A Day Trip To Iowa’s Historic Colonies Will Take You Back In Time

The Amana Colonies, one of the best day trips near me in Iowa, is a unique and quaint Midwest destination that will definitely charm you with shops, restaurants, wineries, and a wide array of fun activities. It's a great place to escape the stresses of the daily grind and ease you into an escape of a simpler time in one of Iowa's historic colonies. This magical place is comprised of seven villages in Iowa County including Amana, East Amana, High Amana, Middle Amana, South Amana, West Amana, and Homestead. They were built and settled by German Pietists seeking isolated surroundings and a communal, uncomplicated life away from modern society. Amana Colonies will captivate your imagination igniting wonder about what life might have been like way back then. Below you'll find all the information you'll need for planning your trip -- including unique things to do and the best time to visit the Amana Colonies.

Iowa's historic colony is full of charming buildings. In fact, it was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1965.

To begin your trip, the variety of choices offered can be dizzying, with craft shops, handmade furniture, homemade candy, and more to explore. It's fun to just go to one of the villages and start wandering through.

You can visit the Amana General Store in the Amana Colonies to buy gourmet foods, gifts, meats, cheeses and sauerkraut made locally. This is definitely the place to visit if you’re looking for amazing brats to throw on the grill later.

Next, check out the Amana Heritage Society, where you can visit the Communal Kitchen Museum, Community Church Museum, Agricultural Museum, Homestead Store Museum, and Amana Heritage Museum.

Have a glass of wine or a beer at the variety of wineries and breweries in the colonies, like Ackerman Winery, Fireside Winery, or Millstream Brewing Company, Iowa’s oldest brewery.

For some German-American cuisine, dine in the Amana Colonies at the Ronneburg Restaurant for a homestyle meal in a cozy and comfortable cottage, offering a perfect serving for every appetite.

Trust us when we say the pie is out of this world!

Or try the Ox Yoke Inn for chicken, sauerkraut, skillet fried potatoes and gravy, wiener schnitzel, rhubarb pie, and other classics, sure to fill your belly.

If you are looking for overnight lodging, several choices are offered including Zuber’s Homestead Hotel. Take advantage of the memorable experience staying in a century-old hotel can bring.

Wondering when the best time to visit the Amana Colonies might be? Year-round, of course, but fall is especially magical.

Guests awaken to a complimentary, hot buffet-style breakfast every morning in the Wagon Wheel Room. This hearty buffet, which changes daily, generally consists of pastries and breads, two hot dishes, fruit, and oatmeal, along with the typical beverages including coffee, tea, juice, and milk. Special dietary considerations are not a problem; just notify the staff ahead of time.

Needless to say, you'll have an unforgettable time exploring the Amana Colonies!

Looking for more? Check out the YouTube video below, which offers some more information about the Amana Colonies, including things to do and the best time to visit the Amana Colonies:

In addition to self-guided tours of Amana Colonies, another choice for visitors is the two-hour guided Village Voyage Van Tour of key historic sites in Iowa's historic colonies. Make a reservation and secure a comfortable seat on the 14-passenger van for education about the colonies' unique heritage and journey from Germany to Iowa. Learn about the communal life before 1932. Have you been to the Amanas? What was your experience like? Looking for other awesome day trips in Iowa? Try one of these absolute must-do Iowa excursions and write about it in the comments below.