These 8 Towns Are Iowa's Best-Kept Secrets
Iowa has a lot of cornfields (over 12 million acres, to be exact). However, scattered through the long stretches of farmland are beautiful small towns ripe for new experiences and unique adventures. Iowa is home to some amazing landscapes, from the waterfalls in the Driftless Area to the banks of the Mississippi River. You can take a boat ride down the Mississippi River in Le Claire, ride a roller coaster in one of the country鈥檚 oldest amusement parks in Okoboji, or travel through a flooded cave in McGregor. So, pack your bags and get ready to check out some of Iowa's best-kept secrets!
McGregor
Nestled between the Mississippi River and towering river bluffs near the Wisconsin border is the hidden gem of McGregor, also nicknamed the "Pocket City." It鈥檚 in the heart of the Driftless Area, which is a beautiful portion of Iowa that wasn鈥檛 touched by the glaciers that once settled in the United States around 12,000 years ago. To fully take in the beautiful landscape of the Driftless Area, there is no better spot than Pikes Peak State Park. It offers sweeping overlooks of the Mississippi River Valley and trails that lead to a stunning waterfall.
If you want to spend time by the water, Big Buoys Tiki Bar is where you should start your day. While you can grab a cold brew and relax on its outside patio, you can also rent a pontoon to spend the day out on the water. For a real adventure, you can take a guided tour of Spook Cave, a flooded cave that feels like an amusement park ride with beautiful stalagmites and haunting scenery. When you want to explore some of Iowa's most beautiful scenery, the small community of McGregor is worth the drive!
Bellevue
Just south of Dubuque on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi is the small town of Bellevue, which translates to "beautiful view" in French. It is situated along the Great River Road, a scenic byway that runs 3,000 miles from Minnesota down to the Gulf of Mexico. This small, charming town puts Iowa's natural beauty on full display!
When visiting Bellevue, the Bellevue State Park should be your very first stop. It provides miles of hiking trails that trace the Mississippi River and stunning overlook bluffs. It also has a famous butterfly garden that comes alive in the spring and summer when the wildflowers are in bloom. While Bellevue is surrounded by natural beauty, the downtown district is just as exciting. You can grab a bite to eat at the riverside Richman鈥檚 Caf茅 and then head to Lock and Dam No. 12 to watch the ships float down the Mississippi for the perfect afternoon.
Le Claire
On the east border of Iowa near the Illinois border, the sleepy river town of Le Claire is one of Iowa's best-kept secrets. Just like Bellevue, Le Claire is yet another stop on the scenic Great River Road. It is a city with a rich history and wild wilderness waiting to be explored. Did you know that Le Claire is the birthplace of the famous frontiersman, Buffalo Bill? The Buffalo Bill Museum is a must-see while in Le Clair. The museum is centrally located on the banks of the Mississippi River and has rare and unique artifacts and Buffalo Bill memorabilia, offering insight into this historic town.
One of the best experiences in Le Claire is taking a tour of the Mississippi River and climbing aboard the Riverboat Twilight. As a replica of steamboats popular in the Victorian era, visitors can take a relaxing day cruise down the river or opt for a peaceful 2-day retreat. For a land-bound adventure, the Wide River Winery is a fantastic place to spend the evening. It is located less than a block from the Buffalo Bill Museum and allows visitors to sip on wine with beautiful views of the Mississippi River.
Orange City
Tucked away on the Northwestern tip of Iowa is the cozy community of Orange City. Settled by Dutch immigrants in the late 1800s, it is named after the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange. And its Dutch heritage can be felt in every corner of this isolated community. There is no better example of Orange City's roots than Windmill Park. It is a small green space in the center of town with six replica windmills and is home to the annual Tulip Festival held every May. The space comes alive when the tulips bloom, and the festival hosts authentic Dutch food and dancing.
Not too far from Windmill Park is the Orange City Farmer's Market鈥攁n open market with local produce and treats held every Saturday from June through September. If you want to learn a little more about Orange City鈥檚 unique Dutch heritage, the Stadscentrum details the town's origins and even has a working wooden shoe-making machine!
