We live about two hours from the eastern Iowa border. It’s absolutely beautiful all along the Mississippi, but then nothing but corn and hogs until you hit Des Moines, then more corn and hogs until you hit the other side that borders on the Missouri River. Also very pretty! ;)
Wisconsin is a beautiful state. The endless corn and bean fields in Iowa get monotonous, Cattle and hogs are raised in Iowa, too, and there are some very lovely unique and scenic spots. It's very beautiful with the rolling hills by Dubuque where you can cross a bridge into your state, too. I have driven the Great River Road all the way to Minneapolis, which is breathtaking. It takes an hour or two longer than the usual route, I80 to near Des Moines then I35 north to Minneapolis, but it's worth it. There are even some white birch trees growing in the far north of Iowa along the river road.
And you can drive up on the Illinois side on the "other" river road.