Pella
Around Pella
Photo: Chanilim714 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Iowa · 34k people
Pella
“Tulip City”
Local rooms for Pella.
Dutch OrangeIowa Green
Welcome to Pella! Whether you're here for the racing, the lake, or just the small-town charm, you'll find friendly faces and plenty to do. Grab a bite at a local diner and join the conversation.
Clubs for Pella
No clubs for Pella yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Pella. 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 Pella. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Vermeer Windmill Working Dutch windmill, iconic symbol of Pella.
- Lake Red Rock Large reservoir with boating, fishing, and camping.
- Knoxville Raceway Famous dirt track for sprint car racing.
- Pella Historical Village Open-air museum preserving local history.
- Scholte House Museum Historic home of Pella's founder, now a museum.
- Central College Campus Scenic campus with a lake and walking paths.
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Red Rock
- Outdoors Boating on Lake Red Rock
- With kids Visit Vermeer Windmill
- With kids Picnic at Lake Red Rock
- Evenings Sprint car races
- Evenings Live music at local bars
- Locals love Local diners
- Locals love Farm stands
Through the year
- Knoxville Nationals August Prestigious sprint car race drawing top drivers.
- Marion County Fair July Classic county fair with rides, livestock, and food.
- Pella Farmers Market Summer Weekly market with local produce and crafts.
- Lake Red Rock Fishing Tournaments Spring–Fall Regular bass and walleye tournaments on the lake.
- Pella Community Band Concerts Summer Free outdoor concerts in the town square.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Hot summers, cold winters, and pleasant transitions. Best: Late spring and early fall are ideal—mild temps and low humidity.
Getaways
- Oskaloosa Historic downtown and the Nelson Pioneer Farm.
- Ottumwa Riverfront trails and the Bridge View Center.
- Des Moines Big-city attractions, museums, and dining.
- Marshalltown Iowa Veterans Home and Grimes Farm.
Local flavour
Rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes (NCAA), Iowa State Cyclones (NCAA), Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL), Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Dutch Letters S-shaped almond paste pastries, a Pella specialty.
- Loose Meat Sandwich A classic Iowa tavern sandwich, often found at local diners.
- Pork Tenderloin Sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet served on a bun, a statewide favorite.
- Sweet Corn Fresh Iowa sweet corn is a summer staple.
Where people go
- Vermeer Windmill A working 1850s-style Dutch windmill, the tallest in the US.
- Tulip Fields The colorful tulip gardens and displays around town, especially during the festival.
- Knoxville Raceway A famous dirt track known as the 'Sprint Car Capital of the World'.
- Small-Town Squares Courthouse squares and main streets in places like Chariton and Knoxville.
- Farms and Rolling Fields The agricultural landscape that defines the region.
Heritage and traditions
Pella is proud of its deep Dutch heritage, celebrated through Tulip Time and the iconic Vermeer Windmill, while the wider region takes pride in its small-town charm, agricultural roots, and the world-renowned sprint car racing in Knoxville.
Say it like a local: “Dag” — A Dutch greeting or farewell, sometimes heard during Tulip Time.
Festivals
- Pella Tulip Time May Held in May, this festival celebrates Dutch heritage with tulip gardens, parades, and traditional dances.
- Knoxville Nationals August The premier sprint car racing event in August, drawing fans from across the country.
- Marion County Fair July A traditional county fair in Knoxville with livestock, carnival rides, and local food.
- Lucas County Fair July Held in Chariton, featuring agricultural exhibits and entertainment.
- Wayne County Fair July In Corydon, this fair includes a strong Amish presence and homemade goods.
- Pella Farmers Market Summer Weekly summer market with local produce, baked goods, and Dutch specialties.
Landmarks with a story
- Scholte House Museum Home of Pella's founder, Hendrik Scholte, now a museum showcasing Dutch pioneer life.
- Pella Historical Village A reconstructed 19th-century village with Dutch buildings and exhibits.
- Vermeer Windmill The tallest working windmill in the US, built in the traditional Dutch style.
- First Reformed Church A historic Dutch Reformed church in Pella, reflecting the community's religious roots.
- Second Reformed Church Another historic Dutch Reformed congregation in Pella, with distinctive architecture.
- National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Located in Knoxville, this museum honors the history of sprint car racing.
Food traditions
- Dutch Letters Almond paste pastries shaped like letters, especially popular during the holidays and Tulip Time.
- Poffertjes Mini Dutch pancakes served with butter and powdered sugar, available at Dutch bakeries and festivals.
- Stroopwafels Thin waffle cookies with caramel syrup, a Dutch import enjoyed locally.
- Amish baked goods In the Corydon area, Amish communities produce homemade pies, breads, and jams sold at roadside stands.
- Loose Meat Sandwich A seasoned ground beef sandwich served on a bun, popular across Iowa, including at local diners.
Music and arts
- Dutch folk dancing Traditional Dutch dances performed during Tulip Time and other cultural events.
- Pella Community Band A long-standing community band performing summer concerts.
- Sprint car art and posters Knoxville's racing culture inspires vibrant posters and artwork celebrating the sport.
- Amish quilting Handmade quilts from the Amish community near Corydon are a recognized craft.
A little history
- 1847 Dutch settlers founded Pella
- 1845 Knoxville established as county seat of Marion County
- 1853 Central College founded in Pella
- 1948 Vermeer Corporation founded by Gary Vermeer
- 1954 Knoxville Raceway opened
Rivalries
- Iowa Hawkeyes vs Iowa State Cyclones The state's biggest college football rivalry.
- Game day Sprint car racing at Knoxville Raceway
- Game day High school football
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Red Rock
- Outdoors Boating on Lake Red Rock
- With kids Dutch letter tasting at local bakeries
- With kids Climbing the Vermeer Windmill
Residents speak a standard Midwestern American English with a flat, neutral accent. In Pella, Dutch heritage words occasionally surface, especially during festivals, while the Amish communities near Corydon use Pennsylvania Dutch among themselves.
Only here
- The Vermeer Windmill is the tallest working windmill in the United States.
- Knoxville Raceway is known as the 'Sprint Car Capital of the World'.
- Pella hosts one of the largest tulip festivals in the US, with over 100,000 tulips planted.
- The region has a unique blend of Dutch Reformed church traditions and Midwestern farming culture.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Pella as 'PELL-uh' (rhymes with 'smell-a'), not 'Pay-la'.
- Be ready for four distinct seasons: cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers; spring and fall are mild.
- Try a Dutch letter from a local bakery—ask for the almond filling.
- If you're a racing fan, visit Knoxville Raceway on a Saturday night; if not, still check out the Hall of Fame.
- The pace of life is slower here; don't be surprised if people wave as you pass on country roads.
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Part of Des Moines area
Nearby
Every areaOskaloosaIowaWhere the prairie meets the heartland.GrinnellIowaRolling fields, open skies, and neighborly hearts.OttumwaIowaWhere the river bends and the corn grows tallDes MoinesIowaWhere the heartland meets the fairMarshalltownIowaWhere the heart of Iowa beats with small-town warmth.CentervilleIowaWhere the fields roll and the welcome is warmAmesIowaHome of the Cyclones, where cornfields meet campus life.Iowa CityIowaWhere the river meets the page.
Pella, 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.