Area Attractions

    Staying at Bàbi'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  Bàbi'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/)