There is so much to see here for the Laura Ingalls Wilder/Little House On The Prairie fans. A lot…read moreof history on the Ingalls and Wilders. One entire room dedicated to the TV show which was a must see in our house growing up! Lots of fun books, movies and other items in the gift shop for everyone

I had fun here, but this is definitely more a place for kids and family fun than a historic or…read moreeducational site. I don't know how much I'd really consider this a "museum" but there's enough to enjoy and keep everyone occupied and entertained. There are several displays that feature info from Laura's life, what life was like on the prairie for the settlers and even some memorabilia from the TV show Little House on the Prairie. There is also a gift shop inside. Outside are several buildings to explore like an old church and a school house. I enjoyed myself because I acted like a kid here. For adults, though, I'd say this is more of a 3 star experience even if you're a Laura Ingalls fan. But if you're with children or you're a kid at heart, you can have a good 4 star time here. Just be ready to dress up, pose and take lots of pictures.

The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum is located next to the Amusement Park and also contains an…read moreIowa Welcome Center and a Gift Shop. The Iowa Rock n' Roll museum and the Queen II Excursion Boat are also a short walk away for those who want to experience a historical Lakes "trifecta". And when I stopped by a few weeks ago, there was also a Victory motorcycle rally and exhibition in progress, which made this area the central place for a lot of interesting things see and do. The Museum itself contains historic memorabilia of the Iowa Great Lakes, which includes Spirit Lake, Big Spirit Lake, and both Okoboji Lakes. It has on display restored wooden boats, historical photographs, and other artifacts. Multimedia presentations have been developed to illustrate the nautical and ecological history of this area of Iowa. Premier exhibits include the Old Okoboji store, a resurrected wooden boat and hundreds of riveting photos of past lakes area vacationers. I'm now old enough to have seen some of these historical exhibits outside of the museum! And when I look at old Fun House pictures of the Sugar Bowl, I wonder how I escaped injury! The other interesting learning experience are the stories of all the water craft that sank on West Okoboji (e.g. #30 Boat), and those of which that are still down there. And every summer that I return, I learn something new.

First time came here on Sunday!! we looked around to find some info and the area events, then we…read morelook around the museum!! I recommend this place and friendly staff!!

SO CUTE! It's $5 to…read moreget in & you drive down to the sight, you see Plum Creek & where their house used to be. There's a wooden sign explaining it & a picture of what it looked like. I'm a huge Little House fan so this was so fun & affordable to see. There was the big rock Laura talks about & there's a little spot we are pretty sure that's where she fished.

If you're a fan of Little House on the Prairie, the dugout site is a must see. If you're someone…read morelike me who is just not as familiar with Laura Ingalls Wilder, make sure you have a friend who will drag you here. It's a great view into the lives of not just the Ingalls family but the American experiment as well. I found a new respect for those pioneering families who struggled through harsh times. We walked over the creek and found several markers explaining the surroundings. My friend wanted to actually get into the water at Plum Creek but there's a pretty strong current and even a warning that Laura almost drowned there. I talked her out of it because I wasn't about to go in after her when she got swept away. There are a few Laura Ingalls/Little House on the Prairie inspired spots like this around Walnut Grove. Definitely worth spending a day taking in some history.

This was a really cool find in Arnolds Park! It's a museum full of old currency (money) from the…read morelate 1800s and on. It features lots of old money from different Iowa towns and cities of course, but has currency and change from every state as well. The museum curator (who is from Wisconsin) is also incredibly knowledgeable and helpful as well. He was very friendly and honestly, made the museum experience for us an unforgettable one. Definitely check this out! And it's for the low, low price of FREE to experience as well, though a donation would be nice of course.

Money, Money, Money - Must Be Funny - In the Rich Man's World…read more... The Higgins Museum is a quirky place that I didn't expect to find in the middle of the Iowa Great Lakes Region. It's been on my list for a few years now, and during one of my Gayle-permitted "wandering" times, I decided to stop in and look around. And since my grandfather's bank failed during the Great Depression, this was another personal historical journey that I sometimes like to take. What's inside is the chance to view and enjoy the largest collection of National Bank Note issues on permanent exhibit anywhere in the country. The Higgins Museum opened in 1978, with its stated purpose being the acquisition, preservation and display of the National Bank Notes. There's also a few cool historical displays including a money making machine, a bank teller window and vault, and a bullet safe. Many people regard these notes as America's commemorative paper money. The Landing of Columbus, the embarkation of the Pilgrims, the signing of the Declaration of Independence and other great events of our history are illustrated on the notes of the first charter period. All of the notes honor the towns (including one for Estherville), the banks, and many thousands of individuals who played key roles in the development of our country and its resources.

