Perfect Day Trip to Lamoni, Iowa from Kansas City

When you read the title, I’m sure your first thought was, “Where on earth is Lamoni? And what’s in Iowa anyway?” Honestly, I had the same thought at first. But stick with me, I promise this little town has its surprises.

As part of my quest to visit all 50 USA states, I picked Lamoni for Iowa. It wasn’t an easy choice, we were squeezing in five states on that same trip and wanted to avoid too much driving. I knew about cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids in central Iowa, but southern Iowa was completely new territory for me. That’s when I stumbled upon a grocery store with tons of reviews on Google. Curiosity got the better of me, and after a little digging, I found out it was a quaint Amish store right near the Iowa–Missouri border. That alone felt like reason enough to stop.

While browsing the tourism website, I also came across a nearby state park that looked peaceful and promised some great views. Just like that, I had a mini itinerary for southern Iowa. So, we decided to make it a day trip from Kansas City, which was the base city for the trip and that’s how Lamoni landed on my map. 

How to Reach Lamoni

Lamoni is a small university town just a 1 hour 50-minute drive from Kansas City Airport, making it a perfect day trip destination. If you’re living in or around Kansas City, you could also take a bus, but the travel time is longer, and the cost is much higher (around $64 one way). For that reason, I’d recommend renting or driving a car. 

We started our day at 9 a.m. and had about four hours to explore. In this blog post, I’ll share everything we did on our day trip to Lamoni. 

Iowa’s Amish Roots

Iowa is home to a significant Amish population, with roots dating back to the 1840s. These communities are known for horse-and-buggy transportation, self-sufficient lifestyles, and unique cultural traditions. Some of the well-known settlements include Kalona in Washington County—the oldest and largest; Drakesville in Davis County, a large and conservative Old Order Amish community, and smaller settlements in Van Buren County and Hazleton in Buchanan County. 

But we stumbled upon a hidden gem in Decatur County, not widely known but beloved by locals: the Amish Country Store. This charming general store is famous for its top-quality furniture, fresh produce, and local farm goods, making this a perfect spot to experience authentic Amish craftsmanship and hospitality. 

Amish Country Store

Our first stop was the Amish Country Store, just off I-35 at Exit 4. This family-run store is a favorite for travelers cruising between Kansas City and Des Moines, but honestly, it’s more than just a quick roadside stop. 

From the moment we arrived, the place impressed us. A cute barn-style shop, art installations made from milk jugs, and a buggy cart set up for photos immediately caught our eye. It was clear they were ready for both locals and tourists. The vibrant pumpkin décor added a lively, welcoming touch. 

Stepping inside the timber-scented shop, we were greeted by shelves filled with Amish-made jams, jellies, honey, pickles, bulk candies, hand-stitched aprons, woven baskets, heirloom quilts, and the store’s signature brightly painted barn quilts. Many of these items come directly from local Amish artisans, preserving traditional craftsmanship while supporting the rural community.

The store also offers clean restrooms, picnic tables, a dog-walk area, maps, and friendly staff happy to share road-trip tips. For EV drivers, this stop is even more convenient. The store parking lot features one of the nation’s first V4 Tesla Superchargers, with 350 kW stalls, making it one of Iowa’s fastest charging stations. 

We had a fun and relaxing time exploring both inside and outside the store. Checking out the products was a delight, we picked up locally made jams, biscuits, and snacks, and admired the beautiful décor and quilts. It’s truly a place that delivers Midwest warmth and one-of-a-kind finds.

We also took a stroll around the store and discovered a little hen den with ten gorgeous hens named Bumbleberry, Jalapeno, Fig, Frog, Dandelion, Marmalade, Apricot, Guava, Gooseberry and Bear. We sat nearby, watching them and snapping pictures. Of course, we also took advantage of all the photo ops around the property, a fun memory we’ll be taking back with us. 

Maid-Rite Diner

Right next to (or practically inside) the Amish Country Store is Iowa’s beloved Maid-Rite Diner. Maid-Rite is a sandwich chain that started right here in Muscatine, Iowa, and has been an Iowa institution since 1926. It’s famous for its loose-meat sandwiches and broasted chicken. 

We went for the loose-meat sandwich and completely forgot to order the chicken, so I guess that’s my excuse to visit Iowa again. How could I miss fried chicken? Probably too distracted by the milkshake I ordered 😅. 

We got our sandwich with cheese curds, which we were trying for the first time. It was tasty! Though I didn’t enjoy fried cheddar as much as mozzarella sticks. The sandwich was delicious, but a bit messy. Loose meat definitely makes it tricky to eat without spilling. 

The diner itself was charming, with plenty of seating and a mix of options. We had a relaxing meal and would recommend it, both for the vibe and the tasty sandwich. And if you visit before I make it back, let me know—how was the chicken? 

Nine Eagles State Park

After relishing our sandwich and the thickest milkshake imaginable, a walk in the park felt like a must. Just 10 minutes east of the Amish Country Store is a hidden gem: Nine Eagles State Park. Known for its scenic wooded hills, valleys, diverse wildlife, and abundant native plant species, it’s the perfect spot to unwind. 

The park’s main attraction is a 64-acre lake with nearly three miles of shoreline. Visitors can go boating, fishing, or swimming. The lake is home to several fish species, including bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and crappie.

Nine Eagles also offers about nine miles of hiking trails and six miles of bridle/equestrian trails, with multi-use trails for snowmobiles and cross-country skiing in winter. Campers can choose from three developed campgrounds, equestrian campsites, or a family cabin. There are also shaded picnic areas with tables and fireplaces.

We were there simply to soak in the vibe. Parking near the Nine Eagles State Park Boat Ramp, we found ourselves completely alone, it was so peaceful. Our plan was simple: sit back, observe nature, and enjoy the calm. Along the way, we spotted a variety of birds and reptiles, including a banded water snake and a catbird.

And that’s how we wrapped up our day trip to southern Iowa, exploring two of its hidden gems. If you love discovering underrated spots in the USA, check out this link for more recommendations. Don’t forget to watch my Lamoni vlog on YouTube to see the full experience!