Iowa's Best Small Towns For A Weekend Escape
The landlocked state of Iowa in the upper American Midwest is distinguished for its incredible topographical diversity, featuring undulating hills, flat plains, and expansive corn fields. Although every year, thousands of vacationers are drawn here by the glitz and glamor of the metro hubs like Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City, and the state capital, Des Moines, the picture-perfect towns scattered all over the Hawkeye State’s 55,857 sq. mi. terrain are equally worth visiting. These teeny, tight-knit settlements boasting spectacular sceneries, spellbinding attractions, thriving cultures, and welcoming ambiance captivate the hearts of everyone who tours them with their loved ones, either on the weekends or during the long holidays.
Decorah
Winneshiek County’s administrative center and its biggest community, Decorah, is situated in the Upper Midwest’s Driftless Area, at the meeting point of Iowa Highway 9 and U.S. Highway 52, approx. Fifteen miles south of the state boundary with Minnesota. Christened in honor of Waukon Decorah, the leader of the indigenous Ho-Chunk tribe, the town houses the principal campus of Luther College, a private liberal arts institution renowned for its Nordic Choir. Considered to be the largest Norwegian Museum in the country, the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum is a must-visit for history buffs.
Decorah proudly boasts a lively arts and cultural scene, hosting several music events, art exhibitions, and yearly festivals like Nordic Fest celebrating the town’s Norwegian roots. Additionally, visitors can tour Palisades Park, Dunning’s Spring, Phelps Park, and Decorah Ice Cave State Park; feed fishes at the Decorah Fish Hatchery; grab a delicious meal at Rubaiyat Restaurant; and rest after an eventful day at Hotel Winneshiek.
Pella
Primarily settled in 1847 by immigrants from the Netherlands and called after “Pella of the Decapolis,” this Marion County town is located approximately 40 miles southeast of Des Moines. The town, acclaimed for its Dutch heritage, is also home to the Central College campus, besides many manufacturing companies like Vermeer Company and Pella Corporation. The Dutch-inspired architecture, rainbow-hued tulips, winding canals, gigantic whirling windmills, and heaps of warm pastries on the bakery racks give the visiting vacationers a feel that they have come somewhere in the Netherlands.
The Vermeer Mill & Pella Historical Village, Klokkenspel, Sunken Gardens Park, Scholte House Museum & Gardens, Pella Opera House, and the nearby Red Rock Reservoir are noteworthy sites of interest. A beautiful canal meanders through the adjacent Molengracht Plaza, with a grand drawbridge, abundant shops, eateries, a hostelry, and a movie theatre. During your stay, relax at the AmericInn by Wyndham and find time to partake in the Tulip Time Festival, celebrating Pella’s Hollandic origins annually on the first weekend of May.
Winterset
Winterset occupies the core of Madison County at the convergence of U.S. Route 169 and Iowa 92, approx. 30 miles southwest of Des Moines. Renowned as one of the state’s impeccable towns, Winterset tempts tourists with its everlasting appeal. Take a driving trip over the rolling hills and spot the town’s six mind-boggling covered bridges: Roseman Bridge, Cedar Covered Bridge, Imes Covered Bridge, Cutler-Donabe Covered Bridge, Hogback Covered Bridge, and Holliwell Covered Bridge.
Also, do not miss the Madison County Courthouse, Iowa Quilt Museum, John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, Madison County Historical Society Complex, Winterset City Park and its iconic Clark Tower, Winterset Stage - a live theatre venue in Madison County, and unwind after an exhausting day at Heavenly Habitat Bed & Breakfast. Every second weekend in October, try to be present at the Madison County Covered Bridges Festival, which celebrates Winterset’s bridges and traditional heritage.
McGregor
Nicknamed “The Pocket City,” this fascinating river town in Clayton County is situated across Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, alongside the Mississippi River and at the valley floor of very steep sandstone bluffs: Jordan Formation and St. Peter Sandstone. When in town, walk down Main Street (State Highway 76) which passes through the Commercial Historic District, and browse the numerous meticulously restored 19th-century buildings, vintage stores like Old Time Shoppe, bars, gift shops, museums like the McGregor Historical Museum, art venue & education center like the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts, state-of-the-art restaurants like The Old Man River Restaurant & Microbrewery, and warm bed & breakfasts like The Little Switzerland Inn & Sadie’s Log Cabin.
