Visit These 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns In Iowa, One For Each Month Of The Year

Discover the best small towns in Iowa to visit each month for unique seasonal adventures and events.

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

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.

February - Fort Madison

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.

March - Bondurant

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.

April - Atlantic

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.

May - Lansing

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.

June - Arnolds Park

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.

July - Clear Lake

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.

August - Le Claire

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!

September - Boone

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!

October - Amana

The German haven of Amana is always a great visit - but never more so than in October, when they host an epic Oktoberfest event.

November - Tama

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.

December - Pella

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.

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?

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