Major city · United States
Villisca
One night if you want the Axe Murder House overnight; otherwise a 2-hour stop on a US-71 road trip through southwest Iowa.
Villisca is a small town (pop. 1,252) in southwest Iowa known almost entirely for the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders. The murder house offers daytime tours and overnight stays. Outside true-crime interest, the town has a bar and grill, a pizza carry-out, and a county park with camping. Most travellers pass through on US-71.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited hours at the murder house)
- Airports
- OMA · DSM
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Villisca911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Villisca, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVillisca is a very safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOMA Eppley Airfield (Omaha) (About 1 h 45 min drive; the nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBurger and beer at D & D Bar & Grill$10–15
- Budget bedCampsite at Hacklebarney Woods County Park, a night, per roomUS$15
- Mid-range bedCampsite at Hacklebarney Woods County Park, a night, per roomUS$20
- High-end bedCampsite at Hacklebarney Woods County Park, a night, per roomUS$25
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$60 · High US$120
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OMA Eppley Airfield (Omaha) (About 1 h 45 min drive; the nearest major airport.) · DSM Des Moines International (About 2 h drive.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Villisca: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. US-71 runs north-south along the west side of town; US-34 runs east-west about 3 miles north. Walking covers the few blocks of downtown.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Atlantic, Iowa
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US-71 north, about 30 min
Small town with a historic downtown and the Atlanticfest festival in June.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-71 north then I-80 west, about 1 h 15 min
Casinos, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and the Loess Hills.
Clarinda
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US-71 south, about 30 min
Glenn Miller birthplace and the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum.
Missouri Valley
goDoor to door: About 50 min
US-71 north, about 50 min
Harrison County fairgrounds and the Loess Hills.
Audubon
goDoor to door: About 1 h
US-71 north then IA-44 east, about 1 h
Home of the Albert the Bull statue and the Audubon County Fair.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hacklebarney Woods County Park
Campsites with electrical hookups; near the junction of US-34 and US-71.
Villisca Axe Murder House
Overnight tours/sleepovers for up to 6 people; book ahead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- $50–100 excl. bed
- High
- $100+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Campsite at Hacklebarney Woods County Park1 × 1 night × US$15 | US$15 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$30 | US$60 |
| Daytime tour of the murder house2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Gas from Omaha (round trip)1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$13 |
| Trip total≈ US$69 per person per day, bed included | US$138 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Daytime tour of Axe Murder Housecheck | $10 adults, $5 children/seniors |
| Overnight at Axe Murder Housecheck | $400 for up to 6 people |
| Pizza at Casey's Carry Out | $10–20 |
| Burger and beer at D & D Bar & Grill | $10–15 |
| Campsite at Hacklebarney Woodscheck | $15–25 per night |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The murder house overnight is US$400 for up to 6 people; daytime tours are US$10 adults, US$5 children/seniors.
- Daytime tours only run Mar 1–Nov 1, 1PM–4PM daily; overnight tours are available all year.
- No hotels in town: camping or the murder house sleepover are the only options.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
VilliscaVillisca
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Washington, DC; consulates in Chicago and Omaha.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Omaha (OMA) to Villisca by car: about 1 h 45 min, about 100 miles
- Des Moines (DSM) to Villisca by car: about 2 h, about 120 miles
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the murder house? — Where is the murder house? (where is the murder house)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Villisca. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited hours at the murder house) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified hours and prices for the Axe Murder House.
- Eat pages for D & D Bar & Grill and Casey's Carry Out Pizza.
- Camping page for Hacklebarney Woods County Park.
Sources
Ask about Villisca
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