The Pella center is about the area of Pella Community Hospital and the area of Central College.
If getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city life after a tiring work week to relax in the lap of nature while fishing is your plan, anytime throughout the year would do. However, if it's a proper family vacation that you have in mind, then from the middle of April to the end of June, and the start of August to the end of October is when this exquisite city has ideal weather conditions, and the best of campsites operational around Lake Red Rock.
Most campgrounds are open from April to October, but the most prominent ones such as the Elk Rock State Park and Howell Station are open year-round and so are other recreational activities such as biking, hiking, and boating. Another thing that draws nature enthusiast to Pella is bird watching. If immigrating birds are what you are specifically interested in, May to October would be the ideal time to visit the Gladys Black Eagle Refuge and other bird watching areas around Lake Red Rock such as Wallashuck, Ivan's and North Overlook Campground.
Since the town is growing in popularity with tourists who like 'off the beaten path' destinations, it is advisable to plan your trip in March or July as each passing year the hotels in Pella are getting busier than the last year. It is not only pocket-friendly to plan your trip in advance and book hotels of your choice early, but also saves you from the last-minute hassles and leftover choices that more than often spoil the flavor of your otherwise wonderful holiday experience.
As the saying goes "Money saved is money earned" — a time-proven strategy followed by many cultures across the planet. If you are looking to save on your accommodation bill while you stay in Pella, Baymont by Wyndham offers some of the best discounts. This wonderful property with Indoor fitness facility, swimming pool and of course free breakfast and Wi-Fi, is located just a mile away from the downtown Pella, offers 10% off to AARP members and 15% to active as well as retired military professionals.
You can also get a minimum of a 15% discount if you book and pay in advance at least a week before your check-in date. If you are a member of Auto Club, you can save a minimum of 10% over and above the best rate. For government officials, corporate travelers and senior citizens, there are special rates and savings available.
There are quite a few best value options available to you as a tourist in and around Pella. First in the list has to be Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, which is located a little farther, about 20 miles from Pella, but offers excellent, spacious rooms with free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and laundry service.
Every room at the pet-friendly Econo Lodge Inn & Suites comes with a coffee maker, iron board and iron, hair dryer, and a flat-screen TV. You also get free gift cards with the Choice Privileges Rewards Program.
Americas Best Value Inn, which is about 16 miles from the town of Pella, is also a very good value option with affordable rates and delicious continental breakfast. All rooms here come with quite a bunch of amenities including microwave and refrigerator, free local phone calls, free cable TV, round the clock high-speed internet connectivity, and free parking for cars and RVs.
If there was a list of heritage places to visit, The Pella Historical Village would surely make it to the top five. A must-visit simply to enjoy the visual appeal it has, many people who have visited have mused that they were able to see the step by step evolution of the city through the 22 period buildings and the famous Vermeer Mill, which is the tallest operational grain Windmill in the country. Take the self-guided tour of the Historical Village and don't forget to check out the miniature village room, especially if you are with children — you will cherish the happy memories you create for years to come.
The Klokkenspel and the Molengracht Plaza should be the next two places to visit on your list, and a tour of these will be well worth the time as you would surely feel as if you were transported to the Netherlands itself and you will see why Pella is called America's Dutch Treasure. Mechanical figurines dressed in Dutch attire and 147 bell chimes going off together to make Klokkenspel an unforgettable experience, and a stroll around the waterway in the Molengracht Plaza will leave you refreshed.
If you are visiting Pella during the Tulip festival, you have to take the city tour on the open-air wagon. This tour takes only 45 minutes, and will take you through the Tulip gardens and all the historical landmarks of this Dutch cultured city.
Out of the many picturesque parks that Pella has — it surely has a lot of them — Sunken Gardens is definitely worth a mention for its sheer landscaping beauty, tulip beds, nineteenth-century benches, a decorative windmill and a sunken shoe shaped pond.
To those who are avid outdoorsmen and women, the city of Pella has a lot to offer. Pella hosts a bunch of activities throughout the year within the city as well as around the lake and offers hundreds of beautiful campsites, gardens, biking, and hiking trails, fishing, boating, bird watching, and seasonal hunting as well.
Whether you are a biking enthusiast or an outdoor camper by heart, crazy about fishing, or a die-hard chocolate lover, Pella definitely has a lot more to offer than just recreational fun, breath-taking greenery, tulips, and Dutch chocolates. Even if you visit Pella just for recreational fun, don't forget to dive into the historical legacy that the city carries from over 150 years, and the cultural warmth that you will inevitably feel when walking through the city and interacting with the locals.
Below are reviews of the city of Pella, IA from an actual visitor's perspective.
Downtown has many specialty shops and great places to eat.
We were there for a conference which was held at central college. We visited the area downtown Saturday afternoon and enjoyed Jaarsma bakery and seeing the windmills
Tulip time!
Pella is charming and clean. Everyone is very friendly. The downtown area is very nice with lots of shopping options.
Very friendly and well kept town.
Some cute shops!
Shops!
Love the city!
Quaint area. Red Rock Lake area was awesome!
Great city
Clean, neat, beautiful. Good choice of places to eat.
The hotel was clean and beds comfortable. A very lovely place. Central Park is a wonderful place for all to gather. A great historical village. Very well done.
I visited Dutch village with lots of bakeries and a beautiful Central Park.
Picturesque place and easy to get around.
Pella is very impressive. We loved the planted flowers, the shops and the atmosphere.
Loved the square and so many little shops. People are so friendly they even paid for our breakfast!
Shops downtown and good restaurants.
Pella is a great place to visit!
People were really nice. We were well taken care of by police and emergency personal during tornado warning. Will never forget them. Very grateful.