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Amana Colonies, Amana, IA

Photo: Kepper66 at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffFoodie FavoriteFree

Amana Colonies

622 46th Ave · Amana, IA

Why you should go…

The Amana Colonies are seven villages in Iowa County: Amana, East Amana, High Amana, Middle Amana, South Amana, West Amana and Homestead, founded from 1855 by German Pietists of the True Inspiration Congregations. The whole district is a National Historic Landmark. The woolen mill, begun in 1859, still operates, and you can visit the Museum of Amana History in a former communal kitchen building. Today the villages draw visitors for heritage, restaurants and craft shops.

  • #historic villages
  • #german heritage
  • #craft shops
  • #national historic landmark

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Amana Colonies, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

    Under $25

    See galleries on Czech and Slovak history and immigrant life, a large collection of folk dress, and a Prague-style astronomical clock.

    16 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

    Free

    Tour Herbert Hoover's two-room birthplace cottage, a blacksmith shop, a Quaker meetinghouse and the Hoover gravesite.

    29 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Iowa 80 Truckstop

    Free

    Browse a huge trucker's store, eat at several restaurants and see antique rigs at the free trucking museum off I-80.

    58 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions