8 Most Hospitable Towns In Iowa

Iowa is a charming town in the Midwest, with a thriving culture of hospitality and kindness, which has given rise to the term “Iowa Nice.” Across this state, bordered by the Mississippi River, are several small, tight-knit towns with super-friendly locals, safe neighborhoods, and high standards of living. These towns are ideal destinations worth visiting, whether for residency or just for weekend escapes from the troubles of big cities. In addition to the welcoming aura they exude, these towns in Iowa all present slices of what Iowa is known for.

For instance, while Decorah has attractions highlighting the state’s Norwegian history, Pella showcases its Dutch heritage, while being in proximity to Iowa’s largest lake, where a myriad of adventures await. If you think Southern Hospitality is the ultimate experience, taste the niceness of Iowa across these small towns, where even the mosquitoes are less hostile compared to the South.

Winterset

Winterset is a close-knit community of 5,000 people famous for its covered bridges. The town has six covered bridges, and exploring these historic structures is one of the best things to do while visiting, as they all date to the 1800s. The Roseman Bridge is particularly famous, stretching beautifully over Middle River and dating to 1883 when it was first built. Winterset also delights with the Winterset City Park, home to the Clark Tower, a 25-foot castle-like tower made of limestone that offers great views of the Middle River and valley. The park also has picnic areas, a campground, restrooms, and the Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge.

Perhaps even more exciting for history lovers, Winterset is home to the Madison Historic Society Complex, featuring 14 historic buildings, notably the Bevington Mansion, built in 1856. These buildings contain over 12,000 artifacts showcasing the history of Madison County. For lovers of wine, the Covered Bridges Winery is a cool place near Winerset to check out. This family-owned winery offers locally made wines, live music, food, and beautiful views of the North River Valley.

Le Claire

Le Claire is a charming town on the Mississippi River, where heartwarming hospitality meets natural beauty and delightful shopping, dining, and historic experiences. Visitors are welcome to get a taste of the town’s friendliness at the Le Claire Information Center, where everything from brochures to helpful tips about events and activities is warmly offered. From the information center, Antique Archaeology can be the next stop, as it is where to find a wide variety of antiques, collectibles, vintage furniture, and more. Notably, this establishment is the home base for the American Pickers Show on the History Channel. History enthusiasts can visit the Buffalo Bill Museum to delve into the life of LeClaire’s most famous personalities, especially the legendary Buffalo Bill.

In the meantime, the Wide River Winery Tasting Room is another establishment highlighting LeClaire's hospitality. Arguably one of the best in the state, this wine establishment offers delicious food and premium wine, made more appealing by the beautiful outdoor seating and great service. A few steps away, Aunt Hattie’s Fanciful Emporium Unique Gift Shop is always an amazing place to shop for the latest items.

Decorah

Decorah is a town of breathtaking natural beauty and refreshing hospitality in the Driftless Area. In addition to the friendliness of the locals, several events are held in this town year-round to bring people together. One such event is the Nordic Fest, which celebrates the town’s Norwegian roots and culture every last weekend of July. During the holiday period, it gets even more intense here as every nook and cranny is adorned with lights and decorations.

Besides that, however, Decorah is a nature lover’s paradise, as it is home to attractions like Dunning's Spring Park, which has a walking path leading to a beautiful spring-fed waterfall. Additionally, Will Baker Park is in Decorah and hosts the Pulpit Rock, where breathtaking views of the town and its lush surrounding landscape can be witnessed. Carved by a local stone mason, the rock itself is stunning and can be reached via an easy one-mile trail.

Adventurers will also find the Ice Cave State Preserve in town, where an ice cave filled with layers of ice can be seen. What makes the cave fascinating is that the ice deposits begin to form in January and stay frozen well into summer. The Ice caves can be a great way to cool off from the summer heat, as visitors are allowed to walk 10 feet into the cave.

Decorah is also famous for hosting the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, which contains the largest collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world. Over 33,000 artifacts are on display in this museum, highlighting the immigration history of Norwegian Americans.

Pella

Pella is a cool town with friendly neighborhoods, breathtaking scenery, and several attractions to delight visitors, especially history enthusiasts. Founded by Dutch immigrants, the town is one of the best places to learn about Dutch heritage, as it is home to the Pella Historical Village featuring more than a dozen buildings and artifacts reflecting how early Dutch settlers lived in the area starting from the 1840s. The Vermeer Windmill is also in town and represents one of the tallest working windmills in the US. This windmill features an 1850-style Dutch design and is open for tours.

