Grinnell
Around Grinnell
Photo: Mattsjc · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Iowa · 61k people
Grinnell
Locals say Heart of Iowa · “Jewel of the Prairie”
Rolling fields, open skies, and neighborly hearts.
Grinnell scarletPrairie greenCorn gold
Welcome to the Heart of Iowa! Whether you're here for the county fair, a slice of pie at a small-town diner, or a quiet afternoon on the Iowa River, you'll find friendly faces and wide-open skies. Settle in, and don't forget to ask about the corn.
Clubs for Grinnell
No clubs for Grinnell yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Grinnell. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Grinnell. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Amana Colonies Seven villages with craft shops, restaurants, and a national historic landmark.
- Grinnell College Liberal arts college with historic architecture and a vibrant campus.
- Meskwaki Settlement The only federally recognized tribe in Iowa, with cultural events and a casino.
- Lake Iowa State Recreation Area Lake with camping, fishing, and hiking near Williamsburg.
- Tama County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Toledo with a distinctive clock tower.
- Iowa County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Marengo.
- Outdoors Hiking and camping at Lake Iowa State Recreation Area
- Outdoors Fishing on the Iowa River
- With kids County fairs with rides and 4-H shows
- With kids Swimming at Lake Iowa
- Evenings Small-town bars with local beer
- Evenings High school football games under the lights
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Farm stands
Through the year
- Amana Colonies Maifest May Spring festival with music, food, and crafts.
- Amana Colonies Oktoberfest October Fall festival celebrating German heritage.
- Meskwaki Annual Powwow August Traditional dance, food, and cultural celebration.
- Poweshiek County Fair July County fair with livestock shows and carnival.
- Tama County Fair July County fair in Toledo with 4-H exhibits.
Humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Best time to be out is late spring and early fall. Best: Spring and fall are mild and pleasant.
Talk like a local
- “Crick”
- Creek
- “Pop”
- Soda
- “Supper”
- Evening meal
- “The fair”
- County fair
Getaways
- Marshalltown Visit the Marshall County Historical Museum.
- Pella Dutch heritage with the tulip festival.
- Oskaloosa Historic downtown and the Nelson Pioneer Farm.
- Des Moines State capital with museums and restaurants.
Local flavour
Rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet served on a bun – a statewide staple
- Sweet corn Fresh Iowa sweet corn, especially at summer county fairs
- Loose-meat sandwich Seasoned ground beef on a bun, popularized by Maid-Rite
- Homemade pie at small-town diners A classic dessert at local cafes and supper clubs
Where people go
- Small-town main streets Brick storefronts, family-owned shops, and a sense of history
- County fairgrounds Annual fairs with livestock shows, carnival rides, and 4-H exhibits
- Grain elevators Iconic towering structures that punctuate the prairie skyline
- Meskwaki Settlement The only federally recognized Native American settlement in Iowa, in Tama County
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaMarshalltownIowaWhere the heart of Iowa beats with small-town warmth.PellaIowaLocal rooms for Pella.OskaloosaIowaWhere the prairie meets the heartland.Des MoinesIowaWhere the heartland meets the fairAmesIowaHome of the Cyclones, where cornfields meet campus life.OttumwaIowaWhere the river bends and the corn grows tallWaterloo–Cedar FallsIowaWhere the Cedar River flows and the Panthers roarCedar RapidsIowaWhere the river meets the prairie, and the kolaches are warm.
Poweshiek, Tama, Iowa and Keokuk counties, IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.