Best free admission museums in Iowa

We’re building a list of the best free museums in the state of Iowa – so add your recommendations to the comments section or email us at iowaroadtrip99@gmail.com

————————————————————-

Central Iowa Museums with free admission

State Historical Museum of Iowa, Des Moines

What: Exhibits relating to the history of Iowa including: Civil War exhibit, RAGBRAI history, and Iowans in Hollywood.
Where: 600 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50319
Website: https://history.iowa.gov/visit/state-historical-museum-iowa

Iowa Gold Star Museum, Johnston

What: The premier veteran’s museum in the state of Iowa, it covers from the Mexican War of 1846 to current.
Where: 7105 NW 70th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131
Website: https://goldstarmuseum.iowa.gov/

Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines

What: A modern and contemporary art museum featuring some permanent collections along with rotating exhibitions. Features well known artists including: Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keefe and Henri Matisse.
Where: 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Website: https://desmoinesartcenter.org/

Matt Edel Blacksmith Shop, Haverhill

What: NOTE – Matt Edel Blacksmith Shop is only open during the summer months. It was originally owned by Matthew Edel who ran the shop from 1883 to 1940 and it contains one of the most complete and authentic blacksmith shops.
Where: 214 1st St. Haverhill, IA 50120
Website: https://history.iowa.gov/visit/historic-sites/matthew-edel-blacksmith-shop

——————————————————————————–

Western Iowa Museums with free admission

Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Council Bluffs

What: An old Carnegie Library that has been converted to a free multi level museum dedicated to railroad history from the Union Pacific. There are several permanent exhibits including railroad history and Abraham Lincoln, as well as a rotation of traveling exhibits related to railways.
Where: 200 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Website: https://www.uprrmuseum.org/uprrm/

Western Trails Museum, Council Bluffs

What: It’s dedicated to the great western migration trails including the California, Oregon, and the Mormon Pioneer Trails.
Where: 3434 Richard Downing Ave. Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
Website: https://savingplaces.org/distinctive-destinations/western-historic-trails-center

Sioux City Public Museum, Sioux City

What: A free museum dedicated to the history and culture of Sioux City, including Native American artifacts, historic transportation vehicles, and great exhibit on rocks, minerals, and fossils called The Big Dig!
Where: 3434 Richard Downing Ave. Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
Website: https://www.siouxcitymuseum.org/

Sioux City Railroad Museum, Sioux City

What: They have multiple buildings dedicate to railroad history. An old roundhouse features 2 steam engines along with an exhibit about the railroad and the Holocaust. A separate building houses an immense model train exhibit.
Where: 3400 Sioux River Rd, Sioux City, IA 51109
Website: https://www.siouxcityrailroadmuseum.org/

MidAmerica Aviation & Transportation Museum, Sioux City

What: Features a collection of planes, cars, and other forms of transportation. Includes an exhibit on Medal of Honor recipient Bud Day and Flight 232.
Where: 2600 Expedition Ct, Sioux City, IA 51102
Website: https://www.midamericaairmuseum.org/

Sgt. Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center, Sioux City

What: It’s a dry docked tow boat along the banks of the Missouri River. There’s three floors open to the public including river history, Lewis & Clark history, and the pilots room on the 3rd floor where you can see what its like to pilot a tow boat.
Where: 1000 Larsen Park Road Sioux City, IA 51103
Website: https://www.siouxcitymuseum.org/sergeant-floyd-river-museum

Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City

What: Both permanent and rotating galleries – along with a unique hands on gallery for young kids!
Where:225 Nebraska St, Sioux City, IA 51101
Website: https://siouxcityartcenter.org/

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux City

What: Interactive & animated exhibits exploring the Siouxland portion of the famous Lewis & Clark expedition.
Where: 900 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103
Website: https://www.nps.gov/places/sioux-city-lewis-clark-interpretive-center.htm

Sanford Museum & Planetarium, Cherokee

What: Sandford has a variety of science, history, and art collections – and regular planetarium programs, all at no cost.
Where: 117 E Willow St, Cherokee, IA, United States, Iowa
Website: https://sanfordmuseum.org/

—————————————————————————-

Eastern Iowa Museums with free admission

John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, Waterloo

What: A collection of machines, artifacts, and exhibits housed at the location of the very first John Deere tractor factory.
Where: 500 Westfield Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701
Website: https://www.deere.com/en/connect-with-john-deere/visit-john-deere/tractor-and-engine-museum/

Old Capitol Museum, Iowa City

What: It served as the very first capitol for the State of Iowa and now serves as a museum that recreates the early government of the state.
Where: 21 N Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52242
Website: https://oldcap.uiowa.edu/

U of Iowa Natural History Museum, Iowa City

What: The second oldest museum west of the Mississippi River that contains exhibits on animals and geology related to the state of Iowa. Home of the popular sloth named Randy!
Where: 11 Macbride Hall Iowa City, Iowa 52242
Website: https://mnh.uiowa.edu/

Stanley Museum of Art , Iowa City

What: A spacious collection of art including modern, contemporary, ceramics, and a number of African, Asian, Oceanic, and Indigenous art collections.
Where: 160 W Burlington St, Iowa City, IA 52242
Website: https://stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu/

University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame Museum, Iowa City

What: The ultimate museum for Hawkeye fans! Three floors of exhibits dedicated to Hawkeye athletics.
Where: 2425 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
Website:

I-80 Trucking Museum, Walcott

What: Antique trucks, memorabilia and signs galore!
Where: 505 Sterling Dr, Walcott, IA 52773
Website: https://iowa80truckingmuseum.com/

Antique Airfield Museum, Ottumwa

What: Museum has a large collection of aircraft.
Where: 22001 Bluegrass Rd. Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
Website: https://antiqueairfield.com/museum/

MacNider Art Museum, Mason City

What: Free art museum that features a collection of American Art along with several rotating galleries. The museum is best known for its collection of Bil Baird puppets (remember the puppet scene with Julia Andrews on the Sound of Music?)
Where: 303 2nd Street SE, Mason City, Iowa.
Website: https://macniderart.org/

Carnegie Museum, Fairfield

What: One of Iowa’s five oldest museums that is housed in the first Carnegie Library built west of the Mississippi River.
Where: 112 S Court St, Fairfield, IA 52556
Website: https://jeffersoncountyheritage.org/carnegie-museum/

Carrie Chapman Catt Girlhood Home, Charles City

What: NOTE – only open Late May to Labor Day. Girlhood home of political strategist and suffragist, and peace activist Carrie Chapman Catt.
Where: 2379 Timber Ave, Charles City, IA 50616
Website: https://www.catt.org/