
Iowa vacation rentals
Vacation rentals in Iowa by owner — compare homes, condos and cabins, message verified hosts, and book direct with no service fees.
Iowa offers attractions like Des Moines' Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the Iowa State Fair in August, the charming town of Amana Colonies, and the recreational Iowa Great Lakes. Folks visit for local festivals, the state's farmland vistas, and cycling on the High Trestle Trail. Houfy provides direct bookings with local hosts across Iowa. Explore rentals ranging from lakeside cabins in Okoboji to city apartments in Cedar Rapids and Davenport. The annual Ragbrai ride is a must-see cycling event rolling through different towns each July.
Top-Rated Vacation Homes in Iowa
Browse the highest rated vacation properties in Iowa.
$3,531.00 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 27 – 30, 2026
My family was so appreciative that I had found a wonderful family retreat. skiing for hours and the greatest part of the day spent in the pool with the kids. I was a respite from the world and wonderful to spend time with our family. See you next season.
$585.64 USD total for 3 nights
Oct 11 – 14, 2026
This is an incredible space and Jenn is an incredible host. Jenn was immediately communicating with us while we were laughing about being at the wrong door at check in and was great about communication pre, during and after our stay. The Loft is an amazing space and I will never stop raving about it. It feels so welcoming as soon as you step inside. The downstairs living area and kitchen is big enough to spread out, not to mention the outside space. You will never feel crowded. Upstairs is an additional living room type area with a sofa bed, my friend slept on this and said it was very comfortable. The upstairs bedroom is huge, again, you will not want for more space. Both bathrooms are a good size. Everything was clean and there were plenty of extra towels, blankets, dishes, etc. Being a native of Dubuque, I can tell you that the location is outstanding. Especially with all the renovations in the Millwork District but you can easily hop on Central or 9th and get anywhere you need to go quickly. Being directly upstairs from the coffee shop is great. A definite underrated luxury for this listing. I would recommend this listing to anyone, although I also don't want to recommend it simply because I want it to be available to me anytime I'm in town. Also look for Jenn's other listings, they will be just as amazing.
$1,546.72 USD $1,444.72 USD total for 10 nights
Dec 3 – 13, 2026
This is a cozy, older home that's been revamped. Upon check-in, the place was very clean and smelled great. The beds are super comfy! We stayed for a week, and I worked from the home. I had plenty of space to set up an office in the dining area and the wifi was sufficient for everything I needed to do. The Smart TV is wall-mounted, which was a very nice touch, as it allowed me to watch the TV from multiple locations, including the dining area where I was working. The kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed for our stay. The heat worked great and kept the home nice and toasty during the snowy weather. Alex, the host, was easy to work with and very responsive. We had a smooth check-in experience and he was available throughout our stay. It snowed twice and he made sure we knew there was a shovel and road salt if we needed it - very nice!
$4,144.00 USD $3,863.33 USD total for 14 nights
Dec 2 – 16, 2026
Alex was great to work with, and his home was awesome! The location is great, the house is clean and in great condition, the furnishings and decorations are tasteful and modern, and the house was well supplied in every way. In short, my experience with Alex and his house were everything I wanted, and we hope to stay there again next year!
$2,245.00 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 27 – 30, 2026
$357.00 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 26 – 29, 2026
The stay was lovely. The home is perfectly located with a wonderful view and gorgeous yard. The place is very modern, clean and comfortable with many amenities to keep us entertained. The shower was wonderful, the towels thick and new, the beds and pillows were very cool comfy. Evan and Kristen were very helpful fitting our large family in, and we had complete privacy. We enjoyed the bikes, and we love that they are located along the bike path. We loved the foosball table. We watched a family of deer play and eat in the front yard. Thank you for the wonderful stay!
We had a fabulous stay with our family. Beautiful home with everything we needed. Well equipped kitchen with great appliances. The location was perfect! Nice quiet neighbourhood with easy walk or drive to amenities. Nice walk to ISU Campus and Jack Trice Stadium. Tricia was always responsive and helpful to our needs. Highly recommend!!
$567.04 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 27 – 30, 2026
We stayed here for Christmas 2023. It was even more charming and enchanting than we could imagine. Invision finding that perfect hidden gem ... that ideal cottage ... the peace of the day. The beds are soooo comfortable ... we slept like babies ... especially with the train luling us to sleep!!! The host family is simply amazing and so sweet. It's very close to restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
Recommended Homes in Iowa
Handpicked properties we think you'll love in Iowa.
$707.64 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 26 – 29, 2026
$547.04 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 27 – 30, 2026
$351.75 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 26 – 29, 2026
$1,789.20 USD $1,674.98 USD total for 10 nights
Oct 17 – 27, 2026
$431.00 USD total for 3 nights
Oct 11 – 14, 2026
$3,006.08 USD $2,807.41 USD total for 10 nights
Dec 3 – 13, 2026
$1,061.40 USD total for 14 nights
Nov 29 – Dec 13, 2026
$3,244.64 USD $3,029.28 USD total for 10 nights
Nov 2 – 12, 2026
Vacation houses with pools in Iowa
Cool off in style with these amazing pool homes in Iowa.
