Iowa is full of surprises, and some of the best stops aren’t your typical tourist attractions—they’re the quirky, unexpected museums that make the Hawkeye State unforgettable. From miniature masterpieces to oddball collections, these 10 museums offer history, art, and fun in ways you won’t find anywhere else. Buckle up and hit the road—your next Iowa adventure is waiting!
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1. Matchstick Marvels Museum – Gladbrook, Iowa
📍 319 2nd St, Gladbrook, IA 50635
🌐 Website: https://www.matchstickmarvels.com
A roadside gem in tiny Gladbrook, the Matchstick Marvels Museum displays stunning works of art made entirely from ordinary wooden matchsticks. Artist Patrick Acton has spent decades gluing millions of sticks into extraordinary large‑scale models — from the U.S. Capitol to the Millennium Falcon — with pieces sometimes taking years of meticulous work to complete. These intricate creations have been featured on PBS, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and national magazines. Inside, you’ll find about two dozen matchstick masterpieces alongside Acton’s plans, tools, and videos showing how his tiny medium becomes colossal art.
2. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum – Walcott, Iowa
📍 50 Sterling Drive, Walcott, IA 52773…