Quirky Museums Across Iowa: A Road Trip Like No Other
Iowa is full of surprises, and some of the best stops aren’t your typical tourist attractions—they’re the quirky, unexpected museums that make the Hawkeye State unforgettable. From miniature masterpieces to oddball collections, these 10 museums offer history, art, and fun in ways you won’t find anywhere else. Buckle up and hit the road—your next Iowa adventure is waiting!
1. Matchstick Marvels Museum – Gladbrook, Iowa
📍 319 2nd St, Gladbrook, IA 50635
🌐 Website: https://www.matchstickmarvels.com
A roadside gem in tiny Gladbrook, the Matchstick Marvels Museum displays stunning works of art made entirely from ordinary wooden matchsticks. Artist Patrick Acton has spent decades gluing millions of sticks into extraordinary large‑scale models — from the U.S. Capitol to the Millennium Falcon — with pieces sometimes taking years of meticulous work to complete. These intricate creations have been featured on PBS, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and national magazines. Inside, you’ll find about two dozen matchstick masterpieces alongside Acton’s plans, tools, and videos showing how his tiny medium becomes colossal art.
2. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum – Walcott, Iowa
📍 50 Sterling Drive, Walcott, IA 52773
🌐 Website: https://iowa80truckingmuseum.com/
Nestled beside the world’s largest truck stop, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum celebrates America’s trucking heritage with more than 100 historic trucks and hundreds of pieces of trucking memorabilia. The collection spans early 1900s rigs to 20th‑century classics, including antique gas pumps, vintage signage, and restored vehicles that tell the story of the industry’s evolution. Founded from the passion of Bill Moon, the Iowa 80 truck stop’s creator, the museum preserves the culture and mechanics of the open road and is free to visit.
3. National Pearl Button Museum – Muscatine, Iowa
📍 117 W Second St, Muscatine, IA 52761
🌐 Website: https://muscatinehistory.org/
Muscatine was once the “Pearl Button Capital of the World,” producing more than 1.5 billion mother‑of‑pearl buttons each year during its industrial heyday. The National Pearl Button Museum showcases this fascinating — and often overlooked — chapter of Iowa history with exhibits on how buttons were made, who made them, and how this tiny object helped shape a community’s economy. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged, and guided tours offer rich insights into the techniques, tools, and stories behind this unique industry.
4. Traer Salt and Pepper Shaker Gallery – Traer, Iowa
📍 411 Main St, Traer, IA 50675
🌐 Website: https://www.traersaltpeppershakergallery.com/
Don’t underestimate the humble salt and pepper shaker — at least not at this gallery in Traer. Home to one of the largest collections of salt and pepper shakers in the world, this quirky stop features thousands of sets collected from around the globe. You’ll find everything from novelty and themed shakers to rare, artistic pieces. It’s a delight for collectors and curious travelers alike, offering a slice of small‑town charm and endless conversation starters.
5. National Hobo Museum – Britt, Iowa
📍 51 Main Ave S, Britt, IA 50423
🌐 Website: https://www.britthobodays.com/hobo-museum
The National Hobo Museum tells the intriguing story of hobos — itinerant workers and travelers who rode America’s rails during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inside, interpretive exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and personal narratives bring this little‑known subculture to life. Displays explore hobo symbols used to communicate across towns, railcar artifacts, and the realities of life on the move. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about this iconic piece of Americana, the museum offers an insightful and engaging experience.
6. Squirrel Cage Jail Museum – Council Bluffs, Iowa
📍 226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
🌐 Website: https://www.thehistoricalsociety.org/museums/squirrel-cage-jail-1.html
Built in 1885, this rare “rotary jail” is one of the only remaining rotary jails in the world. Its circular design allowed only one cell to align with the door at a time, a remarkable and unusual piece of 19th‑century engineering. Today, the Squirrel Cage Jail Museum invites visitors to explore its rotating cell blocks and learn about its history, the inmates it once housed, and how the ingenious mechanism worked. Guided tours bring the stories to life and make this a memorable stop for history lovers and oddity seekers alike.
7. Bily Clocks Museum – Spillville, Iowa
📍 323 S Main, Spillville, IA 52168
🌐 Website: https://www.bilyclocks.org/
The Bily Clocks Museum preserves a truly unique form of Midwestern folk art: intricately hand‑carved wooden clocks created by two Czech immigrant brothers in the early 20th century. Each clock is a marvel of craftsmanship, featuring moving figures and elaborate scenes inspired by everything from local history to fairy tales. Visitors are often enthralled by the clocks’ detail and charm, making this museum a standout stop for lovers of craftsmanship and quirky local history.
8. Mississippi River Spoon Gallery – LeClaire, Iowa
📍 901 East River Drive, Davenport, Iowa
🌐 Website: https://mississippispoongallery.com/
The world’s largest collection of spoons resides in Davenport, Iowa! The Mississippi River Spoon Gallery showcases commemorative, artistic, and historic spoons from around the world. What started as a collection of 127 spoons from her great-grandmother, Cammie Pohl, now has over 10,000 spoons. It’s a tiny yet memorable stop that’s perfect for taking photos and engaging in conversation.
9. Living Heritage Tree Museum – Storm Lake, Iowa
📍 315 W Lakeshore Dr, Storm Lake, IA 50588
🌐 Website: https://www.stormlake.org/301/Heritage-Tree-Museum
The Living Heritage Tree Museum is a peaceful outdoor museum where each tree has a story — many are descendants of historically significant trees from around the state and nation. Visitors can stroll among labeled trees, learning about their origins, connections to historic figures or events, and ecological importance. It’s a wonderful stop for nature lovers, history fans, and anyone who enjoys a quiet, reflective break on their road trip.
10. National Farm Toy Museum – Dyersville, Iowa
📍 1110 16th Ave Court SE, Dyersville, IA 52040
🌐 Website: https://www.nationalfarmtoymuseum.com/
A must‑see for lovers of agriculture and nostalgia, this museum celebrates farm life through toys — tractors, combine models, and collectible miniatures. The collection spans decades and includes classic brands and rare pieces that delight both kids and adults. Beyond the displays, the museum highlights how these toys reflect changes in farming technology and culture, making it both fun and educational.