Winterset
Southwest of Des Moines is the sleepy town of Winterset, known as the "Covered Bridge Capital of Iowa." It is a beautiful retreat with lush forests, picturesque scenery, and the famed Bridges of Madison County. There are six covered bridges that still stand in Winterset. If you can't see them all, make sure to check out The Roseman Bridge, which was featured in the movie The Bridges of Madison County, or the Holliwell Bridge, which is the longest-covered bridge in the area.
Aside from the notoriety Winterset received from its romance movie fame, it is also the home of John Wayne. The John Wayne Birthplace and Museum pays tribute to the iconic Western actor. The museum showcases John Wayne's life, and you can also tour his childhood home. The Iowa Quilt Museum is another quirky attraction that is worth a look, even if you aren't crazy about quilts. Situated in the historic JC Penney building downtown, the museum is a fun walk through the historical halls, where you can admire the beautiful American craftsmanship.
Okoboji
At the northern tip of Iowa, far removed from larger cities, is one of its best-kept secrets, the remote town of Okoboji. This hidden Iowa gem has a population just shy of 1,000. But what it lacks in residents, it makes up for in beautiful water views and dense forests. It is where you go when you want to get away from it all! The community is centered around three crystal clear lakes鈥擲pirit Lake, West Lake Okoboji, and East Lake Okoboji. You can relax along the shores at popular beaches like Brooks Beach or Dixon Beach. Or, hit the trails for amazing views at Pikes Point State Park.
But life in Okoboji is much more than lakeside views and lush forests. Downtown Okoboji is ripe for adventure, with places like Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Founded in 1889, it is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the country. With family-friendly rides, live entertainment, and deep-fried carnival food, it is the perfect way to spend a sunny summer day!
Elk Horn
Smack dab between Omaha, Nebraska, and Des Moines is the sleepy town of Elk Horn鈥攁 slice of Denmark in the middle of America. It was founded in the late 1800s by Danish immigrants, which is why many of the buildings and shops in Elk Horn feel like a European vacation. One of the most iconic structures in Elk Horn is the Danish Windmill. It is one of the few working windmills in the country, and it allows visitors to explore the grounds, learn more about Elk Horn's history, and even offers a modest gift shop. And if you want to learn even more about Elk Horn's unique roots, be sure to stop at the Museum of Danish America.
If you plan your stay at just the right time, you can catch the annual Danish Windmill Festival (Tivoli Fest) held at the Danish Windmill. It hosts parades, cultural activities, and authentic Danish cuisine. If you can't make it to the festival, you can still enjoy spectacular Danish cuisine at local eateries, like The Norse Horse Tavern for a Danish beer or The Kringle Man Pastries. You haven't lived until you have sampled the famous Danish Kringle.
Decorah
The small community of Decorah is located in the Driftless Area in Northeastern Iowa. It is known for its natural beauty and ice cream! Seriously, if you are an ice cream lover, you have to make the trek to Decorah. It is home to small, locally owned shops that whip up ice cream using the freshest ingredients from local dairies. The Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Company is a local favorite with specialty flavors in a fun and funky setting.
After all that ice cream, you will need a place to hike off all those calories! Luckily, Decorah has some of the best hiking trails and scenic landscapes in the state. If you want to enjoy the serenity of the Driftless Region, head to Palisades Park. Or you can head to Dunning's Spring Park, slightly north of town, to catch a glimpse of the 200-foot waterfall known as Dunning's Spring Falls.
Iowa's Best-Kept Secrets Are Calling!
These small towns prove that Iowa is so much more than farmland! Only in these small, enchanting towns can you recreate iconic movie scenes from The Bridges of Madison Country in Winterset, or eat your body weight in ice cream in Decorah and then stroll through the Driftless Area to burn a few extra calories. From amusement parks, lakeside retreats, and the Dutch-inspired architecture of Orange City, each town has its own story to weave through the lush Iowa landscape. The hardest part of exploring these underrated towns is deciding where to start!