The town’s placement at the extremity of the River Bluffs Scenic Byway in the Driftless Area helps adrenaline junkies easily access the abutting Pikes Peak State Park and Effigy Mounds National Monument, apart from recceing the zigzagging hiking paths providing eye-catching panoramas of the Mississippi River Valley.
Waverly
The seat of government of Northeast Iowa’s Bremer County, Waverly, located beside the Cedar River, forms a portion of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. Travelers visiting this charming town must peruse the scores of locally owned stores, antique shops, eateries, and popular hotels like Cobblestone Inn & Suites. The National Register-listed Waverly East Bremer Avenue Commercial Historic District encompasses a significant portion of Waverly’s commercial district and comprises over 41 contributing and 12 non-contributing properties.
The Waverly Rail Trail’s impressive walking and bicycling pathways provide outdoor enthusiasts with abundant opportunities to spend time amidst the greens. The Waverly Heritage Days - an annual four-day extravaganza entices revelers with regional art displays, live musical performances, zillions of fun-filled activities, and delectable cuisines.
Dyersville
Dyersville, dubbed “The Farm Toy Capital of the World,” is spread across the western part of Dubuque County and the eastern part of Delaware County by the side of the North Fork of the Maquoketa River. Labeled after the pioneer settler James Dyer, who immigrated to the town from Banwell, England, this teeny community lures holidaymakers with its noteworthy sites such as the National Farm Toy Museum, Plaza Antique Mall, Ertl Company outlet store, Dyer-Botsford Doll Museum, Field of Dreams Movie Site, and Basilica of St. Francis Xavier.
Bikers must also discover the 26-mile-long Heritage Trail, which is considered one of the Upper Midwest’s most picturesque trails. Have a pleasant stay at Super 8 by Wyndham Dyersville, and try to be present at any of the town’s annual celebrations, such as the St. Patrick's Day parade, National Farm Toy Show, Downtown Friday Nights, and Summer Farm Toy Show.
Clear Lake
An enchanting community in Northern Iowa’s Cerro Gordo County, Clear Lake is christened after its namesake natural spring-fed lake along which the town is situated. A crucial stop on Interstate 35 and located midway between Des Moines and Minneapolis, Clear Lake has multiple tourism-related businesses, including truck stops, marinas, state parks, excellent dining establishments like The Other Place, and accommodations like Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Clear Lake.
The landmark Lake Theatre, Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake Arts Center, PM Park, Clear Lake Fire Museum, Central Gardens of North Iowa, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Vallens & Big Bopper Crash Site Memorial, and the adjoining Clear Lake State Park are notable attractions. Additionally, survey the all-encompassing River City Greenbelt & Trail System and hop aboard the Lady of Lake ferry boat for a lovely cruise around Clear Lake.
LeClaire
This Scott County town set along the Mississippi River banks is a suburb of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area and is considered one of the Quad Cities region’s fastest-growing communities. Travelers visiting this scenic riverfront town named after the local landowner Antoine LeClaire must stroll through the Cody Road Historic District and take note of the array of old properties, boutiques, galleries, breweries, antique stores such as Antique Archaeology - the home base for the ‘American Pickers’ a reality television series telecasted on the History Channel, restaurants like Crane & Pelican Cafe, and hotels like Holiday Inn Express Le Claire Riverfront-Davenport lining the streets.
Do not miss the 90-minute sightseeing cruise offered by Riverboat Twilight, take a road trip along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, and learn about the town’s history and life along the Mississippi River at the Buffalo Bill Museum. Thousands of merrymakers flock to the towns of LeClaire, Iowa, and Port Byron, Illinois, during the second weekend of August to participate in Tugfest - a yearly three-day-long event.
From the photo-op-worthy Decorah to the lovely waterfront town of LeClaire, the innumerable adorable small towns in the 26th largest and 31st most populous state of the nation are waiting to be discovered by tourists of all ages and interests. Whether you are on the lookout for a peaceful place to settle or locales having awe-inspiring surroundings, enthralling cultural attractions, superb fine dining establishments, and home-like accommodations, these towns in the Hawkeye State are perfect for a fun-filled, rejuvenating weekend getaway.
