7 Quirkiest Iowa Towns To Visit In 2025
Iowa may not be the first place that comes to mind for quirky travel, but the small towns that lie in Iowa’s farmland hold lots of unexpected surprises. Right in the heart of the Midwest, Iowa is known for its rolling farmlands and many small towns. Take a step outside of the big city, and you will find Dutch windmills, legendary grottos, and movie landmarks because these small towns offer more than meets the eye. Whether you are a road tripper, history buff, or just looking for something different, Iowa’s small towns deliver big on surprise. Here are seven of the quirkiest towns to explore in 2025.
Amana Colonies
The Amana Colonies are made up of seven small German villages that settled in Iowa in 1855. Declared a national historic landmark in 1965, the colonies receive thousands of visitors annually, and for good reason. A history buff's dream, the Amana Colonies preserve their past with historic brick buildings and the Amana Woolen Mill, the oldest business in the colonies and the only working woolen mill in Iowa. Visitors are also encouraged to partake in German cultural festivities like an annual Oktoberfest and Wurst Festival. At the Fireside Winery, visitors can enjoy gourmet food and locally made wine in the peace of Iowa's rolling hills. Take a step back in time and enjoy the history the Amana Colonies have to offer.
Dyersville
Calling all movie lovers! Welcome to Dyersville, where Hollywood meets heartland. Known for being the filming location for Field of Dreams, Dyersville invites visitors to step onto the iconic baseball diamond and relive cinematic history. Afterward, you can head to the Hall of Dreams, a museum full of movie props and information about the famous film. Dyersville has more quirky museums to check out, like The National Farm Toy Museum, which celebrates farm life with thousands of miniature tractors, and the Dyer-Botsford House that showcases over 2,000 dolls. Whether you're a film buff, toy collector, or just curious, Dyersville is a quirky town worth the trip.
Pella
Bursting with tulips, windmills, and Dutch culture, Pella is a standout town just East of Des Moines. Founded by Dutch immigrants in the 1800s, the town proudly showcases its heritage through architecture like windmills and the annual Tulip Time Festival. Visitors can tour the Vermeer Windmill, one of the tallest working windmills in North America. Sunken Garden Park, which features a pond in the shape of a wooden shoe surrounded by beds of tulips, is the perfect place for a stroll. Be sure to check out this quirky Dutch town in the heart of Iowa.
West Bend
West Bend is a small town between Des Moines and Minneapolis. Home to one of the most unusual religious landmarks in the world, the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption. This massive shrine, built from different stones, minerals, and petrified wood, depicts scenes from the life of Jesus and is the largest man-made grotto on Earth. The shrine was built by Father Paul Dobberstein over the decades after surviving a bout of pneumonia. The grotto is both a spiritual site and a quirky place to visit. Visitors are awed by the mosaics, sparkling crystals, and the size of the shrine in the middle of Iowa farmland. Blending faith and art into a massive, unique display, West Bend is an interesting place to visit.
Winterset
Located just forty-five minutes Southwest of Des Moines, Winterset is a must-see for film buffs. Full of Hollywood history, Winterset is the birthplace of legendary actor John Wayne. Fans can visit his childhood home and museum, which has the largest collection of John Wayne memorabilia. As cool as that is, Winterset is best known for its covered bridges, which were made famous by the novel and film The Bridges of Madison County. Within the town, you will also find the Iowa Quilt Museum, which hosts an annual quilt festival. With its blend of cinematic nostalgia and small-town quirks, Winterset offers a fun escape into Iowa’s iconic Hollywood past.
Eldon
Eldon is a tiny town situated along the Des Moines River with a big claim to fame: it is home to the American Gothic House, made famous in Grant Wood’s iconic painting. Visitors can pose with pitchforks and costumes for their own “American Gothic” photo in front of the house. The American Gothic House Center offers visitors insight into Wood’s life and the meaning behind the famous painting. The history does not stop there, be sure to check out the Eldon Depot Railroad Museum with interactive exhibits for all ages. Eldon is an interesting pit stop for art lovers or anyone looking to learn a little heartland history.
Le Claire
Sitting along the Mississippi River, Le Claire is packed with quirky charm and riverfront views. It is the birthplace of Wild West legend Buffalo Bill Cody. You can visit his childhood home as well as the Buffalo Bill Museum. Perfect for antique lovers, Le Claire is home to the American Pickers Antique Archaeology store. Explore Le Claire’s downtown by walking the streets or on a river boat tour. Whether you're hunting for treasures or enjoying history along the Mississippi River, Le Claire is worth a stop.
These small towns in Iowa are not tourist traps, they are off the beaten path communities with stories to tell and traditions to share. From the spiritual landmark of West Bend to the cinematic nostalgia of Dyersville and Winterset, each destination offers something unexpected. Iowa invites you to slow down, explore the roads less traveled, and discover the quirky places that are waiting in Iowa’s farmland. In 2025, skip the usual hotspots and take a detour into Iowa to find quirky, exciting small towns.
