Where can you find a museum dedicated to hobos or antique farm toys? The answer is…only in Iowa. We Iowans are lucky to have some very cool, very unique museums right at the tips of our fingers. With so much to explore it can be hard to figure out where to start. Luckily for you, we have a list for that. Here are 10 of the most unique and hidden museums in Iowa that you have to visit at least once.

1. National Hobo Museum
51 Main Ave S, Britt, IA 50423, USA
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
The Hobo Museum can be found in the town of Britt, which is the home of the National Hobo Convention. This is the only museum that dedicates itself to the hobo way of life. It's one of the most interesting hidden gems in Iowa.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.
2. Sgt. Floyd Riverboat Museum in Sioux City
1000 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103, USA
Ali Eminov/Flickr
The Sgt. Floyd Riverboat Museum in Sioux City is an old army inspection boat turned museum that sits on the riverfront. It is named for Sergeant Charles Floyd, the only man to have died on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Visit the webpage to learn more.
3. John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset
205 S John Wayne Dr, Winterset, IA 50273, USA
John Jacobsen/Flickr
The Duke's birthplace is now a museum in Winterset, where over a million visitors have gone to take a look into the early life of John Wayne. This makes for one of the most unique day trips in Iowa.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.
4. Bily Clocks Museum in Spillville
Spillville Tourism, 323 S Main St, Spillville, IA 52168, USA
florador/Flickr
The Bily Clocks Museum in Spillville showcases the elaborate, beautifully hand-carved clocks, created by the Bily brothers. If you're looking for little-known museums to visit in Iowa, you should add this one to your list.

Visit the website to learn more.
5. Herbert Hoover Museum
110 Parkside Dr, West Branch, IA 52358, USA
Doug Kerr/Flickr
The Herbert Hoover Museum/Natural Historic Site in West Branch consists of the two room cottage where Hoover was born in 1874, as well as the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and grave sites of the former president and his wife.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.

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6. Squirrel Cage Jail Museum
226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
Martin Konopacki/Flickr
The Squirrel Cage Jail Museum in Council Bluffs is an old jail turned museum, where visitors can see the only 'squirrel cage jail' on this side of the Mississippi. This is one of the strangest hidden gems in Iowa.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.
7. Laura Ingalls Park & Museum
3603 236th Ave, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
The Laura Ingalls Park & Museum in Burr Oak lets visitors walk through the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder and experience her childhood. The museum is popular for its extensive doll collection.

Visit the website to learn more.
8. Froelich Tractor & 1890s Village Museum
24397 Froelich Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Todd Ehlers/Flickr
The Gasoline Tractor/Town Museum in Froelich is a great place to visit for those interested in inventions. John Froelich, the town's namesake, created the gas tractor, air conditioner, dish washer, washing machine, and more. A visit here could be one of the most unique day trips in Iowa you could take.

Visit the website to learn more.
9. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque
350 E 3rd St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
SD Dirk/Flickr
The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque is an affiliate to the Smithsonian and is an awesome place to check out. They have many fascinating exhibits on animals, people, and history.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.
10. Vesterheim The National Norwegian-American Museum & Folk Art School
520 W Water St, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
rochelle hartman/Flickr
Among all the little-known museums inIowa, the Vesterheim The National Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah is an absolutely amazing, premiere museum for anything Norwegian-American. In the past, it's been named one of the "15 Best Small Town Museums in the U.S."

Visit the website to learn more.

What are some other unique or quirky hidden museums in Iowa that you know about? We’d love to hear about your favorites!

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Hidden Museums In Iowa

Melissa M. | September 07, 2021

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