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Iowa is a peculiar state in the US with many features that make it a highly sought-after destination. From rich history and iconic natural features to interesting cultures that mix with German and Norwegian influences, there is so much to love about this Midwest state. Over the years, some of the state's towns have grown to become favorites for tourists and locals. For a sneak peek, Spirit Lake and Okoboji are renowned for the vibrant outdoor recreational activities available in their lakes, and Pella is adored for its Dutch roots. Discover more of Iowa's inviting elements across these 10 towns, which were ranked among US favorites in 2024 and have won the hearts of many.

McGregor

McGregor might be a small town of just around 700 people, but it is a beauty to behold along the Mississippi River, where it draws in tourists for water sports recreation. Also, Pikes Peak State Park is just south of the city, featuring a 500-foot bluff overlooking the meeting point of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. The park is also home to an observation deck for breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and 11 miles of hiking trails, including the half-mile trail that leads to Bridal Veil Falls.

Point Ann is the closest trail to the town and runs for about four miles into the heart of the park. The Mississippi River also beckons for canoeing, kayaking, boating, and fishing expeditions. Meanwhile, visitors are always welcome to the McGregor Historical Museum to learn about the town’s bygone era through artifacts and historic photographs.

Winterset

Winterset, the county seat of Madison County, is largely famed as the birthplace of legendary actor John Wayne and for its covered bridges. Visitors to the town can explore the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum to learn about this iconic American actor via a detailed collection of artifacts and memorabilia.

The town also hosts the Iowa Quilt Museum, where seasonal exhibits and regular workshops on quilt make it a lively destination to visit. Outdoors, Winterset is home to the historic Roseman Covered Bridge over Middle River. There is another covered bridge in Winterset City Park, and the Park itself is a recreational spot to promenade and enjoy picnics and views of the Middle River Valley scenery from the 25-foot-tall Clark Tower.

Clear Lake

The beautiful small town of Clear Lake lies next to its namesake lake, which occupies a massive 3,684-acre area and offers exhilarating water sports, including fishing. The lake is renowned as a foremost boating destination in Iowa, and cruising on this charming waterbody, especially with the Lady of the Lake ferry, will be unforgettable.

Visitors are welcome to explore the Clear Lake State Park, a 50-acre site on the shores of the lake with a scenic beach to sunbathe, boat, fish kayak, hold picnics, and promenade. For nature lovers, the town is home to the Central Gardens of North Iowa, featuring over 20 themed gardens, including a medicine wheel garden. History lovers are not left out of the fun as the Clear Lake Fire Museum, Iowa’s first fire museum, is in town and hosts many fire-fighting relics from the town dating back to the 1900s.

Spirit Lake

Spirit Lake is a small tourist town on the shores of East Okoboji Lake in the Iowa Great Lakes region with many recreational parks for water sports enthusiasts, picnic seekers, and fun lovers. Elinor Bedell State Park is one of the area’s foremost parks, offering access to the lake for fishing while featuring a campground, picnic shelters, hiking trails, and a playground.

Marble Beach State Recreation Area and Templar State Recreation Area on the west shores of the nearby Big Spirit Lake also offer boating, camping, and fishing activities. Don’t forget to step into the corridors of history at Dickinson County Museum in a 140-year-old depot, housing artifacts and exhibits related to the county.

Arnolds Park

Arnolds Park is one of the most vibrant towns on West Okoboji Lake, boasting many tourist attractions that make it a favorite town in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. First on its touristy draws is the Arnold’s Park Amusement Park on the lake’s shores. This park is one of the oldest amusement parks in the Midwest, housing more than 20 rides and the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum for history lovers.

Arnolds Park Public Beach is also in town, with access to the lake for boating, swimming, kayaking, sunbathing, and picnicking. Visitors can also check out the 19th-century Abbie Gardner Cabin & Museum in town to learn about how Native Americans slaughtered Iowa frontier settlers during the infamous Spirit Lake Massacre of 1857.

Okoboji

Okoboji is a small town nestled on the shores of West Okoboji Lake in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. Naturally, the 3,847-acre lake is a principal attraction in the town, brimming with boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing activities. There is also a small beach by the lake for relaxation and sunset watching, including picnic areas for family moments.

