Understand
[edit]Newton used to be a company town, hosting the Maytag Corporation's headquarters. Maytag was famous back then for its high-quality washing machines. In 2006, Whirlpool bought Maytag and promptly closed down operations in Newton, which was a substantial economic blow to the area. Nevertheless, Newton remains a pleasant place to visit with friendly locals who will be glad of your business.
Get in
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Newton is just off I-80, 36 miles east of Des Moines. For those without a car, Checkered Flag taxi will take you from Des Moines to Newton for around $100 plus tip (641-791-7777). Ride hailing services such as Uber and Lyft usually charge about $70 plus tip one way.
Get around
[edit]The centre of Newton is small enough to walk around.
See
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- 1 Jasper County Courthouse, 101 1st St N. An impressive building in the centre of town.
- 2 Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 3004 N 4th Ave E, ☏ +1 641 791-7667. The small but well-kept botanical garden and arboretum, with sculptures and detailed signage, is a labor of love by many volunteers. The city's Agnes Patterson Memorial Park next to it offers a playground and a section of Newton's Hike & Bike Trail that loops around the entire park before heading either west to Woodland Park or southwest to Maytag Park, plus various sports facilities: baseball and softball diamonds, a basketball court, sand volleyball courts, and soccer fields. Restrooms and water fountains. Free.
- 3 St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 223 E 4th St N. Built between 1871 and 1881, this church building is in the Carpenter Gothic style and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They hold one worship service on Sundays at 10AM, and it also hosts 12-step programs every day.
- Nearly 90 displays of public art with sculptures and painted murals throughout the community. The Iowa Sculpture Festival Committee sponsors a year-round sculpture and mural tour.
- 4 The Centre for Arts and Artists, 501 W 3rd St N, ☏ +1 641 792-1391. 10 resident artist studios, a clay and kiln room, a therapeutic art room for children, a classroom, and an extensive art collection.
Do
[edit]- 1 The Iowa Speedway (from I-80, take Iowa Speedway Drive to the south to reach the parking lots. Stay off Rusty Wallace Drive, which is only used for emergency vehicles on race days.). The Iowa Speedway will suit petrolheads. It is a 7/8-mile racing track purchased by NASCAR in 2014. It is the only short track owned by NASCAR west of the Mississippi River. The track hosts a series of races throughout the summer, including NASCAR Xfinity Series races, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, and IndyCar Series races.
- Newton Fest. Annual celebration of the arts, food, music, and history for one weekend in June each year. Events happen in multiple venues across town.
- 5 The Valle Drive-in, ☏ +1 641 792-3558, [email protected]. The oldest of the four drive-in theaters still in operation in Iowa, having opened in 1948. Closed during the winter (approximately November–March). $8 per adult for both movies, $5 for children.
- 6 The Capitol II Theater, 116 1st St N, ☏ +1 641 792-3549. Located in the historic downtown district of Newton across from the courthouse, this movie theater has been in operation since April 1927. There's a chance that you'll see Joy the mini pig, holder of a Guinness World Record, in the theater. $5–8 for the movie plus $10 for snacks.
Buy
[edit]Maytag blue cheese is the local specialty. This cheese exists because the son of Maytag Corporation's founder wanted to have a cow, so his children could have fresh milk to drink. The one cow turned into a herd, and 20 years later, one of the boys wanted to make an American cheese that would rival the famous cheeses of Europe. The family sold the business in 2019, but the cheese is still being produced in the same barns.
- 1 Nostalgia Wine and Spirits, 109 N 2nd Ave E, ☏ +1 515 401-7398, [email protected]. This wine bar doubles as the Hometown Store for the Maytag Dairy Farms, and is a place to try out wine and cheese pairings, or to buy some Maytag blue.
Eat
[edit]There are no notable eateries in Newton but major fast food chains are represented. There's a cluster of chain restaurants out by the intersection of Highway 6 and I-80, and the rest are spread out along Highway 6 in town.
- 1 Panda Garden, 106 1st St N (downtown, across from the courthouse). Open for lunch and supper. Closed Mondays. Buffet restaurant offering American-style Chinese food. $15.
- 2 Chester's Chicken, 4400 S 22nd Ave E. 9AM–10PM daily. One of few options on the southeast corner of town, by the KOA campgrounds and the race track, in the Love's convenience store. Offers fried chicken, fried potatoes, and fried pies. $7.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- Best Western Holiday Manor, 208 W 4th St N, is in the centre of town next to the former HQ of the Maytag Corporation (now owned by a telecoms company). Reliable chain fare with clean comfortable rooms. +1 641-792-3333.
Connect
[edit]- 1 Newton Public Library, 100 N 3rd Ave W (two blocks north of the courthouse). Closed Sundays.
Go next
[edit]Des Moines is about 40 minutes away on 80 West.
| Routes through Newton |
| Des Moines ← Ankeny ← | W  E
|
→ Grinnell → Davenport |
| Des Moines ← Altoona ← | W  E
|
→ Grinnell → Davenport |