By far, the best rest area I’ve been to in the middle of the night. Maybe the best rest area any time of day. As a single female, I’m a bit apprehensive about going in a rest area’s building at night since I can’t take my dog in with me. There was no need to worry here! This rest stop was well lit, beautiful, immaculately maintained, well supplied and even included a gentleman employee named Glen who keeps things safe at night for travelers. What a nice guy! Also, this stop has an automatic coffee machine with fantastic lattes brewed fresh and an ice cream to dispense your favorite cold treats. They even have complimentary maps of the state to take with you. The outside picnic table areas are beautifully presented with poem backdrops and manicured grass. What a fantastic experience! Thank you Glen and thank you Iowa!
Jerry M.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Germantown, WI
As you approach this rest area, you first notice the nib in front, then see this rest area has Iowa written all over it. The University of Iowa in nearby Iowa City has been offering the famous Iowa Writer’s Workshop since 1936, the first such creative writing programs offered in the United States. Numerous writers, either from Iowa or with ties to Iowa through the Writer’s Workshop, are world famous and have a myriad of awards and prizes between them all. Seventeen Pulitzer Prizes have been awarded to graduates of the workshop. A tile banner embedded in the floor invites you in with a line from Jack Kerouac’s 1958 novel, «On The Road» where he says, «…between the East of my youth and the West of my future…» and here, that«between» is Iowa. Kerouac stopped in Johnson Country, to rest, on his cross-country journey that became the foundation of «On The Road.» The entire décor of this rest area is dedicated to the written word, even the exterior lighting resembles pencils. Wooden block letters of M and W identify your appropriate rest room, a scrolling marquee in the lobby gives you a continuous selection of quotations. Tiles list writers who have ties to Iowa. Outside, picnic shelters have steel«pages» to act as screens, each has a quotation from an Iowa writer laser-cut into the«page.» Come, sit, rest awhile and drink in the literary nectar of Iowa.
Janet E.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Chicago, IL
If there is one thing I’ve noticed since traveling through Iowa, its that they have the most beautiful rest areas! This rest area was beautiful on the outside and inside and also very clean. Numerous stalls in the ladies room! Plus, wonderful artwork. This picture I’ve attached was not taken by me but a picture I found from the internet. I wish I had a camera with me at the time so I could have taken pictures of this place. Hopefully I will be able to visit again to catch the beauty digitally. The Iowa DOT website says this rest area has everything except family facilities. However, the West Bound Tiffin rest area does have family facilities if you need it.
