6 Delightful Towns to Visit in Iowa

Outside the bustle of the bigger Iowa cities like Des Moines or Sioux City are some of the most charming, delightful towns in the Midwest. With a rich history, friendly locals, unique attractions, and stunning views, these hidden gems are worth the drive. Plan your visit to coincide with lovely festivals like the Tulip Time Festival in Pella, or the Dyersville Downtown Market. If you love exploring and adventure, you have to head to Decorah to check out the Ice Cave State Preserve and the Driftless Area! These delightful towns have something for everyone to discover.

Pella

The charming town of Pella is also called “Little Holland”, or “America’s Dutch Treasure”. Founded by Dutch immigrants in the late 1800s, walking the streets of Pella feels like walking the street of Holland. Much of the perfectly preserved architecture of Pella can be traced back to its Dutch roots. The Vermeer Windmill, which is the tallest working windmill in the United States is a must-see for visitors. It’s the heart of Pella situated in the center of the downtown area. Visitors also have to stop by The Historical Village, which displays the original buildings of the early Dutch settlers and gives you an idea of what life was like for the founders of Pella.

Pella’s claim to fame, however, is the annual Tulip Time Festival. In early May, residents decorate the entire town in tulips and celebrate the town's Dutch heritage with festive parades, dancing, and amazing Dutch cuisine. It’s so popular that it attracts visitors from all over the state. If you plan on exploring the scenic town of Pella, make sure you time it with the Tulip Time Festival!

Dyersville

The town of Dyersville is so adorable that it is a filming location for the movie Field of Dreams. Today, the infamous field is a popular tourist attraction that allows visitors to walk the bases and take tours of the filming site. However, Dyersville is so much more than a famous baseball field. Be sure to check out the National Farm Toy Museum, or the Dyer-Botsford Doll Museum. When you are ready to relax after a day of sightseeing, stop in at the O So Good Winery for a glass of wine.

The downtown area of Dyersville is also home to delightful local events like the Dyersville Downtown Market (held in the summer) or, the Farm Toy Show (held in early November). To soak in the sights of Dyersville, grab your bike or hiking shoes and head to Heritage Trail. This amazingly scenic trail offers wooded and river views, and follows an old railroad line.

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is home to the beautiful Cornell College (not to be confused with Cornell University in New York). The school was founded in 1853 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The locals are friendly, the downtown area feels like stepping inside a postcard, and the architecture of the town is breathtaking. For a real treat, make sure you plan your visit for the first weekend in May when they hold their annual Chalk the Walk. Over 200 artists flood downtown with color with their amazing art on the sidewalks and streets.

Situated right outside the historic downtown area, Mount Vernon is surrounded by amazing parks that offer breathtaking views. Travel a short 5 miles west of Mount Vernon to Palisades-Kepler State Park along the Cedar River. Visitors can lace up their hiking boots to explore one of the many wooded trails. Or, grab your fishing pole and spend the afternoon bass fishing on the Cedar River.

Decorah

Decorah has a strong Norwegian heritage that bleeds into every aspect of the town from the architecture down to the local cuisine. While its history, downtown area, and style are charming, it’s the geological features of the town that make it a must-see. Decorah is home to the Ice Cave State Preserve, which is one of the biggest ice caves in eastern North America! Visitors can take self-guided tours of this geological wonder, and learn more about how the cave was formed.

Another great geological spot to hit up in Decorah is the rugged Driftless Area, a spot in Iowa that was not affected by glaciation. This area is unique to Iowa and boasts steep cliffs, rolling terrain, and amazing scenery. Grab your hiking shoes and explore Trout Run Trail, which takes you on a loop around the town. It’s a challenging trail, but worth it for the spectacular views.

Winterset

Winterset is the home to the famous actor Marion Morrison, or as you may know him as John Wayne. Fans of the Hollywood’s Golden Age actor can head to the John Wayne Birthplace Museum to learn more about John Wayne through memorabilia and exhibits. However, John Wayne isn’t Winterset's only claim to Hollywood fame. The picturesque covered bridges inspired the novel (turned movie) The Bridges of Madison County, which is the county in which Winterset is located.

After exploring the tourist attractions of Winterset, take a stroll through the Historic Downtown to admire the amazing Renaissance Revival style of the Madison County Courthouse. To catch a better view of Winterset, head to the 25-foot observation tower, aka Clark Tower. It provides stunning 360-degree views and is a must-see to truly take in the beauty of the town.

Elkader

If scenic views are what you are after, there is no better spot in Iowa than the sleepy delightful town of Elkader. Situated in the heart of the Turkey River Valley, Elkader offers amazing water and wooded views. For rest and relaxation, make a stop at Elkader City Park situated in the heart of downtown. It provides amazing views of the Turkey River with spots to picnic, hike, or just kick back and enjoy the water views. Just outside of town is the Motor Mill Trail, which offers wooded hiking trails mixed in with historical sites that are perfect for active history buffs.

The historic downtown area is home to the Elkader Opera House, which was built in 1903. As the centerpiece of the downtown area, it hosts live concerts, community events, and live theatrical performances. Or, head to the Carter House Museum to learn more about the history of the town.

Become a Local in These Delightful Iowa Towns

The Hawkeye State is so much more than rolling fields and breathtaking sunsets. These delightful small Iowa towns capture the essence of the Midwest spirit. From the Dutch-inspired town of Pella with its amazing windmill to the iconic bridges of Madison County in Winterset, Iowa is chock full of some amazing things to discover. You can spend an afternoon on the Cedar River in Mount Vernon, or explore the Ice Caves in Decorah. No matter what you love, these towns are great for the whole family.