This fall, take time to venture off the interstates in Western Iowa and visit the small towns of Stanton, Manning, and Coon Rapids. You’ll discover authentic experiences, a nice blend of history, natural beauty, small-town hospitality, and great food when you head off-the-beaten-path in Western Iowa.

While Iowa’s larger cities often steal the spotlight, these three underrated small towns are quietly making a name for themselves and deserve to be on your list of must-visit destinations in Iowa.

This article was written in partnership with Evolution of the Heartland which is helping bring awareness to the amazing and innovative things that are happening in Rural Iowa. Make sure to check out Evolution of the Heartland’s upcoming immersive rural events in these towns!

As a long time resident of Eastern Iowa, I often joke that if I head much further west than Iowa City, I’m probably making the four hour drive to get out of Iowa. Before my partnership with Evolution of the Heartland, I had not spent much time in many towns west of Des Moines.

However, I was thrilled a couple weeks ago to take the time to explore the small towns of Stanton, Manning, and Coon Rapids, towns I had not heard of previously, and in all honesty, would never have thought to explore. After my four day road trip through Western Iowa, I’m convinced more people need to undertake this journey too!

Head South off I-80 to Stanton, Iowa

Situated in rolling farmland in Southwest Iowa, Stanton is a rural Iowa town 30 minutes from I-29, an hour off I-80, and an hour southeast of Omaha. This tiny town only has 700 residents, but don’t let that keep you away. It’s a remarkable town with an even more remarkable story, one that you need to see yourself to fully appreciate.

Faced with problems like many other small, rural towns, 170 of Stanton’s 700 residents gathered for a community meeting in 2017 to determine the direction they wanted their town to take. When asked what residents needed for their hometown to remain a great place to live, residents replied:

• a revitalized main street
• good restaurants
• something fun to do
• and a new daycare center

With those goals in mind, Stanton residents got to work and since 2017, they have delivered on all action items. Almost the entire main street has been revitalized. New restaurants moved in, a walking / biking trail was built around the city, and a $3 million dollar state of the art daycare center just opened this past August.

Stanton might be a tiny town, but it is delivering for its residents and for visitors. Here are fun things that delighted me about the Stanton community.

World’s Largest Swedish Coffee Pot & Swedish Cup at Saucer Water Tower

Founded in 1870 by Swedish immigrants, Stanton proudly embraces its Scandinavian roots all across town. You might recognize pictures of the whimsical water towers shaped like a coffee pot and a cup and saucer. When the city’s iconic Swedish coffee pot water tower was decommissioned in 2015, its cup and saucer replacement stayed true to the Swedish theme.

You can see the Coffee Pot Water Tower in town at the Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center. You’ll find the operational Cup and Saucer Water Tower standing proud just outside town.

Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center

It’s so interesting to learn about Scandinavian immigrant history at the Swedish Heritage Cultural Center when you visit Stanton. Located in Stanton’s 1885 main school building, this museum showcases the town’s Swedish roots through exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.

In addition to seeing the Swedish Coffee Pot, you can learn about the Swedish immigrant experience, the Lutheran Children’s Home that housed more than 400 orphans, and learn more about Stanton’s baseball history too. I highly recommend taking a guided tour to really learn how Swedish traditions and also baseball shaped this small southwestern Iowa railroad town.

Gibbs Chophouse

Open for dinner on Thursdays through Sundays and offering a Sunday brunch, you’re in for a treat when you visit Gibbs Chophouse. Not only is the food delicious, but the restored restaurant building itself is something you’ll want to take in!

Owners Scott and Dana Gibbs source locally grown food as much as possible, including eggs, hydroponically grown veggies and more at area farmers markets. This delicious restaurant makes everything from scratch, to include aging delicious strip steaks for 60 days in walk-in coolers in the basement.

Scott is originally from Louisiana and it shows in his cuisine. Not only does he serve local favorites like steaks and smoked chicken, but also Cajun classics like étouffée and red beans and rice. When you visit this delicious restaurant in Stanton, Iowa, make sure to save room for one of their house made desserts! You won’t be disappointed.

Fika Coffee and Bake Shoppe

Located a few doors down from Gibbs Chophouse, you’ll find a great coffee house where you can grab breakfast or lunch and a great cup of coffee. Fika Coffee and Bake Shoppe is open every day except Monday and Sunday.

According to a sign in this cute coffee house, Fika is a Swedish noun or verb that means “a moment to spend time with friends and enjoy some hot coffee with something sweet.” And that’s just what you’ll see the locals doing every morning as they gather for a cup of coffee before starting their day.

