Iowa’s Dutch Settlement Still Celebrates With Wooden Shoes, Cheese, and 300,000 Tulips Every Spring

Welcome to Pella, Iowa

Founded by Dutch immigrants in 1847, Pella is a slice of Holland in the American Midwest. Here are some of the best things to see and do in this Iowa bucket list destination.

The Vermeer Windmill

Standing tall at 124 feet, the Vermeer Windmill is the tallest working grain windmill in North America. It was named after the famous Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer.

This iconic windmill was reconstructed in 2002, replicating traditional Dutch designs and heritage.

29,969 bricks alone went to make the outside of the base.You’ll tour five floors, from the base of the mill where grain is brought in, to the top floor where grain is milled.

Tulip Time Festival

Every May, Pella bursts into color with its annual Tulip Time Festival where over 300,000 tulips are in bloom. The fair itself takes up the whole park and is laid out so you can see all the booths.

When you’re there, enjoy street scrubbing demonstrations, gorge on authentic poffertjes and bitterballen, and watch lively folk performances.

The grand parade features Dutch-style floats and marching bands, making it one of the biggest spring events in Iowa.

Pella Historical Village

The community’s Historical Village is lined with over 20 19th-century buildings. It includes a blacksmith shop, a schoolhouse, and the Scholte House Museum, once home to Pella’s founder, Dominie Hendrik Scholte.

One of the highlights is the Log Cabin, which was carefully moved piece by piece from a local farm. You can join tours where guides in period clothing offer insightful tours into Dutch-American history firsthand.

Dutch Aesthetics

Pella’s charming streets are a delightful nod to its Dutch roots, with storefronts that are tall and narrow and distinctive rooflines that feel like stepping into a quaint European town.

The design of buildings was influenced by a tax system based on canal frontage. Remember to check out the beautiful clock tower in the town square which mirrors the one in the Netherlands. There’s a replica of Amsterdam’s Begijnhof if you need a quiet spot to relax in.

Jaarsma Bakery

Jaarsma Bakery is a beloved family-owned establishment that’s been a staple in Pella since 1898.

Famous for its Dutch letters—almond-filled pastries shaped like the letter ‘S’, Jaarsma also serves up delicious stroopwafels, thin waffle cookies filled with caramel, and saucijzenbroodjes.

Lake Red Rock

Just a few miles from Pella, Lake Red Rock is Iowa’s largest lake. For anglers, this is fishing paradise, home to numerous fish species such as white bass, black bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and walleye.

Try the walking trails, including the Howell Station Recreation Area & Trail and Karr Nature Trail. The lake area has several campgrounds for those who want to extend their stay.

Pella Opera House

The historic Pella Opera House, built in 1900, has been beautifully restored to its original splendor. That includes the original 1928 Barton theatre organ. The opera house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Pella Golf & Country Club

This is an 18-hole course designed by Carl Shields and set against the backdrop of Iowa’s rolling hills. PG&CC has hosted numerous local tournaments here, which you can join if you visit your Pella trip right. The dining room is scheduled to reopen on March 4, 2025.

Central College

The original campus was located near the Pella Square, but was moved to its current location in 1893. It’s known for its 20th-century architecture, including the iconic Cox-Snow Music Hall and the Central College Chapel (completed in 1925).

In’t Veld’s Meat Market

In’t Veld’s Meat Market has been serving Pella for over 80 years, making it one of the oldest and most respected businesses in town.

Known for its metworst (Dutch sausage), the market also offers ready-to-eat meals, sandwiches, and snacks like kroketten. There’s also a variety of Dutch cheeses imported from the Netherlands.

Pella City Aquatic Center

Pella’s aquatic center has water slides, a lazy river, and a zero-depth entry pool for the little ones. There’s also a splash pad for younger children and lap lanes for serious swimmers, with lifeguards on duty to ensure safety.

If you’re dropping by this summer, catch the community events, such as “Family Fun Nights” and “Dive-in Movies,” where families can enjoy films while floating in the pool.