It's Impossible To Drive Through This Delightful Iowa Town Without Stopping
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dpaulson
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There are many small, charming towns in Iowa is just brimming with small towns that are charming, quaint, and perfect for a delightful day trip. If you’re itching to get away from it all for a day, or even a weekend, Orange City is a lovely place to spend some time, and it’s definitely a contender for best small town in Iowa.
Orange City is a small town in northwest Iowa with a population of around 6,000, and it’s a breath of fresh air. It’s best known for its Dutch background, reflected in its architecture, annual tulip festival and charming windmills.
Orange City’s Dutch heritage is so ingrained in its history, the first name for the town was actually Holland. It was renamed in honor of Dutch royalty.
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There are a ton of things to do in Orange City, IA. When you arrive, make sure to wander around the Dutch village-style downtown to admire the architecture and check out the shops.
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Dutch American Heritage Museum, 120 3rd St SW, Orange City, IA 51041, USA
Next, a visit to the Sioux County Museum & Orange City Dutch Heritage Center is always an interesting stop. The museum features exhibits that include antiques from Holland, traditional Dutch clothing, a one-room schoolhouse and more. Make sure to call ahead, though, because tours are only done by appointment except for during the Tulip Festival.
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Vogel Old Mill, 1126-1196 Albany Pl SE, Orange City, IA 51041, USA
Make sure to also pay a visit to the Vogel Old Mill. The mill represents a typical workplace and home in the old Netherlands. It also provides a great demonstration of how wind power was harnessed by generations of Dutch.
For more Dutch culture and history, visit Stadscentrum, or "city center."
Stadscentrum, 101 2nd St NE, Orange City, IA 51041, USA
Here, you can see wooden shoe making equipment and hear Orange City’s Dutch street organ. Stadscentrum is also available to tour by appointment.
318 Albany Ave NE, Orange City, IA 51041, USA
To cap off your Dutch history tour, make sure to pay a visit to Century Home. Century Home depicts the lifestyle of the Dutch community in Orange City in the 1900s. The home features a handcrafted pipe organ, an authentic Hospers clock from the Netherlands, quilt and needlework displays and more.
Keep the Dutch theme going with a stay at Dutch Inn and Suites, right in Orange City. Have you visited Orange City, Iowa? To discover more, charming towns in Iowa, check out these 10 Small Towns In Iowa That Offer Nothing But Peace And Quiet.
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