Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Pella is like stepping into a storybook town with its Dutch-inspired charm, vibrant tulip displays, and rich cultural heritage. Known as “America’s Dutch Treasure,” this picturesque city blends European flair with Midwest warmth, creating an experience that’s as delightful as it is unique. From towering windmills to mouthwatering pastries, Pella invites visitors to explore a world where tradition and beauty meet.
Whether you’re strolling through its cobblestone streets, marveling at colorful gardens, or indulging in a famous Dutch letter pastry, Pella offers endless surprises for every traveler. Here are the 12 must-see spots that make Pella, Iowa, a destination worth exploring!
Best Sights and Things to Do in Pella
Ready to jump into all the coolest things to do in Pella? As noted above, there’s something for everyone at this enchanting vacation spot. So keep reading to discover all these unique Pella places to visit.
Are you looking to explore captivating museums and serene canal boat rides? Or would you prefer savoring delectable Dutch treats or strolling along charming streets? Whatever you’re planning, these must sees in Pella can accommodate your needs. Here’s all the best attractions in Pella that you should know about.
1. Vermeer Windmill & Historical Village
The Vermeer Windmill, the largest working grain windmill in the U.S., stands at 124 feet and still grinds wheat into flour using its Dutch-style wooden gears. The five-level tour inside walks you through the milling process, and the top level offers sweeping views of Molengracht Plaza and Downtown Pella. I picked up a bag of freshly milled flour from the mill’s gift shop, and it made the best pancakes I’ve ever had.
Next door, the Historical Village showcases 22 preserved buildings from 19th-century Pella. The Wyatt Earp House highlights the famous lawman’s childhood, while the Scholte Church (built in 1856) preserves settler artifacts. I stopped by the Bakery Museum, where the smell of warm Dutch letters was impossible to resist. A quick visit to the wooden shoe workshop rounded out the experience—watching the shoemaker carve wooden clogs from a single block of wood was fascinating.
2. Pella’s Tulip Time Festival
The Tulip Time Festival, held the first weekend of May, transforms Pella with over 300,000 tulips blooming across Central Park, Sunken Gardens, and Fair Haven Memorial Garden. The festival kicks off with the street scrubbing parade on Franklin Street, a fun tradition where costumed locals wash the streets before the celebrations begin. I got caught in the crowd during a Klompen Dancers performance in the town square—it was hard not to get swept up in the energy of the wooden shoe tapping.
Food vendors at West Market Park serve Dutch favorites like poffertjes, stroopwafels, and Dutch sausage rolls. The lighted parade each evening fills Broadway and Main Street with illuminated floats, dancers, and horse-drawn wagons. I ended my visit at the Dutch Market, picking up a pair of miniature wooden shoes as a souvenir—a fun reminder of the festival’s Dutch heritage.
3. Lake Red Rock
At 15,000 acres, Lake Red Rock is Iowa’s largest lake, offering boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. The Red Rock Marina rents kayaks, pontoons, and fishing boats, while the Elk Rock State Park Boat Ramp provides easy water access. Anglers target walleye, crappie, and catfish near the Red Rock Dam, one of the lake’s best fishing spots. I cast a line here one afternoon and, while I didn’t catch much, watching the sunset over the water made up for it.
Hikers and cyclists enjoy the 14-mile Volksweg Trail, which runs from Pella to Howell Station along the shoreline. The Cordova Park Observation Tower, standing 106 feet tall, gives breathtaking views of the lake and bluffs. For a relaxing day, Whitebreast Recreation Area offers RV campsites, picnic shelters, and a sandy beach. I took a break at one of the picnic areas, and a bald eagle soared overhead—definitely a moment to remember.
4. Scholte House Museum & Gardens
Built in 1847, the Scholte House Museum was home to Dominie Hendrik Scholte, Pella’s founder. The 22-room mansion holds original Dutch furnishings, including a mahogany dining table shipped from the Netherlands and Scholte’s personal library of rare books. Each room showcases early settler life, from the formal sitting area to the servants’ quarters.
The Scholte Gardens, just outside, bloom with tulips, roses, and peonies, offering a quiet space to explore. A white gazebo and walking paths wind through the flowers, and the small greenhouse holds rare plants. During Tulip Time, the museum offers guided tours that share stories of Pella’s Dutch roots. Walking through the house, I was drawn to the intricately carved wooden doors, each one hand-painted with floral patterns that made the home feel like a work of art.
5. Pella Opera House Theatre Center
Since 1900, the Pella Opera House has been the town’s premier venue for live theater, concerts, and community events. The 324-seat auditorium is an architectural gem, with hand-carved woodwork, vintage chandeliers, and a grand staircase leading to the balcony. Restored in 1990, the opera house still retains its original charm, complete with velvet stage curtains and antique lighting fixtures.
The Witte Performance Hall hosts everything from classical music and ballet to modern plays and comedy shows. A museum room inside displays antique costumes, vintage playbills, and a working gramophone from the early 1900s. During Tulip Time, the opera house fills with Dutch folk music and traditional dances, drawing crowds from across Iowa. While touring the building, I was surprised to see the original ticket booth still intact, with handwritten ledgers listing guests from over a century ago.
6. Pella Historical Village and Tulip Tower
The Pella Historical Village is a 22-building complex that recreates 19th-century Pella, giving visitors a glimpse into the lives of early Dutch settlers. The Tuttle Learning Walk provides interactive exhibits about Dutch immigration, while the Weaving Room features live demonstrations of historic textile-making techniques. Visitors can explore a replica Dutch post office, a blacksmith shop, a functioning windmill, and an authentic log cabin once home to early pioneers.
✈️ My #1 Tip for Cheap Flights:
If you’re not using Going, you’re probably overpaying for flights. I’ve scored roundtrips to Europe for under $300 - and I never would’ve found them on Google Flights.
