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Highest-rated museums in Iowa
Museums are one of the most important institutions in any country. They don't just show us our past, they contextualize it—allowing visitors to better understand cultures and ourselves. Good museum displays lead to reflection, generate ideas, and create a sense of appreciation for who has come before. In many towns and cities, museums are jewels of the public, and often rank highly for tourist visits. Stacker compiled a list of the museums in Iowa on Tripadvisor.
#30. Sioux City Railroad Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (42 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, Historic Sites
- Address: 3400 Sioux River Rd, Sioux City, IA 51109
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, Historic Sites
- Address: 3400 Sioux River Rd, Sioux City, IA 51109
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (541 reviews)
- Type of activity: Visitor Centers, Speciality Museums
- Address: 505 Sterling Drive I-80 Exit 284, Walcott, IA 52773
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Visitor Centers, Speciality Museums
- Address: 505 Sterling Drive I-80 Exit 284, Walcott, IA 52773
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (77 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 100 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1767
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 100 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1767
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (99 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 503 South St, Waterloo, IA 50701-1517
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 503 South St, Waterloo, IA 50701-1517
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Salisbury House
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (154 reviews)
- Type of activity: Historic Sites, Art Museums
- Address: 4025 Tonawanda Dr, Des Moines, IA 50312-2909
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Historic Sites, Art Museums
- Address: 4025 Tonawanda Dr, Des Moines, IA 50312-2909
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#25. The Iowa Children's Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (150 reviews)
- Type of activity: Children's Museums
- Address: 1451 Coral Ridge Ave, Coralville, IA 52241-2800
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Children's Museums
- Address: 1451 Coral Ridge Ave, Coralville, IA 52241-2800
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Vesterheim
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (205 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, History Museums
- Address: 520 W Water St, Decorah, IA 52101-1734
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, History Museums
- Address: 520 W Water St, Decorah, IA 52101-1734
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Family Museum of Arts and Science
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (91 reviews)
- Type of activity: Children's Museums
- Address: 2900 Learning Campus Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722-7710
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Children's Museums
- Address: 2900 Learning Campus Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722-7710
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (124 reviews)
- Type of activity: Visitor Centers, History Museums
- Address: 1000 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103-4914
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Visitor Centers, History Museums
- Address: 1000 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103-4914
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. German American Heritage Center
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (78 reviews)
- Type of activity: History Museums
- Address: 712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802-1410
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: History Museums
- Address: 712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802-1410
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#20. Historic General Dodge House
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (94 reviews)
- Type of activity: Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks
- Address: 605 S 3rd St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-6614
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks
- Address: 605 S 3rd St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-6614
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Museum of Natural History
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (97 reviews)
- Type of activity: Natural History Museums
- Address: Macbride Hall University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Natural History Museums
- Address: Macbride Hall University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (152 reviews)
- Type of activity: Art Museums
- Address: 410 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1606
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Art Museums
- Address: 410 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1606
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (461 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, Historic Sites
- Address: 205 S. John Wayne Drive, Winterset, IA 50273-1904
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, Historic Sites
- Address: 205 S. John Wayne Drive, Winterset, IA 50273-1904
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Science Center of Iowa
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (254 reviews)
- Type of activity: Science Museums
- Address: 401 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50309-4776
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Science Museums
- Address: 401 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50309-4776
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#15. State Historical Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (188 reviews)
- Type of activity: History Museums
- Address: 600 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50319-1006
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: History Museums
- Address: 600 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50319-1006
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Sioux City Public Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (152 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 607 4th St, Sioux City, IA 51101-1634
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 607 4th St, Sioux City, IA 51101-1634
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail and Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (131 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0825
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0825
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (96 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 243 W Broadway St, Okoboji, IA 51331-7779
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 243 W Broadway St, Okoboji, IA 51331-7779
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Des Moines Art Center
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (299 reviews)
- Type of activity: Art Museums
- Address: 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312-2099
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Art Museums
- Address: 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312-2099
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#10. Okoboji Classic Cars
- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (94 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 810 Jeppeson Rd Intersection OF Hwy 86 & Jeppeson Road, Okoboji, IA 51351-1236
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 810 Jeppeson Rd Intersection OF Hwy 86 & Jeppeson Road, Okoboji, IA 51351-1236
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Old Capitol Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (158 reviews)
- Type of activity: Historic Sites, History Museums
- Address: 21 Old Capitol The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Historic Sites, History Museums
- Address: 21 Old Capitol The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (180 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 500 Westfield Avenue, Waterloo, IA 50701
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 500 Westfield Avenue, Waterloo, IA 50701
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Buffalo Bill Museum
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (315 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 199 N Front St, Le Claire, IA 52753-7713
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 199 N Front St, Le Claire, IA 52753-7713
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Union Pacific Railroad Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (296 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, History Museums
- Address: 200 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0825
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, History Museums
- Address: 200 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0825
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#5. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (272 reviews)
- Type of activity: History Museums
- Address: 900 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103-4916
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: History Museums
- Address: 900 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103-4916
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. The Putnam Museum & Science Center
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (224 reviews)
- Type of activity: Natural History Museums, Science Museums
- Address: 1717 W 12th St, Davenport, IA 52804-3547
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Natural History Museums, Science Museums
- Address: 1717 W 12th St, Davenport, IA 52804-3547
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (351 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-5918
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums
- Address: 1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-5918
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Figge Art Museum
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (311 reviews)
- Type of activity: Art Museums
- Address: 225 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801-1804
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Art Museums
- Address: 225 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801-1804
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,590 reviews)
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, Aquariums
- Address: 350 E 3rd St Port of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA 52001-2302
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Type of activity: Speciality Museums, Aquariums
- Address: 350 E 3rd St Port of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA 52001-2302
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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