If you’re looking for a unique Iowa day trip idea for this fall, look no further than Bloomfield, Iowa! Bloomfield, and the surrounding communities, are one of the best destinations for a shopping and dining day out of town. Bloomfield has all the charm of a typical small town (they have a population of less than 3,000), but you may be surprised by what you find when you veer away from the usual Main Street attractions.

Bloomfield, Iowa is a charming town on its own - but what’s hiding just outside of the downtown area is truly a wonder.

Flickr / Jo Naylor In the communities surrounding Bloomfield, you’ll find the largest, most conservative Amish community in Iowa. The Davis County Amish are a storied community, and they welcome visitors into their world. A visit to this community is a fascinating look at a lifestyle that feels completely foreign to us in the contemporary moment.

The Davis County Amish have been here for generations, and the tight-knit group still even speaks German.

Flickr / LindaDee2006 While the Amish are generally known to keep to themselves, you can always count on a friendly greeting when you visit Davis County. This welcoming attitude has been a great way for the Amish to educate visitors and the larger community about their way of life.

There are nearly 100 Amish shops and stores open to the public in and around Bloomfield.

Visit Davis County The fun part about visiting the Davis County Amish is that you never really need to have a plan. Most stores don’t keep regular hours, so you might have to do a little searching to find a few open stores if you visit in the evenings or during the week. One thing is certain - don’t visit on a Sunday. Everything will be closed because Sunday is a strict day of rest.

The Dutch Country General Store is one of the largest stores in the state.

Facebook / Dutch Country General Store You’ll find everything from fabric to toys to fresh and bulk foods here! It’s a classic general store experience bringing home the small-town charm hard.

Graber’s Country Store is another gem.

Google Local / Graber’s Country Store Here, you’ll find shoes, boots & clothing, along with handwoven baskets and other homemade goods. It’s easy to find an interesting and unique souvenir of your time in Amish country, the real trouble is choosing just one.

If you plan your trip right, you might be able to catch the Southern Iowa Produce Auction!

Google Local / Larry Leibundguth The auctions usually take place in the fall, often with some landing in November and December, but they can happen year round. Each day you’ll find plenty of fruits, veggies, flowers, and more. It’s an interesting and unusual way of buying produce and it’s bound to be an experience you’ll remember for many years to come.

Set aside some time this fall to visit the Davis County Amish community. It may end up being the highlight of your year!

Bloomfield, Iowa Day trips out to Bloomfield always feel like a step back in time, and you’ll love being away from the always-connected busy Iowa life. A few days, or even a few hours, immersed in a simpler time may have a calming effect on you. And you’ll develop a whole new respect for Amish people in Iowa.

Have you spent any time out in Iowa Amish Country IA? Have you been to any Amish stores in Iowa? Share your best photos of life way out here in our Iowa Nature Lovers Facebook Group! We’d love to see them.

Flickr / Jo Naylor

In the communities surrounding Bloomfield, you’ll find the largest, most conservative Amish community in Iowa. The Davis County Amish are a storied community, and they welcome visitors into their world. A visit to this community is a fascinating look at a lifestyle that feels completely foreign to us in the contemporary moment.

Flickr / LindaDee2006

While the Amish are generally known to keep to themselves, you can always count on a friendly greeting when you visit Davis County. This welcoming attitude has been a great way for the Amish to educate visitors and the larger community about their way of life.

Visit Davis County

The fun part about visiting the Davis County Amish is that you never really need to have a plan. Most stores don’t keep regular hours, so you might have to do a little searching to find a few open stores if you visit in the evenings or during the week. One thing is certain - don’t visit on a Sunday. Everything will be closed because Sunday is a strict day of rest.

Facebook / Dutch Country General Store

You’ll find everything from fabric to toys to fresh and bulk foods here! It’s a classic general store experience bringing home the small-town charm hard.

Google Local / Graber’s Country Store

Here, you’ll find shoes, boots & clothing, along with handwoven baskets and other homemade goods. It’s easy to find an interesting and unique souvenir of your time in Amish country, the real trouble is choosing just one.

Google Local / Larry Leibundguth

The auctions usually take place in the fall, often with some landing in November and December, but they can happen year round. Each day you’ll find plenty of fruits, veggies, flowers, and more. It’s an interesting and unusual way of buying produce and it’s bound to be an experience you’ll remember for many years to come.

Bloomfield, Iowa

Day trips out to Bloomfield always feel like a step back in time, and you’ll love being away from the always-connected busy Iowa life. A few days, or even a few hours, immersed in a simpler time may have a calming effect on you. And you’ll develop a whole new respect for Amish people in Iowa.

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Address: Bloomfield, IA 52537, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Small Towns In Iowa February 16, 2023 CC Where are there small towns in Iowa? After visiting this charming Amish community, consider checking out these other small towns in Iowa.

Pella Le Claire Dyersville Decorah McGregor Elk Horn Winterset Amana Mount Vernon Eldora Orange City Clear Lake Riverside Waverly Johnston Le Mars Parnell Walnut Spirit Lake Jewell Arthur

  Where are there Amish places in Iowa? To keep the theme going, plan a visit to these other Amish places dotted throughout Iowa.

Amish Country Store, Lamoni The Dutchman’s Store, Cantril Milton Creamery, Milton Villages of Van Buren County The Amish Boulevard, Hazleton Kalona Quilt & Textile Museum, Kalona Kalona Historical Village, Kalona

The OIYS Visitor Center

Small Towns In Iowa

February 16, 2023

CC

Where are there small towns in Iowa? After visiting this charming Amish community, consider checking out these other small towns in Iowa.

Pella Le Claire Dyersville Decorah McGregor Elk Horn Winterset Amana Mount Vernon Eldora Orange City Clear Lake Riverside Waverly Johnston Le Mars Parnell Walnut Spirit Lake Jewell Arthur

  Where are there Amish places in Iowa? To keep the theme going, plan a visit to these other Amish places dotted throughout Iowa.

Amish Country Store, Lamoni The Dutchman’s Store, Cantril Milton Creamery, Milton Villages of Van Buren County The Amish Boulevard, Hazleton Kalona Quilt & Textile Museum, Kalona Kalona Historical Village, Kalona

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

After visiting this charming Amish community, consider checking out these other small towns in Iowa.

  • Pella
  • Le Claire
  • Dyersville
  • Decorah
  • McGregor
  • Elk Horn
  • Winterset
  • Amana
  • Mount Vernon
  • Eldora
  • Orange City
  • Clear Lake
  • Riverside
  • Waverly
  • Johnston
  • Le Mars
  • Parnell
  • Walnut
  • Spirit Lake
  • Jewell
  • Arthur

 

Where are there Amish places in Iowa?

To keep the theme going, plan a visit to these other Amish places dotted throughout Iowa.

  • Amish Country Store, Lamoni
  • The Dutchman’s Store, Cantril
  • Milton Creamery, Milton
  • Villages of Van Buren County
  • The Amish Boulevard, Hazleton
  • Kalona Quilt & Textile Museum, Kalona
  • Kalona Historical Village, Kalona