Thursday, January 3, 2013

Amana Colonies, IA


I don't even remember how we heard about the Amana Colonies, but I'm glad we made the stop. The Colonies are made up of several villages where radical German Pietists moved for religious freedom. These colonists lived a communal and almost completely self-sufficient life until the 1930s. Now, the Amana Colonies are a National Historic Landmark and has become a popular tourist destination. Read more about the Colonies here and here.

We spent our time in Amana, the largest and most popular of the seven villages. The buildings are old and wooden (read: charming) and there are plenty of museums, art galleries, and shops to keep you busy for the day. When you're not wandering through the shops, there are wineries, coffee houses, and Iowa's oldest microbrewery. And be sure to stop by Ox Yoke Inn, a restaurant that serves family style American and German grub.

-Amanda


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