We popped into Best of Thymes while milling about in downtown Pella. We are suckers for cooking…read morestores and what not. The store is small (as is expected for a small town downtown shop) but packed to the gills with cooking wares, utensils, food and more. For such a small place it really had a nice little selection of things. There were lots of cheese ball mixes, drink mixes, holiday treats (as it was December) to go with cooking pans, utensils, dinner ware, etc. Really, for a small town, this was a pretty cool little store. This is really the store to go if you have friends or family that like to cook and you need gifts for them. Small but cool selection for lovers of cooking, baking and entertaining.

They were very careless with a friend's gift registry and the person got numerous multiple items…read more When the friend went to return the store was nice but would only give story credit which is not at all helpful to those who live out of town. I would say that it is best to avoid registering there or buying from a registry.

The best book store in Iowa, and one of the best in the nation, combining awesome architecture, a…read moregreat inventory, phenomenal awareness, and a wonderfully unique vibe. An elite level of customer service is always present. Led by their manager, Linda, this place is really special if you're a book lover, but it's also a terrific visit if you enjoy writing or Journaling, or if you are a Connoisseur of architecture. Great value abounds, and it just rocks.

This is the most incredible book store ever! I absolutely LOVE the architecture of this building…read moreand the gorgeous (original!) visible bank vault doors--vaults they turned into book sections (one is a crime book section... I love that!) They have a fab cooking section and an adorable kids section upstairs with seating and perfect ambiance. Amazing book selection throughout the very large store. It also connects to a very cute restaurant, that I will be trying next time! It's honestly so much better than even the best "big box" book store! The prices are exactly the same, so why NOT shop where you will also have an amazing experience?!? And support a local small business! One more HUGE plus: there was ZERO Trump/MAGA propaganda sold here. NONE! This deliberate choice to lose a few sales rather than sell poison to their community is...priceless. That's the difference between small businesses and corporations. They CARE! They also feature books which have just been tragically banned, like Maya Angelou & various diverse/inclusive genres. I have a renewed faith in Americans today thanks to this Iowa bookstore, or Book Vault i should say Im already planning to go back with my whole family. You should too. Worth the drive!

Neat little gift shop with some of the most unique items anywhere. They have a whole section…read morededicated to rock and roll gifts. Toys for the kids and yes Poo~Pourri for those moments you need to be inconspicuous. Note pads for the nurse on your life or a cute picture for Grandma. These guys have some really quality item you won't find anywhere else.

Fantastic antique store !! So much to look thru. Friendly staff. Decent prices. Only open on…read moreSaturday which is a bummer for that are not local. Fortunately I made a point to add this place to my travel agenda. Didn't disappoint. We bought a few items here and hauled it back to Texas. I certainly return it if I was in the area

I never expected to find such a great quilt shop in the tiny community of Montezuma, Iowa, but was…read morepleasantly surprised. Three Sisters carries quality fabrics, notions and patterns. You will walk away inspired by the finished quilts that decorate every nook and cranny of the store. Go feed your addiction by stopping in. One more fat quarter can't hurt, can it???

Costume jewelry! Handbags! Scarves! Oh my! :)…read more How in the world does a town like Pella end up with so many great accessories shops? Pella women are very lucky! I didn't purchase anything this trip but I normally buy a piece or two with each visit. They have plenty of sub $30 items to snazz up your wardrobe. Hop across the aisle to Gallerie to see their higher end jewelry (made my local artists). Most everything at this store is your standard factory made costume jewelry, but the selection is just awesome.

A very cute vintage store with reasonable prices and a variety of fun stuff. I definitely feel like…read moreI walked away with some treasures. It's a hidden gem so you should definitely seek it out! They also sell Tupperware here as well :)

L.J. Maasdam built a towering sculpture of rusty wagon wheels, outside of Lynnville, Iowa, when he…read morewas 90 years old. Located off S. 48th Ave. about three miles before Lynnville, the road was hard to find. We ended up driving past it, stopped and asked a nearby farmer, who led us back to the right road. It can't be seen from the road. It's a little off the beaten path but it was really awesome to see and there is a picnic table there to sit and enjoy a meal if the weathers nice.

By all means stop and see this beautiful and towering installation of many many iron wagon wheels…read moreif you are passing through or near Grinnell. Mr. Maasdam built this with help from his sons when he was ninety -- a wonderful installation from the mind of a very interesting guy. I was so taken by it that I found a copy of a book all about Mr. Maasdam. A fascinating read: THE MAN BEHIND THE MILL, The Life and Stories of L. J. Maasdam by Constance Kramer. Out of print, I think, but used copies are available.