The Three Most Charming Small Towns in Iowa [PHOTOS]

Here in Iowa, we have lots of charming small towns that are worth a visit. But, which one is the most charming? Well, it just depends on who you ask! According to AFAR, Reader's Digest, and HGTV, the most charming small town in Iowa is Decorah.

Decorah is located in Northeast Iowa in Winneshiek County and has a population of around 7,500 people. Some of the features of the town that make it "charming" include several popular breweries/wineries, cute hotels/bed & breakfasts, three waterfalls, the Decorah Farmers Market, the 11-mile Trout Run Trail, and the annual Nordic Festival. Here are a few of the places you should check out during your next trip:

If you were to check out articles from Country Living and Far & Wide, then Winterset would be the most charming small town in our state! With a population of less than 5,500 people, Winterset is well-known for two reasons: covered bridges and John Wayne.

Madison County has six covered bridges famously known as the Bridges of Madison County, and five of those bridges are located in Winterset: Cedar, Cutler-Donahoe, Hogback, Holliwell, and Roseman. The bridges were the inspiration for the 1995 movie starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, which makes them a popular tourist destination. The area even holds a Covered Bridge Festival each October!

Winterset is also home to the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, which has attracted more than a million visitors to the area. According to the official website, the museum has "an extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the actor’s life and career," as well as a movie theater and a gift shop.

Other popular places to visit in Winterset include:

And finally, the third small town in Iowa that's been selected as the "most charming" is Pella. It was recognized in articles from The Discoverer and Travel Noire!

Pella is located in Marion County, Iowa and has a population of less than 11,000 people. It's best known for its annual Tulip Time festival, which celebrates the town's Dutch heritage with food, live entertainment, parades, and lots and lots of tulips! It's held each year in early May.

The town of Pella is home to many historic attractions, including the Pella Opera House, Scholte House Museum & Gardens, Klokkenspel, Tuttle Cabin, and the Vermeer Windmill, which is one of the tallest working windmills on the continent! Pella also has The Wyatt Earp Experience, a historical exhibit that "examines the life of Wyatt Earp, leading visitors through his childhood, relationships, and legacy as they explore the rooms where he lived in the early 1860s."

Here are some of the other cool places to visit during your trip to Pella:

What's your favorite small town in Iowa? Let us know by sending us a message on the station app!

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Filed Under: Decorah, nl, Pella, Winterset

Categories: KHAK Morning Show, Local News