scavenger hunt by Operation City Quest is a lively way to explore the city’s landmarks while solving clues, and it’s perfect for travelers who enjoy self-guided adventures with a competitive edge [].
If you’re looking for something more unusual, the Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Sioux City offers a creative way to spend an evening solving a staged crime, combining role-play with city exploration []. Whether you prefer active scavenger hunts or immersive stories, Iowa’s city tours offer a variety of ways to see the state with a twist.
Quick Overview
Our list highlights seven of the best city tours in Iowa, focusing on interactive experiences like scavenger hunts, themed adventures, and detective stories. These tours are ideal for travelers who want to explore urban areas in an engaging, active way. Each offers something different—from the urban exploration of Des Moines and Davenport to the mystery-solving fun in Sioux City. Now, let’s explore each one in detail.
1. Explore Des Moines with a Unique Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest
Starting with Des Moines, this scavenger hunt uses an app to guide you through the city’s key spots while hunting for objects and completing challenges []. For about $10 per person, you’ll spend around 2 hours exploring at your own pace, finding items such as statues, storefronts, and landmarks, all while snapping photos and racking up points. What makes this tour stand out is the remote chat support—help is just a message away if you get stuck or need encouragement. The app allows you to choose your own route, making it flexible for families, friends, or solo travelers.
This experience is perfect for those who enjoy a competitive edge, as you can check your rank against other teams or solo players in real time. It’s also suitable for casual sightseeing or a quick energy boost during a day of exploring downtown Des Moines. The main drawback? The review score is just 1 out of 5, which suggests that some may find it less polished or not as engaging as other options. Still, for a budget-friendly, self-guided activity, it delivers straightforward fun.
Bottom Line: A low-cost, flexible way to explore Des Moines, especially if you enjoy a bit of friendly competition and don’t mind a less refined experience.
$10.00 per person
2. Des Moines City Scavenger Hunt by 3Quest Challenge
Another scavenger hunt in Des Moines, this one by 3Quest Challenge, takes a slightly different approach []. Using an app, you’ll be given riddles to solve and objects to find, with each item revealing a part of the story or challenge to complete. The hunt is divided into three quests, which makes it more structured and narrative-driven. You can set a two-hour time limit, perfect for fitting into a busy day or a team-building outing.
This tour emphasizes problem-solving—you’ll decode riddles, take photos of specific items, and complete fun tasks. It’s well-suited for groups who thrive on puzzles and enjoy a more immersive scavenger hunt. Because there are no reviews yet, it’s a bit of a gamble, but the format suggests a more curated experience compared to the first option. The cost remains $10 per person, making it an affordable way to see Des Moines through a playful lens.
Bottom Line: A well-structured and puzzle-oriented scavenger hunt, ideal for groups who enjoy mental challenges alongside city sightseeing.
$10.00 per person
3. Cedar Rapids Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest
Moving to Cedar Rapids, this scavenger hunt once again uses the Operation City Quest app to guide you through downtown. You’ll hunt for 60 objects across 13 categories, from statues to shop windows, with points varying based on difficulty. Finding an item involves sending a photo to score points, and challenges are sprinkled throughout, adding a layer of fun and unpredictability.
What sets this tour apart is its variety of objects and categories, providing a thorough look at Cedar Rapids. The app’s flexibility allows you to choose your route and pace, with a remote host available for support. The two-hour duration makes it manageable, and the $10 price is reasonable considering the scope.
While there are no reviews available, the detailed object list promises an engaging, interactive exploration of the city’s core. It’s especially good for those who want a comprehensive snapshot of Cedar Rapids in a short time.
Bottom Line: An engaging, category-rich scavenger hunt that covers a broad slice of Cedar Rapids, suitable for curious explorers.
$10.00 per person
4. Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Sioux City IA
For something completely different, this Murder Mystery Detective Experience turns Sioux City into your crime scene []. Over about two and a half hours, you become a detective tasked with solving a staged murder across 10 mapped locations. You can choose to explore on foot using a walking map or drive along the route, depending on your preference.
This experience is a mix of storytelling, role-play, and city exploration. Participants listen to audio clues at each location, gather evidence, and piece together the story. It’s ideal for fans of mystery novels or crime shows, and the interactive nature makes it a hit for families, couples, or friends looking for a fun challenge. Though it’s not rated yet, the immersive setup promises a lively, story-driven experience that’s different from typical tours.
