Holland IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Holland, Iowa.
1. Wellsburg Veterans Memorial
HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE
The Wellsburg Veterans Memorial is located on North Washington, serving as a tribute to local veterans who served their country. The memorial provides a peaceful place for reflection and remembrance for visitors and locals alike. It stands as an important landmark in the community, honoring the sacrifices made by military personnel.
2. Reinbeck Family Aquatic Center
FAMILY WATER FUN
Reinbeck Family Aquatic Center offers a refreshing escape for families looking to cool off during warm Iowa days. The center features various water attractions and swimming facilities suitable for visitors of all ages. It has received excellent reviews, making it a popular recreational destination in the area.
3. Rock-n-Row Adventures
OUTDOOR WATER EXCURSIONS
Rock-n-Row Adventures provides exciting outdoor water activities for adventure seekers in the Holland area. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and other water sports amid Iowa's natural landscapes. The company offers equipment rentals and guided tours for both beginners and experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
4. The Landmark Bistro
LOCAL CULINARY DELIGHT
The Landmark Bistro, located at 725 G Avenue in Grundy Center, offers a delightful dining experience near Holland. The restaurant serves quality food in a charming atmosphere that attracts both locals and tourists. Its menu features a variety of dishes that showcase regional flavors and ingredients.
5. Vermeer Windmill
TALLEST WORKING WINDMILL
The Vermeer Windmill in Pella stands as the tallest working grain windmill in the United States, offering visitors a glimpse into Dutch heritage. The upper section was built in the Netherlands by a fourth-generation windmill maker and reassembled on site by Dutch craftsmen in 2002. Visitors can enjoy guided tours showcasing the ingenuity and history behind this impressive structure, and view Pella from the observation deck.
6. Pella Historical Village
DUTCH HERITAGE SITE
Pella Historical Village features over 20 historic buildings including the childhood home of Wyatt Earp, the Wild West lawman. The village includes a gristmill, blacksmith shop, bakery, church, sod house, log cabin, and other structures that house furnishings and artifacts from early Dutch settlers. Visitors can witness craft demonstrations during special events, including wooden shoe making, yoke carving, Dutch letter baking, needlework, spinning, and rug braiding.
7. Tulip Toren
ICONIC DUTCH MONUMENT
The Tulip Toren stands as an iconic symbol of Pella's Dutch heritage and serves as a focal point during the annual Tulip Time festival. This distinctive tower represents the strong connection between Pella and its Dutch roots, attracting photographers and cultural enthusiasts year-round. It provides a picturesque backdrop for community gatherings and cultural celebrations that honor the area's European heritage.
8. Miniature Dutch Village
NETHERLANDS IN MINIATURE
The Miniature Dutch Village, located on the second floor of the Vermeer Windmill, offers a detailed scale model of buildings in a Netherlands fishing village. The miniature display features meticulously crafted furnished rooms, shop interiors, and dolls dressed in period costumes. This attraction provides visitors with an intimate look at traditional Dutch village life through its careful attention to historical detail.
9. Stone City Art Colony
HISTORIC ARTISTS' RETREAT
Stone City Art Colony represents an important cultural landmark in Iowa's artistic heritage, once hosting prominent American regional artists. The colony provided a creative retreat where artists could work and collaborate amid the picturesque landscapes of rural Iowa. Today, visitors can explore the area that inspired numerous artworks depicting the authentic character of Midwestern rural life.
10. Hurstville Lime Kilns
INDUSTRIAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Hurstville Lime Kilns offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into Iowa's industrial past and limestone processing history. These preserved structures once played a crucial role in the region's economy, producing lime for construction and agricultural uses. The site now serves as an educational attraction where visitors can learn about 19th-century industrial processes and their impact on local development.
11. Dutch Bakeries of Pella
TRADITIONAL DUTCH TREATS
The Dutch Bakeries of Pella offer authentic European baking traditions that have been preserved for generations in this Iowa community. Visitors can sample specialty items like Dutch letters, almond-filled pastries, and other traditional treats made with recipes brought from the Netherlands. These bakeries remain a culinary highlight for tourists seeking to experience the authentic flavors of Pella's Dutch heritage.
12. Wyatt Earp Boyhood Home
WILD WEST HISTORY
The Wyatt Earp Boyhood Home in Pella preserves the early history of one of America's most famous Wild West lawmen. This historic row house, original to the Pella Historical Village site, offers visitors insight into 19th-century family life in Iowa. The home contains period furnishings and exhibits that help tell the story of Earp's formative years before his legendary career as a frontier lawman.
13. Historic Dutch Houses
PRESERVED ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
The Historic Dutch Houses of Pella, some built as early as 1856, showcase the distinctive architectural style brought by Dutch immigrants to Iowa. These beautifully preserved homes feature characteristic elements including distinctive gables, shutters, and decorative details that reflect authentic Dutch design. Many of these historic houses have been restored to offer visitors an old-world Dutch experience, with some even available as unique accommodations.
14. Traditional Dutch Meat Markets
AUTHENTIC CULINARY HERITAGE
Pella's Traditional Dutch Meat Markets continue centuries-old butchering and meat preparation techniques brought by the original Dutch settlers. These specialty shops offer authentic products like metworst, bologna, dried beef, and other traditional Dutch meats prepared according to European recipes. Food enthusiasts visit these markets to experience genuine Dutch flavors that have been carefully preserved in this unique Iowa community.
15. Dutch Chocolate Shops
SWEET EUROPEAN TRADITIONS
The Dutch Chocolate Shops in Pella create handcrafted confections using traditional European methods and recipes. Visitors can watch artisans craft delicate chocolates and sample a variety of sweet treats that reflect the Netherlands' rich chocolate-making heritage. These specialty shops offer a taste of authentic Dutch culture through their carefully prepared sweets, making them a must-visit destination for culinary tourists.