The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum is located next to the Amusement Park and also contains an…read moreIowa Welcome Center and a Gift Shop. The Iowa Rock n' Roll museum and the Queen II Excursion Boat are also a short walk away for those who want to experience a historical Lakes "trifecta". And when I stopped by a few weeks ago, there was also a Victory motorcycle rally and exhibition in progress, which made this area the central place for a lot of interesting things see and do. The Museum itself contains historic memorabilia of the Iowa Great Lakes, which includes Spirit Lake, Big Spirit Lake, and both Okoboji Lakes. It has on display restored wooden boats, historical photographs, and other artifacts. Multimedia presentations have been developed to illustrate the nautical and ecological history of this area of Iowa. Premier exhibits include the Old Okoboji store, a resurrected wooden boat and hundreds of riveting photos of past lakes area vacationers. I'm now old enough to have seen some of these historical exhibits outside of the museum! And when I look at old Fun House pictures of the Sugar Bowl, I wonder how I escaped injury! The other interesting learning experience are the stories of all the water craft that sank on West Okoboji (e.g. #30 Boat), and those of which that are still down there. And every summer that I return, I learn something new.

First time came here on Sunday!! we looked around to find some info and the area events, then we…read morelook around the museum!! I recommend this place and friendly staff!!

A must see if you enjoy learning the history of the area you are visiting. Nice little info…read morecenter/museum along side the cabin, the cabin itself and family cemetery. Read the story of Abby Gardner's tragic past of her family massacred by Indians and she held hostage. She returned to the area later and founded the museum.

The Gardner Cabin was first known as one of the sites of the 1857 "Spirit Lake Massacre" and later…read morebecame one of Iowa's first tourist attractions. The Cabin is located just outside of the Amusement Park and is an interesting reminder of one of Iowa's tragic Frontier events. Here you can learn the dramatic stories of Abbie Gardner and the Dakota leader, Inkpaduta. The State Historical Society of Iowa owns and preserves the Gardner Cabin and Museum, which has been restored to its 1856 appearance. The park's visitor center features artifacts relating to the period, the European-American settlers and the Sioux. Legends and ghost stories related to the events are recounted still. Psychics have told of contacting the "friendly" spirit of Abigail Gardner. Other people claim that after a visit to the Gardner Cabin, furniture and other belongings were rearranged at their homes. Beside the possibility of receiving some new home decorating tips, I like visiting here as I love history, it reminds me where I'm from, and I enjoy a short break from all the resort activity.

This is such a cute little museum, honestly I didn't read about the stuff, I should have, but I…read morewas there to ride the slide. It's amazing the fun amusement park stuff that they've kept over the years. The slide was so fun. I could have done that all day. I was a giggling mess by the time I made it down. Climbing the stairs was killer, but worth it. the had free admission during winter games. I'm so glad I stopped in to check it out.

My Son specifically asked to come here during our Summer 2013 visit to Arnold's Park. The Museum is…read morepretty cool as various Iowa Bands are featured, and there are neat mock ups of former recording studios and the old Fox Lake Ballroom in Sherburn. I also have a friend whose Husband a member of Sticks and Stones, who were inducted in the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Then there are the fond memories of Head East and the Rumbles... Admission is $1 each and well worth the time to wander though this fun and educational slice of Iowa music history. The Kids Are Alright!

REVIEW 3100! Like my…read moreDad, I'm a bit of a history buff, especially when it concerns WWII Internment Camps. I've been humbled at both the old Nazi Concentration Camp at Dachau (near Munich) and Manzanar, where American Citizens of Japanese origin were sent when the fear of enemy aliens were at its peak. Another twist on this theme is the Camp Algona POW Camp, which was "home" for 10,000 German prisoners from April 1944 - February 1946. There were also many branch camps throughout the Midwest. These prisoners also worked for local farmers and light industry, and contributed about $4 Million to the various associated economies at that time. Camp Algona is long gone and was located where the airport is now. It consisted of 287 acres and was initially built by Italian POWs. Soon after the Camp was built, Italy surrendered, and those happy POWs wisely chose to stick around rather than being sent back to Europe. The Germans came soon after and with the Geneva Conventions rigorously applied. On our recent drive from Ames to Spirit Lake, I prevailed on Gayle and the Kid to stop at the Camp Algona POW Museum. It was a typical hot and humid Iowa day, and all they wanted to do was get to the Lake and cool down. I also remember Gayle giving me the "evil eye" as we paid the modest admission charge and the Docent began a long (and very informative) history of the Camp. By the time we left an hour later, everyone was better educated, impressed, and grateful that I dragged them here. The Museum is basically divided in thirds. On the left side is Camp related information, including various interesting pictures and displays. There were also lots of personal stories presented. I was particularly intrigued by a story about a German prisoner that was reunited with his brother, who had immigrated to Algona years earlier. An even better example were the 5 Iowans who had been held by the Germans in their prison camps. Once these men were brought back to the States, they came to Camp Algona as guards of German prisoners. In the middle of the Museum are examples of the various art pieces that the prisoners produced. That includes paintings and some pretty impressive wood pieces, including furniture, intricate boxes, etc. Prisoners also made the famous Nativity Scent that is located at the Kossuth County Fairgrounds. On the right side is a tribute to local folks who served their Country. Their story of sacrifice is a compelling parallel to the existence of Camp Algona. So if you're in the area, please stop, visit, and reflect. One personal takeaway I experienced was how we treated POWs then, compared to the related political discussions today.

