

If you didn’t get enough of a Dutch fix in Pella, then head east to Michigan. And if you find yourself in Abilene during the winter holidays, you’ll love the decorated Victorians along South Buckeye Avenue and the hundreds of poinsettias that fill the Seelye Mansion. If you visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day on June 6, you’ll be humbled by the chance to thank the dwindling numbers of veterans and Rosie the Riveters for their service to our country. But you also won’t want to miss the Seelye Mansion on the other side of the railroad tracks from Eisenhower’s humble farmhouse or pass up the James Beard Award-winning, family-style chicken dinners at the Brookville Hotel. You may already know Abilene as the home of World War II general-turned-United States president Dwight D. While Jasper is definitely chilly in December, visiting during the holidays gives you the opportunity to also visit the nearby town of Santa Claus, which embraces the white-bearded Christmas character like no other. As a nod to the town’s large German-American community, grab some schnitzel or wurst at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant before you go! Then stroll along the riverwalk, taking time to stop at the working gristmill. Step inside Saint Joseph Catholic Church to marvel at the mosaics and stained glass windows. Roughly halfway between the towns of Santa Claus and French Lick, Jasper is in southwest Indiana. Many of the historic homes in Galena are only open seasonally, so it’s best to visit between May and October.įun Fact: More than 85 percent of the homes in Galena are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historic buildings include the city’s oldest residence and the stunning Belvedere Mansion. Among the town’s well-preserved 19th-century buildings is the Italianate-style red brick home of the former president. Galena, Illinois Population: 3,200Īlthough Illinois is called the Land of Lincoln, the town of Galena is better known as the former home of Civil War hero Ulysses S.
#Jasper indiana population pro
Pro Tip: Don’t miss these additional under-the-radar towns in Iowa. And whenever you go, don’t leave without enjoying frikandel, frites, stamppot, or poffertjes at #DutchFix. To experience Pella at her peak beauty, visit in early May when the tulips are in bloom. Founded by Dutch immigrants, Pella has tall brick facades, slowly spinning windmills, and clear canals reminiscent of North Holland. When you visit this quaint Midwestern town, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled way beyond an hour southwest of Des Moines and have magically arrived in the Netherlands. I’m using a population cap of 35,000, since that’s about half the size of the Midwestern community I currently call home.

These are 13 of my favorite Midwestern towns, along with my recommendations for the best time to visit. With plenty of room to spread out across the tallgrass prairie and around the large lakes, “flyover country” has much more space per person than the more densely populated Northeast and South. But what if you’re searching for a more laid-back destination - one that doesn’t welcome 20 million (or more) visitors a year? From the nonstop activity of the City That Never Sleeps to the beautiful year-round climate of the City of Angels, it’s easy to understand why travelers flock to America’s largest metropolitan areas.
