While Iowa has many wonderful towns to head to on vacation, Pella was once named by Esquire as one of the most charming American towns most people haven't heard of but should visit. Of course, this comes as no surprise to many of us. It’s a family-friendly place with delicious food, a wealth of recreational opportunities, and a unique culture and heritage that residents are happy to share. Oh, and then there’s the well over a quarter-million tulips the town and residents plant yearly. What a sight in the spring! Come along as we delve into what makes Pella, IA a worthy vacation destination.

Many people consider a stop at one or more of Pella’s bakeries to be a required part (or maybe the highlight?) of their visit.

Both of the town’s Dutch bakeries, Jaarsmas Bakery and Vander Ploegs Bakery, are on Franklin Street along the south side of the square and bake up delicious Dutch Letters and other goodies. Jaarsmas also offers fresh Stroopwaffels and a plethora of Dutch souvenirs and candies you don’t want to miss. Other Pella favorites are Cranberry Stone Bakery which specializes in incredible cupcakes and The Bread Board which offers fresh artisan bread. These last two are near the giant windmill, also on Franklin Street - they should rename it "Bakery Boulevard!"

The iconic Dutch Vermeer windmill still grinds wheat into flour as needed, and Jaarsma Bakery bakes it into bread you can enjoy.

The Dutch Vermeer Windmill is located in the town’s historic district. In fact, the district is over 180 years old! The mill is certainly the centerpiece and just one of many attractions here that make Pella one of the best towns in Iowa.

Other local food stops include Butcher’s Brewhuis which serves up breakfast, lunch and supper and also offers rooftop dining for the 21+ crowd in the evenings. The Dutch Fix offers the food people have come to love from Tulip Time... but year-round! Poffertjes, anyone? Grab a plate to go with coffee from The Perk of Pella, a local drive-through coffee joint on Washington Street.

Gouda cheese is a Dutch staple that you’ll find in a variety of sandwiches on many Pella restaurant menus; want to buy some fresh from a local dairy? Visit the Frisian Farms Cheese House just a few miles east of Pella on Highway 163. Why not pair that cheese or baked treat with wine from the Wijn House? This family-owned store sells only Iowa-made wine and does a fantastic job advising delicious pairings of food and wine.

With all this good food, you’ll need some exercise, are we right? Well, Lake Red Rock has you covered. It has a beach near North Overlook Campground, and it’s a popular spot for boating of all kinds. Sailboats, speedboats, and pontoons all get people out soaking up the rays.

There’re hiking trails, both in town at Big Rock Park, as well as along the lake. One local favorite is the Karr Nature Trail that starts near Cordova Tower. The Volksweg Trail, a bike and walking trail from the town of Pella all the way to Cordova Park, runs through a variety of terrain, from shaded woods to lake views, over wooden bridges and even along the Des Moines River. These trails are some real hidden gems in Iowa.

Other popular activities here include kayaking and paddleboarding at Robert’s Creek, geocaching in the area, and coming for the annual Red Rock Balloon Festival for family fun.

Tulip Time is by far the biggest event in town. Held every spring, the festival is an amazing display of literally thousands upon thousands of multi-hued tulips which is a big part of celebrating the rich Dutch heritage here.

There is so much to see and do in Pella that you might have a hard time deciding what to do first!

Pella is a wonderful small town for a family-friendly getaway. The history here alone makes a visit here kind of like an outdoor educational classroom. And there are scores of places to enjoy a great meal with options that appeal to every taste and desire.

If you so desire, you can tour the Scholte House or stroll through the new Tuttle House learning walk to learn more about the founding of the town.

Some people say that Pella feels like its straight out of a fairytale. And sometimes fairytales appear in books. If you're a book lover, be sure to head on over to Pella Book, is an absolute treasure trove of exciting used books. The store also carries the work of Pella authors and illustrators like Hillary Morgan Ferrer and Joe Hox. Way to support local!

And where to stay when you visit Pella?

There are traditional hotels, as well as a variety of adorable VRBO rentals in the area, but you can also be pampered at Cheesemakers Inn, a bed and breakfast run by a lovely lady who makes delicious food. Cordova Cabins offer stunning lake views from their back porch, as well as immediate access to the bike trail. And if you like to camp, Lake Red Rock offers hundreds of sites at Howell’s Station, North Overlook, Ivan’s, Wallashuck, Robert’s Creek and several others.

No wonder Pella is considered one of the best small-town vacations in America! It doesn't get much better than all this.

Have you ever been to Pella? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experiences there. You can also learn more about this charming town on the official Facebook page.

If you're looking for more Iowa fun, try one of these other great Hawkeye State vacation destinations!

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