If you find yourself traveling to the Hawkeye State anytime soon, you’ll want to be sure to include a visit to this charming college town, which was named on World Atlas’ list of the 12 towns to visit in Iowa. One of the underrated cities in this charming state full of trails, parks, and wineries, Indianola (which has a population just over 15,000) is only a 28-minute drive south of the capital of Des Moines, and has been punching above its weight when it comes to attracting visitors to its unique summer festivals (more on these below) and a burgeoning food scene with famed, inventive dining experiences.
Indianola offers a lot of visual and outdoor attractions, starting with meandering through the old town center and the adjacent picturesque campus of Simpson College, the private liberal arts institution that draws students from 42 US States, and was ranked #1 in Iowa in the 2024 Midwest US News and College Report. Conclude your walk with a relaxing stroll or photo walk in the butterfly garden at Buxton Park Arboretum, where you can take a self-guided tree tour starting near the park’s signature gazebo.
As far as nature goes, Indianola is home to Iowa’s Lake Ahquabi State Park, which boasts six miles of hiking trails, as well as access to camping, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. Campsite reservations are open from March through November every year, including full hook-up campsites for trailers and RVs. The park also offers organized paddling tours and lessons for aspiring canoe and kayak enthusiasts. And for avid cyclists (Iowa is somewhat of a cyclist’s paradise with an exciting trail over an award-winning trestle bridge), the scenic Summerset Trail runs for 11 miles along an abandoned railroad track to the town of Carlisle.
Best times to travel to Indianola
Though the colors in autumn are stunning, the best time to visit Indianola is undoubtedly the summer, as the main event we recommend attending is the National Balloon Classic. Held annually in late summer, the festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors, each hoping to glimpse a big, Iowa sky full of more than 100 hot air balloons piloted by distinguished operators competing for points and prizes. If you want to ride in one of the balloons, though, be sure to book in advance, as these are known to sell out quickly. Live music and fireworks are also on offer at the balloon classic, and it’s truly a must-see for those coming to Iowa in the summer time. For those who are unable to attend the festival, be sure to check out the National Balloon Museum (which at the time of this writing is under restoration due to fire damage).
Our other reason for traveling to Indianola in the summer is to coincide with the Des Moines Metro Opera Festival, which runs from May through July. The festival venue is the Blank Performing Arts Center, which is a modern auditorium that seats 467, and is situated on the campus of Simpson College. This festival is a must-see for opera enthusiasts, and at the time of writing, the Company is planning to put on The Flying Dutchman, The Cunning Little Vixen, and The Rake’s Progress during the 2025 season. The Des Moines Metro Opera sells both subscriptions and individual show tickets.
Eating and drinking in Indianola