Their free version is great, but Premium is where the real magic happens. I recommend doing the 14-day free trial. And right now, you can get 25% off Premium or Elite with my code: JON25.
Seriously, it’s the best travel decision I’ve ever made (in 8+ years).
The 65-foot Tulip Tower, a centerpiece of the village, offers panoramic views of the surrounding tulip gardens and historic downtown. Inside, the Dutch Bakery serves stroopwafels, almond pastries, and fresh bread made from locally milled flour. During Tulip Time, costumed volunteers perform wooden shoe carving, lace-making, and candle dipping, bringing the town’s traditions to life. Climbing the Tulip Tower, I was amazed at how the tulip fields stretched across the landscape—a view that perfectly captures Pella’s Dutch heritage.
7. Vander Ploeg Bakery
Since 1847, Vander Ploeg Bakery has been a local favorite, serving Dutch pastries, breads, and cookies made from recipes passed down through generations. The bakery’s specialty, the Dutch letter, is a flaky, S-shaped pastry filled with sweet almond paste and cinnamon, best enjoyed fresh from the oven. Other must-tries include banket (almond rolls), boterkoek (butter cake), krakelingen (sweet pretzels), and speculaas (spiced cookies).
Inside, an entire wall of antique baking tools and wooden rolling pins highlights the shop’s long history. The shelves are stocked with Dutch imports like hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles) and stroopwafels, perfect for taking home. I stopped in one morning and couldn’t resist pairing a warm Dutch letter with a strong cup of coffee, a simple but unforgettable treat before continuing my walk through downtown Pella. The bakery’s welcoming atmosphere makes it a must-visit.
8. Klokkenspel & Plaza
Located in downtown Pella, the Klokkenspel is a musical clock tower that performs a four-minute animated show every 30 minutes. The eight moving figurines, including Dominie Scholte, early settlers, and Dutch farmers, reenact key moments in Pella’s history while Dutch chimes play in the background. Visitors often gather in the brick-paved Klokkenspel Plaza to watch the show, making it a lively yet relaxing stop.
Surrounding the plaza, shops sell Delft pottery, hand-embroidered Dutch lace, and hand-carved wooden shoes, perfect for unique souvenirs. Just a short walk away, the Molengracht Canal offers waterfront dining and scenic views, while nearby cafés serve fresh stroopwafels and Dutch pastries. At night, the clock tower’s soft glow adds a charming touch to downtown Pella, making it a beautiful spot to visit at any time of day.
9. Molengracht Plaza
The Molengracht Plaza is a Dutch-inspired canal district, featuring brick walkways, a working drawbridge, and a flowing canal that runs through the center of town. The Molengracht Canal, designed to mimic those found in the Netherlands, offers a picturesque setting, complete with flower-filled bridges and waterfront dining.
Restaurants and shops line the canal, including Dutch Fix, a casual eatery known for its stroopwafel sundaes and Dutch spiced fries. The Royal Amsterdam Hotel, built in traditional European style, provides canal-side lodging with Dutch décor and balconies overlooking the water. I spent an evening walking along the canal, watching the drawbridge lift for passing boats—a rare and charming sight in the middle of Iowa. The Molengracht Plaza is a perfect blend of shopping, dining, and Dutch ambiance, making it one of Pella’s most unique attractions.
10. Central Park
At the heart of downtown Pella, Central Park is the town’s main gathering space for festivals, concerts, and community events. The park features a large central fountain, historic monuments, and vibrant flower beds, which are especially striking during Tulip Time, when thousands of tulips bloom in every direction.
A replica Liberty Bell and Veterans Memorial stand near the entrance, honoring local history. A gazebo surrounded by open green space makes it a popular spot for picnics and outdoor performances. During the holidays, the park transforms with twinkling lights, Christmas markets, and horse-drawn carriage rides, creating a festive atmosphere. Local shops and cafés surround the park, making it easy to grab a pastry or cup of coffee before enjoying the scenery. Whether attending an event or just taking a break, Central Park is a must-visit spot in Pella.
11. Pella Rolscreen Museum
The Pella Rolscreen Museum shares the history of Pella Corporation, known for Pella Windows and Doors. Founded in 1925 by Pete Kuyper, the company introduced the first retractable window screens, which are on display along with early prototypes and blueprints.
Exhibits include vintage ads, manufacturing tools, and restored equipment, showing the company’s evolution. The interactive timeline highlights key innovations, from wood-framed storm windows to modern energy-efficient designs. In the original workshop, Kuyper’s handwritten notes and sketches reveal the company’s early development. Looking at the faded blueprints and old ledgers, I could picture the effort behind those first designs.
A small theater plays documentaries on Pella’s impact on home design. Though not a typical tourist attraction, the Pella Rolscreen Museum provides insight into how a small-town business grew into an industry leader.
12. Pella’s Dutch Letters and Local Delicacies
Pella is known for its Dutch pastries and meats, with bakeries and markets offering authentic flavors. The most famous treat is the Dutch letter, a flaky, S-shaped pastry filled with almond paste and cinnamon, found at Jaarsma Bakery and Vander Ploeg Bakery.
For savory options, In’t Veld’s Meat Market sells rookworst (Dutch smoked sausage), while Ulrich’s Meat Market offers bologna, dried beef, and smoked Gouda spreads. Bakeries also serve oliebollen (Dutch doughnuts), speculaas (spiced cookies), and suikerbrood (sweet bread with raisins and cinnamon). During Tulip Time, vendors sell fresh stroopwafels and Dutch licorice throughout downtown.
On my last visit, I grabbed a pack of stroopwafels and finished them before I left town. Whether stopping for a snack or taking home traditional Dutch baked goods, Pella’s food scene is a must-try.
