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Before you go
Your trip to Pella.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Pella – Iowa Destination Des Moines and central Iowa about 65 km from Des Moines
How to get there
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Des Moines International Airport (DSM) Des Moines · 70 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
By car, it’s about 65 km from Des Moines via Highway 163, roughly 50 minutes. To arrive by plane, use Des Moines International Airport (DSM). There is no regular train or bus service from Des Moines.
How many days
One day is enough to see downtown, the windmill, the historical village and the Scholte House. With an extra half day, include Red Rock Lake.
When to go
The tulip festival is usually the first week of May, Thursday through Saturday, and is the busiest time. From May to October days are pleasant; in December the town holds a Dutch-style Christmas celebration.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes, to get there. Downtown is walkable; a car is necessary to reach Red Rock Lake.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Pella
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Morning
Windmill and historical village
Take the guided tour of the Vermeer Windmill and explore Pella Historical Village.
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Afternoon
Downtown and Scholte House
Stroll the central square and the Molengracht canal and visit the Scholte House and its gardens.
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Evening
Klokkenspel
Watch the Klokkenspel play on Franklin Street and have dinner downtown.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
When is Pella’s tulip festival?
Tulip Time usually happens the first week of May, Thursday through Saturday, with parades, clogs dancing and tulip beds around town. Each year’s dates are posted on the festival website.
Why does Pella have Dutch traditions?
The town was founded in 1847 by about 800 Dutch immigrants led by pastor Hendrik Pieter Scholte, and the heritage appears in the architecture, food and festivals.
How far is Des Moines from Pella?
About 65 km via Highway 163, roughly 50 minutes by car.
What to eat in Pella?
The town’s bakeries sell Dutch traditional pastries, such as the dutch letter, a puff pastry shaped like a letter filled with almond paste, and the region’s smoked sausage.
What time zone is Pella in?
Pella follows Central Time: UTC-6 in winter and UTC-5 in daylight saving time, which runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.