What families say

This University of Iowa museum is free (donations welcome, staff aren't pushy about it) and spans three floors covering Iowa's natural history, mammals, and the well-loved Bird Hall—plan on an hour or two, though bird enthusiasts could linger longer. It's smaller and more modest than a big-city natural history museum, but reviewers of all ages found it educational and well-curated, with friendly student staff on hand; weekends tend to be quiet, so you may have the place nearly to yourselves. Just note that street parking nearby is metered.

Ages 5–16