Terry Traveller – Top 10 Reasons to Discover Adel, Iowa

As a traveler, I find myself drawn to “Top 10” lists whenever I’m looking into a new place to travel. Now, Adel has a Top 10 list, too!

10. Nile Kinnick
Iowa City may claim the Heisman Trophy winner and WWII hero but we know that true Kinnick Pride starts in Adel. Check out Nile Kinnick Jr.’s boyhood home on 12th Street.

9. Adel Historic Museum
In the mood for more Nile Kinnick? Look at photographs and memorabilia while listening to tales of Adel’s favorite son. The Nile Kinnick Institute and Museum is currently raising funds- buy your commemorative tee shirt today! Additional exhibits cover Adel’s long history with politics, the railroad, and bricks.

8. George W. Clarke
The Iowa governor called Adel home in the early 1900’s, and his house still stands on 15th Street.

7. Adel State Bank 
Sight of the famous bank robbery attempt that was thwarted by that same George W. Clarke, soon to be governor.

6. Dallas County Courthouse
If architecture is your cup of tea, you have to see the French Chateau inspired design of the Dallas County Courthouse in Adel built in 1902. Part of the Adel Historic District.

5. Adel’s Historic District
Downtown Adel is part of the National Registry of Historic Places. With the help of grant funding and architectural guidelines, businesses have recently brought new life into the downtown square and surrounding area. Check out the new businesses throughout town!

4. For the love of Trains
See the former Chicago-Milwaukee-St Paul Train Depot on South 9th Street, now a picturesque law firm. Ride the rails of the Raccoon River Valley Trail, cutting through the countryside following the former rail line.

3. Good Eats
Ice cream, pizza, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, coffee shops, a hometown diner and a winery- Adel is home to plenty of restaurants and bars eager to satisfy your small town cravings, including those community pancake breakfasts. And don’t leave town without trying some real Italian toffee and gelato!

2. Recreation
With a disc golf course, new swimming pool, golf course and waterway entry to the Raccoon River, there are ways for all ages to enjoy central Iowa’s beautiful scenery.

1. Sweet Corn!
Iowa is the corn state and the best sweet corn is Deardorff’s Peaches and Cream variety grown in Adel. Visit in August for the annual Sweet Corn Festival. This 2 day extravaganza showcases Adel businesses and features 3 tons of hot and buttery all-you-can-eat corn, vendors, live music, street performances, an old school parade, and fun 5k race.

Come out the night before to help shuck the corn and be part of the tradition!
There are so many reasons to visit Adel- fall festivals, high school sports and fine arts, quilt shows, library events, free concerts…the list just keeps going.

Do yourself a favor, discover Adel!

-Terry

Terry Traveller
Email: terry@discoveradel.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoverAdel.TerryTraveller?fref=ts