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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

Here Are The 10 Most Enchanting, Magical Christmas Towns In Iowa

Discover the most charming Christmas towns in Iowa, each offering unique holiday experiences and festive attractions.

Published Nov 22, 2016

Written by 

dpaulson

Christmas is one of the most magical times of year, and there are many amazing Christmas festivals going on all over Iowa. From light displays to visits with Santa to hot chocolate and cookies, there are so many fun things to experience. As part of the season’s festivities, you’ll definitely want to check out these 10 enchanting, magical Christmas towns.

1. Le Mars

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Facebook/Le Mars Iowa

Le Mars features the magical Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland. There are many fun activities to partake in, including horse-drawn sleigh rides, a live nativity scene and live music. You can also roast marshmallows and sip hot chocolate around a campfire in the snow. The village is open on Saturday, December 10th, and Sunday, December 11th, at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. 500 4th Ave. NE, Le Mars, IA.

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2. Wyoming

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Flickr/Phil Roeder

Wyoming goes all out at Christmas, and it’s especially well known for the stunning 4-block canopy of Christmas lights on the town's Main Street. The street is also decked out with 40 lit Christmas trees. If you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit, Wyoming is a great place to visit.

3. Anamosa

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Flickr/Louis

Anamosa’s decked out Main Street is a great place for Christmas festivities. There are plenty of events to enjoy, including Holiday Magic on Main, an event to kick off the holiday season on November 25th & 26th. There’s also the Christmas Tree Walk, a magical walk through over 60 lit and decorated Christmas trees. This event takes place on December 9th, 10th and 11th at the Lawrence Community Center. 600 E Main St., Anamosa, IA.

4. Orange City

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Facebook/Dutch Heritage Boosters, Orange City, IA

This charming little town has an annual tradition when the Dutch Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) visits Orange City. This celebration takes place on the first Saturday of December. You’ll see Sinterklaas arrive on a white horse, and there will be fun activities, like Dutch games and a puppet show.

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5. Amana

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Facebook/Tannenbaum Forest

The Amana Colonies have an amazing Tannenbaum Forest every year, with a display of over 40 Christmas trees. This display will be open from November 25th through December 18th, Friday through Sunday.

6. Boone

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Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad

The Boone & Scenic Valley Railway's Santa Express is a fun Christmas activity for you and your children and grandchildren. Get dressed in your PJs on and take the Santa Express. The ride lasts an hour and a half, and you’ll enjoy a story, cocoa and cookies, a visit with Santa and more. To learn about times, dates and tickets,

click here.

7. Winterset

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Facebook/Madison County Chamber of Commerce

Winterset is a magical place to celebrate Christmas. Make sure to check out the Black Friday Festival of Lights on November 25th, with a visit from Santa, Christmas parade, live music and more.

8. Mount Pleasant

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Facebook/Midwest Central Railroad

This festive and fun train ride is a great way to celebrate Christmas with your family. You’ll take a train ride to the "North Pole," get your picture taken with Santa, make ornaments and more. Train rides begin on November 26th and run through December 11th. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website here.

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9. Villages of Van Buren

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Facebook/Villages of Van Buren

The historic Villages of Van Buren are a charming place to visit any time of year, but Christmas is especially so. From their Festival of Trees, to their Enchanted Forest Walk, you’re sure to find some fun and festive Christmas events. To learn more about holiday event dates, times and places, click here.

10. Storm Lake

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Facebook/Santa’s Castle Storm Lake, Iowa

You’ll want to make sure to visit Santa's Castle in Storm Lake in the historic Carnegie Library. Expect to meet Santa Claus himself, see animated elves, browse antique Christmas toys and gifts and more. The castle is open Thanksgiving day running through December 29th on select days and times. 200 E 5th St., Storm Lake, IA.

Have you experienced any of these magical Christmas towns? For more fun holiday activities, here are 11 Christmas Light Displays In Iowa That Are Pure Magic.

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

There’s No Place Like My Hometown of Decorah, Iowa for the Holidays

Charming and historic Decorah is my hometown, and I think it's the best place to spend the holidays in Iowa

Published Nov 6, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

I grew up all over eastern Iowa. My parents moved from place to place - Tipton, Lowden, Iowa City - before finally settling on the beautiful town of Decorah, where I spent the bulk of my youth and graduated from high school. One of the benefits of moving so was getting to compare the towns that I'd lived in, and even my puny 10-year-old brain recognized just how beautiful Decorah is, with its limestone bluffs, trout streams, well-preserved historic homes and buildings, and even waterfalls (I'd never seen one in real life before we moved here!). The people were warm and welcoming to me, even as a new kid in town, and I still count many folks from Decorah among my friends. It's thanks to this combination of scenic beauty, history, and friendly folks, I would argue that Decorah is the best holiday town in Iowa - and, yes, perhaps I'm a titch biased.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

As scenic as Decorah is at any time of year, the town is particularly lovely when it wears a mantle of snow on its shoulders. Throw in some holiday spirit, and it's downright magical.

