Iowa Town Named One of 2024’s Best Hidden Gems in the U.S.

Remember last year when USA Today called the Amana Colonies a "tourist trap?" Well, we're much happier with this assessment!

A new article from Only in Your State outlines "24 Hidden Gems To Explore In 2024" across the United States, and we're proud to report that the Amana Colonies made the list! It was put together by "OnlyInYourState's team of local travel experts," and they placed the Amana Colonies in the "Man-Made Gems" category.

According to the official website, the Amana Colonies is a "National Historic Landmark and one of America’s longest-lived communal societies." It was started in 1855 by a group of Germans who were fleeing religious persecution and economic depression. They initially established six villages, but the seventh, Homestead, was added in 1861.

The Amana Colonies attracts thousands of visitors each year with its variety of unique shops, antique stores, wineries & breweries, restaurants, art galleries, trails, and more. Popular stops include Millstream Brewing Co., Ackerman Winery, Ox Yoke Inn, Ronneburg Restaurant, the Amana Furniture & Clock Shop, the Amana Woolen Mill, and the iconic General Store. They also host a series of annual events, including Oktoberfest, Winterfest, Maifest, and Prelude to Christmas. For a full list of businesses, restaurants, and festivals, you can check out the official website HERE.

A few other Midwest spots made Only in Your State's list. They include:

• Lake Taneycomo - Branson, Missouri
• Les Chenaeux Islands - Mackinac County, Michigan
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Dakota
• Voyageurs National Park - Minnesota
• Mohicans Treehouse Resort - Glenmont, Ohio