Overview
South Central Iowa is in the Midwest region of the United States of America.
1 sights
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about South Central Iowa
American Gothic House
In 1930, Grant Wood created an iconic painting of a woman standing next to a man holding a pitchfork standing in front of a plain farmhouse in Southern Iowa. The painting has become one of the world's most recognized pai…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Des Moines)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DSM Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines — 40 mi away (major hub). Directions
- IRK Kirksville Regional Airport, Kirksville — 75 mi away. Directions
Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Ottumwa — Wapello County Courthouse.
- Day 2: Centerville — Appanoose County Courthouse, Appanoose County Sheriff's House and Jail, United States Post Office.
- Day 3: Albia — explore the town.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Photos
Places in South Central Iowa
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
This region includes the counties of Mahaska, Keokuk (the city of Keokuk is in Lee County, in Southeast Iowa), Union, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wapello, Ringgold, Decatur, Wayne, Appanoose, and Davis.
Cities
- Albia
- Centerville
- Osceola
- Ottumwa
Get in
By train
See
See American Gothic House
In 1930, Grant Wood created an iconic painting of a woman standing next to a man holding a pitchfork standing in front of a plain farmhouse in Southern Iowa. The painting has become one of the world's most recognized paintings in American art. Visit the house and a small site museum and stand next to life-size figures of the man and woman to make your own silly selfies.
Nearby
Pella
City / town · 6 listings · 32 mi away
Carlisle
City / town · 5 listings · 35 mi away
Des Moines
City / town · 131 listings · 43 mi away
Winterset
City / town · 1 listings · 44 mi away
West Des Moines
City / town · 7 listings · 44 mi away
Newton
City / town · 13 listings · 48 mi away
Ankeny
City / town · 8 listings · 51 mi away
Grinnell
City / town · 32 listings · 57 mi away
My experience
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