Iowa Just Wouldn't Be The Same Without These 6 Charming Small Towns
By Raymond Goldfield|Published November 07, 2022
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Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
Iowa’s cities are full of culture and great shopping and dining destinations, but there’s something about heading off the beaten path for an adventure. The best small towns in Iowa might be less prominent in size and population, but in many ways, they’re the heart of the Hawkeye State. Some are natural havens filled with beautiful destinations, while others are immigrant hubs that transport you to another part of the world the second you enter. You’ll find great food, amazing sights, and everything in between far away from the hustle and bustle of big city life. Small towns love visitors, so this is the perfect time to explore one of Iowa’s best-hidden gems.
A charming community of around 1,500 people, Brooklyn is like stepping back in time. It's no surprise the town's most popular restaurant is an old-school soda fountain!
Most people passing through stop at the Avenue of Flags, one of Iowa's top roadside attractions, but it is well worth stopping for a day trip.
If there's one thing you'll notice when passing through Elk Horn, it's windmills - lots and lots of impressive, vintage windmills.
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That's because this town is one of the largest hubs of Danish culture in the United States, and the tiny town of 601 pays tribute to their culture throughout the year. Don't miss the delicious baked goods!
A beautiful riverside town at the very northeast corner of Iowa, this is one of the most scenic spots in Iowa.
With a permanent population of just under a thousand, it's a popular vacation town thanks to its campground and riverside inns, and a scenic train route passes right by.
An old-fashioned downtown on the banks of the Mississippi, this small town of 742 residents is well worth the visit for shopping on main street.
The town's most popular attraction is Spook Cave, an eerie boat ride through an underground cave network, with an adjoining campground for longer stays.
A collection of seven small villages with a total population of around 1,600, this little Germany in the middle of Iowa is the perfect European getaway.
Amana is known for its historic buildings and festivals, and most of all its food! It's Oktoberfest all year round here at phenomenal restaurants like the family-style Ox Yoke Inn.
Have you been to any of these under-the-radar destinations in the Hawkeye State? Let us know your picks for the best small towns in Iowa in the comments section. If you’re looking to explore Lansing more in-depth, why not stay the night at their campground and restaurant?
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