Hot Times, Cool Places

Iowa Fun Vacation Facts

America's Little Mermaid

In Mermaid Park in the center of Kimballton is a full-size replica of the famous Little Mermaid statue from Copenhagen, one of Denmark's most popular tourist attractions. This statue celebrate the town's Danish heritage as well as the author of The Little Mermaid, Hans Christian Anderson (who is also a member of the Self-Publishing Hall of Fame).

Address: Little Mermaid Statue, Mermaid Park, 310 N. Main Street, Kimballton, Iowa 51543. Web: http://www.auduboncounty.net/exxtian/kimballton.

Barbeque Capital of Iowa

Each year in June, Marshalltown hosts the Iowa State BBQ Championship as part of their annual BBQ, Buggies and Tunes Festival.

Address: Marshalltown Visitors Bureau, 709 S. Center Street, P.O. Box 1000, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158; 641-753-6645; 800-697-3155; Fax: 641-752-8373. Email: cvb@marshalltown.org. Web: http://www.VisitMarshalltown.com.