Le Mars
Around Le Mars
Illustration made for Popchat
Town and around · Iowa · 25k people
Le Mars
Locals say Siouxland · “Ice Cream Capital of the World”
Where the cornfields meet the creamery
Burnt orangeDutch blueCornfield green
Welcome to Le Mars, the Ice Cream Capital of the World! Grab a scoop at the Wells Visitor Center and take a stroll down our friendly main street. You'll find a warm community that loves its small-town charm and big-hearted neighbors.
Clubs for Le Mars
No clubs for Le Mars yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Le Mars. 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 Le Mars. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor Museum and parlor celebrating the town's ice cream heritage.
- Le Mars City Park Central park with playgrounds, shelters, and a walking path.
- Ice Cream Capital of the World Sign Iconic sign welcoming visitors to Le Mars.
- Orange City Windmill Dutch-style windmill in the heart of Orange City.
- Plymouth County Fairgrounds Hosts the county fair and other community events.
- Outdoors Fish along the Floyd River
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Le Mars trails
- With kids Visit the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor
- With kids Attend the county fair
- Evenings Local taverns and pubs
- Evenings Live music at summer events
- Locals love Ice cream parlors
- Locals love Small-town main streets
Through the year
- Le Mars Ice Cream Days June Annual summer festival celebrating the town's ice cream heritage with parades and activities.
- Plymouth County Fair July County fair with livestock exhibits, carnival rides, and local food.
- Sioux County Fair August County fair featuring agricultural competitions and family entertainment.
- Le Mars Summer Concert Series Summer Outdoor concerts in the park during summer evenings.
- Art in the Park Summer Local artists display and sell works in a park setting.
Le Mars has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The best times to be out are late spring and early fall. Best: Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and lower humidity, ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Siouxland”
- The tri-state region around Sioux City, including parts of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
- “Ice Cream Capital”
- A nickname for Le Mars, referencing its ice cream industry.
Getaways
- Sioux City Larger city with museums, zoo, and riverfront.
- Sioux Falls Waterfalls, parks, and shopping in South Dakota's largest city.
- Storm Lake Lake recreation, boating, and fishing.
- Spencer Chain of lakes and outdoor activities.
Local flavour
Rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes (NCAA), Iowa State Cyclones (NCAA), Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Eat and drink
- Ice cream (Blue Bunny) Wells Enterprises, maker of Blue Bunny, is headquartered in Le Mars.
- Dutch letters Pastries shaped like the letter S, a Dutch tradition.
- Pork tenderloin sandwich An Iowa staple, often served breaded and fried.
Where people go
- Ice cream shops and creameries Local spots serving up scoops and sundaes, often with a nostalgic feel.
- Family farms and cornfields The landscape is dotted with farmhouses, silos, and endless rows of corn.
- Small-town main streets Quaint downtowns with local shops, diners, and a slower pace.
Heritage and traditions
This region is proud of its Dutch heritage and its title as the Ice Cream Capital of the World, with a strong agricultural community and small-town charm.
This time of year in Le Mars
- Harvest Fall Corn harvest and seasonal festivals mark the end of summer.
Say it like a local: “Pop” — Soda or soft drink
Festivals
- Orange City Tulip Festival May Celebrates Dutch heritage with parades, Dutch dancing, and thousands of tulips.
- Dutch Winterfest December A Dutch Christmas market with crafts, food, and a visit from Sinterklaas.
Landmarks with a story
- First Reformed Church (Orange City) A Dutch Reformed church that reflects the area's religious heritage.
- Plymouth County Courthouse (Le Mars) A historic building in the town square, a symbol of local government.
- Sioux County Courthouse (Orange City) Another historic courthouse, built in the early 1900s.
Food traditions
- Dutch almond pastries Brought by Dutch immigrants, these almond-paste-filled pastries are a staple at local bakeries and festivals.
- Ice cream socials In summer, communities gather for ice cream socials, celebrating the local dairy industry.
- Sweet corn roasts During harvest, families host sweet corn roasts, a Midwest tradition.
Music and arts
- Dutch folk dancing Traditional Dutch dances are performed at the Tulip Festival and other events.
- Community theater Local theater groups in Le Mars and Orange City put on plays and musicals.
A little history
- 1870s Dutch settlers founded Orange City and Sioux Center, establishing a strong Dutch Reformed community.
- 1870s Le Mars was founded as a railroad town, later becoming the Ice Cream Capital.
- 1913 Wells Dairy was founded in Le Mars, which would grow into the maker of Blue Bunny ice cream.
Rivalries
- Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones The annual Cy-Hawk game splits local loyalties.
- Le Mars vs. Sioux Center high school football Local Friday night rivalry that draws big crowds.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Outdoors Fishing in the Floyd River
- Outdoors Biking on local trails
- With kids Attending the Tulip Festival
- With kids Visiting the Dutch windmill
People here speak with a typical Midwestern accent, using 'pop' for soda and phrases like 'you bet.' Some Dutch words may be heard among older generations, but English is dominant.
Only here
- Orange City is nicknamed 'Dutch City' for its strong Dutch heritage.
- The region has a high concentration of dairy farms per capita.
- The area is known for its Dutch Reformed churches.
New here? A few tips
- Try a Dutch letter from a local bakery.
- Be prepared for cold winters and hot summers.
- Learn how to pronounce Le Mars as 'Lee-MAR'.
- Get involved in community events like the Tulip Festival.
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Part of Sioux City area
Nearby
Every areaSioux CenterIowaWhere the tulips meet the prairieSioux CityIowaWhere the rivers meet the hillsCherokeeIowaWhere the prairie meets the riverVermillionSouth DakotaPrairie roots, river spiritStorm LakeIowaA lake town with a warm heart and a world of flavors.SpencerIowaWhere the lakes meet the prairie.Sioux FallsSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the fallsYanktonSouth DakotaWhere the Missouri meets the prairie and history lives on
Le Mars, 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.