The 7 Most Picturesque Small Towns In Iowa

Not everyone may expect Iowa to be a must-travel state to be found on bucket lists. However, the state is brimming with destinations for every kind of tourist. Many picturesque small towns dot the landscape of Iowa and serve as gateways to the great outdoors. The towns themselves also have a lot to offer, including charming downtowns, great local cuisine, shopping opportunities, historical landmarks, and more. Discover some of these treasures of Iowa in the list below:

Amana Colonies

Established by German immigrants, the Amana Colonies are a collection of 7 villages; Amana, East Amana, High Amana, Middle Amana, South Amana, West Amana, and Homestead. Adorned with lovely brick, stone, and clapboard houses, lush gardens, and street lanterns, the Amana Colonies is a treasured National Historic Landmark celebrating and recognizing the contributions and heritage of German-American immigrants. This beautiful, photo-worthy collection of communities is home to many attractions and heritage sites, such as the Amana Heritage Museum and the Communal Kitchen and Copper Shop. The community is home to picturesque streets lined with quaint shops selling authentic handcrafted products, delicious German and American foods, and much more.

Bentonsport

Originally established as a popular steamboat town, Bentonsport is now a National Historic District and the perfect destination for travelers seeking a trip to a quaint and picturesque village. Surrounded by nature, woodland, and historic sites and settled on the Des Moines River, Bentonsport is genuinely breathtaking. With such an abundance of nature, there are so many activities to participate in within the great outdoors of Bentonsport, such as hiking and canoeing along the Des Moines River on a warm summer day to cool off. For the lovers of history, after collecting over 4,000 arrowheads and other artifacts since Tony Sanders was a little boy, The Tony Sanders' Indian Artifact Museum is an excellent place to visit while in Bentonsport.

Decorah

Decorah is an absolutely lovely town located in the northeastern region of Iowa. Decorah was initially a Ho-Chunk indigenous village until the United States government forced them to relocate to a reservation in Minnesota as part of an attempt to open up the area to white settlers. The first white family to settle in the area named the town after the well-known Ho-Chunk leader Waukon Decorah, an important U.S. ally during the Black Hawk War of 1832. In the 1850s, a plethora of Norwegians immigrated to the area. Today, Decorah is an epicenter of Norwegian culture and beautiful scenery, with areas such as Water Street lined with floral baskets, shops, restaurants, and much more.

Dyersville

Dyersville was Founded in 1848 by James J. Dyer and is a scenic and beautiful community situated in eastern Iowa. For lovers of gothic architecture, Dyersville is home to the astonishing Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, an astounding representation of gothic-era architecture in America. Dyersville is home to relaxing fields of green and lovely farmlands that are home to sites like the century-old Lansing family farm where the movie Field of Dreams was filmed. Dyersville is picture-perfect and extremely hospitable to visitors. The Dyer-Botsford Doll Museum's collection of around 2000 dolls and the National Farm Toy Museum are also must-visit destinations in the town.

Elkader

Situated along the scenic Turkey River, perfect for memorable photos and sightseeing in Northeastern Iowa, everything about the lovely town of Elkader is welcoming and aesthetically pleasing. Farmland, woodland, hills, streams, and rivers - Elkader has it all, as well as stunning architecture. With barely over 1100 residents, Elkader is an extremely quaint and close-knit town. Despite its size, it has many amusing activities for individuals, families, and couples alike, ranging from scenic hiking to fine dining, unique shopping experiences, and many fun events. Those looking to spend a more relaxing time can enjoy canoeing in the Turkey River Park or strolling along the picturesque historic downtown district. 

Leclaire

Many beautiful, small towns are nestled along the iconic Mississippi river, and Leclaire is surely one of them. Visitors will enjoy the sights of a lifetime when they plan a scenic trip on the Leclaire Levee, which travels along the remarkable Mississippi River. The impressive downtown of Leclaire will charm visitors with its red brick buildings, walkable streets, and classic architecture. With excellent dining options, a variety of small boutiques, and unique businesses, there is so much to be seen in this charming town called Leclaire.

Okoboji

Last on the list but first in our hearts is the lovely and antiquated town of Okoboji. Okoboji is located along West Lake Okoboji, one of the glacier-carved lakes comprising the Iowa Great Lakes in Northwest Iowa. Thanks to this appealing and intriguing wonder of nature, there is no end to the number of breathtaking views offered by the delightful small town of Okoboji, which means 'place of rest' or 'reeds or rushes' in the Santee Sioux language. The town is a popular summer destination, and many visitors enjoy watersports on the lake along with the museums and shops that downtown Okoboji offers.

We've reached the end of the list, but not the end of the endless beauty of spectacular Iowa. The towns mentioned above offer opportunities to every kind of tra. Iowa is definitely an underrated state with such memorable sightseeing opportunities that absolutely no traveler should miss!