Iowa Wine, Beer, and Spirits · Museums and History · Silos & Smokestacks

Shop Small While Gallivanting with Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area

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*We’re proud to partner up with Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area and promote over 100 of their sites throughout this historic region. The views expressed in this blog post are of our own.

Now, let’s gallivant!

Now, that’s a big smile from a dude who loves Iowa and the history it beholds. There’s no doubt that we’ve found some treasures to take home with us during our gallivants with Silos & Smokestacks.

The holiday season whooshed in again, and there’s always going to be times we need a last minute gift to buy and or something unique for a special someone. If you’re like me, you want to add some local history to your travels and support small businesses along the way. Well, many of the 111 sites with in the Silos & Smokestacks Heritage Area offer ways to keep the revenue coming in to support their organizations/businesses while highlighting Iowa based talent. Here’s some ways you can shop small and make a big impact while traveling through Iowa!

Fireside Winery-Marengo, Iowa

Shopping small all across Iowa….I’ll toast to that! If you find yourself on I-80 or in the Amana Colonies area then make sure you get over to the outskirts of Marengo and the Fireside Winery for some of the award winning wines in rural Iowa County.

State Historical Society of Iowa-Downtown Des Moines

We all know a bookworm who can never seem to collect enough books. These historical bargains are a great way to drop some knowledge on Iowa history while supporting one of our most important facilities in Downtown Des Moines. Load up on these books after taking some laps around the whole museum!

Putnam Museum-Davenport, Iowa

That’s a heck of a way to support local with the holiday cheer at the Putnam Museum giftshop!
The Putnam Museum has a lot of ways to keep the whole family entertained while you’re enjoying the whole building and when you get home while you stuff the stockings with toys like this!

The Sawmill Museum-Clinton, Iowa

Iowa was once a huge player in America’s lumber industry and it’s history is uniquely illustrated throughout the entire museum. Better stop by the giftshop for some swag before leaving!
What would a sawmill museum be without a some wooden toys to wrap for this holiday season and beyond!
The greatest cooks in your life could always use more cutting boards. Make a trip to Clinton and get your kitchen supplies stocked up!

German American Heritage Center & Museum-Davenport, Iowa

One of the newest sites to Silos & Smokestacks is right here in Davenport. The German American Heritage Center & Museum is a fascinating look into the German immigrant history in the Quad Cities. And you can get get quite festive with your presents from their giftshop!

Eagles Landing Winery-Marquette, Iowa

Time for another glass of wine in one of the most beautiful regions of Iowa. Eagles Landing Winery is located in the Driftless Area of Clayton County and you’ll want to make sure the New Year’s Eve party is stocked up with their award winning wines. Don’t forget their pizza, too!
Those new bottles of wine you picked up need a companion this holiday season!

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library-Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Show off your Bohemian pride with this shirt! The historic Czech Village in Cedar Rapids is where you’ll find this museum where we can all be Bohemian for a day!

Laura Ingalls Park & Museum-Burr Oak, Iowa

Children and grownups of all ages would love the stories that Laura Ingalls created throughout her career and you can collect the whole set at one of her childhood homes near Decorah, Iowa.

Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum-Decorah, Iowa

This will be one of the most impressive giftshops you’ll encounter in the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The Vesterheim is an inspiring facility and you’ll want to spread the Scandinavian joy!
That Norwegian pottery is going to look great on your shelf!

Indian Creek Nature Center-Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Buddy the Elf would love visiting this giftshop! Sweeten up your gift giving with local syrup!

Seed Savers Exchange-Decorah, Iowa

Get your spring started in the winter! The gift of gardening is all around you at the beautiful Seed Savers Exchange.
Cookbooks and gardening books a plenty when you’re checking off your gift list at Seed Savers!
Always shop local and eat local as much as possible which means you can get it all done here in Decorah!

National Farm Toy Museum-Dyersville, Iowa

A giftshop at a toy museum never disappoints!
When you’re traveling through the Dyersville and the Dubuque area you’ll want to step into the National Farm Toy Museum and warm up to the nostalgic feelings you’re going to get when you arrive. Something tells me you may get a couple of these tractors for yourself.
Be sure to click on the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area website to see hours of operations for all of their amazing sites including the ones featured for great gift ideas. This was just a sample of all the creative giftshops throughout their 111 sites so get to gallivanting! And how about one more glass of wine at Ackerman Winery in Amana, Iowa! Is that New Year’s Eve party stocked up yet?

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