When the weather turns nasty in the Midwest, head inside to these free Iowa museums! Whether you’re looking for art, culture, history or more, you’ll be sure to find it in the Hawkeye State.
- Farmhouse Museum, Ames
Facebook / University of Iowa Museums Iowa State University’s Farmhouse Museum was the very first building on campus. Before it was preserved, it was used as a residence for the University Dean.Address: 601 Farm House Ln., Ames, IA 50011
- Sanford Museum and Planetarium
Facebook / Sanford Museum and Planetarium This science museum covers subjects from archaeology to astronomy, and their planetarium is one of the best in the Midwest.Address: 117 E Willow St., Cherokee, IA 51012
- Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Council Bluffs
Facebook / Union Pacific Railroad Museum Step back in time to the days of the rail, when the Union Pacific Railroad was the company that helped settle the west. This fascinating museum is one that will take you back in time.Address: 200 Pearl St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503
- Indian Artifact Museum, Keosauqua
GreefStore See an impressive collection of arrowheads and other Native American artifacts at this educational museum built from a personal collection.Address: 21964 Hawk Dr., Keosauqua, IA 52565
- Western Historic Trails Center, Council Bluffs
Google Local / Christopher Hyun Learn Iowa’s role in the establishment of pioneer trails, such as the Oregon, Mormon and California Trails. There’s even a section discussing the Lewis and Clark expedition that chartered the American West. Address: 3434 Richard Downing Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- Maytag Dairy Farms, Newton
Google Local / Dianna Von Schwendler Tour the maker of the world’s mst famous blue cheese! Learn about how cheese is made by taking a walking tour of the farm, and then sample the cheese before you leave.Address: 2282 E 8th St N, Newton, IA 50208
- American Gothic House Center, Eldon
Wikimedia Commons Grant Wood’s most famous painting was of this historic home, and today there is a center here dedicated to the Iowa painter and his life.Address: 9654, 300 American Gothic St, Eldon, IA 52554
- University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, Iowa City
Google Local / University of Iowa Museum of Natural History This University museum is one of the top Natural History museums in the Midwest. Learn about the evolution of humans, the extinction of the dinosaurs and more at this enormous historic building.Address: 17 North Clinton Street, Macbride Hall, Iowa City, IA 52240
- Des Moines Art Center
Google Local / Nick Steffenmeiser The Des Moines Art Center has to be seen to be believed. Walk through halsl and halls, passing thousands of paintings, on a journey through the history of Iowan and American art.Address: 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
If you love Iowa’s history, set aside the next nice day to explore some of our outdoor attractions, before the snow sets in. A Trip To This Little Known Ancient Ruin In Iowa Is Truly One In A Million and the perfect place to spend a fall day.
Facebook / University of Iowa Museums
Iowa State University’s Farmhouse Museum was the very first building on campus. Before it was preserved, it was used as a residence for the University Dean.Address: 601 Farm House Ln., Ames, IA 50011
Facebook / Sanford Museum and Planetarium
This science museum covers subjects from archaeology to astronomy, and their planetarium is one of the best in the Midwest.Address: 117 E Willow St., Cherokee, IA 51012
Facebook / Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Step back in time to the days of the rail, when the Union Pacific Railroad was the company that helped settle the west. This fascinating museum is one that will take you back in time.Address: 200 Pearl St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503
GreefStore
See an impressive collection of arrowheads and other Native American artifacts at this educational museum built from a personal collection.Address: 21964 Hawk Dr., Keosauqua, IA 52565
Google Local / Christopher Hyun
Learn Iowa’s role in the establishment of pioneer trails, such as the Oregon, Mormon and California Trails. There’s even a section discussing the Lewis and Clark expedition that chartered the American West. Address: 3434 Richard Downing Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Google Local / Dianna Von Schwendler
Tour the maker of the world’s mst famous blue cheese! Learn about how cheese is made by taking a walking tour of the farm, and then sample the cheese before you leave.Address: 2282 E 8th St N, Newton, IA 50208
Wikimedia Commons
Grant Wood’s most famous painting was of this historic home, and today there is a center here dedicated to the Iowa painter and his life.Address: 9654, 300 American Gothic St, Eldon, IA 52554
Google Local / University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
This University museum is one of the top Natural History museums in the Midwest. Learn about the evolution of humans, the extinction of the dinosaurs and more at this enormous historic building.Address: 17 North Clinton Street, Macbride Hall, Iowa City, IA 52240
Google Local / Nick Steffenmeiser
The Des Moines Art Center has to be seen to be believed. Walk through halsl and halls, passing thousands of paintings, on a journey through the history of Iowan and American art.Address: 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
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