Part aquarium, part museum, part science center, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium inspires stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive! Our 14-acre campus on the banks of the Mississippi River features two separate two-story buildings and an expansive outdoor plaza. The Museum & Aquarium is home to over 100 species of animals and thousands of historic artifacts. With so much to see and do, there's always a chance to #ExploreSomethingNewSee more..
5.0Iowa 80 Trucking Museum(591 reviews) - Awesome Truck Museum Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Visitor Centers • Speciality Museums • History Museums
The Iowa 80 Trucking Museum was a dream of Iowa 80 Truckstop founder Bill Moon. His love for trucks and the trucking industry laid the foundation for this museum. Over 100 vintage trucks are on display, as well as antique signs and gas pumps. The museum also features the REO Theatre where visitors can enjoy watching films about trucks and trucking.See more..
4.5John Wayne Birthplace & Museum(484 reviews) - Must do for John Wayne fans Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
Tour the modest 4-room home where John Wayne was born, and visit the John Wayne Birthplace Museum featuring the largest diversified exhibit of John Wayne artifacts in existence, including original movie posters, film wardrobe, scripts, letters, artwork and sculpture--even one of his customized automobiles. Admission includes the Museum, a visit to the Birthplace house, and a small theater with a documentary on John Wayne's life, with a special welcome by his daughter Aissa.See more..
Expanded 50,000 sq. ft. building opened in July 2012 with a world-class exhibit "Alphonse Mucha: Inspirations of Art Nouveau" featuring 230 pieces direct from Prague and London. Two other galleries feature rotating exhibitions on the culture, art and history of Czechs and Slovaks. And don't miss the two-room 1880's Czech immigrant house that was home to five generations. See the new museum store filled with European treasures and gifts. Stroll down Czech Village and also visit the exhibition, "Rising Above: the Store of a People and the Flood" located a 87 Sixteenth Ave. SWSee more..
4.0Buffalo Bill Museum(323 reviews) - Great Museum about the man and early life on the Mississippi River. Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums
Great museum absolutely packed with information and articles from the times of Buffalo Bill. Multiple video presentations telling the story behind the man. Inside a huge glass enclosure they have preserved an old stern wheel push boat that operated on the Mississippi River next to museum. You can walk all through the boat decks and around it. Very interesting.See more..
4.5Union Pacific Railroad Museum(300 reviews) - Comprehensive corporate museum with silly COVID rules Friday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums
Our museum has chronicled more than 150 years of American railroad history through unique artifacts and immersive interactive games. Admission is free.See more..
4.5Vesterheim(208 reviews) - Great exhibits! Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums
Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience, and to participate in the continual evolution of traditional folk art as it meets new influences. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org.See more..
We have officially reopened at the John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum. Our hours are now Tue-Sat from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No reservation is necessary. At this time, factory tours are not being offered. We look forward to seeing you at the museum!See more..
I’ve always wanted to go here and was certainly glad I did. We are traveling from Tucson, Arizona on a 60 day road trip and I made sure I had this in my itinerary. We went to the AMA Museum in Pickerington, Ohio in 2014, but didn’t make it over to Anamosa. I was a factory desert racer in the 70s for Suzuki, Bultaco and Montesa. It was nice to see bikes just like mine there. At 71 years old I now ride a Victory on the street, no more dirt for me, and it was cool that they had a Victory in the museum. I also really enjoyed the Motor Maid’s visit as a lady friend of mine is a member. Great job and a real must see! Highly recommend!See more..
4.5Music Man Square(173 reviews) - Visit Mason City, for sure! Speciality Museums • Historic Walking Areas • Theaters
If you're in the area, you should stop here. Meredith Willson wrote the Music Man and this place is a tribute to him, you can even see his Emmy. They have replicated the Main Street from the movie. If you forget your trombone you can borrow one of the 76. It's located in historic downtown so plan to spend a day or two here. So much to see! Check to see if it's open as they operated with limited hours due to the pandemic.See more..