Potential downside: It’s slightly longer and more involved than a simple scavenger hunt, which might not suit those with tight schedules or a preference for shorter activities. But if you love a good story and interactive fun, this is a top pick.
Bottom Line: A creative, story-rich experience perfect for mystery lovers and those wanting a theatrical twist to city touring.
$14.99 per person
5. Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by Operation City Quest
Moving to Davenport, this Operation City Quest adventure offers another lively scavenger hunt []. Like its Des Moines counterpart, it involves using an app to find items and complete tasks around the city, all in a flexible two-hour window. The hunt encourages participants to explore at their own pace, with points awarded for each item or challenge completed.
What stands out here is the sense of exploration and competition, with rankings accessible at any time, making it perfect for friends or families wanting to experience Davenport actively. The remote guide support helps keep things running smoothly. The affordability at $10 per person adds to its appeal.
While the overall structure is similar to other Operation City Quest hunts, the local flavor of Davenport makes it a great way to see the city’s highlights and secret spots simultaneously.
Bottom Line: A straightforward, fun, and budget-friendly way to explore Davenport actively and competitively.
$10.00 per person
6. Davenport City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Wacky Walks
For a whimsical twist on city exploration, Wacky Walks in Davenport offers a royal-themed scavenger hunt []. The game involves competing in royal tournaments, where the “King” or “Queen” leads the team to find items and complete challenges. The goal is to maintain your royal title for as long as possible, gaining points along the way.
This tour is less about traditional sightseeing and more about team dynamics, role-play, and fun. Participants snap photos of objects linked to the royal theme, and the game’s structure encourages strategy and humor. It’s excellent for groups looking for a playful, less serious experience, with flexible playing time.
Since it’s a two-hour activity priced at $10 per person, it’s a cost-effective choice for families, team-building groups, or friends who enjoy quirky games.
Bottom Line: A lively, themed scavenger hunt that combines humor, strategy, and urban exploration for an amusing outing.
$10.00 per person
7. Cedar Rapids City Scavenger Hunt by Zombie Scavengers
Finally, for a zombie apocalypse twist, Zombie Scavengers in Cedar Rapids takes survival to a new level []. Teams search for survival items around the city, such as supplies that might be needed to survive a zombie attack. The app guides you through a list of items and challenges, with points earned for each successful find or task completed.
What makes this tour stand out is its theme and strategy—players must decide how to prioritize items and challenges to maximize survival points. The virtual remote host provides support, but the gameplay requires a mix of quick thinking and teamwork. The short one-hour duration makes it accessible for a quick, energetic outing.
This activity is especially suited for groups who enjoy themed adventures and being playful about survival scenarios, making it a fun, memorable outing.
Bottom Line: An engaging, zombie-themed scavenger hunt that combines strategy with city exploration, ideal for groups seeking a playful challenge.
$20.00 per group (up to 10)
How to Choose the Right Iowa City Tour
When selecting your Iowa city adventure, consider your interest in themes—do you prefer solving mysteries, competing in scavenger hunts, or role-playing? For budget-conscious travelers, the scavenger hunts in Des Moines and Davenport and Davenport by Wacky Walks offer affordable fun at $10 per person. If you’re craving storytelling or immersive experiences, the Sioux City murder mystery is a standout, though it costs slightly more.
Think about your time available—most tours last around two hours, but the murder mystery extends to nearly three. If you’re traveling with kids or groups who love role-play, the themes like royal or zombie hunts could be especially engaging. And be sure to book early, especially for popular weekends or holiday seasons, to secure your spot.
Final Thoughts
Iowa’s city tours may not be traditional sightseeing, but they offer engaging ways to experience local life and history through interactive adventures. Whether you choose the self-guided scavenger hunts in Des Moines and Davenport, or the crime-solving drama in Sioux City, each provides a memorable way to see the cities in a new light. For families, groups, or solo explorers, these tours deliver a mix of fun, challenge, and discovery.
Our top picks for different types of travelers? If you want budget-friendly exploration, go for the Des Moines scavenger hunt. Looking for a story-driven experience? The Sioux City murder mystery stands out. For those who love quirky themes, the Davenport royal game or zombie hunt will make your trip unforgettable.
Whatever you choose, remember to book ahead—these interactive adventures are popular and fill up quickly, especially during peak travel times. Now, get ready to explore Iowa in a way you won’t forget.