"No, no, Kimberly, the Prisoners were NICE. They were just happy to be alive and doing something…read moreproductive." "Every Christmas we would go to see the most enormous Nativity Scene you have ever seen... all hand carved wood, exquisite in detail and size." My dad would get tears in his eyes telling these stories. "German Prisoners of War used their work earnings to create this gift to Algona. It was just amazing." "We could purchase handcrafted wood furniture from the prisoners and they were always so pleased to sell an item that they had worked on for hours." A small wooden step stool, handcrafted and still in perfect 1944 condition, has always graced my parent's home and dad would tell stories that really just sounded like made-up tales... Too fantastic to be true. Among the top highlights of a recent trip with my dad to his hometown in Iowa was going to visit this homage to the prisoner of war camp. During WW2 England ran out of places to keep Prisoners Of War so the USA decided to create camps... mostly in small towns where escape meant running through easy-to-view cornfields for days at a time. While the City of Algona, Iowa was greatly impacted by the 10,000 German prisoners housed here from 1944-1946, nothing exists today on those 287 acres from the Camp which is why it has always felt like a fantasy story to me... until my visit to this POW museum with my pop. Photographs, clothing, trunks, journals, guns... fascinating detritus from another age. The buildings, however, were disassembled and sold for materials in 1946. Long ago my sisters and I would jump out of the car and run to the farmland fence once we approached Algona. We were little, but we knew the drill. The first one to get a cow to come to the fence wins. Dad would get out of the driver's seat and slowly walk to the fence, mooing. He had the best moo, too. Dad ALWAYS won. For years, I thought that was the most exciting thing to happen in Algona. I thought he was pulling my leg with stories of Prisoners (Colonel Klink!) just to make his hometown sound more exciting. Now I know the truth. Dad doesn't lie. Moooooooooo.

This was a really cool find in Arnolds Park! It's a museum full of old currency (money) from the…read morelate 1800s and on. It features lots of old money from different Iowa towns and cities of course, but has currency and change from every state as well. The museum curator (who is from Wisconsin) is also incredibly knowledgeable and helpful as well. He was very friendly and honestly, made the museum experience for us an unforgettable one. Definitely check this out! And it's for the low, low price of FREE to experience as well, though a donation would be nice of course.

Money, Money, Money - Must Be Funny - In the Rich Man's World…read more... The Higgins Museum is a quirky place that I didn't expect to find in the middle of the Iowa Great Lakes Region. It's been on my list for a few years now, and during one of my Gayle-permitted "wandering" times, I decided to stop in and look around. And since my grandfather's bank failed during the Great Depression, this was another personal historical journey that I sometimes like to take. What's inside is the chance to view and enjoy the largest collection of National Bank Note issues on permanent exhibit anywhere in the country. The Higgins Museum opened in 1978, with its stated purpose being the acquisition, preservation and display of the National Bank Notes. There's also a few cool historical displays including a money making machine, a bank teller window and vault, and a bullet safe. Many people regard these notes as America's commemorative paper money. The Landing of Columbus, the embarkation of the Pilgrims, the signing of the Declaration of Independence and other great events of our history are illustrated on the notes of the first charter period. All of the notes honor the towns (including one for Estherville), the banks, and many thousands of individuals who played key roles in the development of our country and its resources.

A bit of American history inside an old movie theater. Kinda small but a lot of interesting…read morestories. $5.00 per person The volunteer was super friendly and taught us a little about the importance of hobos. Hobos were the traveling workers of the USA. They jumped trains to travel here and there looking for work. They were not bums. Bums were travelers who didn't not work. Hobos were the hard workers. This museum is dedicated to the men and women who died being a hobo. Their stories live on.