4.5Sioux City Public Museum(155 reviews) - Staycation Suprise Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums
Located in the heart of downtown Sioux City, the Sioux City Public Museum features large, colorful exhibits, interactive displays, and much more. Visitors will discover the "Spirit of Sioux City" through a lively 12-minute orientation film in the ornate "corn palace theatre." A variety of hands-on experiences are available including the award-winning "Innovation I-Wall" and "The Big Dig," which replicates an active fossil dig site. Highlights of the permanent gallery are rare Native American artifacts from the area; Sioux City's first "horseless buggy," a 1901 Oldsmobile; a 1930 Kari-Keen airplane manufactured in Sioux City; and a 1918 Mack fire truck similar to ones used by the Sioux City Fire Department. The two-story Disaster and Recovery Wall features multi-media presentations of three major Sioux City catastrophes: the 1904 Pelletier Department Store fire, the 1953 Floyd River Flood, and the 1989 crash of United Airlines Flight 232. Temporary exhibits feature topics of local and regional interest.See more..
What a great tour. It is so unusual and interesting. Be sure to book on line early as they only let a couple of people in per hour. It was so cool. I had seen it on Ghost Adventures and was very glad I searched it out to visit. Don't miss this!See more..
There is a lot to see here. It is mainly military history, but has a lot of interesting information. They are open from 10-4. I wasn't finished when they closed. Be aware that if you want to eat, you will need to leave the site and go to a nearby restaurant.See more..
5.0Bily Clocks Museum(97 reviews) - Yes, take a break and stop and see this museum. You will be glad you did. Temporarily closed - Closed until Apr 30, 2023 Speciality Museums
The Bily Clocks Museum & Antonin Dvorak Exhibit has been a favorite attraction of young and old for many years. Visitors return year after year to the enchanting town of Spillville, Iowa, (located thirteen miles southwest of the town of Decorah), to marvel at the unique clocks that two brothers, Frank and Joseph Bily (bee-lee) hand-carved. The clocks depict history, art, religion and culture and are covered with hundreds of expertly carved figures. Some stand over nine feet tall. Also housed in the museum on the second floor is an exhibit in memory of the famous Czech composer, Antonin Dvorak. In the summer of 1893, he along with his family, occupied the second floor of the building. An admission fee is charged. Tours are given regularly.See more..
4.5Historic General Dodge House(97 reviews) - Fascinating little-known history Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Built in 1869 on the frontier, no expense was spared on this sublime Second Empire Victorian home. The fourteen room, three story mansion stands on a high terrace overlooking the Missouri Valley, and displays such architectural features as parquet floors, mansard roof, cherry, walnut & butternut woodwork, and a number of "modern" conveniences quite unusual for the period: central heating and hot & cold running water. The house was designed by William Boyington, a famous Chicago architect. It has been painstakingly curated with period items, many of them original to the home and the Dodge family.See more..
4.5National Farm Toy Museum(97 reviews) - Recommend this bargain museum. Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks • History Museums
Check out the place where agricultural history is on a roll! The National Farm Toy Museum in Dyersville, IA, houses memorabilia and farm toys of today and yesterday. The museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of agriculture through farm toy collecting. The whole family will enjoy discovering how farming has changed throughout the years and the history of the tractors that make successful harvests happen. The National Farm Toy Museum is open daily. Admission: Adults $7, Seniors $6, Juniors 6-17 $5 and Kids 5 and under are free.See more..
5.0Okoboji Classic Cars(96 reviews) - Way more than I expected! Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums
Guided tour of this large car museum with 5-ft deep storefronts of Spencer IA, showing off tons of antiques, mannequins, wonderful mural throughout. (oh, and cars, too! :D ) Even we ladies who aren't particularly enamored of cars will appreciate it. I had expected to be able to wander through after the tour, but you cannot. So if you want to look into the storefronts, do it during the tour!See more..
