My family and I, and our two dogs, travel back and forth across the country along the I-80 corridor annually, and we thought we were familiar with every rest stop between Salt Lake City and Chicago, but today turned out to be our first visit to the Tiffin rest stop. It was very clean, offered several snack options in the onsite vending machines, and the outside grounds were lovely. The poetry and prose inspired theme was apparent throughout the grounds from the picnic areas to the facilities building. There are several quotes from famous writers enshrined at the site and a variety of plaques with historic lessons--a little learning opportunity off the well-beaten I-80 path. Save yourself a visit to a filthy gas station bathroom and check out this inspired alternative instead. It's definitely worth it. read more

Tiffin Rest Area - The most artistically inspired rest stop I can even imagine. - Rest Stops Near Me - Tiffin, Iowa

Great rest spot with a lot of nice artwork and well designed building with a lot of mural quotes, the restrooms are definitely clean and well maintained, they have picnic tables with shades from the sun and a area to walk your dog. read more

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What do you hope for when you stop at a rest stop along the interstate? For me, it's usually a clean and safe restroom, a place to refill the water bottles, and, sometimes, a picnic area to take a needed break from the many hours of driving. That's what I was hoping for when we stopped at the Tiffin Rest Area on I-80 eastbound through Iowa, just before exit 237. (Sept, 2024). What I wasn't expecting though was a literary experience. The first hint is the giant fountain pen nib with the words "the beautiful land" in front of the building, and also visible from the Highway. Then, there are sidewalk lights that are shaped like pencils with erasers. But, my favorite was the picnic area, where picnic tables were protected by individual walls/screens with excerpts from literature by Iowan writers. We needed to get back on the road but I found myself wondering from picnic table to picnic table to read all of the quotes! Oh, and yes, the restroom building was well-maintained, clean, and felt safe. Access on/off the interstate was easy, and parking was plentiful. Well done Iowa! read more

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Very clean and wondetfully crafted. The theme was writers and writing and it is just a nice place to stop and take a break on long journeys. read more

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This is one of a new generation Iowa rest area. This Eastbound rest area was Completed in April 26, 2010 on I-80 at mile post 237. As you come along the rest area you will start to notice that the outside picnic shelters look different. They have Cut-metal text in metal sheats that look like pieces of paper. They have quote from different people cut into them. Like this one "Death is one moment, and life is so many of them." by Tennessee Williams... They seem to form walls to help shield the picnic shelters from some wind. Every outside picnic shelter has a different quote from someone. If you need more time to read them feel free to pause the video or rewind video to reread them. I will read one more quote "-I Loved the house the way you would any new house because it is populated by your future, the family of children who will fill it with noise or chaos and satisfying busy pleasures." that was from Jane Smiley Did you happen to notice that there is a yellow #2 pencil stuck into the ground? The sculpture "Pen Nib at the building's entrance puts a big mark on the concrete, that is leaving a black mark every where it goes. As you fallow the black marked trail you find it was inside the rest area leaving a trail of letters that spells out "between the East of my youth and the west of my future" on the clean tile floor. As you wander around the inside of the rest area you will notice several peoples names on the walls, and different writing materials over the years that has been used. Don't worry it's up to date with a picture of a laptop, you can even plug yours in and use the free wife. On the wall leading to the bathrooms you see a wall full of different fonts of the letter "M" for the Men's room, and the letter "W" for the Women's room. Writing is very important way to make past communication, and ideas for future people to gather that stored knowledge from the past. Many writing materials have been used throughout history. Down in Peru the Incas used knotted cords for keeping records. Now days people use there cell phone to pass messages to one another. I hope that we all can learn from the past so we don't make the same mistakes in the future. But you know what they say, "Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To Repeat It." Thank-you for all your comments and viewing the video. I have other videos I would like you to view. read more

Tiffin Rest Area - https://youtu.be/q47bpYoBzb0 - Rest Stops Near Me - Tiffin, Iowa

As you approach this rest area, you first notice the nib in front, then see this rest area has Iowa written all over it. The University of Iowa in nearby Iowa City has been offering the famous Iowa Writer's Workshop since 1936, the first such creative writing programs offered in the United States. Numerous writers, either from Iowa or with ties to Iowa through the Writer's Workshop, are world famous and have a myriad of awards and prizes between them all. Seventeen Pulitzer Prizes have been awarded to graduates of the workshop. A tile banner embedded in the floor invites you in with a line from Jack Kerouac's 1958 novel, "On The Road" where he says, "...between the East of my youth and the West of my future..." and here, that "between" is Iowa. Kerouac stopped in Johnson Country, to rest, on his cross-country journey that became the foundation of "On The Road." The entire decor of this rest area is dedicated to the written word, even the exterior lighting resembles pencils. Wooden block letters of M and W identify your appropriate rest room, a scrolling marquee in the lobby gives you a continuous selection of quotations. Tiles list writers who have ties to Iowa. Outside, picnic shelters have steel "pages" to act as screens, each has a quotation from an Iowa writer laser-cut into the "page." Come, sit, rest awhile and drink in the literary nectar of Iowa. read more

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If there is one thing I've noticed since traveling through Iowa, its that they have the most beautiful rest areas! This rest area was beautiful on the outside and inside and also very clean. Numerous stalls in the ladies room! Plus, wonderful artwork. This picture I've attached was not taken by me but a picture I found from the internet. I wish I had a camera with me at the time so I could have taken pictures of this place. Hopefully I will be able to visit again to catch the beauty digitally. The Iowa DOT website says this rest area has everything except family facilities. However, the West Bound Tiffin rest area does have family facilities if you need it. read more

Tiffin Rest Area - Rest Stops Near Me - Tiffin, Iowa

By far, the best rest area I've been to in the middle of the night. Maybe the best rest area any time of day. As a single female, I'm a bit apprehensive about going in a rest area's building at night since I can't take my dog in with me. There was no need to worry here! This rest stop was well lit, beautiful, immaculately maintained, well supplied and even included a gentleman employee named Glen who keeps things safe at night for travelers. What a nice guy! Also, this stop has an automatic coffee machine with fantastic lattes brewed fresh and an ice cream to dispense your favorite cold treats. They even have complimentary maps of the state to take with you. The outside picnic table areas are beautifully presented with poem backdrops and manicured grass. What a fantastic experience!! Thank you Glen and thank you Iowa!! read more