Written by Cherie Westerkamp, Assistant Office Coordinator
Let’s be Dutch for a day! Take a trip off the beaten road to enjoy Iowa’s roadside view while traveling to Pella and experience small town charm! Stay for a few hours a day, or relax and unwind as an overnight guest; there’s an abundance of history to uncover and learn about, so let’s get started!
It is amazing how Pella embraces its Dutch heritage every day. However, guests are invited to witness this incredible Tulip Festival event every first full weekend in May. Locals dress up in Dutch costumes, there are two parades daily, and there are lots of Dutch food options and so much more! Witness being Dutch or Dutch for a day, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers are committed to showcasing their community and heritage. Put this event on your bucket list of things to do in Iowa!
Back to being here any given day. Your first stop should be Pella Historical Museums, which includes an 18-building historical complex that includes Wyatt Earp’s boyhood home, a Dutch costume exhibit, and a timeline of Pella’s history. Take time to experience the largest working windmill in North America, the Vermeer Windmill, it has daily tours and a great view of downtown, including the Molengracht Canal! Make sure to take a picture in the giant wooden shoes! As you leave through the gift shop, there is some sort of chime that could be playing; walk closer, and you’ll discover the Klokkenspel that plays on the odd hour beginning at 11 am and ending at 7 pm. One by one, there are 4 figurines that come out on the street side and four figurines that come out on the courtyard side, all of them portray people and moments of Pella’s history.
While walking through Central Park, you’ll see the Tulip Toren, which was originally constructed to host entertainment downtown, and the air is filled with smells of smoked meats and sweet bakery treats! A large yellow and green house waits for your arrival on the northwest corner of the square. The Scholte House, the “grande dame” of our city built from 1847-1848, is a testament to the craftsmanship and care of the founding fathers and mothers. Enjoy 30 rooms of history or make a reservation at Maria’s Tea Room, enjoy a Dutch coffee time, and hear Maria’s story of her introduction to Pella and her broken delft dishes. Afterwards, discover the Tuttle Cabin, where the first pioneers settled in Marion County. Enjoy the Tuttle Learning Walk that leads to Sunken Gardens Park, a beautiful garden area that includes a windmill and a pond in the shape of a wooden shoe!
Historic. Dutch. Traditions embracing new life. A trip to Pella invites you to see history and tradition embrace innovative progress. And remember to take home Pella bologna and Dutch letters!
This post was published on the Visit Pella blog on February 28, 2025.
