Museums and Events in Iowa

Wondering what to do on these chilly winter days? A bookstore is always our favorite home away from home, but museums are a great choice, too.

If you’re here in eastern Iowa where we are, check out the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. Its current exhibit is “Behind the Beat,” on the history of African American music, and it also features a permanent exhibit on the history of the state’s African American population. Its mission is to be the leading statewide resource on African American history and preserve the history of African Americans in Iowa.

African American Museum of Iowa

Location: 55 12^th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
Hours: 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Saturday

If you’re on the western side of the state, Sioux City offers two great places to spend a few hours and learn something about Iowa history: the Sioux City Public Museum and the Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center. The Public Museum is downtown and features hands-on and interactive exhibits. Located on a dry-docked steamboat, the Sergeant Floyd offers Missouri River history.

Sioux City Public Museum

Location: 607 4^th St., Sioux City, IA

Hours: 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. Sunday

Sergeant Floyd River Museum

Location: 1000 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA

Hours: 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. daily (except major holidays)