These guys sell their "antiques" on ebay, but if you really want to see the breadth of all the neat…read morestuff that these guys have collected, take the short trip out of town and visit this place yourself. I have even found stuff from my Father's old gas station in Estherville. The older couple that owns the property are humble and friendly folks who are more than happy to show you around, give you a history of some of the pieces, and help you figure out how to ship it back home.

Will someone please contact me from this place. I have a Indian arrow quiver that was stolen from…read morethere. Its beauty is just like all the other artifacts in the museum. The art work is dead on as the other art work on all the other artafacts in the museum. A pair of moccasin slippers I never seen becouse my great grandmother wore them until there was nothing left. Shame on her. But the Quiver was passed down to me. I now have it and wanted 2 know if i can get in trouble for having it?? I am thinking about returning it 2 its place but i do not want 2 get in any trouble for it. I know none of the authentic artifacts are for sale . My Great Grandad broke into the museum like 60 years ago and took these two items. Thats how the story goes anyways. If someone contacts me i will include photos of the quiver. Call 319-241-4398

Literary tourism is a wonderful hobby. It gives you an excuse to travel to far-flung and…read morelittle-visited spots, not to mention buying unusual souvenirs. In the past, it's motivated me to visit Cambridge, England and Savannah, Georgia. (If you can guess the authors that motivated those trips, you will win a free subscription to my Yelp reviews.) So, when my daughter suggested touring the home of the writer of the Betsy-Tacy books, which we both read and re-read avidly in our girlhoods, of course the answer was yes. Anyone who's read these books knows the story of a life-long friendship between two girls and the realistic depictions of their life growing up in the early 1900's in a small Midwestern town (Deep Valley in the books, Mankato irl.) Not only does the author accurately depict life at that time, she also describes the emotional dynamics and situations of childhood and adolescence in a timeless way. Mankato is about 1 1/2 hours by car from Minneapolis where I was staying. The drive is lovely, especially in fall: maples and sumac in red and orange, cattails waving in the wind. And when you get to your destination, Betsy's house right across the street from Tacy's house, you are rewarded with the sensation that "It's just like in the books!". Aside from the sheer pleasure of visiting an actual early-20th century home which has been beautifully restored, if you are a fan of Maud Hart Lovelace's books, you will have the unique opportunity of seeing many of the familiar settings and items described in her books. As with many authors of fiction, Ms. Lovelace was heavily inspired by her own life but adapted details as needed. However, she had a strong devotion to depicting her hometown as authentically as possible and it shows. You will find many familiar landmarks on the map provided by the museum. If you are a Betsy-Tacy fan, and even if you're not, it's worth a trip to Mankato if only to see a lovely Midwestern small town and a beautifully restored home. Am I over-enthused because I'm a Betsy-Tacy fan? If so, let's just say it's like "Betsy In Spite of Herself." If you want to know why, find out more here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betsy-Tacy and here http://www.betsy-tacysociety.org.

The childhood home of author Maud Hart Lovelace is the fabulous Betsy-Tacy Museum. A wonderful…read moreliterary pilgrimage!

This is such a cute little museum, honestly I didn't read about the stuff, I should have, but I…read morewas there to ride the slide. It's amazing the fun amusement park stuff that they've kept over the years. The slide was so fun. I could have done that all day. I was a giggling mess by the time I made it down. Climbing the stairs was killer, but worth it. the had free admission during winter games. I'm so glad I stopped in to check it out.

My Son specifically asked to come here during our Summer 2013 visit to Arnold's Park. The Museum is…read morepretty cool as various Iowa Bands are featured, and there are neat mock ups of former recording studios and the old Fox Lake Ballroom in Sherburn. I also have a friend whose Husband a member of Sticks and Stones, who were inducted in the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Then there are the fond memories of Head East and the Rumbles... Admission is $1 each and well worth the time to wander though this fun and educational slice of Iowa music history. The Kids Are Alright!