Guest Author - Beth Green

There is an abundance of free attractions for family fun in the Northwest region of Iowa.

Visit the Prairie Heritage Center in Peterson, with exhibits focusing on the prairie and natural cultural history of the area. There’s also a live bison exhibit. Hours for the Prairie Heritage Center are 9:00am-4:00pm Wednesday through Friday and 1:00-4:00pm on weekends.

See kaleidoscopes being made at the Kaleidoscope Factory in Pomeroy. Open 10:00am-5:00pm on the second Saturday of each month, or by chance.

The Calhoun County Museum in Rockwell City is a former schoolhouse with 34 rooms of vintage displays. Open May through October, 1:30-4:00pm Tuesday and weekends only.

The Lost Island Prairie Wetland Nature Center in Ruthven is open year round, 1:00-4:00pm Saturday and Sunday; 9:00am-4:00pm Wednesday through Friday in March through December; and 9:00am-12:00pm in January and February. This regional nature facility is located in a county park and has a self-guided nature trail.

The Sac City Chautauqua Building is the only existing complete Chautauqua building in the state, built in 1908. Chautauqua was an adult education movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most Chautauqua meetings were held in tents; but occasionally permanent buildings would be erected for the movement. The building is open from 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday and 8:00am-8:00pm Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Learn the history of Sac City at the Sac City Museum; open from 2:00-4:30pm weekends & holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Housed next to the Sac City Museum is probably the most unusual attraction of Northwest Iowa – The World’s Largest Popcorn Ball. This 3100 pound popcorn ball was created in 2004 by a group of 40 volunteers in just 7 days. It is 7 feet tall and 23 feet in circumference and is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Wansink Art Gallery located in Sheldon, ix open from2:00-4:00pm daily and features monthly exhibits. Art classes and community events are held in Sheldon’s first schoolhouse. There’s also a restored pioneer home on the grounds.

The McCallum Museum and Brunson Heritage House in Sibley features pioneer and Civil War displays; and a 1908 automobile purchased from the Sears catalog. The museum is open from 1:30-4:30pm Sundays and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

There are several free attractions available in Sioux City, many commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition. A 296 foot long Lewis & Clark Mural is on permanent display at the Southern Hills Mall, and depicts 38 scenes from along the Lewis & Clark trail. The Sergeant Floyd Monument is dedicated to Charles Floyd, the only casualty of the Lewis & Clark expedition. The 100 foot tall obelisk overlooks Sioux City and the Missouri River Valley and marks the burial site of Sergeant Floyd. The monument is open daily year-round. The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center is an interactive museum with murals and monuments. The Center is open from 9:00am-5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday and 12:00-5:00pm Sunday; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Easter.

The Sioux City Public Museum is housed in Peirce Mansion, which was built from native pink quartzite and features Native American and pioneer artifacts. The museum is open 9:00am-5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, and from 1:00-5:00pm on Sundays.

Trinity Heights and St. Joseph center depict the Christian center of Sioux City. Gardens and prayer stations are scattered amongst the shadows of a 30 foot statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Peace. The outdoor cathedral is home to a 33 foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A life-size woodcarving of The Last Supper is at the St. Joseph Center. The grounds are open from 9:00am-9:00pm daily.

At the Parker Historical Museum in Spencer, vintage clothing, tools and antiques are on display in this 1916 Arts & Crafts style house.

The Buena Vista County Wind Farm is open daily, year-round, in Storm Lake. Take a self-guided tour among the 360 wind turbines that generate enough electricity to power more than 110,000 homes.

Tour the 1875 cottage-style mansion known as the Harker House, located in Storm Lake. The house is open from 2:00-3:00pm Sundays from June through August.

The Living Heritage Tree Museum, also in Storm Lake, is one of the largest tree museums in the United States. This tree museum plants documented seedlings and cuttings from trees that are associated with famous people.

Other free attractions in Storm Lake include the Prairie Log House and Country School, where visitors can view the Scandinavian construction of the 1871 log cabin. Tour the 1872 schoolhouse and gardens. The Witter Gallery features art exhibits with lectures and classes.

In Titonka, be sure to take an auto tour through the Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge. View waterfowl, wetlands, and prairie from the comfort of your car. Auto tours are available in daylight hours from August 15 to the start of hunting season.

The Grand Meadow Heritage Center and Museum in Washta features exhibits of Native Americans and rural life, located in a log cabin, one-room schoolhouse and museum building. The Heritage Center and Museum is open from 1:00-5:00pm Sundays in June through October 1.

Nine grottos portraying scenes from Christ’s life, using gems and stones from all over the world are featured in The Grotto of The Redemption in West Bend. The Grotto is open daily from May to October.

These are just some of the attractions available in Northwest Iowa. With a little planning, you can create a fun, educational trip that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg!

Greetings From Iowa Poster