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Photograph courtesy Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau

Despite the similarity in their names and origins, there's no connection between the Amish people and the Amana colonists. The Amish are an outgrowth of the Radical Reformation in 16th century Europe, and attempt to maintain their separation from modern society and its temptations by preserving pre-industrial rural culture. To escape persecution, they emigrated to the U.S. starting in the 1720s, and have since spread from Pennsylvania to New York, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Ohio. More info

Seeking religious freedom, the Amana Colonists, left Germany in 1842, settling near Buffalo, NY. In 1855, the "Community of True Inspiration" moved to Iowa, creating a communal society that lasted nearly 90 years. Although religiously devout, the Inspirationists did not avoid the use of new technologies; Amana refrigerators and microwave ovens later made them industry innovators. More info

Political, economic, and religious unrest in 19th century Europe and America gave birth to several other Utopian colonies, including the Shakers, the Transcendentalists, the Harmonists, the Perfectionists, and others. Although most of these utopias were short-lived, it's still fascinating to visit the historic communities, and to learn more about their philosophies and religious beliefs. More info

Iowa Heartland Holiday
Gardens of Dubuque Photo by Sandy Soule
When to Go
Northeastern Iowa has beautiful fall foliage, especially along the Mississippi River, while the winter months are best for eagle watching and cross-country skiing; springtime is equally lovely. Because Iowa is an undiscovered destination for tourism, food and lodging costs are low, and crowds are rare, except for football weekends and major fairs.
Northeast Iowa Itinerary
Dubuque: Right on the Mississippi, undiscovered Dubuque is a wonderful city for walking, with beautiful Victorian mansions lining the dramatic bluffs. Take the Fenelon Place elevator, "the world's shortest, steepest scenic railway," then stroll the heights area to admire the beautifully restored mansions. Down by the river, try your luck in the casino, take a river cruise, and visit the Mississippi River Museum. The Museum is well worth a visit now, and will be even better in 2003, when the aquarium, riverwalk and other features are completed. Enhance your Dubuque visit with the weekend Victorian House Tour & Progressive Dinner, including your meal, a theatrical performance, and tours of four mansions. More Dubuque info Great River Road: Follow the Great River Road north, watching for the small round green GRR signs. Don't blink or you'll miss Balltown, about 16 miles north of Dubuque, home to Breitbach's (319-552-2220), Iowa's oldest restaurant, serving good, affordable meals in antique-filled rooms; there's a great view just north of town. For shopping and strolling, the riverside towns of Guttenberg and McGregor are good choices. About 65 miles north of Dubuque is the McGregor/Marquette/Prairie du Chien area, a hilly, wooded region bordering the Mississippi River. Visit Pikes Peak State Park and Effigy Mounds National Monument for great hiking and bird-watching. Effigy Mounds also offers a fascinating look at the animal-shaped mounds constructed centuries ago by Native Americans. Cedar Rock: From McGregor, it's 72 miles to Quasqueton, home to Cedar Rock. Designed as a private home by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, it sits on a limestone bluff with river and valley views. Completed in 1950, it is maintained to its original standards, and is open for free tours, May-October. Amana Colonies:From Quasqueton, head 50 miles south to the Amana Colonies, a cluster of four villages dating back to the 1850s. Now best known for its locally made food, furnishings, and crafts, it also offers such annual festivals as the Oktoberfest, the November Fibre & Clay show, and the Tannenbaum Forest (weekends late Nov.-mid-Dec.). Maquoketa: Heading northeast, drive 85 miles to Maquoketa, home to the Banowetz Antiques Mall for the best antiquing in Eastern Iowa. Complete the loop with a 30-mile drive back to Dubuque, or detour to Dyersville's Plaza Antique Mall, adjacent to the National Farm Toy Museum. Consult a map for detailed driving directions. You can make good time on Iowa's well-maintained state and county roads, and you'll see a lot more than you can on the Interstate.
Des Moines
Des Moines is a great place to live, but there are good reasons to visit as well. Whether the state, insurance, publishing, or manufacturing business brings you to the area, or you are just zipping through on I-80, let Des Moines surprise you, starting with a tour of the dramatic gold-domed State Capitol, and moving on to a wide variety of arts, sports, and entertainment. Local eateries prepare sophisticated cuisine, elegantly served at reasonable cost; we ate extremely well at Bistro Montage; Mosiax(515-226-3450) serves equally good food with a Mediterranean accent. More info
B&Bs and Inns
Butler House on Grand, Des Moines
Amana Colonies: Built in 1870 as a Sunday School, Rose's Place B&B (scroll down) enjoys a peaceful residential setting, with spacious, immaculate, and comfortable guest rooms; the reasonable rates include a hearty full breakfast. Des Moines: Decorated as a designer showhouse for the Des Moines Symphony, the Butler House on Grand complements its 1923 Tudor architecture with décor that is an exceptional balance of elegance and comfort, enhanced by the knowledgeable and welcoming hospitality of innkeepers Lauren & Clark Smith. More area B&Bs Dubuque: High on the bluff is the Hancock House, a charming Queen Anne mansion with exceptional views of the city and river below; the neighborhood is filled with lovely homes and is perfect for strolling. Extraordinary Edwardian-era craftsmanship highlights the Mandolin Inn, including stained glass windows, hand-painted murals, and beautiful woodwork. After 20 years of corporate travel, innkeeper Amy Boynton makes sure that the 1908 ambience is complemented by modern comforts. An imposing Victorian mansion, The Redstone Inn is located in the heart of historic downtown, and combines historic atmosphere with small hotel conveniences. An 1883 Stick-style Eastlake mansion, the Richards House has been impeccably restored by Michelle & Dave Stuart, and is a "don't miss" for any lover of Victorian design. Just a short drive from downtown Dubuque is the 1908 Craftsman-style Four Mounds Inn, complete with many of the original Craftsman furnishings. Guests are welcome to hike the grounds, or sit back and enjoy the panoramic Mississippi River views. Eight miles from town in a wooded setting is Another World Paradise Valley Inn, offering rooms with heart-shaped whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, and lots of extras. More area B&Bs Guttenberg: A restored German-style limestone warehouse built in the 1850s, The Landing offers fantastic river views from many of its simply furnished guest rooms and balconies. The Old Brewery B&B combines the work of its resident artist-innkeepers with cozy accommodations in a friendly atmosphere. Maquoketa: A brick Queen-Anne-style mansion, Squiers Manor B&B is owned by Virl and Kathy Banowetz, antiques dealers who've decorated their inn with first-rate antiques throughout, enhanced with good food and welcoming hospitality. More Iowa B&Bs