Grinnell Historical Museum: The museum tells the story of Grinnell, from its Congregational roots to its modern structure as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the midwest. The Museum also features exhibits about Grinnell's importance to the underground railroad, the history of Grinnell aviation, and other Grinnell memorabilia.
Merchants National Bank: The second in a series of "jewel box" banks that architect Louis Henri Sullivan designed late in his career. The unique structure, one of the more important designs in the series, has been restored and currently houses the Chamber of Commerce, Grinnell Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Poweshiek Foundation, and the Imagine Grinnell foundation. The bank is
open 8:30 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday, 10 am - 4 pm Saturday and 1 - 4 pm Sunday.
Vintage Homes: Grinnell is endowed with a wealth of residential architectural gems. These homes range in style from Greek Revival, Folk Victorian, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Colonial Georgian, and Prairie School architecture. They have been lovingly restored to their original splendor through many years of planning and work. The Benjamin Ricker House built by Walter Burley Griffin is a wonderful example of the Prairie School architecture.
Faulconer Gallery, Grinnell College: Offers changing exhibitions of historical and contemporary art by nationally and internationally recognized artists. Recent exhibits have included works by masters such as Corot and Picasso and more contemporary artists such as Sandy Skoglund and Sol Lewitt. The Gallery was the winner of the Iowa Tourism and the Arts Award in 2000.
Downtown Business District: Downtown Grinnell is both a commercial center and a residential community. Many of the buildings date back over 100 years. Stores are located at street level, and living space for dozens of people exists on the second and third stories of these buildings. Regular downtown events make it a great place to visit. Most of downtown Grinnell is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Union Station: Grinnell's railroad depot was completed in 1893 and housed the offices of two intersecting rail lines, the Chicago and Rock Island and the Central of Iowa. Although it was renovated in 1996 and became a restaurant, many Grinnellians still remember boarding and alighting from trains in this historic building.
Sports - Watch or Participate: Grinnell College and Grinnell High School both have several highly competitive sports teams, and hold more than their share of regional and national titles. If you'd prefer to play, Grinnell has a full recreation center, plus 27 holes of golf, a driving range, softball and baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields, two indoor tracks and pools, tennis and racquetball courts, and myriad other facilities.
The Great Outdoors: Grinnell has eight local parks and three lakes. Hunting and fishing spots are just a few miles from town, as are the Conrad Environmental Research Area and the Krumm Nature Preserve. Rock Creek State Park, a fifteen minute drive northwest, features beaches, boating, camping, trails, and RV hookups. The Grinnell Area Recreational Trail is a 6 mile hard surface trail streching from the town of Grinnell all the way to Rock Creek State Park.
Local Agriculture: Carroll's Pumpkin Farm is a family favorite in October, and several other local farms place national agriculture within walking distance of Grinnell. Mariposa Farms sells its herbs throughout the midwest and south, and Westfield Farm offers pony rides and kid-friendly attractions. The Grinnell Farmers' Market attracts vendors from throughout the state every Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning from mid-May through mid-October.