Grinnell, Iowa

Grinnell is a small city located in Poweshiek County, Iowa. Voted as the “Coolest Small Town in the Midwest” (Budget Travel; 2009), Grinnell is a very picturesque small city with well-maintained historic downtown, plenty of excellent dining and shopping opportunities, a general easy-going feeling, and a beautiful countryside, ideal for biking and walking. Major Grinnell attractions include Merchants National Bank by Louis Sullivan (it is one of the 8 impressive banks designed by Louis Sullivan; it is open for tours), Grinnell Historical Museum (it is a late 19th-century building furnished as a typical Victorian home), and Grinnell Mutual Family Aquatic Center (a large and fun waterpark complex). Regarding budget accommodation, you can find quite a few excellent and around Grinnell that offer comfy rooms for around $100 per night.