Away from the lake, the Pearson Lakes Art Center is a great spot in town for art enthusiasts to explore, enjoy shows, and purchase souvenirs. This art center has six art galleries with artworks and exhibits, a theatre, a gift shop, and a library. On the side of history, Higgins Museum highlights the town’s role in the evolution of banking across the US with its massive collection of national bank notes and a vintage teller. Meanwhile, visitors can always head to the Cinemagic Great Lakes 7 to see a thrilling movie.

Pella

Pella is a remarkable town in Iowa, notable for its Dutch heritage and Tulip Time Festival, which celebrates its Dutch roots annually in May. The festival features Tulip Gardens, daily parades, Dutch costumes, music, and food. For history buffs, the town hosts the Vermeer Mill - a functioning mill from the Netherlands, standing at 124 feet and representing one of the tallest working mills in the US. Tours of the mill include exploring its five floors to the top, where it houses artifacts and museum displays while offering stunning views of the town.

There is also a miniature Dutch village within the complex, mirroring life in the Netherlands in the 1800s. Meanwhile, the town’s central business district is home to the Molengracht Plaza, built to resemble a Dutch square with a 5,700-square-foot canal, shops, entertainment establishments, and restaurants. On the outdoors, Lake Red Rock is just a few miles west of the town and is the state’s largest lake, making it a perfect destination for recreational activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, and camping.

Mason City

Mason City easily wins the hearts of tourists for its music heritage and spectacular architecture, featuring Prairie School, Victorian, and Bungalow-style architectural buildings. Find these remarkable architectural structures at the Rock Crest-Rock Glen Historic District, some of which include, The Stockman House and Historic Park Inn Hotel, designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Also, visit the Music Man Square to experience the town’s musical heritage, as it features several Wilson Meredith and Music Man exhibits.

The main square also hosts the Meredith Wilson Museum and boyhood home, featuring a gift shop, cream parlor, and a 1912 streetscape. Meanwhile, don’t forget to stop by the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum to explore its beautiful American artworks and proceed outdoors to the Winnebago River to kayak and canoe on the water.

Muscatine

Muscatine is a naturally gorgeous town famed for its position on a series of bluffs and hills overlooking the Mississippi River. At the town’s riverfront downtown, visitors can chill in Riverside Park, which has a beautiful interactive fountain splash pad and a boat ramp for boating on the river. Otherwise, admire the charming lighted Norbert F. Beckey Bridge over the river on a cool evening and enjoy picnics at the Riverview Center with the views.

For more laid-back experiences, visit the 100-acre Discovery Park to explore fishing ponds, wooded hillsides, a reconstructed prairie, small streams, and 1.5 miles of hiking trails. Also, stop by the National Pearl Button Museum, which tells the story of the town, its people, and how it became the º£½ÇÉçÇø's Pearl Button Capital in the 1900s for manufacturing 1.5 billion buttons annually. Before leaving town, be sure to see the unofficial º£½ÇÉçÇø’s Largest Watermelon Sculpture at the riverfront.

Decorah

Decorah is a magnificent town in the Driftless Region of Iowa that draws tourists for its iconic landscapes of bluffs, waterfalls, and the Upper Iowa River flowing through it. Here, visitors will be met with Dunning Springs Park and Ice Cave, a foremost natural attraction in the woods renowned for its 200-foot-tall waterfall. The park is also home to a scenic overlook, a stream, hiking trails for exploring the woods, picnic benches, and a historic stone arch bridge to admire and walk on. While in the area, don’t forget to visit the ice caves named after ice formations occurring between January and August.

Next, head to Will Baker Park to hike a short trail to the top of Pulpit Rock, a dramatic formation offering impressive views of the town. For history lovers, Decorah hosts the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, which is home to over 33,000 artifacts and 12 historic buildings reflecting the town’s Norwegian roots. Those visiting in July can even partake in the town’s Nordic Festival to celebrate Scandinavian culture and heritage.

Iowa is a cool place to be across all seasons. The state borders two of the most famed rivers in America, Mississippi, and Missouri, while hosting other enchanting features like lakes, waterfalls, and prairies. The state is also rich in history as well as arts, culture, and entertainment. It is no wonder some of its towns now rank among favorites in the country in 2024. Visit these towns today and be stunned by tons of attractions, impressive natural scenery, and the down-to-earth lifestyle of the Midwest.