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City in Iowa, United States
Photo: Aureliusxv, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Grinnell is a town of almost 10,000 people (2020) in Central Iowa, home to Grinnell College.
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Merchants' National Bank
One of many banks in the Midwest designed by Louis Sullivan. Built in 1914.
Faulconer Gallery
Art gallery in the middle of Grinnell College's Bucksbaum Center for the Arts.
Three-screen cinema.
Bike to the park, about 7 miles west of town. Take a picnic. Go fishing (wheelchair-accessible options), canoeing, kayaking, or pedal boating. Boat rentals available during warmer months. Motorboats allowed with a maximum speed of 5 mph. Swimming in designated area. Multi-use trails on either side of the man-made lake permit hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Almost 200 campsites with restrooms, showers, playground, and seasonal camp store selling ice, snack food, bait/tackle and firewood.
Municipal swimming pool. Lap swimming only in the mornings; hours vary. Two water slides, lap pool, lazy river.
Annual family-oriented sporting event featuring races, basketball, and other games.
This nature preserve, about three-quarters of a square mile in size, has about seven miles of trails to walk through the prairie and a man-made lake. Fishing by boat or off the wheelchair-accessible pier at the lake. Good for picnicking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Dogs welcome, but watch for ticks. Restrooms.
Free disc golf course next to a pond. Playground, restrooms, and drinking water.
Best playground in town for kids with mobility impairments, with an inclusive swing, poured rubber surfaces, and transfer points that let kids climb up. Separate playground structures for big and little kids. This is the main destination for youth sports programs, with soccer fields, baseball and softball diamonds, and dedicated courts for basketball, beach volleyball, pickleball and tennis, plus a driving range for golfers. During the winter, there's an outdoor ice skating rink and a hill that's good for sledding. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
Self-guided walking tour from the Grinnell Historical Society. This 1.5-mile route (2.5 km) starts at the railroad crossing and takes you through the downtown section. Mostly flat, paved sidewalks suitable for children and adults using wheels.
previously Stewart Library
In addition to the opportunity to escape the summer's heat or the winter's cold to read a book for a while, the city's public library offers free, unsecured, wireless Internet access, water fountains and wheelchair-accessible restrooms to the public (restrooms open 30–60 minutes before the rest of the library).
Local newspaper, published twice each week.
First Friends Church
Quaker church. Expect one traditional silent worship period during the service.
Red brick church decorated with Roman arches and custom painting inside.
Open only four mornings a week, this little bakery is the place to satisfy your doughnut fix. The cream-filled coneys are a local favorite. Pick up a few sugar cookies for later while you're there.
Soft-serve ice cream fast-food options at this locally owned business. They have dozens of specialty sundaes, which are available in a "mini" size for just $5. Some dairy-free and gluten-free options. Outdoor seating only. Large groups welcome, especially with a little advance notice.
A small, family-owned Iowa pizza chain since 1957. Order a slice of cheese bread to eat while waiting for your pizza.
Maid-Rite
Grinnell's place for a loose-meat burger.
Classic diner food on the west side of town. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wheelchair accessible. Kids welcome. If the kids need to burn off some energy, then you're right next door to the Grinnell Area Recreational Trail, and they can be running around in Lion's Park in two minutes. Reservations available for groups of 6+; private rooms can be reserved for large groups.
On the site of the former Union Depot for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, this Mexican restaurant serves lunch and dinner.
100% meat-free Indian food. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
The original grill-your-own steak house. Reservations recommended. Children's menu (age 10 and under) is about $15, or they can order the sides for $5 and share your steak. During the day, you can buy their steaks at their butcher shop across the street.
Local coffee shop since 1999. In addition to hot tea and the usual list of coffee drinks, they sell horchata, iced coffee, chai lattes, hot chocolate, cider, Italian sodas, and Italian creams. Muffins, scones, cookies, and other baked goods available. The 2018 film of the same name was named after, and partially filmed at, the coffee shop.
Upscale small hotel with 45 rooms in a former school building. Unusual "bunk rooms" sleep 10 – perfect for youth groups, sports teams, class trips, or large family groups. $30 fee per dog or cat.
Carriage House Bed and Breakfast
Six-room bed and breakfast in home built in 1895. All rooms have private bathrooms and central air conditioning. Breakfast served in the dining room. No smoking. Contact directly for reservations.
Farmers' market with about 20 vendors. Many baked goods and crafts. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms at the park.
The place to go if you need bike gear, repairs, rentals, or advice on where to bike.
The college's bookstore is downtown and does double-duty as both the supplier of textbooks to students and a bookstore for the general public as well. They sell children's books, books on local history, a few travel-friendly toys, and all the logo-adorned souvenirs anyone could ever wish for.
You will either need a car or a bicycle, as there is no mass-transit option. Alternatively, sidewalks are plentiful in the central portion of the town and near the college.
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Des Moines · International · DSM
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