Group Tours

Interested in booking an unusual group tour of the Amana Colonies? Well look no further. Here are a few of unique history tours that we offer. All tours can be customized to your group’s needs, interest, and itinerary.

Amana Colonies Barn Tour
Experience the unique history of agriculture in the Amana Colonies through the architecture of barns. On this bus tour of the Amana Colonies our Amana Heritage Society guide will take you to six to ten different communal barns. Visitors will not only learn about Amana’s communal agricultural history this way, but they will also see the largest modern continual farm in the state of Iowa and even have the opportunity to speak with the modern day farm manager.

Girl’s day out
Is your ladies’ group interested in learning about the communal woman’s role in the Amana Colonies? On this special focus tour learn about the daily lives of Amana communal women, how they differ from other 19th century women and their importance in the communal society. Stops include our Amana Heritage Museum, Communal Kitchen Museum, Homestead Community Church and the High Amana General Store. Also available is a stop at Cottage-in-the-Meadow, to see both traditional and modern Amana gardens. After your communal tour eat in one of our local restaurants and then spend the rest of the day shopping in modern Amana.

Agriculture and Industry in the Amana Colonies
Amana is known for its quality woolens, wines, and food products as well as its unique utopian culture. Ever wonder how industry and agriculture fit in to communal living in the Amana Colonies. Come find out with this unique tour and discover Amana Colonies’ relationship with the outside world.

Tour could include:

• “Back stage pass” tour of the Amana woolen mill. See the unique historical architecture of one of the remaining communal industrial buildings in the Amana Colonies. You even have the opportunity to get up close and personal and see the modern day looms in action. Also Visit the mill race for a discussion on the use of hydro power in the Amanas.
• See the modern day farm complex of the Amana Society and talk to the farm manager about Amana’s modern role in agriculture and industry.
• Visit the Homestead store museum, the shipping point for Amana made goods and an integral part of Amana industry.
• A stop at either a winery or Millstream brewery for a discussion on the history of wine and beer in the colonies. Also enjoy a sample of the taste of the Amanas.

Natural History Tour
For those nature lovers, come experience the natural beauty of the Amana Colonies and hear about the natural history of the area. This tour can be tailored to the needs of the group from the casual wanderer to the more adventurous.

Tour could include:

• A visit to the west Amana Dam for a discussion about the Iowa River and the Mill Race.
• Visit the Lilly Lake for some bird watching and depending on the time of year a magnificent site of the American Lotus Lily covering the lake.
• Learn about area before the True Inspirationist settled here with a prehistoric hike on Amana Colonies Nature Trail. See varying wildlife, plants and Indian mounds on this 1 to 3.2 mile trail.
• Learn about the history of the Amana Colonies in a new way, on bike! Take a guided ride on our beautiful bike trail through Amana, around Lily Lake, to the Middle Amana Communal Kitchen Museum

Architecture Walking Tours
Traditional German craftsmanship combined with American colonial details along with communal function creates the distinctive architecture of the Amana Colonies. Come experience it for yourself on a walking tour of any of the Amana Colonies villages with one of our guides who will point out interesting features and give you the history of the village.