A very nice rest area/welcome center that I was stranded at for almost 8 hours due to a truck breakdown. The lobby area is clean and informative with maps and such. It is very well kept and the restroom was very clean. The attendant in the welcome center was very friendly and let me borrow one of her pens for quite a while. There are vending machines which even had the credit card swipe option, which is such a plus to see,(they should all be like that in my opinion.) There is wifi, but I had trouble accessing it so I just used my cell service. My only Other gripe is that I wish they had places to sit that have an outlet to plug into. I found a place on the floor to sit at, clear of any foot traffic, but would’ve been nice to have a seat. I noticed that what appeared to have previously been 4 phone banks would have been a perfect spot for outlets to plug into. There were even seats and dividers between them. The outside grounds were well kept and there was even a nature trail, but I didn’t partake in that. Lots of covered/uncovered picnic tables and separate parking for trucks. All in all, it’s not as busy as the I-80 World’s Biggest Truck Stop, so if you’re looking for a quieter option, with less amenities, go a few exits beyond the Truck Stop, you’ll be pleased.
Jerry M.
Place rating: 4 Germantown, WI
«Harvest» is the theme of this rest area, there are ten sculptures, mounted on stainless columns by Thomas R. Stancliffe. The sculpture indoors is titled Seed Pod. Outside, if you look from left to right in the back row, the sculptures are titled Grant Woods Scene, Plow Share, Acorn, Book, Prairie Grasses, and Pig. The shorter sculptures that form the front row are, from left to right, Tractor Tire, Fish, Cone Flower and Corn. This was one of the first of the themed rest areas constructed, and seems a little sparse compared to the newer themed rest areas, but the sculptures do enhance the experience and give an interesting overview of the art, agriculture and industry in Iowa.
Sue T.
Place rating: 5 Naperville, IL
Excellent interstate rest area on I-80 west of the Quad Cities. The main building has large clean restrooms(#1 consideration), vending machines, and a room with dozens of brochures and maps touting nearly every museum, golf course, lake, arboretum, antique shop and small town in the state. The nice lady behind the desk answered questions about the interesting metal sculpture in front of the building. Created by Iowa artist Tom Stancliffe, it consists of 10 tall pipes each with a shape at the top that evokes Iowa — corn, pig, book, tractor tire track, etc. The historical plaque provides a bio of President Herbert Hoover, who was born in nearby West Branch, Iowa. The surrounding grounds are nicely landscaped with trees, short walking trails and covered picnic tables. There’s even a designated dog area with plenty of trees to sniff.