$745.48 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 26 – 29, 2026
Pet friendly vacation rentals in Iowa
Bring your furry friend along! Browse pet-welcoming homes in Iowa.
$955.80 USD total for 3 nights
Nov 13 – 16, 2026
$876.30 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 25 – 28, 2026
$793.50 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 25 – 28, 2026
$619.50 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 27 – 30, 2026
$1,875.00 USD $1,515.00 USD total for 30 nights
Sep 26 – Oct 26, 2026
$450.00 USD total for 3 nights
Sep 27 – 30, 2026
Why visit Iowa
Discover what makes Iowa a perfect vacation rental destination.
Experience Amana Colonies
Seven German heritage villages await.
The Amana Colonies, about 20 miles from Iowa City, offer a glimpse into German pioneer life. Visitors can enjoy handcrafted goods and traditional food.
Explore Maquoketa Caves
Hiking trails and unique geological formations.
Located 30 miles south of Dubuque, Maquoketa Caves State Park features 13 caves and panoramic hiking trails. Ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
Adventureland Park Fun
Located just outside Des Moines.
Adventureland Park offers over 100 rides and attractions, including water rides and shows, only 8 miles northeast of Des Moines. Great for families.
Visit Iowa State Capitol
Historical tours in downtown Des Moines.
The iconic gold-domed Iowa State Capitol building offers free guided tours. It is situated in the heart of Des Moines, a must-see for history buffs.
Where to stay in Iowa
The best areas and neighborhoods for your vacation rental in Iowa.
Des Moines
Iowa's capital city features a vibrant downtown area with attractions like the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the popular East Village shopping district.
Iowa City
Known for the University of Iowa, this city has a lively arts scene with venues like the Iowa City Jazz Festival and lively downtown areas.
Dubuque
A river city rich in history, featuring the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and scenic views from the Fenelon Place Elevator.
Amana Colonies
Clusters of German heritage villages offering unique shopping, homemade goods, and traditional German cuisine.
Find Iowa vacation rentals that suit your style
Vacation homes, apartments, cabins and more — pick the kind of Iowa vacation rental you want, then book it direct with the host.
Iowa vacation rentals with free WiFi, hot tub or air conditioning
Free WiFi, hot tub, air conditioning and more — every Iowa vacation rental here is listed by a verified host and bookable direct, with the price the host set.
Top attractions in Iowa
All within driving distance of Iowa vacation rentals.
Amana Colonies
Historic villages that provide insight into German communal living. · 20 miles from Iowa City
Iowa State Capitol
An iconic building with a 23-karat gold dome offers public tours. · 0 miles from Des Moines center
Maquoketa Caves State Park
Offers a network of caves and picturesque hiking trails. · 30 miles south of Dubuque
Adventureland Park
A family-friendly amusement park with over 100 rides. · 8 miles northeast of Des Moines
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Riverside museum focusing on history and wildlife of the Mississippi. · 0 miles from Dubuque center
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Features works from famous Iowa artist Grant Wood. · 0 miles from Cedar Rapids center
Best Time to Visit Iowa
The best time to visit Iowa for vacation rentals is from May to September when temperatures are warm and rainfall is moderate.
The best time to visit Iowa is November to February, when the weather is at its best. For lower prices and fewer crowds, November to March is the best time to book.
Direct with the host
Message the host before you book. Ask questions, confirm details, and deal with the person who owns the property.
Verified hosts
Every host completes identity verification before a listing goes live.
Itemised pricing
Every charge is shown before you pay — including the API connection fee, where one applies.
More vacation rental destinations around Iowa
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about booking vacation rentals in Iowa and what direct booking on Houfy actually means.
Vacation rentals in Iowa range from $100 to $300 per night, depending on location and amenities. Prices in Des Moines may be higher during peak tourist seasons.
Yes, many rentals on Houfy in Iowa allow pets, often for an additional fee. Look for specific pet-friendly listings in areas like Des Moines and Iowa City.
Popular neighborhoods include Downtown Des Moines for nightlife, the East Village for shopping, and the River Bend district for quieter, residential stays.
The best times to visit are in the late spring (May and June) and early fall (September and October), when the weather is mild and many festivals occur.
Iowa offers a variety of rentals, from downtown lofts in major cities to cozy cabins in Amana Colonies and spacious family homes near the Mississippi River.
Vacation rentals often provide more space and kitchen facilities, ideal for families or longer stays, whereas hotels may offer amenities like pools and room service.
Don't miss the unique spire of the High Trestle Trail Bridge near Boone, especially impressive when lit at night, offering stunning views over the Des Moines River.
Houfy is a direct booking platform where guests book directly with the host. Guests can browse listings and contact hosts without intermediaries.
Yes, Houfy emphasizes secure transactions and direct communication with hosts. Reviews and host profiles add an extra layer of assurance for travelers.























































































































