Area Attractions
Staying at Bābi's Bed & Breakfast not only places guests in the heart of the Amana Colonies, but provides easy access to attractions throughout eastern and central Iowa. Information on all of the villages, museums, galleries, and shops of the Amana Colonies can be found at the official web site (www.amanacolonies.com). Below we list some of our favorite places both within the colonies and in the surrounding area. The location and approximate mileage from Bābi's are listed with each attraction.
Museums and Historic Sites
Amana Heritage Museum
(www.amanaheritage.org)
(Amana; 7 miles):
main museum in Amana plus sites in the other villages including a church
museum and store (Homestead), general store (High Amana), blacksmith
shop (West Amana), agricultural museum (South Amana), and communal kitchen
(Middle Amana)
Old Capital Museum (http://www.uiowa.edu/~oldcap/) (Iowa City; 22 miles): restored original Iowa territorial and state capitol building; located on the University of Iowa campus
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History (http://www.uiowa.edu/~nathist/) (Iowa City; 22 miles)
University of Iowa Museum of Art (http://www.uiowa.edu/uima/) (Iowa City; 22 miles)
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum (http://hoover.archives.gov/) and Herbert Hoover Historic Site (http://www.nps.gov/heho/) (West Branch; 30 miles)
Kalona (http://www.kalonaiowa.org/) (Kalona; 32 miles): Amish and Mennonite community; village museum and shops, rural Amish country stores
Czech and Slovak Museum and Library (http://www.ncsml.org/) (Cedar Rapids; 25 miles): national museum and library of Czech and Slovak history; Czech village shops
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art (http://www.crma.org/) (Cedar Rapids; 25 miles): featuring works by Grant Wood; Grant Wood studio nearby
Ushers Ferry Historic Village (http://www.cedar-rapids.org/ushers/) (Cedar Rapids; 25 miles)
National Mississippi River Museum (http://www.mississippirivermuseum.com/) (Dubuque; 95 miles)
Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/nealsmith/) (Prairie City; 80 miles): 8,000 acre native prairie under restoration; superb visitors center; buffalo and elk herds
Art Studios and Galleries
Amana Arts Guild (High Amana; 4 miles) ( www.amanaartsguild.com ): paintings, pottery, tin work, woodworking, mixed media, and needle crafts by local artisans
Catiri's Art Oasis (Amana; 7 miles) (www.catiriart.com) : eclectic collection of regional artists and artisans plus the Catiri's own stain glass creations
Michele Maring Miller Studio and Gallery (West Amana; 3 miles) (www.maringmillergallery.com): watercolors capturing the Amanas past and present; originals, prints, notecards; located in 1870s church
Wineries
Ackermann Winery (http://www.ackermanwinery.com/) (Amana; 7 miles)
Ehrle Brothers Winery (Homestead; 3 miles)
Fireside Winery (http://www.firesidewinery.com/) (rural Marengo; 6 miles)
Sandstone Winery (Amana; 7 miles)
Village Vintner (Amana; 7 miles)
Village Winery (http://www.thevillagewinery.com/ ) (Amana; 7 miles)
Wallace Winery (http://www.wallacewine.com/) (rural West Branch; 30 miles)
Restaurants
Ox Yoke Inn (Amana; 7 miles) (www.oxyokeinn.com): German-American cuisine since 1940
Colony Inn (Amana; 7 miles): German-American traditional offerings since 1935
Ronneburg Restaurant (Amana; 7 miles) (www.theronneburg.com): German-American specialties
P.H.A.T. Daddy's (Marengo; 8 miles) (www.phat-daddys.com/): fine dining in small town atmosphere
Cafe Dodici (Washington; 50 miles) (www.cafedodici.com): international cuisine
Tuscan Moon (Kalona; 32 miles) ( www.tuscan-moon.com) : upscale bistro; fine wines
Mondo's (Coralville; 18 miles) (www.mondos.net/)
Iowa River Power (Coralville; 19 miles) (www.powercompanyrestaurant.com/)