The heart of a small town is its town square, and there are plenty of charming town squares that epitomize the ideal of small town Iowa life.The town square is all about community and coming together for events, celebrations and fun. Community is something that’s still alive and well here in Iowa, and there are plenty of town squares throughout the state to show for it. Here are 10 of Iowa’s most charming town squares that we think you’ll love.
- Charles City
Flickr/DayTrippin US Charles City’s lovely Central Park, found right in the middle of downtown, is host to many community events like farmer’s markets, art exhibitions, musical performances, community parties and even magic shows.
- Orange City
Flickr/Denise Krebs Orange City is a charming small town with a Dutch heritage. Windmill Park is home to several windmills modeled after historic Dutch windmills, as well as a canal and a canal bridge. Here, you can stroll along the canal, see musical performances in the bandshell, admire the tulips and take part in other community events.
- Winterset
Flickr/damian entwistle Winterset is home to the famed Madison County covered bridges, and its town square is as charming and historic as they come. Right along the square is the Winterset Courthouse and historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. The square is home to many community events, like the chocolate walk, wine walk and annual festival of lights every November.
- Corning
Facebook/Adams Community Birthplace of beloved comedian, Johnny Carson, Corning is small on population but big on charm. Hosting local events like BBQs and farmer’s markets in its scenic park-like setting, you can’t help but feel at home in this town square.
- Pella
Flickr/Douglas Porter Pella’s Dutch heritage is apparent throughout the town, reflected in its architecture and its windmills. The town’s central park is home to a small, working windmill, brick walkways, and, during the annual tulip festival, many beautiful tulips. Surrounding the town square, you’ll find plenty of quaint shops, and Molengracht Canal, a canal and square that replicates an authentic Dutch square.
- Albia
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Albia’s downtown square is home to the Monroe County Courthouse, surrounded by a beautiful green courtyard and a historic business district. The square hosts many community events, like weekly lunch in the courtyard, where community members can eat lunch while enjoying a variety of entertainment.
- Oskaloosa
Facebook/Oskaloosa, IA Oskaloosa’s town square is the perfect community hub, with a park setting and a bandstand, where citizens can attend frequent live musical performances. Surrounding the town square is the historic business district, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, filled with plenty of businesses for great shopping, dining and more.
- Williamsburg
Flickr/Carl Wycoff Williamsburg’s town square is quite beautiful, with brick streets and plenty of grass, park benches and playground equipment where people can just hang out and enjoy a nice day. The town square is home to many events, like live music and holiday celebrations.
- Washington
Facebook/Washington, Iowa Washington’s Central Park is the heart of the town, with a fountain built in 1939 commemorating its 100 year celebration. The park also hosts many community events, like farmer’s markets, arts and crafts, live music and more.
- Fairfield
Flickr/Dave Fairfield has a diverse population, rich cultural mix and a thriving business district. The Central Park is the heart of the downtown and hosts many community events, like live music in the bandstand, dance performances, a First Friday Art Walk and holiday celebrations. The park is also home to a bronze sculpture, and beautiful walkways and rose gardens.
For more small town adventures, Take This Road Trip Through Iowa’s Most Charming Small Towns For An Amazing Experience.
Flickr/DayTrippin US
Charles City’s lovely Central Park, found right in the middle of downtown, is host to many community events like farmer’s markets, art exhibitions, musical performances, community parties and even magic shows.
Flickr/Denise Krebs
Orange City is a charming small town with a Dutch heritage. Windmill Park is home to several windmills modeled after historic Dutch windmills, as well as a canal and a canal bridge. Here, you can stroll along the canal, see musical performances in the bandshell, admire the tulips and take part in other community events.
Flickr/damian entwistle
Winterset is home to the famed Madison County covered bridges, and its town square is as charming and historic as they come. Right along the square is the Winterset Courthouse and historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. The square is home to many community events, like the chocolate walk, wine walk and annual festival of lights every November.
Facebook/Adams Community
Birthplace of beloved comedian, Johnny Carson, Corning is small on population but big on charm. Hosting local events like BBQs and farmer’s markets in its scenic park-like setting, you can’t help but feel at home in this town square.
Flickr/Douglas Porter
Pella’s Dutch heritage is apparent throughout the town, reflected in its architecture and its windmills. The town’s central park is home to a small, working windmill, brick walkways, and, during the annual tulip festival, many beautiful tulips. Surrounding the town square, you’ll find plenty of quaint shops, and Molengracht Canal, a canal and square that replicates an authentic Dutch square.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Albia’s downtown square is home to the Monroe County Courthouse, surrounded by a beautiful green courtyard and a historic business district. The square hosts many community events, like weekly lunch in the courtyard, where community members can eat lunch while enjoying a variety of entertainment.
Facebook/Oskaloosa, IA
Oskaloosa’s town square is the perfect community hub, with a park setting and a bandstand, where citizens can attend frequent live musical performances. Surrounding the town square is the historic business district, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, filled with plenty of businesses for great shopping, dining and more.
Flickr/Carl Wycoff
Williamsburg’s town square is quite beautiful, with brick streets and plenty of grass, park benches and playground equipment where people can just hang out and enjoy a nice day. The town square is home to many events, like live music and holiday celebrations.
Facebook/Washington, Iowa
Washington’s Central Park is the heart of the town, with a fountain built in 1939 commemorating its 100 year celebration. The park also hosts many community events, like farmer’s markets, arts and crafts, live music and more.
Flickr/Dave
Fairfield has a diverse population, rich cultural mix and a thriving business district. The Central Park is the heart of the downtown and hosts many community events, like live music in the bandstand, dance performances, a First Friday Art Walk and holiday celebrations. The park is also home to a bronze sculpture, and beautiful walkways and rose gardens.
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