10 Underrated Small Towns To Explore In Iowa
The 29th state to be ceremoniously admitted to the Union on December 28, 1846, Iowa is a vivid, doubly landlocked upper Midwest US State celebrated for its awe-inspiring heterogeneous landscape comprising wide-ranging corn fields, level meadows, rolling hillocks, and the unique east and west state boundaries formed almost completely by rivers. Although the razzle-dazzle of urban metropolises like Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, the state capital Des Moines, and Sioux City attract maximum visitors, the cornucopia of underrated teeny towns sprinkled all over the state’s stunning terrain mostly remain unnoticed. These close-knit communities displaying marvelous sceneries, historical landmarks, distinctive cultures, and congenial surroundings are superb locales to nurture connections with friends and family on your upcoming tour to the Hawkeye State.
Pella
Baptized after “Pella of the Decapolis,” this delightful Marion County town is situated around 40 miles southeast of Des Moines. Praised for its Hollandic heritage, the town is home to the Central College’s main campus in addition to manufacturing companies such as Pella Corporation and Vermeer Corporation. Upholding its motto: “A Touch of Holland,” the town’s Dutch-inspired structures, tortuous canals, massive swirling windmills, rainbow-hued tulips, and stacks of freshly baked pastries on bakery racks give travelers a Netherlandish feel. When in town, the Vermeer Mill & Pella Historical Village, Pella Opera House, Klokkenspel, Red Rock Reservoir, Sunken Gardens Park, Molengracht Plaza, and Scholte House Museum & Gardens are not to be missed. The yearly Tulip Time Festival, on the first weekend of May, honors Pella’s Frisian ancestry with tulip gardens, Dutch costumes, daily parades, tasty cuisines, and musical performances.
Winterset
Occupying Madison County’s core, Winterset, located at the crossing of U.S. Route 169 and Iowa State Highway 92, is approx. 30 miles southwest of the state capital. Esteemed as one of Iowa’s impeccable towns, this 5,353-inhabitant town fascinates tourists with its eternal appeal and being the filming location of popular American movies: ‘The Bridges of Madison County,’ Cold Turkey, and The Crazies. Take a long drive through the undulating hills and spot the jaw-dropping covered bridges: Roseman Bridge, Holliwell Covered Bridge, Cedar Covered Bridge, Hogback Covered Bridge, Imes Covered Bridge, and Cutler-Donabe Covered Bridge. Also, the Madison County Courthouse, John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, Winterset Stage - a live theatre venue, Iowa Quilt Museum, and Winterset City Park and its epochal Clark Tower are some noteworthy attractions. Spare time from your hectic schedules to be there at the Madison County Covered Bridges Festival, celebrating the town’s bridges and native heritage every second weekend of October.
Decorah
Winneshiek County’s seat of government, Decorah, occupies the Upper Midwest’s hilly driftless region around 15 miles south of the state border with Minnesota. This northernmost chief community, at the junction of U.S. Highway 52 and Iowa Highway 9, houses the principal campus of the reputable Luther College, particularly recognized for its Nordic Choir. History connoisseurs visiting Decorah have to check out the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, considered the country’s biggest museum dedicated to a lone immigrant group. In keeping up with its vibrant creative scene, the town hosts numerous musical spectacles, art exhibitions, and seasonal festivities like Nordic Fest over the final weekend in July, celebrating Decorah’s Scandinavian heritage. Palisades Park, Siewers Spring, Decorah Ice Cave State Park, and Dunning’s Spring are perfect locales for unwinding amidst natural surroundings.
LeClaire
LeClaire is a pretty Scott County town set idyllically along the Mississippi River banks which forms a portion of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area besides being one of the Quad Cities region’s fastest-growing communities. Stroll through the federally recognized 20-acre Cody Road Historic District and laud the historic structures, boutiques, antique stores, galleries, breweries, and restaurants like Cody Road Coffee and La Ragazza Tuscan Kitchen & Bar lining Cody Road (U.S. Route 67) - the town’s primary street. In addition, learn about local histories at the Buffalo Bill Museum, take a road trip along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, and do not miss the Riverboat Twilight’s 90-minute sightseeing cruise. Annually, on the second weekend of August, throng in large numbers to the towns of Le Claire (Iowa) or Port Byron (Illinois) and partake in the unique three-day-long Tugfest event.
Elk Horn
Platted in 1901 and officially incorporated in 1910, this teeny Shelby County settlement labeled after Elk Horn Creek is esteemed for its Danish ancestry. Travelers touring this 601-inhabitant town must stop by the emblematic Danish Windmill, which stands as a mnemonic to the town’s illustrious past. More than 35,000 artifacts displayed in the Museum of Danish America rightfully justify the museum’s mission to conserve and foster Danish culture in the US. Additionally, history buffs should discover the museum’s different off-site properties, such as the Bedstemor’s House, Genealogy & Education Center, and Jens Dixen House, while road-trippers can drive down the Western Skies Scenic Byway and soak in the pristine beauty of the ambient scenery.