Very interesting! Perfect size for a 10 year old to walk around in without too much reading! Cool boats and lake paraphernalia. Also connected to Rock n Roll Museum and Arnold’s Park Museum.See more..
4.0Danish Windmill Museum(91 reviews) - Nice little stop Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops • Speciality Museums • History Museums
The Danish Windmill is a museum for all people interested in Denmark, Danish customs, Scandinavian traditions and, of course, windmills. Elk Horn’s Danish windmill is America’s only authentic working Danish windmill. The mill, originally built in Nørre Snede, Denmark in 1848 was brought to the United States in November, 1975 and rebuilt in Elk Horn, Iowa by community volunteers in 1976, America’s Bicentennial year. Open 7 days a week.See more..
4.5Palmer's Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe(83 reviews) - Fun family friendly stop Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Speciality & Gift Shops • Speciality Museums
The store had a great selection of candy and gourmet food items. We enjoyed trying a Bing for the first time ever…..we were treated to a free sample, but not inspired to buy one. It just wasn’t for us. We did buy some of their fresh chocolates from the case. Service was great. It was worth the visit.See more..
The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates - home of The World Food Prize - is a public museum, educational facility and a place of inspiration for all. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security.See more..
Named the 2000 Iowa Tourism Attraction of the Year by The Iowa Division of Tourism, this visitor center includes interactive exhibits, an ice cream factory, a museum and an ice cream parlor.See more..
4.5Museum of Danish America(66 reviews) - Beautiful setting and well cared for exhibits! Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums
Organized in 1983 as The Danish Immigrant Museum (a non-profit institution), the name Museum of Danish America was adopted in October 2013. The museum has been open since June of 1994 as a national center for the Danish-American community. The museum is located in a magnificent half-timbered building on a 30-acre site. The museum is surrounded by the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park, named for the colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright and the father of the Prairie School of Landscape Architecture.See more..
Please note. The museum has moved next door, one building to the west. We're in the Xtreme Arena, 202 E. 9th St. New phone number, 319 569 4504.See more..
History buffs be prepared to spend hours viewing the many unique items, pictures, and stories in the Museum's multiple buildings. The Clark Museum is one of the largest private museum collections in the upper Midwest, including the largest display of pictures, stories, and memorabilia from the Iowa Great Lakes and surrounding region. The large South Building contains many hundreds of pictures, each with a story describing the image. Thousands of business advertisements and other historical items are on display. Spend time in the newly renovated North building by viewing scenes of the past, including many one-of-a-kind items from the Arnold's Park Amusement Park and renowned local businesses. The North Building also features a seating area where you can relax and take in the history. Located on the western edge of Milford, just 4 miles from the Arnold's Park Amusement Park.See more..
4.5The Sawmill Museum(47 reviews) - A GREAT LOOK AT THE LUMBER BUSINESS Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums
Discover when Clinton was one of the lumber capitals of the world. The museum features exhibits for all ages, regular special programming, and hands on learning.See more..
4.5Sioux City Railroad Museum(45 reviews) - Best and Most Complete Train History! Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • History Museums
Originally known as the Milwaukee Railroad Shops, the Railroad Museum is located along Highway 12 in Sioux City, Iowa. This historical treasure, nestled in between the scenic Loess Hills and the Big Sioux River, was built in 1917. At one time this site was a large industrial complex that serviced and repaired locomotives and railcars for 65 years. Today this 30-acre complex is home to the Sioux City Railroad Museum. Only a handful these places still exist in the United States. Today, after several years of preserving and restoring what remained, the museum is able to showcase rare artifacts and architecture that represent an important and influential time in our nation’s history. The Railroad Museum and its historical atmosphere create a unique environment for friends and families to learn and enjoy. We are building tracks for the future!See more..
