There’s never a bad time to visit some of the best small towns in Iowa – and when we say small towns, we mean SMALL towns! So many of Iowa’s best vacation spots are little more than dots on the map, and one of them is Sidney, a town of 1,070 nestled in the southwest corner of the state. Many Iowans may not have heard of it – but there are so many amazing things to do in Sidney, Iowa! Let’s start with its claim to fame – the best rodeo in all of Iowa, a must-see destination for thrill-seekers. From there, you might just be in town for a memorable event, and you’ll always be able to stop in for a great under-the-radar steak dinner. Summer seems to be when Sidney comes alive, so you’ll definitely want to make the trip over and see what this charming town has to offer!

Sidney is a laid-back Iowa small town with an old-west vibe, and there's no better time to visit than in the summer.
Sidney Hometown Pride/Facebook
Where is Sidney, Iowa? It's in the the southwest corner of the state, south of Omaha-Council Bluffs and close to the Nebraska border.
The first big event of the summer is definitely the Fremont County Fair (July 12th through 17th this year) where 4-H competitions are always a highlight.
Fremont County Fair, 1004 Legion Rd, Sidney, IA 51652, USA
Fremont County 4-H, Iowa/Facebook
You'll always be able to get a great meal at Whip's Steakhouse, the town's old-school restaurant.
Laura Kuhl, Mom/Google Local
This humble neighborhood chophouse feels like an old-west saloon, and the decor is a great touch.
William Clark/Google Local

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The focus here is humble, well-grilled cuts of meat at prices that will make you want to come back again and again.
Whip's Steakhouse, 812 Illinois St, Sidney, IA 51652, USA
Langdon Turk/Google Local
The town's signature attraction is definitely the rodeo, which is gearing up for another year of operations this August!
Joleene Naylor/Google Local
This year's rodeo will take place from August 1st through August 5th, and you can expect the stands to be packed!
Chris Rush/Google Local
Expert riders will do impressive stunts, and you can anticipate food on site and lots of little bonus attractions for the kids.
Sidney Iowa Rodeo, 103 Park St, Sidney, IA 51652, USA
Scott Smith/Google Local
If you can't make it out for the rodeo, don't fret - Sidney is also worth a visit around Halloween time for Sinister Sidney, a popular outdoor haunted experience!
Sinister Sidney, 1308 Filmore St, Sidney, IA 51652, USA
Sinister Sidney/Google Local

What are your favorite things to do in Sidney, Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! You can find out more about the Sidney Rodeo on the official website, and check out the Facebook page of Whip’s Steakhouse to keep up on its specials. Sidney is also home to one of the state’s best old-school drugstores, and you can even stay the night at a quaint local inn.

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Sidney, IA 51652, USA