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Fairfield might be a small town, but it’s packed with unexpected finds. Here, an abundance of locally owned restaurants represents a variety of cultures, local artists fill galleries with impressive works and the area’s parks and trails offer the best escapes. Here are 15 things not to miss during your visit.
Celebrated for its artisan, organic baked goods crafted with local ingredients, Bountiful Bakery offers a cozy yet delicious stop. It’s especially known for New York-style sourdough bagels and traditional French croissants alongside a variety of pastries, vegan options and house-made flavored cream cheeses, coffees, teas and espresso.
Offering a unique blend of southern comfort food and Southeast Asian flavors, this upscale eatery merged two former restaurants into a single yet exciting experience. The menu is known for its inventive dishes, such as Southern fried chicken paired with sweet potato puree and fusion plates like bucatini with black sesame citrus cream and caramelized cauliflower.
Discover the best of authentic Vietnamese flavors at Asian Pho Bistro. The menu boasts their signature pho, a flavorful broth with rice noodles and meat or tofu, alongside classic dishes like pad Thai, spring rolls and more to show off the owner’s love for spicy flavors.
With a menu that features authentic southern-style, wood-fired BBQ and scratch-made options, it’s no surprise that Sweet ‘n Saucy is a popular dining spot. Family owned and operated, it’s especially known for its pulled pork, brisket, smoked turkey and an award-winning hand-cut and breaded tenderloin.
The Collective, also known as the Fairfield Food Collective, is a vibrant food hub located on 2nd Street. Step inside to discover a unique combination of local food and community culture via the various vendors and its event calendar. Sample artisan sourdough bread at Breadtopia Bakehouse, Mexican-inspired street food at Taco Dreams, kombucha from Hedge Apple or locally made ice cream from Scream Ice Cream and more.
Known as the hub for local artists, this small and intimate gallery showcases a diverse array of local and regional contemporary art. It also frequently hosts art exhibitions and participates in community events like the Art Walk, artist talks and more.
This prominent art space acts as Fairfield’s cultural hub, showing off works from local and international artists. Explore the gallery’s impressive permanent and rotating exhibits, attend workshops, art forums, video nights and lectures and keep an eye on the event calendar to catch special events like master shops, art auctions and more.
Located at Fairfield’s Maharishi International University, the Wege Gallery boasts a range of art events. It hosts up to five shows per year that feature artists from across the country alongside student and faculty exhibitions and offers opportunities for hearing from the artists themselves.
Dive into the personal spiritual journey of local artist Christopher Kufner, who shares his collection of original painting and photographs at the Americus Gallery. Co-owned by his wife, Kim Kufner, the charming gallery also specializes in high-quality jewelry, offering visitors the chance to explore unique designs and craftmanship.
For an unforgettable, psychedelic experience, you won’t want to miss the Immersive Art Fun House. Created by local artist Tom Lassota over the span of more than 20 years, the two-story home was transformed into an interactive art installation that features vibrant fluorescent colors, black lights and dynamic 3D objects. Some visitors say it gives off an otherworldly feel reminiscent of a Willy Wonka-inspired setting, but you can decide that for yourself.
Embrace your own inner artist by paying a visit to Cindy’s Art Supplies. The shop boasts an impressive collection of high-quality materials, including pens, pencils, charcoals, brushes, pastels, varnishes, acrylic paint, watercolors, oils and more. Cindy is happy to offer her expertise on every product.
Leave the paved bike trails behind and explore Fairfield and the surrounding countryside from paved, gravel and Level B roads. The community’s “Find a Ride Guide” maps out 17 popular routes for all skill levels, ranging from the casual 11-mile “Observe the Heavens” ride to the 40-mile “Fortune Favors the Bold” route that traverses hilly dirt and gravel roads.
Another popular biking route, the Fairfield Loop Trail spans 16 miles around Fairfield, taking riders through scenic parks, prairies and wetlands. The route includes varied trail surfaces, including concrete, crushed stone and gravel, and is part of the 30-mile Jefferson County Trails System.
Reconnect with nature at the Jefferson County Park, which boasts 227 acres and seven miles of hiking and biking trails to explore. The trails wind through diverse landscapes like timber, prairie, wetland, savannas and ponds, making this a popular birding destination.
For more birding fun, be sure to stop by the 36-acre Neff Wetlands, where over 100 different species of birds have been documented. Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the rock-paved trail that links the wetlands to Lamson Woods to listen to the birds, admire the abundant flora and fauna and appreciate a community treasure.
For a more rugged outdoor adventure, look no further than the Cedar Creek Timber & Wetlands. Take a stroll along the 4.5-mile Cedar View Trail, which starts in the wetland and follows an old railroad right-of-way before crossing a bridge into the timber. While exploring, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife and even more birds – it’s a popular rest stop for migratory waterfowl.
No matter the season, Iowa offers endless possibilities. Whether it’s a family getaway, an outdoor adventure, or anything in between, we know a place.
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