The Amana Colonies: From Commune to Tourist Attraction

Not all our explorations on our 34-day Fantasy RV Tour of the Mississippi have us on the river. Sometimes, we venture afield.

One such trip took us from our Rock Island, IL campground, about a half an hour west to see one of the most intriguing examples of communal living in America.

We visited the seven towns that make up the Amana Colonies, all situated on about 26,000 acres along the Iowa River valley. 

The Amana Colonies

The colony traces back to the early 1700s in Germany. A religious group called the Community of True Inspiration (or Inspirationalists) formed during a time of Christian spiritual revival. They believed in living simply, focusing on faith, and being led by men and women inspired by God’s spirit rather than formal clergy.

Because of persecution for their beliefs, the group sought a new place to practice their communal lifestyle freely. 

In 1843, several hundred members emigrated to the United States. They first settled near Buffalo, New York, in a place they called the Ebenezer Colonies. However, as the community expanded, it required more land, and in 1855, it relocated west to Iowa.

Today, it is largely a tourist attraction, with many of the original sandstone buildings now serving as antique stores, gift shops, and restaurants. Its most significant industry is a refrigerator factory that bears the name Amana. It was formerly run by the society, but now it is owned by Whirlpool.

Our favorite stop was Schanz Furniture & Refinishing, a family-owned shop that makes handcrafted custom furniture from native maple, oak, walnut, and cherry. Jennifer bought a three-piece set of carved pine trees for our mantle back in Michigan.

The tour spent an hour there, marveling at the variety and quality of the wood products they make, touring the factory, and learning that people from across the world send family heirlooms, dating back many generations, to be repaired and refinished there.

Should you want to visit, the Amana Colonies have this massive RV park right in the heart of everything—we're talking about over 450 campsites spread across 80 acres. It's just half a mile from the village of Amana so you can park your rig and walk to most of the attractions. The park has full and partial hookups, 50 amp service, showers, laundry, free Wi-Fi, and a camp store – basically everything you need for a comfortable stay.

What makes this spot perfect for RVers is that you're camping right where the action is. The Amana Colonies were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965.

You've got all these brick and stone buildings from the 1800s just waiting to be explored.

What to do at the Amana Colonies

So what should you do while you're there? Well, the Colonies are famous for their family-style German meals – places like the Ox Yoke Inn, where we ate. They serve up hearty, traditional fare that'll fill you right up. You'll also find small shops specializing in different crafts, from handmade furniture and clocks to woolen goods. The Amana Woolen Mill is Iowa's only operating woolen mill, and you can watch them weave fabric the old-fashioned way.

If you're into wine or beer, there are several wineries and the Millstream Brewing Company where you can sample local favorites. The Heritage Museum gives you the full story of the Colonies' history , showing you how these German immigrants lived communally from 1855 to 1932.

But here's the real treat—save some time for the International Christmas Market inside the Amana General Store. Jennifer almost missed our bus back to our campground because she was so mesmerized by the offerings.

This place is open year-round, and it's absolutely magical. You'll find European-inspired holiday décor, traditional German nutcrackers, hand-blown glass ornaments, and unique gifts from around the world. The beautifully decorated displays showcase everything from intricate nativity scenes to charming wooden pyramids.. Even if it's September when we visited, walking into this Christmas wonderland with its twinkling lights and holiday scents will put you right in the spirit of the season.

It's the perfect way to wrap up your visit to this unique piece of American history.

Catch up on The Great River Road series:

• The Great River Road: An Inauspicious Start to An Epic RV Adventure
• Along the Great River Road – to the Twin Cities