There’s no reason to let a single month pass without an adventure. Iowa is full of amazing small towns, and with this list of the best small towns in Iowa, you’ll be able to plan a visit to one at the perfect time – for every month of the year. From a romantic winter getaway to a summer cruise with brilliant sights, to a fall festival to remember, to a stunning Christmas to end the year, you’re guaranteed to have a year to remember.
January - Honey Creek
Travel Iowa Honey Creek is a popular summer vacation destination - but it’s also home to the Mt. Crescent Ski Resort, making it the perfect spot for a day of winter sports. Honey Creek, IA 51542, USA
February - Fort Madison
Kingsley Inn/Facebook Fort Madison is a mid-sized town along the Mississippi River with a rich cultural and culinary scene. It’s also home to the romantic Kingsley Inn, making it a perfect spot for a Valentine’s Day getaway. Fort Madison, IA, USA
March - Bondurant
Founders Irish Pub/Facebook The heartland town of Bondurant, not far from Des Moines, is home to one of the state’s best Irish pubs and sees a big influx of visitors for St. Patrick’s Day. Bondurant, IA 50035, USA
April - Atlantic
Atlantic Parks and Recreation/Facebook Atlantic, one of the bigger towns in Iowa’s spread-out western half, goes all-out for Easter. Families won’t want to miss their famous egg hunt. Atlantic, IA 50022, USA
May - Lansing
Angelika Lindner/Wikipedia Summer is just around the corner, and the northeastern town of Lansing is a gorgeous riverside haven with a popular campground only minutes from the water. Lansing, IA 52151, USA
June - Arnolds Park
Arnolds Park Amusement Park/Facebook With summer in full swing, there is no better time to head to the lakeside and enjoy this popular summer resort - including the charming Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Arnolds Park, IA, USA
July - Clear Lake
Travel Iowa Where to view the best 4th of July Fireworks? You won’t beat the sight from Clear Lake, where you can take them in from the town’s famous Lady of the Lake riverboat. Clear Lake, IA 50428, USA
August - Le Claire
Travel Iowa Another charming river town along the eastern border, Le Claire is a must-visit in August for their over the top Tugfest event - the only tug of war across the Mississippi River! Le Claire, IA 52753, USA
September - Boone
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum/Facebook When the fall leaves start to turn, head to Boone to see them from the best spot in Iowa - a seat above the open-air Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad! Boone, IA 50036, USA
October - Amana
Amana Colonies The German haven of Amana is always a great visit - but never more so than in October, when they host an epic Oktoberfest event. Amana, IA 52203, USA
November - Tama
Meskwaki Tribal Museum/Facebook There is no better time of year to learn about Iowa’s rich Native roots, and the Meskwaki Cultural Center and Museum makes an amazing and educational day trip. Tama, IA, USA
December - Pella
Kerstmarkt Pella/Facebook You may have seen some great Iowa Christmas events, but Pella does it like no other town. Their traditional Dutch Christmas market is a unique - and delicious - way to spend a day. Pella, IA 50219, USA
Have you visited any of these small towns in past years? Let us know all about your travels, and tell us your picks for the best small towns in Iowa in the comments section. For more on Iowa’s charming lakeside theme park, you can visit the Arnolds Park website for all the details on seasonal operations. And for more memorable 2023 adventures, why not take a look at an escape for every month of the year?
Travel Iowa
Honey Creek is a popular summer vacation destination - but it’s also home to the Mt. Crescent Ski Resort, making it the perfect spot for a day of winter sports.
Honey Creek, IA 51542, USA
Kingsley Inn/Facebook
Fort Madison is a mid-sized town along the Mississippi River with a rich cultural and culinary scene. It’s also home to the romantic Kingsley Inn, making it a perfect spot for a Valentine’s Day getaway.
Fort Madison, IA, USA
Founders Irish Pub/Facebook
The heartland town of Bondurant, not far from Des Moines, is home to one of the state’s best Irish pubs and sees a big influx of visitors for St. Patrick’s Day.
Bondurant, IA 50035, USA
Atlantic Parks and Recreation/Facebook
Atlantic, one of the bigger towns in Iowa’s spread-out western half, goes all-out for Easter. Families won’t want to miss their famous egg hunt.
Atlantic, IA 50022, USA
Angelika Lindner/Wikipedia
Summer is just around the corner, and the northeastern town of Lansing is a gorgeous riverside haven with a popular campground only minutes from the water.
Lansing, IA 52151, USA
Arnolds Park Amusement Park/Facebook
With summer in full swing, there is no better time to head to the lakeside and enjoy this popular summer resort - including the charming Arnolds Park Amusement Park.
Arnolds Park, IA, USA
Where to view the best 4th of July Fireworks? You won’t beat the sight from Clear Lake, where you can take them in from the town’s famous Lady of the Lake riverboat.
Clear Lake, IA 50428, USA
Another charming river town along the eastern border, Le Claire is a must-visit in August for their over the top Tugfest event - the only tug of war across the Mississippi River!
Le Claire, IA 52753, USA
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum/Facebook
When the fall leaves start to turn, head to Boone to see them from the best spot in Iowa - a seat above the open-air Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad!
Boone, IA 50036, USA
Amana Colonies
The German haven of Amana is always a great visit - but never more so than in October, when they host an epic Oktoberfest event.
Amana, IA 52203, USA
Meskwaki Tribal Museum/Facebook
There is no better time of year to learn about Iowa’s rich Native roots, and the Meskwaki Cultural Center and Museum makes an amazing and educational day trip.
Tama, IA, USA
Kerstmarkt Pella/Facebook
You may have seen some great Iowa Christmas events, but Pella does it like no other town. Their traditional Dutch Christmas market is a unique - and delicious - way to spend a day.
Pella, IA 50219, USA
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