2 Iowa Towns Land Spots on “Best Small Towns in US” List

If you've been lucky enough to visit these quaint little slices of the Hawkeye State, you won't be surprised to see either one of them named to Far & Wide's recent list of the 100 Best Small Towns in the U.S. with fewer than 10,000 residents.

Iowa makes two appearances on this list and both of these small towns are among the best the state has to offer.

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Fairfield, Iowa

The charming southeast Iowa town of Fairfield just made the top 100 on Far & Wide's list by squeaking in at number 99. It's undeniably one of Iowa's best small towns and here's what the website had to say about it:

 Fairfield was built to honor and follow the teachings of Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. People arrive in town to practice the Transcendental Meditation technique he developed and find that much of the town was built following the architectural principles of the Maharishi.

All the feel-goodness in this town carries over. There are 150 nonprofits and 400 start-up companies here, and the town is attempting to become sustainable in support of the environment.

-Far & Wide Website

Decorah, Iowa

Nestled in the Northeast part of the state, Decorah is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and unique spots on the Iowa map. It came in at number 93 on the list. Here's what Far & Wide had to say about Decorah:

Besides its unique cultural roots, Decorah is surrounded by Dunning’s Springs Park. Its mountain location almost makes the city seem as if it rises out of the forest. The town is also home to Luther College, which ensures a large population of young students to enliven the cultural offerings.

-Far & Wide Website

Which town ranked number one on Far & Wide's list? Well, it's not too far from Iowa, actually. The tiny town of Monowi, Nebraska took the top spot. You can read the full list here.

And to learn more about the wonderful towns of Fairfield and Decorah, check out the YouTube videos below.