Plan Your Visit to Grinnell

Whether you’re looking for a culinary experience, great local shopping or an immersive arts and culture experience, look no further than Grinnell. Grinnell is home to Grinnell College, the historic Louis Sullivan Merchants National Bank and local food and shopping that is hard to beat. Located along Historic US Route 6, Grinnell is a destination, not just a pit stop. Planning a visit to the Jewel of the Prairie? Here’s what we’d recommend seeing during your visit:

Immerse Yourself in Art and History

This summer, grab an iced coffee from Scooter's and take a sculpture walking tour on the beautiful Grinnell College campus. Continue the tour in downtown Grinnell and tour the wheat paste murals celebrating Renfrow family. 

Feeling crafty? Residents and visitors can attend a workshop at Stew Makerspace where you can create your own piece of art to take home.

Take a tour of local history at the McMurry House, a Victorian house featuring original fixtures and woodwork from 1895, and visit the newly opened Grinnell Historical Museum, open Tuesday through Friday afternoons. Explore exhibitions covering Louis Sullivan, the Meskwaki nation and the 1882 cyclone. 

Fully immerse yourself in the history of Grinnell and stay at Hotel Grinnell. Once the city’s junior high school, it now stands as a historically renovated hotel, bar, restaurant and event center. Each room is an old classroom and touches of the historic school still decorate the facility.

A historic tour of Grinnell is not complete without a visit to the Merchants National Bank, a Jewel Box Bank designed by Louis Sullivan. Constructed in 1914, the bank was a community staple until 1999 and is now home to the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and visitor center. Fun fact: Louis Sullivan was the mentor of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

For the Foodie

Breakfast

On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, start your morning in historic downtown Grinnell with a visit to Grin City Bakery. You’ll find your favorite pastries and sausage kolaches. Our tip? Pick up a dozen Old Fashioneds or pecan rolls. Looking for another local favorite? The Frontier Café serves breakfast all day.

Lunch

Hit up Hometown Heroes for a fresh and fun lunch. Hometown Heroes pays homage to local heroes in the Grinnell community and is a local favorite for catching up with friends or watching the game.

Dinner

Pop into Pagliai’s Pizza and you’ll know exactly why the family-owned restaurant has a reputation as the best pizza in Grinnell. Pagliai’s Pizza has been serving up pizza to locals and visitors since 1957, using authentic, family recipes. Love their pizza? You can pick up freshly frozen Pagliai’s Pizza to enjoy at home!

Visit The Periodic Table, located in Hotel Grinnell, for a fun and quirky science themed menu.

A trip to Grinnell is not complete without a dinner at the Prairie Canary. Don’t forget to check out the Canary Underground speakeasy. Our tip? Try the truffle fries and a Zelda Fitzgerald.

Activities

The Jewel Box Bank is not the only gem in Grinnell. Local shops are a destination in themselves. Looking for …

• Women’s clothing? Try Anna Kayte’s boutique
• Vintage goods? Try Channing’s Customs & Co.
• Children’s clothing? Try Lil’ Miss Chic Children’s Boutique 
• Gifts and home goods? Try Loralei’s Gift Shoppe
• Want to get pampered? Check out the She Shed Day Spa or B. Nicole Salon

Tee up good time at the two public golf courses in Grinnell. Looking for a quick round? Try the 9-hole Grinnell College Golf Course.Need more of a challenge? Check out the Oakland Acres Golf Club and driving range.

Or, check out the 18-hole disc golf course at Lake Nyanza.

There’s always something happening in Grinnell — no matter when you plan to visit, you’ll find great shops, priceless art and history and fun for the whole family.

There are so many things to do in Greater Des Moines (DSM)! From events and festivals to major attractions, living in DSM means having fun is a given. Check out the trails, Broadway shows, sports teams and more throughout the region. Find out what each community has to offer and build connections in DSM!