46. CALVARY WAYSIDE CHAPEL
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (641) 628-9193
Description: East of the center of Pella, this chapel, built in 1965 by followers of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church, is one of the smallest places of worship you’ll ever see. The chapel contains 4 two-seat pews, which are actually all that’s left of the original structure—it was rebuilt in 1996, following extensive weather damage accrued over many years. The chapel is free and open to all visitors, just remember that it is a place of worship. Guests are asked to close the door when they leave.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 629 Franklin St.
48. KNOXVILLE RACEWAY
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (641) 842-5431
Address: 1000 N. Lincoln St.
Description: Every Sat night from Apr through early Oct, souped-up sprint cars go screaming down the “black gumbo” at this self-proclaimed “dirt racin’ capital of the world.” The cars themselves are something to see—they resemble nothing so much as oversized go-karts with a large “wing” mounted above the driver’s cage. Seeing them barrel down the 1⁄2-mile track as they fight for the checkered flag is an even more impressive sight. The 25,000-seat grandstands fill to capacity every Aug for the Knoxville Nationals. Camping is available at the track. The on-site National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (515-842-6176; http://sprintcarhof.com) has displays on the history of sprint car racing, as well as some actual cars.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 1105 Hwy. T15
50. MOLENGRACHT
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (641) 628-2246
Address: 700 Main St.
Description: This dining and retail complex covers some 100,000 square feet and replicates the canals of the Netherlands 1 block from Pella’s town square. Canals do indeed flow through the complex, with the water passing under a drawbridge and flowing past redbrick shops, restaurants, and the Royal Amsterdam hotel. Theme nights and outdoor entertainment are held at the Molengracht during the summer months. The Pella Cinemas movie theater is located in the complex as well.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 507 Franklin St.
52. PELLA OPERA HOUSE
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (641) 628-8625
Address: 611 Franklin St.
Description: Built in 1900 and renovated in 1990, this redbrick structure on Pella’s town square regularly presents music and theater shows, with a nice mix of acts. The building is worth a visit itself for its stained-glass windows and ornate tin ceilings. Tickets for shows are often very reasonably priced—they usually aren’t more than $30.
53. SCHOLTE HOUSE
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (641) 628-3684
Address: 728 Washington St.
Description: The home of Dominie Scholte and his family, located on Pella’s main square, was finished in 1848, a year after Scholte led 800 Dutch colonists seeking religious freedom and established the town. Many of the home’s original furnishings are still here, including some fine antiques. Tours are self-guided, with staff available to answer inquiries. Guided tours are also available. The home’s gardens contain thousands of tulips and are free of charge to visit. Admission to the house is about $5, and combination tickets are available, which include admission to the historical village and windmill as well.
54. SUNKEN GARDENS
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Located on Main Street a couple blocks north of the town square, this park is dominated by a man-made pond laid out in the shape of a wooden shoe. As with the many other Dutch-themed sights in Pella, it is surrounded by tulip beds—over 10,000 tulips bloom here in the spring—and there’s a modest windmill in the park as well. In the winter the pond’s frozen surface is popular with ice skaters. Free.
55. TASSEL RIDGE WINERY
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (641) 672-9463
Description: Located in a small town east of Pella, this vineyard and winery produce a wide variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Riesling, and Syrah, as well as special Iowa varieties. Free tours give visitors an extensive look at the winemaking process, with a guide leading visitors through the winery. In warmer months a “grapemobile” takes visitors on a tour through the vineyards (there is a small charge for the outdoor tours, which also include a coupon for a wine purchase). All tours allow visitors to enjoy a complimentary wine tasting. Open 7 days a week.
56. VERMEER MILL
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Visible from throughout Pella, this striking 124-foot windmill serves as the interpretive center for Pella’s historical village. It is the tallest working windmill in the United States. Built in the Netherlands by windmill designer Lucas Verbij, the mill was reassembled in Pella by Dutch craftsmen. The mill is 100 percent wind powered, and its stones are used to grind corn into flour, which may be purchased in an adjacent gift shop. Guided tours of the windmill, which is included in admission to the historical village, begin every half hour with the last tour at 4 p.m.
57. DUTCH MILL INN
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (641) 628-1060
Address: 205 Oskaloosa St.
Description: A standard motel with very reasonable prices. Rooms are clean if basic and include cable television, with microwave and refrigerator available for an additional charge. Rates range from about $45 to about $65. Complimentary continental breakfast is included.
58. ROYAL AMSTERDAM HOTEL
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (641) 620-8400
Address: 705 E. 1st St.
Description: This 38-room hotel at the Molengracht complex, open since 2001, is ideally located for exploring downtown Pella—it’s right across the street from the historic village and large windmill. All rooms have refrigerators, as well as desk, chair, and free high-speed wireless Internet. There’s an on-site restaurant and a 24-hour fitness center. Standard room rate is around $100. It’s an entirely no-smoking hotel. No pets.
59. CLOVERLEAF B&B
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 314 Washington St.
Description: Just a few blocks from both Pella’s downtown square and the town’s historic village, this B&B in a historic Victorian home has 4 guest rooms, each with an antique double bed. The rest of the house is festooned with antiques as well. There are 2 common bathrooms, each with a full tub and shower. Television and telephone are available in the house’s common areas, but not in the guest rooms. Breakfast includes Dutch treats like pannekoeken (pancake), and they also serve the famous Pella bologna. Smoking is permitted on the front porch. This is not the place for kids; no pets, either. Rooms are $69 a night. No credit cards accepted.
60. DE BOERDERIJ BED & BREAKFAST
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (641) 628-1448 or (800) 720-63
Address: 420 Idaho St.
Description: A “Dutch farm,” this craftsman house sits on the site of a former dairy operation on the outskirts of Pella, near the campus of Central College. The 4 guest rooms are comfy and cozy, and each has a unique bed, including one with an iron frame and another with a four-poster model. You’ll find a fireplace in one room, too. Each room has a private bath and television. A yummy breakfast is served in the morning, with great coffee and Dutch pastries. Room rates range from $110 to $140. No pets, smoking, or alcohol permitted.