Small Town Iowa Series: Road Trip to Pella [Photos]

As we head into the 4th of July weekend, everyone is excited for a sunny forecast, albeit with plenty of heat to go along with that glorious sunshine. July 4th is on a Sunday this year, so many people have Monday off as the "official" Independence Day holiday. You know what that means...three-day weekend!  A perfect time for a road trip to the land of tulips, windmills, wooden shoes, and those tasty pastry treats, "dutch letters".

Our Small Town Iowa series continues with a trip to Pella

A trip to the actual Netherlands may not be within most people's budgets, however, a road trip to Iowa's version of Amsterdam is probably achievable. Located about two hours south of the Cedar Valley, Pella is a town of just over 10,000 people in Marion county.

Pella = the "City of Refuge"

In 1847, 800 Hollanders seeking religious freedom landed in the U.S. and followed their faithful leader Dominie Henry P. Scholte to Iowa. After a rough start, the settler's resiliency and hard work paid off with and the fame of their butter and cheese insured their future prosperity.

While Pella is known for many things, of course, its biggest attraction is the Tulip Time Festival held in early May. The annual event celebrates the area's Dutch heritage. In 2019, it was estimated that nearly 250,000 people attended the event.

Keep scrolling for a virtual tour of one of Iowa's most treasured communities

Now let's find out what other attractions you can find in Pella.