Jefferson is a small city of 4,626 people in Iowa, about 50 miles northwest of Des Moines. It is the seat of government for Greene County, founded in 1849. Although Jefferson is a small town, it does have some attractions for visitors, including a historic district and riverside trails. There are four places to stay in Jefferson: two motels on the highway north of town, and two downtown bed and breakfasts.
The Super 8 Motel in Jefferson offers large vehicle parking, free wireless Internet, and a gym. It also offers guests a free continental breakfast. Pets are not accommodated. Children under the age of 17 can stay for free if they are with an adult, and the hotel does offer some rooms with fridges and microwaves. Located on the edge of town, the nearby eating options tend towards fast food; the closest is a Dairy Queen and Subway half a mile away; within a mile there are also two pizza places, a cafe, and a pub.
The Redwood Motel is a smaller and slightly older motel just up the road from the Super 8. Right on the outskirts of town, the Redwood sits amongst fields on three sides. Immediately next door is a church, the First Assembly of God, that could provide a place for Christian travellers to stop in for services. There is no restaurant at the Redwood, but the town center has ample parking for diners looking for a place to eat.
The Oak Tree Hideaway is a bed and breakfast located in central Jefferson, 11 blocks from downtown. It has two rooms that share a bathroom, and offers wireless Internet, cable television, and breakfast. Located on an acre of land, the Oak Tree is a good spot for a quiet stay with a chance at seeing forest animals such as deer and birds passing through the yard. The Oak Tree is within easy walking distance of Jefferson's main tourist attraction, the 162 foot high Mahanny Bell Tower, which has an observation deck to view the countryside.
Limburg House is another bed and breakfast. It offers antique furniture and finishes, breakfast, and a front porch to watch life on the street go by. The owner and innkeeper, Donna Nelson, bought the home in the early 1990s and worked with her family to restore it to its original Victorian aesthetic. Before being transformed, it served as a family doctor's office; the name "Limburg" refers to these previous owners. It sits on a tree-lined within a 20 minute walk of downtown Jefferson, where there are restaurants and shops to browse.
