Iowa’s best tour isn’t a traditional guided trek around a museum. Instead, prepare to pedal your way through the excursion at your own pace.
Rail Explorers in Boone was named Iowa’s best tour, according to Yelp. The crowdsourced review website compared thousands of ratings and reviews to find the best tour in every state.
What is Rail Explorers’ Yelp rating for 2025?
The attraction’s 4.7-star rating among Yelpers helped it earn the top spot for Iowa. Reviewers said they enjoyed the attraction rain or shine.
Two to four people can travel on the rail “bikes” that are designed similarly to railroad maintenance vehicles from the 1850s, according to Yelp.
What is the Rail Explorers tour in Boone, Iowa?
Pedal to the Des Moines River on a trail that travels above Iowa farmland and nature. The pedal-powered vehicle rides on railroad tracks for a 12.5-mile trip. Tours last for two hours, crossing Bass Creek High Trestle and the Des Moines River Bridge.
The carts use a pedal-assist motor so the trip is “effortless,” according to the Rail Explorers website. You can even bring a drink or snack to enjoy on the way.
What other Midwest attractions were listed?
Here are other best tours across the Midwest, according to Yelp.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Yelp named this rail-based attraction Iowa’s best tour in 2025. See why.
Reporting by Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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