Old Lumberyard Event Center – OLY

If you’d like to stay overnight in Stanton, Iowa, consider booking one of two guest rooms at the OLY Suites & Event Space. This former lumber yard has been converted to a fantastic event space hosting weddings, Stanton High School’s Prom, and a Drive-Through Lighted Christmas Event.

The guest rooms are chic, comfortable, and right downtown within walking distance of Stanton’s main street, restaurants, and the Swedish Heritage Cultural Center.

Viking State Park

Located just outside of Stanton, Viking State Park is a very popular SW Iowa State Park with more than 1,000 acres to explore including:

• 136 acre Viking Lake for fishing, boating, and swimming
• restored prairie, hiking, and biking trails + wildlife, birds
• beautiful sunsets and sunrises
• camping sites

Exciting news for Viking State Park is that construction has started to connect the Stanton Greenbelt Trail with the park! This 1.8 mile trail around the city connects the Tarkio River with the west side of the city. It includes the reclaimed Bailey Bridge and a canoe and kayak launch area as well. In the next few years, visitors will be able to walk, bike, or hike from Stanton, Iowa to the state park. I can’t wait to go back for that!

Head North off I-80 to Manning

Heading north off I-80 will take you to more Western Iowa towns you have to visit, including Manning and Coon Rapids. Manning, Iowa, located in Carroll County, is a quick 35 minutes from the interstate.

Manning has a population of just under 1,500 but it definitely felt like a much larger town. For reference, the small Iowa town I’m from has a population of 3,000 and our town doesn’t offer nearly as much as Manning.

Like Stanton, Manning is invested in its future by taking on affordable housing, offering residents and visitors great places to eat and shop, and fun activities as well. A few of things I loved about Manning include:

Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park

Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park is a attraction that showcases the rich German heritage and rural history of Manning, Iowa.

Not only does the park include an authentic German Hausbarn originally built in 1660, but it also includes the Trinity Lutheran Church which was moved more than 11 miles from rural Manning to the park, and the Leet-Hassler Farmstead which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Similar to the Hausbarn in Dewitt, Manning’s barn was carefully taken apart in Germany, shipped to Manning, and then reconstructed on site. Unlike Dewitt’s Hausbarn, though, the Manning barn demonstrates through rebuilt rooms inside the barn how German families lived alongside their livestock! People from Manning will also be quick to tell you that their Hausbarn was moved to Iowa before Dewitt’s Hausbarn. 😉

The barn was amazing, but what I loved most about the Heritage Park was the Leet-Hassler Farmstead, consisting of a meticulously maintained home, carriage house, gambrel-roofed barn and more. I loved walking through each of the buildings to see how two prominent Iowa faming families lived in the early 1900s. All of the buildings were state of the art for their time and that is reflected in the wonderfully maintained buildings.

Manning Main Street Iowa District

Manning’s charming Main Street District is a quintessential example of small-town America and another spot you will enjoy visiting.

As part of the Main Street Iowa program, it features well-preserved historic buildings housing a variety of independently owned stores and restaurants. Some of the boutique shops and local restaurants you’ll want to check out include:

• The Market Place – stop in for a great cup of coffee before you peruse home decor, women’s clothing and more
• Holistic Health – a holistic healing center complete with float tank, massage, facial and body treatments, sauna, steam shower, counseling, and so much more
• Kristina’s Flowers
• Oh My Goodness Consignment & More
• BrickHaus Brews – voted best pizza in Carroll County
• Deb’s Corner Cafe – stop in for a slice of Deb’s famous homemade pie
• Sweet Treats Ice Cream Shoppe – how can you say no to a flight of ice cream?
• Cliff’s Place – grab the 2023 winner of Iowa’s Best Breaded Tenderloin Contest

Trestle Park

Located at foot of the (still operational) 1914 Chicago Milwaukee Railroad Trestle Bridge, you’ll find a few fun things you won’t want to miss at Manning’s Trestle Park, including:

• The iconic IOWA sculpture, a great selfie spot
• Authentic train cars to explore
• Natural playground and more

Carroll County Freedom Rock

You’ll also find the Carroll County Freedom Rock in Manning, one of the painted boulders you’ll find in all 99 of Iowa’s counties. It’s part of the Freedom Rock Tour painted by artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II as a tribute to Iowa veterans.

We enjoy checking out the Freedom Rocks in each county as their patriotic and military-themed murals honor local veterans and showcase local history. In fact, we have the Muscatine County Freedom Rock in our rural Iowa town as well.

