Visit Iowa: Casey's General Store

One of our must-stops in Iowa was Casey's General Store, a gas station convenience store chain known for their pizzas!

Bacon Breakfast Pizza

Pepperoni Pizza

Sausage Breakfast Pizza

Potato Wedges

The pizzas were good!  I had the Bacon Breakfast Pizza, and I could've eaten a slice of that pizza every day for breakfast!

We ended up making multiple stops at multiple Casey's to pick up snacks and drinks for the long drives.

Frozen Treats

Sweet & Salty Mix

If you find yourself at Casey's General Store, try the pizza!

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Visit Iowa: Wells Visitors Center & Ice Cream Parlor

While driving back from South Dakota during our Midwest road trip, I saw that the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars, Iowa (aka the Ice Cream Capital of the World) was on our way.

There was no way I would miss stopping there (my love for ice cream is no joke!).

You may be more familiar with Blue Bunny, which the visitors center was previously known as, and Wells has since expanded from the popular Blue Bunny brand to include a number of brands under the ice cream family.

The line for ice cream at the visitors center was the longest ice cream line I've ever stood in, but thankfully it moved quickly.

Birthday Cake + Chocolate Brownie Extreme

Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream + Rocky Road

Salted Caramel Craze + Peanut Butter Fudge

Marvel Pop

Blue Bunny is one of my favorite brands of ice cream, and the ice cream was just so good (the Single Dip consists of two flavors and is a generous serving!).

Salted Caramel Craze was my favorite, because I just love all things salted caramel.

In addition to the amazing ice cream to consume, visitors can head upstairs to watch a short film, or interact with one of the numerous exhibits that are all about ice cream!

The Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor is a must-visit for anyone who loves ice cream!

Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor
115 Central Ave NW
Le Mars, IA 51031
(712) 546-4522

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Visit Iowa: Buddy Holly Crash Site

On the drive from Omaha to Minneapolis, we stopped at the Buddy Holly Crash Site in Clear Lake, Iowa.

At the side of the road is a marker paying homage to Buddy Holly.  The actual memorial site is a 10-minute walk into the field.

The only information I had about the incident was from watching La Bamba when I was younger.  For those unfamiliar with the tragedy, according to Wikipedia:

On February 3, 1959, American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson. The event later became known as "The Day the Music Died", after singer-songwriter Don McLean referred to it as such in his 1971 song "American Pie".

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Visit Iowa: Maid-Rite

When in Iowa, you must try Maid-Rite for their signature Maid-Rite sandwich.

Bacon Cheese-Rite

A Maid-Rite is a seasoned ground beef loose meat sandwich.  It's even served with a spoon!

Hot Big Daddy

A Hot Big Daddy is an enormous portion of pulled pork!  I have no idea why I ordered it - I should've ordered just the regular Pulled BBQ Pork sandwich.  It was really flavorful though - smoky and sweet!

Beer Battered Sidewinder Fries

A Little Tykes menu is available.  All meals are served with fries, a drink, and a cookie!

Corn Dog

Hot Dog

Kids-Rite

Be sure to stop at a Maid-Rite when you're in Iowa!

Maid-Rite
1551 Valley W Dr

West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 309-5495

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