“Come visit me in Iowa this summer!” my friend Kelli proposed.

She is not only my friend but also my social media mentor, so I thought, “Why the hell not?” It could qualify as a business trip as well as fun girlfriend time. We committed travelers love those tax deductions! Plus, we could capture some great Instagram moments. 

However, big-city women (like me) often have a particular perception of small towns, especially those in the Midwestern “I States” like Iowa, Indiana, and Idaho. (Illinois gets a pass because of Chicago.)

Des Moines is hardly a tiny rural town. Its population is about 200,000. But compare that to Phoenix (my hometown), where 1.7 million reside, and there’s a huge difference. Plus, before moving west, I was a lifelong New Yorker, sharing New York City with about 8 million other people. 

But I went to college in Michigan and traveled extensively around the U.S., so why not try traveling to a small city in Iowa?

We set a date for my visit, and I booked a fantastic historic hotel in downtown Des Moines. Kelli lives in Cedar Rapids, but perhaps I’ll save that for my next excursion. She was as delighted to have a “big city” adventure as I was to get out of Phoenix and see something new.

8 Things I Learned From Small-City Travel

Who knew? Traveling to a small city can yield some wonderful perks.

1. Booking a luxury hotel is much less expensive than big-city accommodations. My room was way bigger than the New York equivalent, and the hotel even had a speakeasy on the lower level. The Hotel Fort Des Moines was built in 1919 and is steeped in fascinating history. (See “Planning Tips” below.)

2. Small cities may have significant, rich histories. You don’t have to go to ancient Greece to get a glimpse into how people lived centuries ago. I made Google my friend before, during, and after my trip and found many fun facts about how Iowa was founded and which industries helped grow the city.

3. Food and beverage options can be surprisingly good. I never considered Iowa to be a major gourmet state. I knew the state had lots of corn, but fine dining options were sprinkled throughout the city, along with themed restaurants and bars. We had a great time at Smokey D’s BBQ. I also learned about the popular Iowa food item, known as the Breaded Pork Tenderloin (BPT). I found a highly-rated hole-in-the-wall place where Kelli and I totally pigged out (although we split the massive sandwich). It was worth every carb!

4. Quirky retail gems abound! We spent a morning wandering around the funky part of town–a vintage store, an Asian market, and a fabulous two-story retailer called Ray Gun, which specializes in tee shirts, knick-knacks, and other items with snarky, political, and Iowa-centric slogans. (I bought a postcard and a sticker. I love souvenirs that don’t take up suitcase space.) I was disappointed that the retro stereo and vinyl store was closed on my days there. Mondays and sometimes Tuesdays are days off for some Iowa retailers; something to be prepared for when traveling.

5. Tornados are real. This may not be an issue if you’re traveling to a small city in some parts of the country, but it certainly was for me in Iowa. My previous knowledge of such things was limited to the Weather Channel, the Wizard of Oz, and the Twister movies. But one day in Des Moines, the skies turned dark, and the sirens went off. I was shocked by how calm the locals and the hotel staff were. I learned tornado protocol just in case and scoped out the path to the cellar. Thankfully, the big storm missed the city. (I didn’t pack my ruby slippers, so I was relieved!) But wherever you travel, pack a poncho.

6. Talking to strangers opens up new vistas. We were “adopted” by a 12-person golf group visiting from Nebraska, and they even treated us to dinner. One night, a drone operator stranded due to a flight cancellation wound up tagging along on our adventures. Obviously, you want to keep safe, but there can be cool connections to be made. 

7. Off-the-beaten-path places give you a new perspective and wacky adventures. One night, we Ubered to a country bar about 20 minutes outside the city. Kelli had been there before, and she knew I loved country rock and watching people dance. The place stayed open until the wee hours, so it was a great venue for our final night in Iowa. The crowd was unique and fun, and a drunken young woman insisted on taking many pictures of us. A much younger guy offered to buy me dinner the next time I was in town. An “old cowboy” asked me to dance, but I respectfully declined. This city slicker can run for a train and navigate Times Square crowds, but I sure as hell can’t line dance! 

8. Airports in small cities can also be small. Of course, I now compare every airport to JFK, LAX, and Sky Harbor. But the plus side of traveling to a small city with a little airport is that you can get in and out quickly. Thankfully, my departure flight was on time. The airport doesn’t have a bar or restaurant (unless you count Hudson News and the coffee counter), so I would imagine a long delay might be annoying. But it’s close to Des Moines, so you could easily pop back in for more adventures.

I regret not allowing an extra day to visit places outside the city, but that’s just an excuse to plan another trip!

Traveling to a Small City: Planning Tips

Of course, the best way to visit a small city is often with a local. I discovered that locals don’t always explore their home cities. I always loved out-of-town guests in New York because I had an excuse to do “tourist things.”

If you’re visiting someone in a small city, collaborate on planning. During my time in Iowa, Kelli discovered places she didn’t know existed. 

Google, Google, and then Google some more! If you’re a history geek, read up on facts and places from the past. Check out unique events in the city or town you’re visiting. State fairs, festivals, farmers’ markets, museum exhibits, and concerts are all fun activities in new cities.

If you’re traveling to a small city solo:

• Know your neighborhoods and be safe in a strange place. Ask your hotel concierge or rental host what areas to avoid. Bartenders can also be a great source of recommendations.
• If you are going “off the grid,” like my adventure to the bar on the outskirts of town for some dancing, be sure to travel with a local or make sure someone knows where you’re going. 
• Consider destination dating, or setting up a date or two while you’re visiting. Of course, following all safety protocols. 
• Find out if your gym has reciprocity with other gyms in the new city, so you can burn off those breaded treats and other local specialties.

Leave time in your itinerary for surprises and new opportunities. And, if a tornado hits, make sure you have an exit plan!