Dyersville
Dubbed “The Farm Toy Capital of the World,” this adorable town named in honor of James Dyer - a pioneer settler, straddles the eastern quadrant of Delaware County and the western segment of Dubuque County by the North Fork of the Maquoketa River. While in town, the National Farm Toy Museum, Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, Plaza Antique Mall, Field of Dreams Movie Site, Ertl Company outlet store, and Dyer-Botsford Doll Museum are must-visits. Every year, thousands of hikers and bicyclists flock to explore the 30-mile-long Heritage Trail - considered the most breathtaking all-season trail in the Upper Midwest, whereas merrymakers get to attend community events like the National Farm Toy Show, St. Patrick’s Day parade, Downtown Friday Nights, and Summer Farm Toy Show.
Eldora
Eldora, the Hardin County seat, called by a native mother after her departed infant daughter, is set at the eastern extremity of Altmont Moraine just west of the Iowa River’s gorge. This 2,663-inhabitant community welcomes globetrotters to survey its appealing downtown district chock-a-full of carefully preserved landmarks such as the Hardin County Historical House, Eldora Welcome Center & Railroad Museum, and Hardin County Farm Museum, other small businesses, galleries, prize-winning brews, and tempting restaurants like Panda One and Firehouse Saloon & Grill. From Eldora, one can quickly reach the adjoining Pine Lake State Park, which features two lakes stocked with fish, 10 miles of developed trails, a campground with 124 camping units, and a 50-mile-long Lake-to-Lake State Park Bike Route that connects Pine Lake State Park with George Wyth Memorial State Park.
McGregor
A bewitching Clayton County town, McGregor is situated by the side of the Mississippi River across Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, occupying the valley base of almost erect sandstone bluffs: the Jordan Formation and St. Peter Sandstone. Sightseers at this most sought-after summer retreat must walk the Main Street (State Highway 76) that passes through the McGregor Commercial Historic District having scores of unspoiled landmark properties built during the boom years. The district is jammed with an assortment of curio shops, specialty stores, museums, art galleries, pubs, and restaurants including the Old Time Shoppe, McGregor Historical Museum, McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts, Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery, and Maggie’s Diner. Moreover, the town’s placement at the River Bluffs Scenic Byway’s endpoint in the Driftless Area helps nature enthusiasts access the zigzagging hiking paths of the proximate Effigy Mounds National Monument and Pikes Peak State Park and witness mesmerizing vistas of the Mississippi River Valley.
Waverly
Forming a portion of the ‘Waterloo-Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, ’ this administrative center of Northeast Iowa’s Bremer County is located alongside the Cedar River. Aside from being home to the prestigious Wartburg College, Waverly invites holidayers to window-shop from the umpteen vintage stores, locally-owned shops, and eateries like Wild Carrot LLC and Frederick’s Sips n Eats that fill Main Street. Encompassing a substantial part of the town’s commercial and business hub, the 12-acre Waverly East Bremer Avenue Commercial Historic District comprises 41 contributing and 12 non-contributing properties, among which the most noteworthy being a WPA-era post office. The Waverly Rail Trail’s impressive walking and bicycling pathways provide outdoorsy types a variety of opportunities to reconnect with Mother Nature. Appreciate the town’s energetic culture by participating in the ‘Waverly Heritage Days’ - a yearly four-day extravaganza with live musical performances, regional art displays, gastronomic delights, and multiple recreational pursuits.
Orange City
This Sioux County seat of government, christened after William III - the sovereign Prince of Orange, is widely known for its Dutch roots and friendly populace. The countless antique buildings and Dutch-inspired sites including the National Register-listed Sioux County Courthouse, Orange City Century Home, and the campus of Northwestern College especially entice tourists visiting Orange City. Furthermore, to gain knowledge about the area’s bygone years, check out the array of exhibits at the Dutch American Heritage Museum; witness the Dutch Canal Bridge by the windmills and outstanding flower gardens while on a leisurely walk through the downtown Windmill Park; traverse the town’s many parks and trails; and partake in the annual Tulip Festival.
From Pella’s Dutch-inspired architectures to Dyersville - the ‘Farm Toy Capital of the World,’ the gorgeous hamlets in the nation’s 26th largest and 31st most populous state captivates holidaymakers with their discreteness. So, if you are on a search for a serene place to settle or for localities to hang out on the weekends and extended breaks, look no further than these Iowa towns that are sure to leave an enduring impression on every vacationer.
