Offering hotel accommodations since 1920, the completely restored Hotel Greenfield reopened its doors in 2012. The lobby's checkerboard-patterned floor and green neon exterior sign add Art Deco period elements. Richly patterned rugs, leather armchairs and a baby grand piano also contribute to the feeling of an era gone by, and desk clerks greet and escort guests to their rooms with authentic keys—no flimsy swipe cards here.

Rooms (rates from $75 to $95) feature simple, modern furniture with soft carpet and silky sheets. Complimentary water bottles stock the in-room fridges, and most rooms include flat-screen TVs and DVD players (guests can borrow from a long list of DVDs to watch during their stays). Free Wi-Fi is a nice perk, and the Olive Branch is a popular on-site restaurant and bar.

Sound tends to carry through the thin walls of the building, so be prepared for some ambient noise, but overall, the Hotel Greenfield is a gem in small-town Iowa.