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Bill Nelson/AllTrails

The houses and parks that line Decorah's streets typically go all-out for the holidays, and Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Heritage Center, does not play around. All its buildings are festooned in festive finery, and it hosts an annual Norwegian Christmas Celebration that seems to bring out the whole town. The Luther College Christmas concerts always attract folks from all around the region and ensure that the holiday spirit burns bright in Decorah.

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Keith Johnson/AllTrails

Decorah's downtown commercial area - mainly along Water St. - is one of several historic districts in town, and it's one of the most walkable shopping areas in Iowa. During the holidays, the town is bedecked in wreaths and lights, and the charming shops that line the street are open for extended hours.

Downtown Decorah is one of those places where you can walk in early December, powdery snow falling gently from the sky, sparkling in the streetlights, and feel like you're strolling through a holiday movie.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

One place that definitely knows its assignment for the holidays in Decorah is the historic Hotel Winneshiek, so if you plan to make a holiday trip to this Iowa Christmas town, I'd recommend booking your accommodations there. Have you visited Decorah during the holidays? Do you agree that it's one of Iowa's best Christmas towns? Nominate your favorite holiday town in Iowa and tell us all what makes it special!

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Trip Ideas|Day Trips

If You Only Have One Day To Visit This Small Town In Iowa, Here’s Everything You Absolutely Can’t Miss

Discover how to spend a perfect day in Winterset, Iowa, from visiting the John Wayne Birthplace Museum to exploring the iconic covered bridges of Madison County.

Published Oct 31, 2024

Written by 

Megan Todaro

Let’s say you happen to be traveling through Iowa and are in a time crunch. You only have one day to stop along your route and it happens to be smack dab in Winterset, Iowa, a charming small town jam-packed with iconic sights, small-town warmth, and quite a few things to do. So, where do you even start? I’ve curated a day-trip adventure in Iowa that will let you see all the best Winterset offers, even when you only have less than 24 hours to explore. So let's begin!

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Winterset Iowa
Madison CountyPhoto taken on November 9, 2019Built in 1883 by Harvey P. Jones and George K. Foster, Roseman is 107 feet in length and sits in its original location. In Robert James Waller’s novel, The Bridges of Madison County, and the movie of the same name, Roseman is the bridge Robert Kincaid seeks when he stops at Francesca Johnson’s home for directions. It is also where Francesca leaves her note inviting him to dinner.

Start your day in Winterset with a hot coffee and hearty breakfast at Petite Cafe. This craft coffee and a small batch bakery offers a delicious homemade selection for you to kick off your day the right way. Try The BAE, a bacon, avocado, and egg sandwich, with melted cheddar and spicy mayo on a freshly baked croissant, you won’t regret it.

Next, let’s head over to see some of the iconic covered bridges that inspired the iconic book, Bridges of Madison County! No trip to Winterset would be complete without visiting the covered bridges that inspired Robert James Waller’s famous novel and the subsequent film adaptation starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. There are six covered bridges scattered around Madison County, and Winterset is the perfect base to explore a few of them.

The Hogback Covered Bridge and Roseman Covered Bridge are two of the most popular and photogenic, both located within a short drive of town. Each bridge has its unique design and history, and they’re beautiful to visit year-round, whether framed by spring greenery, autumn leaves, or winter snow.

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Flickr jpellgen

Next up, we have the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, dedicated to Winterset’s most famous native. John Wayne, originally named Marion Morrison, was born here in 1907, and this museum offers a look into his life and legendary Hollywood career. You can tour his small birthplace home, preserved as it was during his early years, and explore exhibits showcasing memorabilia from his films and personal life.

The museum has one of the largest collections of John Wayne artifacts in the world, from iconic costumes to rare photographs. This is a must-visit for fans of classic cinema, and it provides a fascinating peek into how this small-town boy grew into one of the most enduring figures in American film.

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Fluffy white clouds and a blue sky over a winter cornfield in Iowa.

After the museum visit, make a stop at Covered Bridges Winery. Tucked away in the rolling hills near Winterset, this family-owned winery crafts wines from locally grown grapes, and it’s a great spot to unwind with a tasting flight. Sip on wines named in homage to the area’s covered bridges, like the white Bridges blend or the red Roseman. The tasting room offers a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere with beautiful countryside views.

For dinner, make your way to The Drift Taproom & Restaurant on the town square, a restaurant that combines Iowa comfort food with a touch of modern flair. Known for its burgers, steaks, and other classic dishes, The Drift offers a warm, cozy ambiance perfect for a satisfying evening meal. We heard the flatbreads are out of this world!

Need a place to spend the night? Check out hotels.com to see what Winterset, Iowa has for accommodations.

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