When it comes to stunning displays of nature it’s hard to beat the springtime, particularly when enjoying the majestic tulips in Iowa every year in Pella. This tiny town hosts a remarkable seasonal festival each year, and all season long there’s a breathtaking display of colorful tulips that stretch as far as the eye can see. We think it’s one of the best things to do in spring in Iowa.

Wondering, "Where is Pella, Iowa, on the map?"
Google Maps
You can find the beautiful town of Pella just a short 45-mile drive southeast of Des Moines.
It has been a town with people of Dutch descent since the very beginning.
Flickr / dmblue444
It was founded in 1847 by some 800 Dutch immigrants, and still draws a wealth of visitors and new residents who share some of that same heritage.
To this day it retains a strong connection to Holland.
Flickr / Douglas Porter
Once there, you can see and explore the many windmills, Dutch bakeries, and the most incredible springtime display of Iowa tulips.
During spring in Pella, hundreds of thousands of tulips bloom...
Flickr / Maria Eklind
... creating a sea of color that you have to experience to believe.

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These stunning Dutch flowers emerge out of the ground in April...
Flickr / Jules Hawk
...and that's when the town rolls out the red carpet to celebrate their Dutch heritage during the popular Tulip Time festival.
You'll find more than 300,000 flowers blooming in city parks, yards, and along the sidewalks.
Flickr / bitsorf: Thank you 1,500,000 times
Reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks take over the scene everywhere you look!
Walking the streets during spring, when all the Pella, Iowa, tulips are in bloom, is a delight.
Flickr / Carl Wycoff
You'll feel like you've flown halfway across the world without ever leaving the Hawkeye State!
If you can't get out to Pella to enjoy the beautiful tulip displays, then plant a few bulbs over the winter in your very own yard.
Mike Mozart /Flickr
Once they bloom, you can appreciate some of the magic of the tulip display in Pella all over again throughout the the spring season.

Pella is one of the wonders of Iowa, and a visit to this tulip town deserves a spot on every Hawkeye’s bucket list!

There is a wealth of activities that visitors can enjoy during Tulip Time, including tours of the Pella Historical Village Museum & Vermeer Windmill, historic reenactments, musicals, the ringing of the historic brass bells, and so much more. The full schedule can be found on the official Visit Pella website, as well as on the official Visit Pella Facebook page.

Have you ever spent spring in Pella? If so, have you been to these gorgeous spring tulips in Iowa? Which tulip colors were your favorites? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

Read on to learn more about why Pella is being called one of the best small-town vacations in America. (Hint: bakeries, brewhouses, outdoor recreation and more are among the reasons!).

If you’re still in the mood for more Iowa adventures, why not book a tour of the famous Madison County covered bridges? They’re located just over an hour west of Pella. For even more, take a look at this video:

 

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Exploring Iowa

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | April 10, 2023

Where can we go hiking in Iowa?

  • Backbone State Park in Dundee features 21 miles of meandering trails with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
  • Effigy Mounds in Harpers Ferry, Iowa has a 14-mile trail system that winds past ancient Native American mound sites.
  • Ledges State near Boone has a 5.4-mile trail and traverses over several cliff areas.

Read on to learn about the many great places to go hiking in Iowa.

Where can find bed and breakfast inns in Iowa?

  • The Mason House Inn in Bentonsport was built by Mormon settlers as a lodging accommodation for steamboat travelers over 170 years ago.
  • The Redstone Inn in Dubuque is a stunning Victorian structure located in the heart of the city’s famed historic district.
  • The Hotel Manning in Keosauqua was built in the Steamboat Gothic style and has been a favorite for travelers since 1899.

Read on to learn about the many other cozy bed and breakfast inns in Iowa.

Where can we find museums in Iowa?

  • The Farmhouse Museum in Ames is a historic structure that at one time served as a residence for the Dean of Iowa State University where it is located.
  • The Sanford Museum & Planetarium in Cherokee has been recognized as one of the best museums in the Midwest.
  • The Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs offers an array of exhibits relative to railroad history in the state.

Read on to learn about the many interesting museums in Iowa.

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Pella, IA 50219, USA