The Small Town in Iowa That Feels Like Dawson’s Creek

A sweet little town hugging the Mississippi River may not seem comparable to a village on the Atlantic Coast, but I can’t help thinking of Dawson’s Creek every time I stroll through McGregor, Iowa. It’s far less about the longitude and far more about the aura and the people who so generously paint the town with it. 

It all starts with the adorable, historic buildings and their giant windows peeping out over the water, boasting some of the best views in Iowa. They frame both sides of a quiet street, pocked by blushing gardens and quaint, corner parks, while casting shadows over the docks on the Mighty Mississippi. Bright colors and brilliant calligraphy illuminate the windows, declaring the names of independent shops and the quirky offerings within.

Wander into McGregor on a late Sunday afternoon in October, just before the sun goes down. You’ll find the streets mostly quiet and serene—except for the silly sounds of Halloween decor chattering beneath neighborhood awnings. This is my favorite time to go, when the rush of leefpeepers has left, and I can steal the conversations with locals all for myself. This is when it feels most like a small town straight out of Dawson’s Creek.

The last time I was in McGregor, a bubbly shop owner standing on a purple stoop beckoned me into her emporium, filled with crystals, incense, dragons, fairies, and beads. She made me feel like a long-lost friend, and we spent over an hour together while she taught me how to play a singing bowl. I brought home a purple bowl with me, so I always have a piece of McGregor at my bedside. Then, I wandered down to Sadie’s Sweet Shop, a vintage cafe throwback with Adirondack chairs on the front sidewalk. This is where I fill paper bags with saltwater taffy and old-fashioned fudge before heading on to the bookshop and the general store. 

The bookstore at Paper Moon has a few resident cats, so I squeak in carefully, hoping to keep them in. I wave hello to the gal at the counter, before disappearing into a sea of unique and exciting books I wouldn’t find elsewhere. I make my selection and spend another ten minutes lingering in conversation about trees and travel, just as refreshing as the store itself. I cross the street, hands and soul filled with the essence of the place, passing the coffeehouse and the post office, before ducking into By The Spoonful. I come here for the bubble tea, but I never leave without a stack of other local finds, usually jam and chocolate, as well as salami and cheese. 

After just a few hours immersed in McGrego, my cup is filled again. It took just a simple day, pretending like I’m on the set of a small town straight out of Dawson’s Creek. No matter how many times I return, it always feels the same, like I’m walking the streets of a place that’s forever familiar, where everybody knows my name (even if they don’t).

Love wandering small towns in Iowa? Let Only In Your State's AI-powered itinerary planner help you find your next favorite.