Since moving to Iowa in 2013 we have tried to explore all of the events, restaurants, museums, and parks this beautiful state has to offer. Growing up on the East Coast, I never expected the Midwest to have so many activities.
I always have heard about the “country” being boring but being a “city” kid myself, I must say there are a bunch of things to do and see, especially here in Iowa. I plan on seeing everything and posting about my experiences as they happen and the most recent trip was to Iowa City to the Natural History Museum.
The admission is free and there is plenty to see which makes this a fun activity for the whole family.
Throughout the museum, you will get up close and personal with many animals and exhibits that celebrate the heritage of the area reaching back to the Ice Age and beyond.
This sloth named Rusty is much like Sid the sloth made famous in the movie Ice Age except one big difference, Rusty is a Giant Sloth. This picture can not do its size justice, you will have to see this in person, and trust me you will be in awe of its enormous size.
The dioramas in the Natural History Museum in Iowa City are a favorite of mine. I love to try and spot the strings that hold up the creatures inside.
We enjoyed learning about the different tools that the Native Americans used in their everyday tasks and how they built their homes.
A lot of the exhibits look so real I had to do a double take on the kids in the tent, I thought they were real at first glance.
I loved being able to see this mountain lion up close without the worry of it attacking me of course. Since moving to Iowa we have spotted a few of them but we wouldn’t dare get this close in any other setting.
We loved all the monkeys and when we saw the Capuchin monkey I couldn’t help but think of the movie Night at the Museum and wonder if these fellas come to life at night.
The Bird and Mammal Hall is my daughter’s favorite part, I love this photo of her posing in front of a mammoth tusk.
This photo shows only part of the Whale hanging from the ceiling because it is just so big and I couldn’t get a great angle but I had to post it. When I was a kid I visited a museum in N.Y. that has a whale hanging from the ceiling so being able to see this with my daughter made my day.
The Natural History Museum in Iowa City is 3 floors of fun and it’s free so be sure to visit soon. While in the area, be sure to check out the Best Coffee Shops in Iowa City and find out what to expect from a trip to the Old Capitol Museum.
About Thirty Something Super Mom
My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.