I travel 250 days a year and have been through perhaps a thousand nature and interpretive centers and this is easily among the best in the U.S. The trails, interpretive panels, the center itself, the live birds and animals (rescued birds), and honey bee hive are superbly maintained, the center is very interactive, the trails are stunningly beautiful, and the staff is fantastic. Best part: It's free but be sure to leave a donation - it's absolutely worth it. Just top notch.See more..
Saw a piece about this on CBS Sunday Morning and took a day trip to see it for ourselves. It did not disappoint! The models are meticulously crafted from matchsticks to be actual scale models of everything from the US Capitol Building to Notre Dame Cathedral (that one’s especially precious now!) to the Space Shuttle. We spent a couple of hours there and came away feeling that we had visited a very special place. Highly recommended!See more..
JOLLY TIME Koated Kernels is a locally owned family business which sells specialty popcorn. The shoppe has over 20 flavors of homemade delicious popcorn that made fresh daily from quality ingredients. Koated Kernels is also the home of the JOLLY TIME Museum, which showcases 100 years of Jolly Time history with memorabilia and relics.See more..
4.5Iowa Quilt Museum(41 reviews) - Wonderful experience even if you aren’t a quilter! Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums
With 25-30 quilts on display at a time, the Iowa Quilt Museum's mission is to promote the appreciation of the American Quilt and the art of quilting through displays of quilts and information about quilts. Exhibits change every 3-4 months. Our beautifully historic building is a top-notch backdrop for the beauty of the American Quilt.See more..
Small place but can show you the history of hot air ballooning and the building is cool always nice people that work there the few times I have been there. See more..
RailsWest Depot Museum is housed in an old Rock Island Depot built in 1899. There are many displays which include full size train cars to walk through and an HO size model train.See more..
4.0Dubuque Museum of Art(39 reviews) - Art with a Bang Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums
Iowa's oldest cultural institution established in 1874 located in the heart of downtown Dubuque's cultural corridor. Museum Hours: Monday Closed, Tuesday - Friday: 10:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday: 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day. Admission (as of January 2013) Adults $6, Seniors $5, Students $3, Members receive free daily admission.See more..
5.0Midwest Old Threshers(38 reviews) - History Comes Alive Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums
Come visit the Heritage Museums where you can step back into our agricultural heritage. We invite you to climb aboard one of the many traction steam engines, including the largest steam engine - a Case 110. Sit behind the wheel of an antique tractor or take a look at the Stationary Steam Engines featuring a Murray Corlliss engine display.See more..
5.0National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum(37 reviews) - No visit to the museum just 2nd floor seating to view the races and we had a little one with us. Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums
We attended the All-Star Circuit of Champions on July 30th. We purchased 2nd floor seating tickets because we had a little one with us. We had a good view of the track. It wasn’t any where near as loud as outside. So if you have anyone with noise sensitivity in your party I highly suggest these seats. They also had several tv’s available and a projection screen showing the race broadcast. You could hear the announcers very well.See more..
Take a step back into history and encounter unique artifacts and exhibits that help tell the exciting story of aviation and transportation in our lives. Explore a wide variety of displays and exhibits of full size aircraft and surface transportation from bicycles to vintage automobiles, a fire engine, and even a Boeing 727-200! The Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation preserves and celebrates the rich aviation and transportation history of the Sioux City area. Spend an hour…spend a whole day… the entire family will find something fascinating, entertaining, unique or educational at the Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation!See more..
4.5African American Museum of Iowa(32 reviews) - Unexpected Friday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums
The African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history. As Iowa’s leading educational resource on the topic, we educate more than 30,000 people each year through museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, youth and adult education programs, and community and fundraising events.See more..
The LIW museum is a little out of the way but if you’re close by it a fun little trip. The guides are amazing and very knowledgeable. I can’t wait until they get the school house restored! Very fun and interesting if you’re a Little house fan!See more..
