A while back I wrote about three small Midwest museums. I asked our readers to add to my list and you certainly did not disappoint. Here is the second installment of small Midwest museums, as recommended by RVtravel.com readers.
Museum of American Speed
599 Oakcreek Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska
In 2021, USA Today named the Museum of American Speed as their Readers’ Choice Award for the Best Attraction for Car Lovers. RVtravel.com reader, G.L.W. agrees. He is a volunteer at the museum and says, “[It’s] the best! Over 300,000 square feet, more than 400 cars, 900 engines, and literally millions of other items. Speedway Motors is next door and there is plenty of RV parking because the museum is a Harvest Host member.”
I’m convinced! The Museum of American Speed is going on my “Must See” list. Guided tours are available daily at 1 p.m.
Admission: Adults $15; Seniors (60+) $10; Veterans and college students $10; youth (6-17) $5; active military and children are free. Visit the website for more information.
American Gothic House Center
300 American Gothic Street, Eldon, Iowa
The famous painting by Grant Wood comes to life at the American Gothic House. The iconic scene represents Wood’s interpretation of rural America at the time, and standing outside the home famous for its Gothic windows is a surreal experience. Yes, the house featured in the background of Wood’s famous painting still exists in Eldon. You can tour the home on selected days/times or recreate Wood’s painting by posing outside with your travel buddy anytime!
Admission fees for ages 13-59 $5; age 60 and over $4; children 12 and under are free. Visit the museum website to plan your visit. (And when you go, send us your photo!)
Stearns History Museum
235 33rd Avenue South, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Highlighting central Minnesota’s history, Stearns History Museum is a real treasure. RVtravel.com reader D.A. says, “Many interesting things, including a local automobile manufacturer and his company town for affordable employee housing. People are still living in the houses today!” Decades of history are captured in both permanent and changing exhibits. Stearns History Museum offers something for all ages. Visitors may enjoy the museum Wednesday through Sunday.
Admission: Adults $7; children $3. Here’s the website for more information.
Santa Fe Trail Center Museum & Research Library
1349 K 156 Highway, Larned, Kansas
RVtravel.com reader Bill recommends the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum & Research Library. “It’s a great little museum with inside and outside exhibits and very friendly docents.”
The museum has four historic buildings in addition to the main galleries. Three reproduction homes and two large exhibition buildings also help to house the museum’s collections. There is plenty of parking for RVs in the museum’s parking lot.
Admission: Adults $6; ages 12-18 $3; ages 6-11 $2; five and under free. More information can be found on the museum’s website.
What’s your favorite small or regional museum?
Can you suggest additional small Midwest (or any other regional) museums? Please do so in the comments below. Thank you!
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Try the Funk Prairie Home Museum in Shirley, Illinois. It’s a hidden gem! It requires reservations but is free and well worth the time.
https://legacyoftheplains.org/
Near Scott’s Bluff Ntl Monument in Nebraska.
Gail,
In Council Bluffs Iowa there are 3 museums to see.
All 3 have websites for further information.
Medora, ND – near the Montana border. The whole town is a museum + much more. Also don’t miss the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora. A stop here, with the musical in the hills and pitch fork fondu steak dinner is a vacation destination. On I-94 east or west entries. Two campgrounds too and a new Theodore Roosevelt museum is underway.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Those are some interesting museums; thank you! Well, it isn’t in the Midwest, or even the United States, but we happened upon a fascinating museum when we left a repair appointment at Bucars RV in Calgary early. It is called Bomber Command Museum of Canada and is in Nanton, Alberta right on AB-2. They have RV parking. Our total length was 63′ that day and we fit and easily departed after visiting. Their website is https://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/ . We went down the road a piece to a city park capground in Claresholm, Alberta, but there are campgrounds much closer to the museum. I enjoyed the museum for more than an hour and paid several exhibits too little attention.
The Spam Museum in Austin, MN is great! Did you know Spam comes in many different flavors depending on which country they are sold? And you can buy them all at the Spam Museum. The museum is interactive and fun for kids as well. You can even see how many Spam cans tall you are!
MacNider Art Museum in Mason City, IA. https://macniderart.org/contact-us/the-building-tells-a-story/