7 Iowa Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life

Do you ever feel like life is moving too fast and wish you could slow it down? In the heart of the Midwest, Iowa is bordered by the Mississippi River to the east, the Missouri River to the west, and the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Once a frontier settlement, Iowa grew into an agricultural powerhouse, where rural communities still embraced a simpler way of life. Scattered across the state, these seven towns—each with fewer than 10,000 residents—offer a peaceful retreat, whether through scenic river views, historic districts, or cultural festivals. Pack your bags, take a deep breath, and experience Iowa at a slower, more authentic pace.

Guttenberg

Founded in the 1840s by German immigrants, Guttenberg was modeled after Bavarian villages, with limestone buildings, cobblestone streets, and scenic river views. Its beauty hasn’t gone unnoticed—Forbes named it one of America’s Prettiest Towns in 2010. The Guttenberg Riverwalk follows the Mississippi’s gentle flow, offering peaceful benches where visitors can watch boats glide past the river bluffs.

The Guttenberg Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserves landmarks like the Albertus Building (1879) with its 19th-century stonework. At the Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center, exhibits explore the area’s unique geology and German immigrant heritage. Each fall, GermanFest fills the streets with polka music, bratwurst, and beer gardens, celebrating the town’s Bavarian roots.

Eldora

Life moves slowly here, but every corner holds something worth discovering. Pine Lake State Park provides a quiet escape, where wooded trails lead to calm lakes perfect for fishing, kayaking, or simply watching the water ripple. For those who prefer to go with the flow, Rock-n-Row Adventures offers tubing trips down the Iowa River, where gentle currents carry visitors through scenic countryside.

History remains at the Civilian Conservation Corps/Prisoner of War Rec Hall & Military Museum, where displays recount the stories of German POWs once imprisoned in the area. In town, The Pickin’ Preacher offers another kind of treasure hunt, with antiques, repurposed furniture, and decorative goods filling the shelves of this one-of-a-kind shop.

Elk Horn

Life moves at a relaxed pace in Elk Horn, where Danish heritage shapes daily life. As one of the largest Danish-American enclaves, its strong cultural identity gained international attention through the documentary Denmark on the Prairie (2013) and a feature on the Danish cooking show Spise med Price. The Danish Windmill, originally built in Denmark in 1848 and later reconstructed in Elk Horn in 1976, stands as a tribute to the town’s immigrant roots.

The Museum of Danish America preserves this legacy with exhibits of folk art, traditional crafts, and Viking-era artifacts. Just 2.9 miles from town, Danish Countryside Vines & Wines offers local wine tastings in a peaceful rural setting. In May, Tivoli Fest brings Danish traditions to life with folk dancing, open-faced sandwiches, and freshly made æbleskiver.

Winterset

Winterset feels like a page from a storybook, whether you’re crossing a covered bridge, climbing a hilltop tower, or standing in the birthplace of a Hollywood legend. The Covered Bridges of Madison County invite visitors to slow down, where winding roads and quiet walks lead through rolling farmland and historic wooden spans. Just beyond the bridges, Winterset City Park offers another kind of retreat, with winding trails leading to Clark Tower, a castle-like limestone lookout with sweeping countryside views.

History comes to life at the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, where exhibits chronicle the early years of America’s greatest cowboy. For a more interactive adventure, the Adventurous Scavenger Hunt by Zombie Scavengers turns nearby Des Moines into a game, challenging visitors to solve puzzles and complete quirky tasks across the city.

Bellevue

True to its name, Bellevue offers visitors a belle vue—a beautiful view—of the Mississippi River, where life unfolds at the leisurely pace of nature. Banners hanging from street posts proudly declare, “Where Eagles Soar.” Each winter, bald eagles gather near Lock and Dam 12, gliding over the frozen Mississippi as they hunt for fish and roost in the trees. Watching these majestic birds soar over the river captures the quiet, unhurried rhythm of Bellevue.

For an even wider view, Bellevue State Park offers bluff-top trails where visitors can pause and take in the rolling hills and river below. Near the town, Bellevue Golf Club provides a peaceful nine-hole course where golfers play at a relaxed pace, surrounded by the beauty of Iowa’s countryside.

Orange City

Founded in 1870 by Dutch settlers, Orange City was named after the Netherlands’ royal House of Orange, reflecting its deep cultural ties. The settlers built a schoolhouse and later established the Northwestern Classical Academy to preserve their cultural and religious traditions. At the heart of town, Windmill Park features a traditional Dutch windmill, offering a peaceful place to experience Orange City’s heritage.

By 1936, locals began the Tulip Festival, now one of the region’s largest events, drawing visitors from Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska each May. The Stadscentrum Building, a replica of a Dutch village square, houses specialty shops and showcases traditional Dutch architecture. At Dutchmart Food Center, visitors can browse authentic Dutch groceries, from imported cheeses to traditional stroopwafels.

McGregor

Life in McGregor moves at a relaxed pace, where history and local traditions shape daily life, and nature sets the rhythm. Pikes Peak State Park offers scenic trails leading to breathtaking Mississippi River views, inviting visitors to pause and take it all in. Just outside town, Spook Cave & Campground offers a one-of-a-kind experience, where boat tours glide through submerged limestone caves, revealing eerie rock formations in the dim light.

The town is full of history and culture, from the McGregor Historical Museum to local festivals. At Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery, the Scottish Heritage Festival’s Kilt Contest transforms the pub with Scottish music, local brews, and kilted contestants vying for prizes.

Slowing Down Never Looked So Good

Iowa may be known for its broad prairies, but its small towns hold the real magic. Flanked on either side by the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the back roads of the state contain sweeping views, deep history, and an easy pace of life. There are the Dutch windmills of Orange City, the Bavarian charm of Guttenberg, and the covered bridge heritage of Winterset. These hidden gems embrace simplicity without sacrificing character. Whether it’s a festival filled with polka music and bratwurst or a peaceful afternoon watching eagles soar over the Mississippi, these seven towns prove that slowing down isn’t about missing out—it’s about finally taking it all in.