4.5Iowa Hall of Pride(30 reviews) - Impressive! Friday: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Speciality Museums The Iowa Hall of Pride is a great place to take your family. The facility is modern with many hands on actives and displays. We stopped before a high school basketball game and wished we would have allotted more time to spend at this facility. The director, Jack is a wonderful host!See more..
4.5Star Trek Voyage Home Museum(29 reviews) - So much fun and FREE Friday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
HEY ! We are open fully 7 days a week now . For now please have a mask but if you don't we have one for you. We have lots of new show used donations and more . Live Long & Prosper Thank you.See more..
4.5Brunnier Art Museum(29 reviews) - Beautiful Jugs Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums
Although I am not a student, I was allowed free access to see the museum. The young lady at the counter pointed out the glass collection and where I could see a nice pair of jugs. The emerald color was spectacular.See more..
The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame is currently in the process of transitioning into our new space. Please be patient with us while we work to make our new museum. The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association exists to preserve the legacy of rock ‘n roll music in Iowa by honoring achievements, educating youth, and inspiring artists. Established in 1997, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit statewide organization with four service areas: Hall of Fame Recognition, Rock ‘n Roll Museum, Community Events, and Educational Outreach.See more..
There isn't a tour or anything so don't expect that. You just drive up to it, get out, and look around. It's really neat. Just don't go wondering around Vedic City, those are homes, not tourist attractions. See more..
4.5If You Build It Exhibit(23 reviews) - Must Stop here on your way to the Field of Dreams! ⚾️ Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums
Explore an exhibit dedicated to the making of America's Slice of Heaven. See how the magic continues after Hollywood left a small town living the dream.See more..
5.0Heartland Museum(21 reviews) - Hidden gem! Friday: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums
Regional Museum. Allow up to two hours to see everything! Winter hours: call ahead for tours of any size group! Over 80 restored tractors, 5,000 farm and construction toys, Iowa Hat Lady display, main street stores, birthplace of the 4-H emblem schoolhouse. We offer hands-on experiences, something for everyone! CALL FOR APPOINTMENT DURING FALL/WINTER/SPRING.See more..
This is a great museum. I loved the combination of aviation history and the local stories that you can find here. I especially liked seeing the early planes and gliders from an earlier era. The aviation pioneers were brave!See more..
The picture I posted is actually the front of the prison, which is where we entered by mistake. Pass the prison to the top of the hill and take a left to get to the museum, which is in the old cheese house. $3/adult admission The volunteers at the museum were so friendly and easy to talk with. The museum is small but full of interesting tidbits. I learned that there is a miniature golf course inside the prison. ! Some fun items in gift shop. We combined this with a visit to the Motorcycle Museum and lunch at the General Store Pub in Stone City just down the road, as well as a drive through Wapsipinicon State Park. Nice day!See more..
4.5Trainland U.S.A.(20 reviews) - A Dream Come True With Lionel Trains Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums
This was an amazing series of layouts that are organized to depict different States and parts of the country. There are lots of little surprises and I do not recall many classic Lionel items that were not in the layouts. The place also goes from day to night by turning off some of the room lights every 10 minutes or so. This is a must stop as it owners and the trains are aging and the museum may not be around long.See more..
5.0RVP~1875 Historic Furniture Shop & Museum(19 reviews) - Having fun with wood! Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Lessons & Workshops • History Museums
RVP~1875, the world’s leading historical furniture shop and museum, is located in the Milligan Lumber, building (National Historic Registry). Owner Robby Pedersen is a Master Furniture Maker with over 20 years experience, who has built over 900 pieces of historically accurate furniture using only the tools, techniques and finishes used in 1875 Iowa. On display is the Midwest’s largest working set of 19th-century woodworking tools, including an 1860’s foot-powered lathe, an 1870’s hand-crank ripsaw, and over 500 different hand planes. The showroom displays over 100 of Robby’s prototype pieces of furniture, each with a story of historical significance. Robby passionately shares his love of historic furniture making and how it relates to Iowa history with his visitors.See more..