Moreover, the town is home to the Pella Opera House, one of the state’s most impressive structures, built in 1900 in the Romanesque Revival style. Visitors are invited to catch shows and performances in this opera house, host events like weddings, or take a free self-guided tour of its stunning architecture. For adventurers, Pella is a few miles from Red Rock Lake, Iowa’s largest lake, where a myriad of watersports, from boating to fishing, can be enjoyed. Several campgrounds and hiking trails are also around the lake.

Harlan

Harlan is a peaceful little town, ideal for a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities like Council Bluffs and Omaha. In this town, if the smiles of locals do not warm your heart enough, the nearby Prairie Rose State Park certainly will. This park has a 218-acre lake ideal for kayaking and fishing, plus a sandy beach by the lake for swimming and picnicking. It also has seven miles of trails and truly peaceful campsites. Similarly, the Nishna Bend Recreation Area is in town to delight travelers with amazing river fishing, campsites, hiking trails, and multiple fishing ponds.

Additionally, Harlan is home to the Shelby County Historical Museum, where one can learn about Iowa’s rural, agricultural, and military history through exhibits. A genealogy research center is also in the museum for those seeking to conduct family research. For lovers of fine dining, the Purple Door is right in Harlan and offers a wide range of delicious offerings in a luxurious setting fit for royals.

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon sits on a mountain in absolute serenity, welcoming travelers into its safe neighborhoods full of kind people. Just strolling through the town’s 19th-century main street is pleasurable, especially with attractions like the White Tree Bakery, offering delightful treats and sweets like scones and coffee cake.

Even more exciting, however, the town is near the Palisades-Kepler State Park, one of Iowa’s top outdoor attractions, located on the Cedar River. This park covers an 840-acre area and is characterized by river bluffs, hardwood trees, deep ravines, American Indian mounds, and abundant wildlife, including white-tailed deer and turkeys. Around five miles of hiking trails wind through the park, and the river is ideal for fishing, while picnic shelters, cabins, and a modern campground are available for overnight stays.

Mount Vernon also hosts Bass Family Farms, a family-friendly attraction, offering fun activities from hayrack rides to farm tours, and local food tasting. The farm even has a shop where visitors can shop for a wide range of items, such as fresh farm vegetables, local meats, and decor. Furthermore, the American Gothic Barn is an amazing roadside attraction to check out when visiting. This barn is a sight to behold as it stands in a green field adorned with beautiful paintings, particularly one of the best replicas of Grant Wood’s American Gothic.

Clive

Clive is considered one of the best escapes from the city of Des Moines, which is less than 10 miles away. Here, the scenery is lovely, the people are friendly, and lots of interesting attractions are available to explore. First, the town is home to the 11-mile Clive Greenbelt Trail, where outdoor buffs can hike and bike through a wooded landscape with views of Walnut Creek.

For lovers of sports, the Campbell Recreation Area is in town, with softball fields, tennis courts, a modern playground, a soccer field, and picnic shelters. Summer visitors will appreciate the Clive Aquatic Center as it has waterslides, a lazy river, and pools for everyone, including kids. A short walk from Clive, the Living History Farms in Urbandale invites history buffs to learn about Midwestern agricultural and rural life. The 500-acre open museum has a 1700 Ioway Indian farm, an 1850 pioneer farm, an 1875 town, and a 1900 horse-powered farm.

Indianola

Indianola is a laid-back town less than 20 miles from Des Moines, with a warm atmosphere and lovely locals. Visitors to this town will feel safe and welcome while exploring its interesting attractions, like the Crouse Cafe, which is considered one of the best restaurants in Iowa and is famous for its cherry pie.

That welcoming treatment can also be enjoyed at the nearby Summerset Winery, which is the second oldest in Iowa. This winery offers some of the state’s finest wines alongside a gorgeous 12-acre vineyard and knowledgeable and friendly staff. Additionally, Lake Ahquabi State Park is nearby to keep travelers delighted and entertained. This park has more than six miles of trails, plus a developed campground, and boating and fishing opportunities on the lake.

Notably, Indianola is known as the city of hot air balloons, as it hosts the famous National Balloon Classic. This nine-day-long festival is held annually between late July and early August and features over 100 floating hot air balloons, live music, delicious food, and special events. Visitors are also welcome to learn more about the town’s over 200 years of ballooning history at the National Balloon Museum.

These Towns Will Make You Love The Hawkeye State

Enjoy the unreserved warmth of Midwestern locals in these hospitable towns in Iowa. From Clive and Winterset to Le Claire and Pella, these towns are incredible places to enjoy respite and something arguably more pleasurable than Southern Hospitality. Moreover, they are all loaded with several historic and natural attractions to please everybody, so it never gets boring. Visit these Iowa towns today with a great attitude for the best experience, and don’t forget to patronise as many commercial establishments as possible to better soak in the warm culture.