For the Mennonites in Iowa, 21st-century life in an Amish or Mennonite community isn’t much different from life 100 years ago. Residents of Amish towns in Iowa travel by horse and buggy, work without the help of electricity, and have a largely conservative and quiet lifestyle. There have been Amish and Mennonites in Iowa for more than 160 years. They welcome visitors with homegrown and homemade goods in Hazelton, Bloomfield, Kalona, and in Buchanan County.

1. Amish By-Ways Tour, 514 B Ave., Kalona
514 B Ave, Kalona, IA 52247, USA
LindaDee2006/Fickr
The Amish By-Ways Tour is a great way to get an up-close and personal glimpse of Amish life in the form of a guided 90-minute tour. Travel scenic backroads and see farms, gardens, homes, and schools. The tour also stops at several country shops.
2. Kalona Village Welcome Center, 715 D Ave., Kalona
715 D Ave, Kalona, IA 52247, USA
Kalona Iowa Website
The Kalona Village Welcome Center is a replica of a village from the 1800s village. Offering a unique peek into the past, the site features 13 buildings that have been carefully restored and filled with displays.
3. Hazelton Amish Community
Hazleton, IA 50641, USA
Iowa Farm Bureau Follow/Flickr
There are about 800 Amish people living in this Old Order Amish community. Hazelton is full of businesses that specialize in handmade furniture and Amish-made baked goods.
4. Amish Produce Auction (Southern Iowa Produce Auction), 19141 Ice Ave., Bloomfield
19141 Ice Ave, Bloomfield, IA 52537, USA
LindaDee2006/Flickr
Amish and non-Amish farmers provide garden produce, flowers, and many types of plants throughout the growing season. A copy of the Amish Produce Auction schedule is available at the Iowa Welcome Center.
5. Kalona Quilt & Textile Museum, 715 D Ave, Kalona
715 D Ave, Kalona, IA 52247, USA
Kalona Iowa Website
Some say Kalona is the Quilt Capital of Iowa. Here at the Kalona Quilt & Textile Museum, there are two galleries, one of which is devoted to Amish-made textiles. The exhibits rotate every few months, so there's almost always something new to see.

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6. Stringtown Grocery , 540th St SW, Kalona
540th Street Southwest, 540th St SW, Iowa, USA
Ed F./Yelp
Springtown Grocery is a great place for shopping in bulk. You'll find gardening supplies, kitchen gadgets, canning supplies, and a huge variety of bulk packaged candy. There's even a cooler with milk from Kalona Dairy.
7. Dutchman's Store, 103 Division St., Cantril Iowa
Dutchman's Store, 103 Division St, Cantril, IA 52542, USA
103 Division St, Cantril, IA 52542, USA
The Dutchman's Store Website
Dutchman’s Store has everything you would need to successfully run a small homestead or farm. They offer clothing, housewares, sewing supplies, and food.
8. Yoder's Antiques Gifts & Quilts, 435 B Ave, Kalona
435 B Ave, Kalona, IA 52247, USA
Aaron Morton/Flickr
This is just one of many Amish-owned and operated businesses in Kalona. Plan to spend some time browsing, and remember that Amish businesses are closed on Sundays and usually only accept cash as payment. For more information, give Yoder's a call at (319) 656-3880.
9. Yoder’s Indian Creek Furniture, 22769 Route V-64, Milton
22769 Rte V64, Milton, IA 52570, USA
Shinya Suzuki/Flickr
Yoder’s Indian Creek Furniture is owned by Mark Yoder, his brother, and his father. The retail store has been open since 2006, but the family members are multi-generational furniture building experts with a reputation for unsurpassed quality.
10. Hershberger Country Store, 1413 Grant Ave., Hazelton
1413 Grant Ave, Hazleton, IA 50641, USA
Ann Barker Follow/Flickr
You'll find it all here in Hershberger Country Store, a country store, owned and operated by members of the Hershberger clan. They sell glassware, hardware, Maytag washers, Coleman products, and lots of general merchandise.

Please note that many Amish and Mennonites in Iowa don’t keep regular hours. They don’t usually maintain websites, either. What’s more, Sundays are a day of rest in these communities, so plan your visits accordingly.

So, did you know that there were so many Amish and Mennonites in Iowa? Ever visited any of the spots mentioned above? Do you have a favorite Amish town in Iowa? Whatever it is, tell us!

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Mennonites In Iowa

Daniella DiRienzo | October 04, 2022

What are the best restaurants in Iowa?

The Amish and Mennonite communities of Iowa aren’t the only places you can experience the state’s rich cultural history. There’s also Amana, Iowa, which is an unincorporated community with German roots that go back to the 1700s. In addition to tons of history, the small community is home to one of the state’s best restaurants – the Ronneburg Restaurant. In business since 1950, the eatery is known for its authentic German fare and hearty family-style meals.

What are the oldest attractions in Iowa?

When it comes to historic sites in Iowa, none quite compare to the Blood Run National Historic Landmark. The landmark aims to preserve what was once a large village and ceremonial site of the Oneota and Prairie Dakota tribes from 900 – 1720 AD, (long before the Amish and Mennonites came along!). Today, the site is open to the public, giving visitors the chance to view protected burial mounds, village sites, and other features of cultural interest.

Where can I find the largest fabric store in Iowa?

Quilting isn’t just a big deal in the Amish and Mennonite communities. Sewing enthusiasts can be found throughout the state, which, in turn, means there are craft stores and fabric shops scattered all over Iowa. However, despite the abundance of options, Brooklyn Fabric Company is revered as one of the biggest and best. In addition to thousands of bolts of fabric, the sprawling shop carries patterns, threads, and more.

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