Villisca

City / town · Iowa

Villisca

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Best timeApr–Oct
From you
Nearest airportOMA · 54 mi
On this page

Overview

Villisca is a city in Southwest Iowa.

1 sights · 2 places to eat

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Villisca

Villisca Axe Murder House

This 1908 house was the site of the grisly Villisca Axe Murders in 1912, in which Josiah and Sarah Moore and their four children were bludgeoned to death. The crime was never solved.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 88°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Aug. (climate data from nearby Omaha)

Jan: 0.8 in rain0.8"Jan: high 34°F, low 15°F34°15°JanFeb: 1.0 in rain1"Feb: high 39°F, low 19°F39°19°FebMar: 1.8 in rain1.8"Mar: high 52°F, low 30°F52°30°MarApr: 3.2 in rain3.2"Apr: high 64°F, low 41°F64°41°AprMay: 4.7 in rain4.7"May: high 75°F, low 53°F75°53°MayJun: 4.4 in rain4.4"Jun: high 84°F, low 63°F84°63°JunJul: 3.6 in rain3.6"Jul: high 88°F, low 68°F88°68°JulAug: 4.6 in rain4.6"Aug: high 86°F, low 66°F86°66°AugSep: 3.0 in rain3"Sep: high 79°F, low 56°F79°56°SepOct: 2.3 in rain2.3"Oct: high 66°F, low 43°F66°43°OctNov: 1.5 in rain1.5"Nov: high 50°F, low 30°F50°30°NovDec: 1.2 in rain1.2"Dec: high 38°F, low 20°F38°20°Dec

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.
  • OMA Eppley Airfield, Omaha — 54 mi away (major hub). Directions
  • DSM Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines — 80 mi away (major hub). Directions

US Highway 71 runs north-south along the west side of town. US Highway 34 runs east-west about 3 miles north of town.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Get in

    US Highway 71 runs north-south along the west side of town. US Highway 34 runs east-west about 3 miles north of town.

    See

    See Villisca Axe Murder House

    This 1908 house was the site of the grisly Villisca Axe Murders in 1912, in which Josiah and Sarah Moore and their four children were bludgeoned to death. The crime was never solved.

    📍 323 E 4th St🕒 Walk-in daytime tours available Mar 1-Nov 1 1PM-4PM daily, overnight tours available all year💲 Daytimes tours $10 adults, $5 children 7-11 and seniors 65+. Overnight sleepovers/tours $400 for up to six people☎ +1 712 621-4291
    MapsWebsite

    Eat

    Sleep

    There are campsites with electrical outlets at Hacklebarney Woods County Park, which is near the junction of US Highways 34 and 71.

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    My experience

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