• Home
  • Insider Secrets
  • Travel Planning Tips
  • Family Vacation Ideas
  • Contact Us
    • About
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Family Vacation Experts - Best Kid Friendly Travel

Your one-stop shop for family vacations: Reviews. Trips. Savings. By parents, for parents.

  • Family Beaches
  • Family Travel Tips
  • Family Vacation Destinations
  • Theme Parks and Attractions
  • Travel Deals

Amana Colonies Family Vacation Destinations Iowa Kid Friendly Green Travel Low Cost Kid Friendly Activities Road Trips Theme Parks and Attractions Water Parks

Kid Friendly Amana Colonies, IA

 

photo: Jody Halsted

photo: Jody Halsted

 

Iowa doesn’t come to the top of very many “must see” travel lists.Perhaps it should.As recently as the early 1800’s Iowa was about as far west as you could go and still be in “civilized” territory. California and the southwest weren’t made US Territories until 1848 and the famous Pony Express didn’t begin until 1860.

 

So, in 1855, when the Inspirationists were looking for a place to expand their religious community central Iowa was their landing spot.They established 6 villages, each a mile or two apart in a circular fashion; easily reachable by wagon or walking.The 7th village of Homestead was later added to give the Amana Colonies railroad access.(Their very interesting history can be read here.)

The Amana Colonies went on to become one of the largest and longest lived religious communal societies in America, setting aside the communal way of life in 1932.The Amana Society, Inc. was developed and the name Amana soon became synonymous with high quality goods (think appliances, woolens and furniture).In 1956 the Amana Colonies became a National Historic Landmark with historic sites maintained and accessible to tourists.

There is never a bad time to visit “the Amanas” (Amana, East Amana, West Amana, South Amana, High Amana and Middle Amana), festivals and events run year round, highlighted by the four largest:

With their German heritage, Oktoberfest is highly popular- you can celebrate with a lager from Millstream Brewing Company, a local microbrewer and some lively polka.

The deep winter chill of January brings Winterfest with “old time” experiences like ice harvesting, stories of “Old Amana” and a communal dinner as well as fun like ice sculpting and cookie decorating.

Spring brings Maifest and the Amana Colonies really “throw open their doors”.Cook-outs, organized hikes, craft demonstrations, a parade… and samples of food and wine.

And, my favorite of all the festivals, Prelude to Christmas.The streets and shops are decorated and waiting for you to find treasured gifts.A Tannenbaum Forest fills the 100 year-old Festhalle Barn and Santa is there to great those young and young-at-heart.

Shopping abounds in the Amana Colonies.Many local artisans sell their wonderful items in the stores that line the main streets.Six local wineries tempt you with their wonderful, fruity blends.Handmade chocolates beckon you from one side of the street while fresh baked treats taunt you from the other.And wonderful, fresh meats and cheeses from the heart of the heartland.(If you prefer a more “urban” shopping experience Tanger Outlet is just minutes down the interstate and boast shops like Coach, Brooks Brothers and Eddie Bauer, to name just a few.)

photo: Jody Halted

photo: Jody Halted

 

Make the Amana Colonies a long weekend trip by staying at one of the many Bed and Breakfasts.If you’re a golfer the Colony Oaks on the top rated Amana Colonies Golf Course offers condos.Bicyclists will also appreciate this location as it links easily to the trail that connects the Colonies.If you’re traveling with a younger crowd (13 and under) I would suggest staying at the Amana Colonies Holiday Inn as it is attached to Wasserbahn Water Park.In fact, water park passes are included in many room rates.  Check here for the best rates.

 

The Amana Colonies lie just north of interstate 80; minutes west of Iowa City andabout 2 hours east ofDes Moines.For more in depth reviews on places to eat and shop please visit Family Rambling and search “Amana Colonies”.

Jody is a native of Iowa and loves to travel with her kids.  Read more travel tips on her website HaveKidWillTravel.com.  “In America there are two classes of travel: First Class and With Children” (Robert Benchley)  We’re the latter…

Eating in the Amana Colonies is a joy- especially if you like German food.Family style restaurantsabound, all serving roughly the same menu.My favorite of these is the Colony Inn, the first restaurant in the Amana Colonies.If kraut and wursts aren’t quite your thing you can find a sub shop, a pizza place and a Maid Rite.(Williamsburg, just down the interstate, has other options, as well.)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print


Leave a Comment

SUBSCRIBE

Like this post? Don't miss the next one, have it delivered right to your inbox!

« Family Cruising on the Cheap
Kid Friendly Key West »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to Best Kid Friendly Travel!

Stephany is the head honcho here at BestKidFriendlyTravel.com who has not let motherhood dampen her lust for travel. She created BestKidFriendlyTravel.com as a way to share with, and learn from, other parents the unique twists that children bring to travel. Together, we'll give our children the world!

Kid Friendly Hotels & Resorts

Family Vacation in the Florida Keys

Kid Friendly Hotel, Wave Street Inn is just 4 blocks from Monterey Bay Aquarium

Kid Friendly Hotel Spotlight: Wave Street Inn in Monterey, CA

8 Family Fun Things to do Around Laguna Beach CA

We Were Featured Here

USA Today Travel cookie mag cover
family getaway
Tripbase Blog Awards 2009
Tripbase Blog Awards 2009

Stay Updated

Get all the best travel deals straight to your inbox!

Popular Categories

  • Family Beaches
  • Family Travel Tips
  • Family Vacation Destinations
  • Theme Parks and Attractions
  • Travel Deals

Kid Friendly Restaurants

3 Kid-friendly restaurants on Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California

3 Kid-Friendly Restaurants on Pier 39

photo credit: Lucy Anderson

Making Sense -and Cents- of the Disney Dining Plan

How to improve family communication - visit Trinity Pines in East Texas

Affordable Family Vacations in East Texas

Musical Instrument Museum and Organ Stop Pizza in Phoenix AZ

Instagram

Instagram has returned empty data. Please authorize your Instagram account in the plugin settings .

Get all the latest travel deals straight to your inbox

You might also enjoy these Posts

Experience Spring Break Fun in the Sun at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

Theme park gear Photo copyright Stephany Wiestling. All rights reserved.

Theme Parks in the Summer Heat: How to do it Safely

Anaheim Marriott Disneyland

Make Their Disneyland Dreams Come True in Anaheim!

Outside Central Park Zoo for a Kids Movie Tour of NYC. Photo by Steph Wiestling of BestKidFriendlyTravel.com

Top 5 Family Activities in NYC for Movie Lovers

T-Rex Orlando - photo copyright Stephany Wiestling - all rights reserved

Top 5 Family Activities in Orlando

Copyright © 2023 · bestkidfriendlytravel.com

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.