Closed for the season! October 11, 2022…read moreBoo?!? In town well, in Iowa and drove from Billy Holidays memorial. Would have liked to know they are closed and seasonal

These guys sell their "antiques" on ebay, but if you really want to see the breadth of all the neat…read morestuff that these guys have collected, take the short trip out of town and visit this place yourself. I have even found stuff from my Father's old gas station in Estherville. The older couple that owns the property are humble and friendly folks who are more than happy to show you around, give you a history of some of the pieces, and help you figure out how to ship it back home.

Will someone please contact me from this place. I have a Indian arrow quiver that was stolen from…read morethere. Its beauty is just like all the other artifacts in the museum. The art work is dead on as the other art work on all the other artafacts in the museum. A pair of moccasin slippers I never seen becouse my great grandmother wore them until there was nothing left. Shame on her. But the Quiver was passed down to me. I now have it and wanted 2 know if i can get in trouble for having it?? I am thinking about returning it 2 its place but i do not want 2 get in any trouble for it. I know none of the authentic artifacts are for sale . My Great Grandad broke into the museum like 60 years ago and took these two items. Thats how the story goes anyways. If someone contacts me i will include photos of the quiver. Call 319-241-4398

We came here on first leg to see Disney on ice. Our science museum reciprocal membership got us…read morefree admission. Our son couldn't have Venn happier on rainy day. So many things to do here and came before and after Disney on ice. Our son loved the market and cafe that he spent most time here. Afterwards, he did some of the other exhibits nearby. Nice that museum had its own parking lot instead of street parking. Also, all bathrooms have changing tables which was nice. Seating for eating was limited but worked. Overall, it's worth a stop over for your little ones to enjoy.

This place is great for children ages 2-12. Our family was visiting my adult son, his wife and our…read moregrand daughter in Sioux City and thought this looked like a fun place for us all to go. It was going to be expensive with five children and five adults, but I thought Gigi could splurge this once. I was so thankful that at the last minute my husband and three older sons (25, 15 & 13) decided to play golf instead. They would have been bored out of their minds! The girls (9 and 11) had a great time. I did not like the fact that my daughter-in-law, my 20 year old daughter, and I had to pay so much to in reality sit and watch the girls play. If I knew the environment, I would have taken the girls alone and let the other two go out, but hindsight is 20/20. So, in conclusion, take the kids - boys and girls- up to ages 13, and only pay for one adult to sit and supervise! Anything else is a waste of money!

My boyfriend, my brother & I all had fun here last weekend! I love the different selections of…read moreSioux City history they have here!

A beautifully maintained facility. The greeter at the desk warmly welcomed each visitor this…read moreThursday. The building is large enough to host a huge antique road builder but small enough to see everything in a morning. I'd guess you'll spend two hours looking at fossils and nostalgic Sioux City memories. There's a medium-sized native American; fair exhibit that didn't quite pop. But I'm nitpicking; this 5 star museum is beautifully put together. Then again, not everything can be a life-size tyranasaurous rex skull. That thing kind of steals the show in over in that part of the building. In fact, when I was looking at dino stuff, I wished I'd seen that skull last. I'll put a selfie of it; I look ugly but I need you to see this head. The rex's, not mine. Once you see that, most of the other fossils are forgettable. Except to the 13 year old children who are so knowledgeable about paleontology! Apparently, The Hard Rock Hotel donated some of the coolest pieces, including the t. rex, an unforgettable gift to the Sioux City community. Finally, speaking of community is what I think of as a Community Room. It's a behind the scenes facility, also beautifully maintained, where significant events can be shared. In fact, that was how I wound up at the Sioux City Museum. It was the location for the Juneteenth celebration in Sioux City. As a freedom loving American and a military veteran who believes in "justice for all," I've had an interest in this holiday for years. In most communities I've been to, Juneteenth either doesn't get seriously recognized, it gets a mention in the schools or, at best, it was celebrated in church with prayer, a program and, downstairs at Second Baptist Church of Ottumwa, a feast. In Sioux City, after a multi-year absence, the historic holiday of Juneteenth was celebrated in the museums community room. As a wild guess, at least a hundred people were there to listen and to eat soul food. The program explained how slavery ended in the US after the Civil War. But the landowners of Texas refused to let their slaves hear the news; those victims actually weren't slaves, they were free. The white "slave" holders of Texas kept the secret, working these free people for TWO YEARS, until a Federal military unit showed up to break the news: You're all free.