10 small towns in Iowa that transform into winter wonderlands

Once cold weather hits, these 10 small towns in Iowa transform into winter wonderlands that offer seasonal fun for the whole family. 

The warmer months aren’t the only time to walk picturesque main streets and visit historic sites around Iowa. This winter, visit these 10 small towns in Iowa for holiday cheer, historic fun, colorful strolls, and cold weather thrills.

1. Okoboji

Many people know of Okoboji as a great warm-weather destination in the state. But once the lake freezes over, Okoboji comes alive in a different way. There are miles and miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. You can borrow a pair of snowshoes from the Dickinson County Nature Center and explore all 70 acres of Kenue Park, or go snow tubing at Horseshoe Bend Tubing Hill. There are also great spots for winter birding, as well as indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks. You might even build a snow castle along the beach or try your hand at ice fishing.

Be sure to check out the University of Okoboji Winter Games, which are hosted at the end of January. The games include broomball, flag football, softball, a bags tournament, a chili cook-off, a polar plunge, fireworks, and much more.

2. Pella

Everyone thinks of visiting Pella in the spring for Tulip Time. But it’s a lovely winter wonderland as well. It’s a great spot to do some holiday shopping at all the unique gift shops sprinkled around town.

Much of the village is decorated with holiday lights (have you ever seen a lighted windmill?) and decked out with decor. There’s a wonderful tunnel of lights set up in Central Park that is great for photo opportunities. The local bakeries have delectable holiday treats and very cool gingerbread houses to admire, and all the storefront window displays bring a lively winter wonderland feel to the whole town. Oh, and the town’s annual Christmas in Pella event takes place at the beginning of December each year!

3. Amana Colonies

A visit to the Amana Colonies during the winter is another way to transport yourself to another time and place. The whole area is alight and decorated for the holidays and offers wonderful, unique shopping options, much like in Pella.

Visit the Tannenbaum Forest before Christmas to see dozens of distinctly decorated trees and the 17-foot-tall traditional German Christmas pyramid. There are also house tours and cookie walks to enjoy.

Then, later in January, they host Winterfest, where you can join in fun events like wreath toss, the Great Amana ham put, log sawing competitions, a wine walk, and a beard competition, among other fun. Winter is one of the prettiest and coziest times of year in the Amana Colonies, so don’t miss out.  

4. Fairfield

Head to Fairfield this holiday season to soak up the winter wonderland spirit. The town transforms into “The Christmas City” with hundreds of lights dazzling around town. Every winter, they host a Festival of Trees and an official tree-lighting ceremony. Various shops and organizations around town host holiday-themed shopping events and activities.

Local birding enthusiasts say that Fairfield has some great spots for birding during the winter months as well. You might see cardinals, blue jays, titmice, woodpeckers, chickadees, and goldfinches, all of which are so vibrantly colored during the winter white conditions. The Fairfield Loop trail is also gorgeous for a winter hike, and you can find ice fishing and ice hockey spots as well. 

5. Decorah

Decorah is a favorite destination for many during any time of the year, but winter is a particularly magical time to visit. For one thing, it holds the title for Iowa’s snowiest town (often getting up to 38 inches of snow each season), so you might be in luck if you are hoping for a blanket of white stuff.

Whether you stop before the holidays to enjoy the lights and shopping, or you start your new year out with a winter getaway to a cozy cabin in the woods, Decorah delights during wintertime. A visit to the trout hatchery might also provide you with a great bald eagle viewing opportunity. Plus, there are tons of trails that are prepped for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even fat tire biking. The Wayside Ice Rink is also a fun spot for some ice skating. 

6. Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is a gem of a town any time of year, hosting fun-filled festivals every season. In the winter, you won’t want to miss out on Magical Night, held each December, to celebrate the start of the winter holiday season. There are events, performances, a live Nativity, and special window displays all along Main Street. You’ll get right into the holiday spirit and can even get some shopping done, too.

Once the snow starts coming down, the city closes off four blocks of Third Avenue, known as Pres Hill (after the Presbyterian church that sits at the top), for sledding. Closing city streets for sledding is our kind of dedication to wintertime fun. If you need an indoor activity to warm up, check out the newly renovated Bijou Theater to catch the latest blockbuster movie. 

7. Boone

There aren’t many places where you can take a holiday train ride, but luckily for Iowans, Boone happens to be one of them. Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s Santa Express takes passengers on a magical journey across the 156-tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge to the North Pole throughout the month of December. 

The city of Boone also has a tree-lighting event and holiday parade to enjoy. Throughout the winter season, you can also enjoy lots of cold-weather outdoor fun at Seven Oaks Recreation Center, where you can snow tube, ski, and snowboard on any of their 11 slopes built with beginners and experts in mind. Ledges State Park, one of the most popular state parks in Iowa, has gorgeous hikes during snow-covered months as well. 

8. Orange City

Much like in Pella, Orange City in western Iowa celebrates its Dutch heritage all year long. But the Sinterklaas Day Celebration on the first Saturday of December is a particularly special experience during the holiday seasons. This festival draws children and their families to downtown Orange City to see the arrival of the Dutch “Santa” on his white horse. There are also Dutch games and a puppet show to enjoy, as well as shopping in the “Dutch Village.”

After the holidays, Orange City sets up a 100-foot ice skating and hockey rink in Vets Park so you can gather for fun with friends throughout the winter months. 

9. Storm Lake

There’s just something about a large frozen lake that beckons those looking for a thrilling winter experience. When Storm Lake freezes over, it becomes a very popular spot for epic ice fishing. You might catch white bass, black crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch, walleye, and largemouth bass. There are also many trails around the lake that are prepped for snowboarding and snowmobiling.

If you visit during the holiday seasons, Storm Lake is also home to Santa’s Castle, which is one of the world’s largest collections of antique animated Christmas characters. If you need a spot to warm up and transport you for a tropical getaway, you can check into King’s Pointe Resort and enjoy the indoor waterpark.

10. Oskaloosa

Oskaloosa is a surprisingly artsy town in central Iowa. And they take that to heart, adorning the town with twinkling lights each holiday season. The entire town square is covered in Christmas lights each year, which makes for a dazzling display of some 250,000 lights. They also host a lighted holiday parade each year in December.

Pop into the local shops to grab some gifts. We recommend The Book Vault (an independent bookstore housed in a historic bank building) and Mahaska Drug (a truly unique shop that is part pharmacy, part gift shop inspired by the North Pole). While you wander around town, be sure to check out the window decorating contest and the cool displays of public art. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.