Winter is a part of life in Iowa and they have a variety of indoor and outdoor events to meet your travel and sightseeing needs. From winter sports to indoor activities, there is a wide variety of things to see and do in February. The month begins with Bald Eagle Appreciation Day at Prairie du Chien. Bald Eagle Appreciation Day offers outdoor views of bald eagles through viewers, as well as bald eagle programs, eagle and raptor exhibits, children’s activities, replica eagle nests and eagle art of children and local artists.

There are also birding experts on hand to answer any and all questions. Prairie du Chien is located on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River. The area is home to the highest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states. They are believed to be home to more bald eagles than any other refuge in the states except Alaska. There are 100 active bald eagle nests and approximately 79 eaglets were produced. This is a big difference from previous years, as in 1972 there was only one known eagle nest in the entire Upper Mississippi River Refuge.

John Wayne’s birthplace is in Winterset, Iowa, in Madison County. Stay warm as you visit this cute little house and learn about one of America’s favorite movie stars. John Wayne was a legendary actor and just the mention of his name reminds one of an old cowboy with grit and of course True Grit. The house is a modest four-bedroom home that has been restored to its original 1907 appearance. There are hundreds of rare photographs as well as personal letters on display from Lucille Ball, Maureen O’Hara, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Ronald Reagan and George Burns. You can also see movie artifacts like the eyepatch he wore in True Grit, the hat he wore in Rio Lobo, and the suitcase he wore in Stagecoach. Ronald Reagan noted that the birthplace was a tribute to a good friend and great American. The house is open seven days a week, except holidays. Guided tours are also offered.

If there’s snow on the ground, you can’t miss out on the great skiing and winter activities. There are several ski resorts and ski areas to take advantage of during the winter months in Iowa. Great ski areas can be found in Boone, Crescent, Des Moines, Dubuque, and Montezuma.