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America has long been considered a melting pot, a convergence of many different people from all around the world. It’s no surprise, then, that certain parts of the country are associated with specific cultures—Florida’s Little Havana and Massachusetts’s Boston being just two notable examples.
Take a trip to the heartland, and you’ll discover a similarly unique place that celebrates all things Dutch: Pella, Iowa. Located less than an hour southeast from Des Moines, this city is primarily known for its annual Tulip Time festival but has so much more to offer to the curious traveler. So put on your klompen (wooden shoes) for an unforgettable, fascinating trek through this hidden Midwestern gem that’s been dubbed America’s Dutch Treasure.
Pella’s past and present
As with many other founding stories, Pella’s began as a search for a better life. In 1847, the Reverend Hendrik Scholte led four ships with several hundred colonists to the New World in search of religious freedom. After over four months of travel, the group finally settled in northwestern Iowa’s Marion County, where they purchased 18,000 acres of land and thirty-five farms.
One of the city’s earliest residents would go on to become renowned in his own right: Wyatt Earp. Over his life and in the decades following, Earp gained fame as a lawman and gunslinger in the American West, reportedly never suffering a wound in any of his fights. He and his family called Pella home for the better part of 1849 through 1864 before they made their way to California.
Today, Pella boasts around 11,000 citizens and is an impressively inviting place that continues to embrace its past. For example, both the Reverend Scholte’s and Earp’s original homes have been preserved and are open to visitors; there’s also a Wyatt Earp Day held in late September every year. The city even has its own Dutch dialect, called Pella Dutch.
Downtown Pella
Of Pella’s many wonderful aspects, perhaps the most appealing is how easy it is to see so many sites via walking. A good place to begin is at the visitor center, where you can pick up useful information such as maps and itineraries. Then simply stroll across the street to the Scholte House Museum & Gardens, the original 1848 home and property of the city’s founder. Step back into history by learning about the Scholtes, touring their indoor and outdoor spaces, and even observing some of their belongings.
Cross over to Main Street, and you’ll venture into the heart of downtown Pella. Among its many unique experiences include catching a show at the Pella Opera House, a restored historic venue with a nearly century-old organ. If you arrive at the right time, you may also be greeted by the Klokkenspel next door, whose mechanical figures dance as a 147-bell, computer-driven carillon plays dulcet chimes.
Another must-visit attraction is the Molengracht Plaza and Canal, located in the city’s business district. Here you can feel yourself transported to the nineteenth-century Netherlands thanks to the serene, lapping waters of its 5,720-foot waterway and beautiful brick buildings, all built to mimic their overseas counterparts.
There are ample shopping opportunities downtown as well, from books to clothing to antiques. As far as dining, you’ll find both national chains and upscale and casual local establishments—including, naturally, several Dutch-focused ones. And don’t forget to treat yourself to authentic baked goods! Whether you’re craving hand-crafted chocolates, cupcakes, or pastries, you have plenty of options to choose from.
The village
Just around the corner from the opera house, be sure to take a tour of the Historical Village, a preserved collection of twenty-two buildings, many from the 1800s. A few highlights are the gristmill; the blacksmith shop; the Wyatt Earp Experience, a self-guided tour through Earp’s childhood home; and Werkplaats, a replica of a shop that produces the iconic Dutch shoes.
Also looming over the village is the Vermeer Windmill, one of the tallest working windmills in North America (and one of five total in the city). It was actually built in the Netherlands and then shipped to and reassembled in Pella, so when you climb it, you feel like you’re experiencing the real Dutch deal—because you are.
Outdoor activities
This part of Iowa is filled with chances to get out in nature. For instance, Pella has over fifteen city parks, including Cordova Park, which has the Midwest’s tallest observation tower in a public park and ten miles of bike trails. Meanwhile, Central Park lives up to its name at the center of the city, offering a bucolic area with scores of flowers (including tulips in April and May) and smile-inducing structures like its Tulip Tower, fountain, and, of course, windmill. A few blocks north, Sunken Gardens Park even has a pond in the shape of a wooden shoe!
To up the ante on your outdoor adventures, head just west of the city to Lake Red Rock, the state’s largest lake. With up to 17,000 square acres of water and 35,000 acres of land to enjoy—including shoreline areas scattered with its namesake rocks—it offers something for every adventurer. Do you seek a more casual experience? You can enjoy ample fishing opportunities as you take in the picturesque views. And for more action, try a water sport like stand-up paddleboarding or hit one of the many biking or walking trails.
Tulip Time and other events
As mentioned earlier, the Tulip Time extravaganza goes all out in a frenzy of Dutch heritage celebrations, creating a feast for the senses. The highlight, of course, is the flowers themselves: some 300,000 are on display throughout the town to lend a vibrant backdrop for the event. In addition, you can experience Dutch-focused parades, songs and dances, performances, crafts, and more.
The festival is held Thursday through Saturday on the first weekend of May (May 7–9 this year), but if you can’t make it, Pella offers many other amazing events throughout the year. Visit in July, for instance, to attend the Lake Red Rock Balloonfest, which includes rides, live music, a boat parade, and dozens of giant hot-air balloons. Or if you come during the holidays, you’ll find yourself mesmerized by Kerstmarkt (Pella’s outdoor Christmas market) and its Christmas Tour of Homes.
Sometimes, the best destinations are off the beaten path, and Pella, Iowa, is a stellar example of this. If you’re taking I-80 through the central US, do yourself a favor and add it to your itinerary—this charming, one-of-a-kind destination will give you ample reasons to go Dutch.
For more info, go to visitpella.com
