10 Small Towns In Iowa With Big Charm
Bordered by the Mississippi River in the east and the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers in the west, the Upper Midwestern US State of Iowa is oftentimes lionized for its mildly undulating landscape and golden cornfields.
Lodged between rolling agricultural lands and meandering watercourses are communities where the good old times are well preserved, downtown businesses thrive on communal pride, and day-to-day life progresses at a pace that invites one and all to linger a bit longer. From Fairfield’s vibrant arts scene to Pella’s Hollandized architecture, these Iowa towns with fewer than 50,000 residents offer a strong sense of place and the comforts of home.
McGregor
McGregor, a town in northeastern Iowa’s Clayton County, sits by the Mississippi River on the valley floor of nearly upright sandstone bluffs, the Jordan Formation, and the St. Peter Sandstone. An erstwhile commercial center and a hub for the transportation of grain across the Mississippi, McGregor holds onto its historic character through the McGregor Commercial Historic District’s prominent contributing properties, including the Joseph ‘Diamond Jo’ Reynolds Office Building & House.
The town’s past comes alive at the McGregor Historical Museum, where exhibits trace McGregor’s early settlers, railroad boom, and steamboat era. Walk down Main Street to browse art venues like the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts and antique stores such as Old Time Shoppe, filled with furniture, crockery, and collectibles. Nearby Pikes Peak State Park offers hiking trails, campgrounds, RV facilities, and winding walking paths overlooking the river.
Winterset
Forming a portion of the Des Moines Metropolitan Area, Winterset, the center of administration of south-central Iowa’s Madison County, is located at the crossing of Iowa Highway 92 and U.S. Route 169, approximately 30 miles southwest of Des Moines. As the birthplace of American actor John Wayne, this town draws visitors to the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, which showcases an extensive assortment of artifacts and memorabilia from the actor’s life and career. A scenic drive through the community reveals six covered bridges, including the Roseman Covered Bridge, immortalized by Robert James Waller’s novel The Bridges of Madison County.
The iconic Clark Tower, a 25-foot-high memorial built in 1926-1927, stands in the city-owned Winterset City Park. Each October, the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival takes place around the Winterset Courthouse Square on the second weekend of the month.
Fairfield
Jefferson County’s seat of government, Fairfield, is a welcoming town situated equidistant from Mount Pleasant and Ottumwa in southeastern Iowa. Celebrated for its fusion of Midwestern roots and worldwide influences, this 9,416-inhabitant settlement offers a character that feels both energetic and laid-back. Visitors to Fairfield can tour the principal campus of Maharishi International University, whose undisturbed grounds and golden-domed buildings reflect the town’s academic presence.
Downtown Fairfield adds to the town’s identity with art galleries such as the Icon Gallery, which displays artworks and exhibits by local artists. The Carnegie Historical Museum houses one of the Midwest’s notable collections of Civil War artifacts, along with local memorabilia, Native American pottery, and Roman Antiquities. Just north of downtown, Bonnifield Lake provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and hiking along the Jefferson County Loop Trail.
Pella
Labeled after “Pella of the Decapolis” and settled in 1847 by Dutch immigrants, Pella is a town in Marion County noted for its spinning windmills, canals, tulips, Netherlands-influenced architecture, and traditional Dutch pastries from the Jaarsma Bakery. The Vermeer Windmill, North America’s tallest working windmill, reflects the town’s agricultural heritage.
The town’s history is presented at the Pella Historical Village, an 18-building complex that traces Pella’s past from the 1840s onward. The Molengracht Plaza in the central business district recreates a Dutch square with a 5,720-square-foot canal, drawbridge, and brick-lined paths. Lake Red Rock, located just south of town, offers space for walking, picnicking, birdwatching, and water-based recreation.
Dyersville
A favored destination for baseball fans and cinema enthusiasts, as the filming location of Phil Alden Robinson’s 1989 movie Field of Dreams, Dyersville sits along the North Fork of the Maquoketa River, spanning eastern Delaware County and western Dubuque County. Known as the “Farm Toy Capital of the World,” the town is home to the National Farm Toy Museum, which displays a comprehensive collection of cast-iron toys, replicas, and scale models of agricultural machinery.
