EOH Explorer Series | Kalona

Late summer is one of our favorite times to sneak away for a few days.

Mark is still farming, so there’s a window between the busyness of summer and the start of harvest when we can usually fit in a short trip. It also happens to fall close to our anniversary, which gives us another good reason to go.

And more often than not, we find ourselves heading east.

I went to the University of Iowa in the late 1970s to become a special education teacher. I later earned my master’s degree from Iowa State, but I’ll admit, I’m still a Hawkeye at heart. I keep in touch with my college friends (our group chat can get pretty active!), and there’s something nostalgic about going back toward Iowa City.

Beyond that, eastern Iowa simply looks different from home. We live among the flatter farmland and cornfields of western Iowa, so the hills, trees, and rivers farther east always feel like a change of scenery. We often continue toward the Mississippi River and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, an area we’ve enjoyed visiting over the years.

That’s where we were headed when we found ourselves driving south out of Iowa City on Highway 1 and decided to make an unplanned stop in Kalona.

More Than We Expected

We started at the Kalona Historical Village and Mennonite Museum and quickly realized we’d arrived too late in the day.

There was much more to see than we expected.

The Village shares stories of Amish and Mennonite heritage, agriculture, education, and rural and small-town life. Exhibits include everything from quilts and military uniforms to farm equipment, glassware, rocks and minerals, along with restored homes and businesses that help you picture what life here once looked like.

As a retired teacher who loves history, I could have spent plenty of time with the quilts and exhibits connected to education. Mark, not surprisingly, gravitated toward the farming history.

Some of the exhibits are interactive, too, which made me think this would be an interesting stop for families with older kids. There’s enough variety that everyone can find something that catches their attention.

The guides made the experience even better. They were warm and knowledgeable, sharing personal stories and pointing out favorite exhibits along the way. Those conversations are often what I remember most from places like this. You aren’t simply looking at items behind glass. You’re learning about the people, traditions, and experiences connected to them.

Don’t Make Our Mistake

Unfortunately, the clock was working against us.

Several places around Kalona were getting ready to close by the time we finished exploring the Village. We still managed to make a few more stops, including Kalona Chocolates, where some fudge, truffles, and chocolate covered cherries were definitely coming home with us.

But the more we saw, the more we realized Kalona wasn’t a town we should have squeezed into the end of the day.

There are shops to explore, Amish and Mennonite businesses throughout the area, local places to eat, and plenty more to discover in the surrounding countryside. We also learned about the Amish Byways Tour, a guided bus tour that travels the scenic back roads past Amish homes, businesses, and schools while sharing more about the traditions and lifestyle of the area.

We were too late to take the tour, but after hearing good things about it, that’s already on my list for another visit.

Another Reason to Visit in the Fall

If you enjoy history and traditional craftsmanship, late September offers another reason to plan a Kalona trip.

Each year, the Kalona Historical Village hosts its Annual Fall Festival, bringing the Village to life with traditional crafts, live demonstrations, heritage activities, local makers and vendors, homemade food, and baked goods. Visitors can explore the historic buildings while experiencing some of the skills and traditions represented throughout the Village.

It sounds like exactly the kind of event Mark and I would enjoy, and another good excuse for us to make a return trip.

If I could redo our afternoon in Kalona, I’d change one thing: I’d arrive much earlier.

Give yourself time for the Historical Village, downtown shops, something good to eat, and the countryside surrounding town. Better yet, make Kalona part of a relaxing day or overnight getaway.

For a stop we hadn’t planned at all, it certainly gave us plenty of reasons to come back.

Barb’s Know Before You Go

• Give the Village 1–2 hours: There is more to see than you might expect, especially if you enjoy taking your time with exhibits and talking with the guides.
• But don’t stop there: Downtown shops, local food, and the surrounding countryside can easily turn a visit to the Historical Village into a full day in Kalona.
• Start earlier than Barb and Mark did: Their late-afternoon arrival meant several businesses were nearing closing time just as they were ready to explore more.
• Check hours before you go: Some Amish and Mennonite businesses have limited hours and may be closed in the evenings and on Sundays.
• Look into the Amish Byways Tour: Guided bus tours explore the countryside and share more about Amish homes, businesses, schools, and traditions. Barb and Mark didn’t have time for one, but it’s on their list for next time. Check the current tour schedule before visiting.
• Save room for something sweet: Barb recommends Kalona Chocolates, and the fudge earned a spot in the car for the rest of their road trip.
• Traveling with kids? Some Village exhibits are interactive, and Barb thought older kids in particular would enjoy the experience.
• Fall is a great time to visit: The Kalona Historical Village hosts its Annual Fall Festival in late September, featuring traditional crafts, demonstrations, heritage activities, vendors, and homemade food.
• Do a little planning: Barb recommends checking the Kalona Chamber of Commerce website before your trip. Her biggest takeaway was that she wished they’d allowed more time to experience Kalona.