Things to Do

Officially called the East Amsterdam School Museum, this nearly 150-year-old building is filled with school memorabilia from days gone by. Since 1972 the Pella Historical Society has restored the building to a hands-on working museum where children and adults may experience a 1930s era school day.

By Appointment Only

Four-year, private, residential liberal arts college with dozens of majors, a seriously affordable tuition and scholarships for everyone. Check out the tulips and the new Peace Mall History Garden. Visit the college web site for details about theatrical, musical and athletic events.

Tallest observation tower in a public park in the Midwest: 106 feet tall, 170 steps to the top!

Small farm producing artisan Gouda Cheese, tours by appointment.

Mechanical figures perform to the music of a 147-bell computer driven carillon.

Iowa’s largest reservoir. Enjoy boating, hiking, camping, biking, fishing, birdwatching, and more!

The Molengracht Plaza, located in Pella’s central business district, was built to replicate an authentic Dutch canal and is over 100,000 square feet. The better of two worlds, the Molengracht complex combines a 21st century entrepreneurial spirit with Old World Charm.

Tri-plex movie theater with stadium-style seating, concessions and new releases.

Step back in time to early Pella! Log cabin, general store, Dutch costume displays, and much more. Tour the Vermeer Windmill, one of the tallest working windmills in North America. The Wyatt Earp Experience explores the life of the famous western lawman who grew up in Pella.

Built in 1900 and brought back to life in 1990, this historic treasure features a 1928 Barton theatre organ and ornate tin ceiling.

The restored Pella Depot is a transportation site used to portray items of historical importance to Pella Corporation. Open Mon-Sat, 8a-5p.

Built in 1848, the house tells the story of Dominie Scholte and his wife Maria through the objects that they owned and the house that they loved. Enjoy a Dutch coffee time at Maria’s Tea Room (fee applies); beautiful gardens behind the home are free and open to the public.

Iowa’s premier social eatertainment venue with chef-created food, signature cocktails and craft beer. Enjoy pickleball, countless games and live entertainment in any of our public spaces including our outdoor patio or the 21+ Paddle Club!

Sunken Garden Park park derives its name from the main focal point, a sunken pond in the shape of a wooden shoe. A wide variety of formal tulip beds, trees, a windmill, turn-of-the-century benches, and light poles are showcased in the rest of the park.

One of Iowa’s largest wineries, offering over 30 award-winning wines. Seating wine tastings by reservation only.

Downtown Central Park square.
Stage for Pella’s annual Tulip Festival

The brick path connects the historic walnut Tuttle log home to Sunken Garden Park. Seven signs along the walk share information about the early history of Pella, what motivated the Dutch to settle here and what keeps Pella unique. The Tuttle cabin is believed to be the oldest remaining structure in Marion County.

Vermeer Corporation delivers a real impact on the way important work gets done through the manufacture of high-quality industrial and agricultural equipment backed by localized service and support. Visit the museum to see where the innovation began, how our equipment makes the world better and the teams behind the important work.
Open M-Th, 8a-4p.

17-mile multipurpose trail stretching from Pella to (and past) Lake Red Rock.