The Ruskinian Gothic Revival-style Basilica of St. Francis Xavier is notable for its two 212-foot-tall steeples and 64 cathedral glass windows. The 26-mile-long Heritage Trail connects Dyersville with Dubuque and supports hiking and bicycling throughout the year. Each November, the Toy Farmer Magazine’s National Farm Toy Show takes place during the first full weekend.
Eldora
The administrative capital of Hardin County, Eldora, is located on the eastern flank of the glacial Altmont Moraine and is known for its combination of natural setting, local history, and community character. The National Register-listed Eldora Downtown Historic District encompasses the town’s downtown and includes notable properties such as the Romanesque Revival-style Hardin County Courthouse, along with the Backwoods Gallery, a gift shop offering home décor items, wines, bath products, soy wax candles, cheese, and gourmet foods.
The Hardin County Farm Museum provides insight into the region’s agricultural roots through farm-related artifacts. Pine Lake State Park, covering 654 acres, lies nearby and features fish-stocked lakes, campsites, more than 10 miles of maintained trails, and access to the 50-mile Lake-to-Lake State Park Bike Route.
Le Claire
An appealing waterfront community in Scott County, Le Claire is situated along a bend in the upper Mississippi River and is one of the developing communities in the Quad Cities region. Named after interpreter and businessman Antoine LeClaire, this Quad Cities Metropolitan Area suburb features numerous 19th-century buildings lining the walkable Cody Road, the town’s primary street.
Visitors can browse nostalgic items and unconventional finds at the Mike Wolfe-operated Antique Archaeology store, which also appeared on the television series American Pickers. The Buffalo Bill Museum presents regional history exhibits and memorabilia from William Frederick Cody’s Wild West shows. A one-and-a-half-hour Mississippi River sightseeing cruise is available aboard the Riverboat Twilight.
Orange City
Originally titled “Holland” and later renamed after Prince William of Orange, Orange City is the seat of government of Sioux County and maintains its Dutch settler traditions through distinctively styled storefronts, cultural attractions, and an Annual Tulip Festival held on the third weekend of May. Visitors are drawn to replica windmills, the 76-foot-tall Dutch Windmill Visitors Center, floral gardens, picnic areas, and Dutch Molens, a model of a baluster lifting bridge from the Netherlands town of Ouderkerk.
A self-guided tour of the downtown area highlights the historic Sioux County Courthouse. The Dutch American Heritage Museum presents the history and culture of Dutch immigrants in Northwest Iowa, while local dining options include Downtown Grille.
Decorah
Set within the Driftless Area of northeastern Iowa, on the bluffs of the Upper Iowa River, at the meeting of U.S. Highway 52 and Iowa Highway 9, Decorah, named in honor of the Ho-Chunk diplomatic leader Waukon Decorah, serves as the seat of Winneshiek County. Home to Luther College’s principal campus, the town is known for its Norse-American roots, with the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum preserving 33,000 Norwegian-American artifacts, along with a library, 12 historic buildings, and archives.
Dunning’s Spring Park covers 115 acres of wooded terrain, with pathways, bridges, waterfalls, and limestone walls. Complementing Decorah’s cultural and outdoor appeal, the town’s dining and craft beer scene reflects its community-oriented character, with places such as the Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. contributing to the local experience.
Clear Lake
Clear Lake, named for the natural lake along which it is located, is a Cerro Gordo County town along Interstate 35, approximately halfway between Des Moines and the Twin Cities, MN. Serving as a regional center in north-central Iowa alongside neighboring Mason City, the town combines cultural heritage, community life, and waterfront recreation, making it a year-round destination. The Surf Ballroom & Museum reflects Clear Lake’s rock ’n’ roll history and is open for educational tours and live performances.
The Central Gardens of North Iowa feature landscaped themed gardens and host concerts, educational programs, and seasonal events. The Clear Lake Arts Center presents exhibitions by local artists, while Clear Lake State Park on the lake’s southern shore offers hiking trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, and a swimming beach.
Why Iowa’s Small Towns Leave a Lasting Impression
From Dyersville’s mix of cinematic history and agricultural heritage to Winterset’s covered bridges, Iowa’s small towns show that lasting impressions are not limited to large cities. As you plan your 2026 travels and look for places with scenic landscapes, historical sites, outdoor recreation, and seasonal events, these towns offer a slower pace of life and a strong sense of community.
