What's a road trip without delicious eats? Plan a trip to take in Iowa's best tenderloin, pizza, burger, beer, pie and wine. Along the way, be sure to catch some area attractions. 

BEST BREADED TENDERLOIN

Nick's, Des Moines: Named Iowa's best tenderloin by the Iowa Pork Producers Association in October 2016.

Five things to do in the area:

• Blank Park Zoo: Iowa's wildest adventure includes more than 800 animals from five continents including giraffe, tigers, sea lions and rhinos in a 25-acre park in Des Moines.
• Gray's Lake: Rent a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard for a fun outdoor experience. The 167-acre park is located just south of Downtown Des Moines.
• Jordan Creek Town Center: More than 125 shops at the mall in West Des Moines keep shoppers busy for hours. The facility also offers glow-in-the-dark mini golf, a movie theater and a walking path around a lake.
• Living History Farms: The story of Iowa's agricultural history comes to life through multiple farmsteads on a 500-acre, open-air museum in Urbandale. Costumed interpreters perform live re-enactments of historic Americana like butter churning and blacksmithing.
• John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park: The 4.4-acre park on the western edge of Downtown Des Moines includes nearly 30 sculpture from world-renowned artists.

 _____

BEST PIZZA

Zipp's Pizzaria, Adair: Named Iowa's best pizza during an Iowa Tourism Office competition in March 2016.

BEST BURGER

The Chuckwagon, Adair: Named Iowa's best burger by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Association in May 2016.

Five things to do in the area:

1. “Ol' Smiley”: Adair's iconic yellow Smiley face water tower was constructed in 1979.
2. Jesse James Historical Marker: The Jesse James gang is believed to have pulled off the first robbery of a moving train just west of Adair on July 21, 1873. The site is marked by a large steam engine wheel.
3. The Freedom Rock: Artist Ray “Bubba” Sorenson annually paints a patriotic theme on this 60-ton boulder north of Greenfield in time for Memorial Day.
4. Friendly Gas Station Man: In 1934, the Kalbach Oil Company commissioned the creation of a service station attendant in a blue uniform outlined in neon lights to greet travelers in Menlo. He's still on the job.
5. Drew's Chocolates: Started in 1927, Drew's in Dexter is the only chocolate shop in the U.S. to fork dip each piece by hand on a daily basis.

 _____

BEST BEER

West O Beer, Okoboji: CocO Chocolate Stout named Iowa's best beer during the Des Moines Register's Beer Bracket competition in March 2016.

Five things to do in the area:

1. Arnolds Park Amusement Park: More than 30 rides and attractions, including the renovated wooden Legend Roller Coaster, at this historic park in Arnolds Park.
2. Emerald Hills Golf Club: Northwest Iowa's most challenging golf course is located in Arnolds Park. The 18-hole, par 72 course includes mature, tree-lined fairways and four sets of tees.
3. Dickinson County Nature Center: Located near West Okoboji Lake in Okoboji, the nature center provides year-round environmental programs, live animals, native gardens, a butterfly house and Nature Explorer playgrounds.
4. Okoboji Summer Theatre/Boji Bantam Theater: Unique summer-stock theatre in Spirit Lake annually produces nine shows in 10 weeks.
5. Iowa Rock 'N' Roll Music Association Museum: Located in Arnolds Park, exhibits in the museum preserve the history of rock 'n' roll in Iowa through a collection of instruments, costumes, posters, awards, jukeboxes and a Hall of Fame Wall of Honor.

 _____

BEST PIE

Crouse Café, Indianola: Cherry pie named Iowa's best pie during an Iowa Tourism Office competition in March 2015.

BEST WINE

Summerset Winery, Indianola: Vignoles named Iowa's best wine during the Mid-American Wine Competition in July 2016.

Five things to do in the area:

1. National Balloon Museum and U.S. Hall of Fame: The museum in Indianola focuses on hot air ballooning artifacts and memorabilia from 1783 to the present.
2. The Garden Barn: Located in a historic post and beam near Indianola barn built in 1886, the shop specializes in nature-inspired décor, garden art, wreaths and floral accents.
3. John Wayne Birthplace Museum: The only facility in the world dedicated to the legendary actor is located in Winterset, where he was born in 1907. The museum showcases artifacts and memorabilia from his life and career.
4. Bridges of Madison County: Six of the famed bridges can be found in and around Winterset.
5. Iowa Quilt Museum: Opened on the Winterset town square in May 2016, the museum features three to four changing exhibits per year. 

Tourism in Iowa generates more than $8.06 billion in expenditures and $466 million in state taxes, plus employs 67,400 people statewide. The Iowa Tourism Office is part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For more information, visit traveliowa.com, call 800.345.IOWA, or stop at any Iowa Welcome Center. Travelers can find additional travel inspiration on the Iowa Tourism Office blog, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Pinterest boards, Instagram account, or You Tube channel.