Top Things to do in Iowa
Top Hotels in Iowa
- 1. Des Lux Hotel
- 2. Stoney Creek Hotel
- 3. Hampton Inn West Des Moines Lake Drive
- 4. Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines
- 5. Drury Inn & Suites Iowa City Coralville
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Cedar Falls, IA
- 7. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Ames, IA
- 8. Hotel Julien Dubuque
- 9. Cobblestone Inn & Suites - Forest City
- 10. Hotel Renovo
Top 10 History Museums in Iowa, United States
History and monuments dot this landscape almost as often as the golden farmlands. Learn about America’s 31st president at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. In northeast Iowa is the Effigy Mounds National Monument, a group of prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds. This part of Iowa is also home to the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage. The 37-county region tells the story of American agriculture, agribusiness and farm life and is affiliated with the National Park Service. In addition, there are five national wildlife refuges here. If you love history, imagine seeing the Amana Colonies, consisting of seven historic villages in 1855 by German immigrants as a religious communal society. Here you can also buy antiques, hand-woven baskets, furniture and clocks and locally made wine and beer. In Ames, take the family to see the Christian Petersen Art Museum, a newer structure that exhibits works of art by Christian Petersen and contemporary artists. You won’t want to miss the state capital of Des Moines, home to Blank Park Zoo with its naturalistic exhibits and more than 800 animals from five continents. You also should enjoy the Brenton Skating Plaza, an outdoor family entertainment venue.
Restaurants in Iowa
1. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 516 reviews
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.
Reviewed By GeekHistory - Dover, United States
This is no tourist trap, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum is a first class transportation museum with a large collection of some of the nicest antique trucks I have even seen. So if you are travelling plan for lunch at Iowa 80 World's Largest Truck Stop next door, then cruise across the parking lot to stop at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum. Browse for free, but well worth giving a donation for the visit.
2. Muscatine Art Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Once the private home of a lumber heiress, the Musser Museum features many distinctive architectural details of the Edwardian period. The adjoining Stanley Gallery hosts national, traveling art exhibitions. Funded in part by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Muscatine Art Center is one of only 802 museums nationwide accredited by the American Association of Museums. This honor signifies that the Art Center has undergone a rigorous and lengthy process involving intensive self-examination, peer review and a thorough examination by the Accreditation Commission. Accreditation by the AAM means the Muscatine Art Center is recognized for demonstrating excellence and operating in accordance with the best practices and highest standards in the field.
Reviewed By TravelingAnts - Baltimore, United States
Many do not know the deep artistic history in Iowa with roots in Muscatine, but the Art Center will bring you up to speed with a wonderful long-standing permanent collection and rotating temporary exhibits of local (and not so-local) artists, often containing pieces for sale. Go there and leave with a treasure, or two!
3. Floyd County Historical Society Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
4. Midwest Old Threshers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
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.
Reviewed By 126otish
This is a gathering of old time tractors and flea market type vendors. The variety of foods you will find are astonishing. My favorite is the Smoked Turkey Drumsticks. But you'll find almost everything you can imagine for this type of event.
5. Clay County Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
The Clay County Heritage Center opened in July 2012. The Heritage Center offers handicap accessibility, three exhibit galleries, the Rotary Research Room, the Archive Library and the Bob Keir Meeting Room.
6. Boone History Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Historical museum housed in former Masonic temple built in 1907. Galleries include Kate Shelley; Boone's First Family (Mamie & Ike Eisenhower): CSM Marilyn Gabbard Military Gallery; Becoming Boone (pre-history; Native American; immigrant experience; early Boone businesses); and a gallery with rotating & traveling exhibits. Gift shop features local/area items. Climate-controlled & mobility-impaired accessible.
7. Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
8. Old Capitol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
This was the seat of government when Iowa City was the state capital.
Reviewed By 773dkc - Rock Island, United States
Beautiful old building that was the State's capitol building back in the day that Iowa City was Iowa's state capitol. Entire building is the museum... every room is as it was back then, old old books in old old bookcases, desks with inkwells and feather quills, gavels, wood stoves for heating each room, really really nice to walk from room to room and see how it was. A tiny little elevator makes the building wheelchair accessible but limited street parking means parking a block away in the parking garage (1st hour free, $1 per hour). Good news is price is right (FREE) plus it's right next door to the Museum of Natural History as well as lots of little shops and restaurants across the street add up to a day of fun!
9. Salisbury House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
The King's House in Salisbury, England, was the inspiration for this Tudor mansion.
Reviewed By Rbb599 - Camp Verde, United States
I was so excited to go back as an adult. I went on a field trip there as a kid and loved it. I do love houses with a history. This one is interesting from the different periods of architecture to the story behind the vision. Once you enter and pay ($10 you can roam where you wish. I think for an hour and 15 min. Don’t miss the informational video playing in what was the kitchen. The the grounds must beautiful in the summer, I went in March. You can also roam outside too. Groups are limited in sizes and there were about 4 or so time slots each day open. I called and reserved my spot.
10. Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 450 reviews
This library-museum commemorates the 31st President of the U.S. and the first born west of the Mississippi River. Exhibits track Hoovers life and political career. The large temporary gallery has changing exhibits that relate to American history. The Museum sits on the grounds of the Hoover National historic site where visitors can tour Hoover's birthplace cottage, blacksmith shop, Quaker meeting house, the local school and the Hoover's gravesite.
Reviewed By RoadDee - Iowa City, United States
I’ve lived in Gettysburg. I’ve visited Hyde Park. Knowledge is predicated neither by acres nor fame. Herbert Hoover’s historical identify is usually synonymous with The Great Depression. This very well done museum, located steps from his boyhood home and burial site, counters the myth and humanizes the man. Unpretentious, yet with great efficiency similar to the life he lived, the National Park Service and the Herbert Hoover Foundation are marvelous caretakers of a superb learning experience befitting our 31st president.