Coon Rapids, Also North of Interstate 80

Like Staton and Manning, the town of Coon Rapids is another Western Iowa location you’ll want to visit. Coon Rapids is about 30 minutes east of Manning and just 1 1/2 hours northwest of Des Moines. Billed as the Hometown to the Great Outdoors, you’ll find a great mix of outdoor art, outdoor recreation at Whiterock Conservancy, another Main Street Iowa community, and interesting history when you visit.

While I enjoyed the town of Coon Rapids, I loved the outdoor recreation opportunities availabe there. If you like to hike, bike, ride horses, kayak, or canoe, a visit to Coon Rapids, Iowa must be in your future!

Whiterock Conservancy

Whiterock Conservancy was founded in 2004 thanks to one of the largest land gifts in Iowa’s history. Comprised of almost 5,500 acres the conservancy blends conservation, sustainable agriculture, and outdoor recreation in a unique way. The land, once part of the famous seed corn pioneer Roswell Garst’s family farm, now serves an important role in sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and public land use.

• Over 40 miles of trails wind through prairies, woodlands, and along riverbanks, catering to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians of all skill levels.

• Recognized as one of the darkest spots in Iowa, it’s a haven for stargazers and amateur astronomers.
• With habitat protection in native Iowa oak savannas and restored prairie land, Whiterock Conservancy is a great place for birdwatchers and nature photographers.
• The Middle Raccoon River offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Whiterock Conservancy even rents

• Visitors can explore the Historic Garst Farm where Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev famously visited during the Cold War, a pivotal moment in U.S.-Soviet relations.
• From campgrounds to cozy cottages and guesthouses, the conservancy offers lots of overnight options for people who want to take time to really explore. The Garst House is on the National Register of Historic Places and there’s even a horse friendly campground too!

Coon Rapids Main Street Community

Like Manning and Stanton, Coon Rapids is another unique Main Street Iowa Community. First a river town, and then a railroad town, Coon Rapids has evolved over the years. In 2024, it’s full of restored downtown buildings featuring yummy restaurants and locally owned shops. There are lots of great businesses to support when you visit.

Here are a few of the places you should check out in Coon Rapids. By the way, Main Street Coon Rapids Iowa has parking in the middle of the street. I felt like such a rebel when I left my car in the middle of the road. 😉

• Chuck’s Bar & Grill – they have another fabulous Iowa pork tenderloin.
• Coon Rapids Hardware Hank – a hardware store and so much more – this hardware store has been in Coon Rapids for more than 50 years.
• Jenna’s Tattooed Confections – we didn’t get to try this, but the breakfast menu looks fabulous.
• Frohlich’s Grocery – fourth generation family owned grocery store since 1919!

When you’re in Coon Rapids, Iowa, you’ll also want to check out Riverside Park for their gorgeous bluffs and suspension bridge and grab Mexican at La Tarreza.

Coon Rapids Public Art

Not only is Coon Rapids full of outdoor recreation opportunities and locally owned businesses to support, but it also has a surprising amount of public art for a town of fewer than 1,500 people. Some the public art you can visit in Coon Rapids, Iowa includes:

• Hybrid icons
• South Fifth Avenue Bullard Lights
• Historic Rotating Ear of Corn
• Coon Rapids Sculpture Park
• Naturally Iowa Grain Bin Gateway

Evolution of the Heartland

Now that you have three more Iowa towns to add to your travel bucket list, make sure to head over to Evolution of the Heartland. Participating in one of their Immersive Rural Iowa events will give you a behind the scenes look at these towns that you can’t get by showing up! Upcoming events include:

September 12 Event in Stanton, Iowa

At this exclusive agritourism event, you will learn about:

• Growing the hydroponic vegetables served at Gibbs Chophouse
• Explore a historic apple orchard and winery
• Experience the concept of Swedish Fika first hand
• Learn about technology and innovation in Rural Iowa

September 26 Event in Coon Rapids, Iowa

At the Coon Rapids Evolution of the Heartland event, you will:

• Explore sustainable agriculture at Whiterock Conservancy
• See how Iowa turns corn into biofuel
• Learn about high-tech seed selection and packagin
• Enjoy a hands-on experience learning about high-quality beef and swine farming

For More Iowa Travel Guides

7 Ways to Support Iowa’s Agri-Tourism Scene in DeWitt, Iowa

9 Amazing Reasons to Stay at the Historic Park Inn (Mason City, Iowa)

Active, Outdoor Adventure Awaits in Fort Dodge, Iowa

Things to do in Pella Iowa at Christmas Time

Head to Oskaloosa, Iowa for the Lights But Stay for More!