Iowa Museums Attractions
African American Historical Museum & Cultural Center of Iowa
Exhibits on the history of African and African Americans in the United States, with emphasis on Iowa.
http://www.blackiowa.org
Bob Feller Museum
Dedicated to Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Member Bob Feller of Van Meter, Iowa.
http://www.bobfellermuseum.org
Brucemore
A retreat from the routine, the park-like estate invites exploration of its stunning gardens and grounds, fascinating history and magnificent 21-room mansion.
http://www.brucemore.org
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Features landscape art, ancient Roman artifacts and sculptures.
http://www.crma.org
Danish Immigrant Museum
Dedicated to preserving the culture and history of the Danish people who immigrated to America. Extensive collections of artifacts, as well as special temporary and traveling exhibits, are on display in a striking, modern, half-timbered building situated on a 30-acre site in the rolling hills of western Velkommen, Iowa.
http://www.dkmuseum.org
Des Moines Art Center
The Art Center presents thought-provoking exhibitions and educational programs, as well as hands-on studio art classes.
http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org
Family Museum
Highlights opportunities for children, young people and families to explore arts and science through learning activities, participatory exhibits and skill-building education. Includes hours, admission, a class catalog, events and directions. Located in Bettendorf.
http://www.familymuseum.org
Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
Honors the U.S. Army's first officer candidate class for African American men in 1917 and the establishment of the first Women's Army Auxillary Corps in 1942.
http://www.fortdesmoines.org
Fort Dodge Museum
Provides a look at the present and past history of the North West Iowa development. Stop by and escape into the world of yesteryear as it changed to the new era.
http://www.fortmuseum.com
International Wrestling Institute & Museum
Today the museum boasts over 600 displays as it takes visitors through the history of wrestling, from ancient Greece through the present day Olympics. Among other things, It features a large artist's rendering of Jacob wrestling the Angel of the Lord and section on Abraham Lincoln as a wrestler during his early years in Illinois.
http://www.wrestlingmuseum.org
Iowa Aviation Museum
Celebrates Iowa's
remarkable aviation heritage, from the state's
first recorded flight in 1910 to its native sons and
daughters exploring the universe. Features eleven civil aircraft, early flying machines, and the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame.
http://www.flyingmuseum.com
Iowa Children's Museum
Aims to provide an informal learning environment that promotes active learning through play to children, their families, educators and caregivers based on the educational theory of how kids learn. Houses five interactive galleries filled with hands-on, minds-on exhibits and activities for children.
http://www.theicm.org
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum
A nationally recognized landmark, it's the only childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder remaining on its original site. Her Little House on the Prairie books have thrilled children and adults alike with tales of pioneer life since 1932.
http://www.lauraingallswilder.us
Living History Farms
Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa, tells the amazing story of how Iowans transformed the fertile prairies of the Midwest into the most productive farmland in the world. While at the 550-acre open-air museum, visitors travel at their own pace through five historical time periods spanning 300 years. On-site interpreters provide a unique learning environment of seasonal activities and demonstrations. A complete visit lasts three to four hours.
http://www.lhf.org
MacNider Art Museum
The Museum exhibits and interprets a permanent collection of American art and temporary exhibitions. Provides art classes for all ages, offers enriching arts programs and maintains an art library.
http://www.macniderart.org
Music Man Square
Mason City's rich musical heritage inspired Meredith Willson to use his hometown as the setting for one of America's favorite musicals, The Music Man.
http://www.themusicmansquare.org
National Balloon Museum
Dedicated to providing the public with a comprehensive understanding of ballooning and its history through exhibitions and collections. The museum archives more than 200 years of ballooning.
http://www.nationalballoonmuseum.com
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
The United States’ foremost institution interpreting Czech and Slovak history and culture.
http://www.ncsml.org
National Farm Toy Museum
Features over 30,000 toys and exhibits between its two floors. Tractors, implements, trucks, miniature farm dioramas, toy manufacturing information and pedal tractors are on display around the museum.
http://www.nationalfarmtoymuseum.com
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Celebrate America's most important waterway at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa.
http://www.mississippirivermuseum.com
National Motorcycle Museum
An extensive collection of vintage motorcycles, thousands of photographs, posters, postcards and pieces of motorcycle memorabilia, plus a fabulous collection of antique toys and other surprises await you in Iowa.
http://www.nationalmcmuseum.org
National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum
Promoting the future of sprint car racing by preserving its past history.
http://www.sprintcarhof.com
niversity of Northern Iowa Museums & Collections
Consists of two facilities, the University Museum and the Marshall Center School, which house approximately 114,000 objects. The University Museum is a natural and human history museum, while the Marshall School is a restored historic structure.
http://www.uni.edu/museum
Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre
Explore the history and environments of the Mississippi River Valley and faraway places too.
http://www.putnam.org
University Museums at Iowa State University
Tripartite organization consisting of the Brunnier Art Museum, the Farm House Museum and the Art on Campus Program.
http://www.museums.iastate.edu
University of Iowa Museum of Art
We use the arts to explore and to understand
our experience of the world.
http://www.uiowa.edu/uima
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Embodies the living heritage of Norwegian immigrants to America. Sharing this cultural legacy can inspire people of all backgrounds to celebrate tradition.
http://www.vesterheim.org