Our visit to the Amana Colonies, in Iowa was a chance to slow down and enjoy a simpler pace. Like many of you, our lives can become so hectic with all of the commitments, that we almost forget how to relax. Our morning drive began with rush hour traffic, but before long we found ourselves cruising through the Iowa countryside. The sight of roadside vegetables stands and Amish buggies suggested us we had traveled, not only to another region, but also another time. While the people of Amana are not Amish, we were certainly in a region that offered a slower pace of life than what we are used to in the city.

Unique Background

The Amana Colonies are comprised of seven villages, which form a chain of communities. The name Amana is a common theme with six having it in the title. West, East, Main, South, High, and Middle Amanas are joined by Homestead to complete the list. Our focus was in Main Amana, which is quite often just called Amana. It is the largest of the towns, and contains the majority of the shops and restaurants. A good way to begin a visit is a stop in the Amana Heritage Museum. Here we learned about the history of the community and the German Pietists who formed it. They came to America to pursue their religious freedom, and after a stay in New York, finally settled in the middle of Iowa. They kept to themselves with a self-sufficient society until the mid 1930’s. With a better understanding of the community’s background, it was time to explore it for ourselves.

The Amana Colonies was added as a National Historic Landmark in 1965, and has become a major tourist attraction. Living a communal lifestyle meant that residents worked as a community to supply schooling, medical needs, meals, and all other necessities. No one received wages, but all had a living stipend to purchase their supplies. Jobs were assigned by the community leaders, and quality craftsmanship became synonymous with the name Amana. Their lives were simple, and unchanged for many years, but the Great Depression brought a change. A ruined marketplace was the catalyst for a change that allowed a greater interaction with the outside world. These days travelers from all over the world descend on the Amana Colonies to experience the hospitality and quaint nature of the area.

Lily Pond

During our drive through the villages, we came across a couple of interesting places, The first was the Whirlpool factory. We both had one of those “ah-ha” moments, when we realized the association of the name Amana, in reference to appliances. Yes, this is the home of the Amana Radar Range, for those of you old enough to remember. The second thing we discovered is called Lily Pond. This small lake is almost completely covered by lily plants. During the warm weather, the flowers open each day and create a beautiful landscape. It was certainly an amazing sight to behold.

Hand Crafted Foods

The Amana Colonies have a long history of food making. Being a self-sufficient community requires attention to details, and it certainly comes through in their food products. We started our morning with pastries purchased at one of the local bakeries. A suggestion from the Visitor’s Bureau staff had us waking early one morning to drive to the next town over. Here we found Hahn Babker (bakery) open for business. On Tuesday through Saturday, Hahn Bakery opens to sell all of the goods they have baked up that morning. Once they are gone, the store closes, so you will want to arrive early.

At the Amana Meat Shop we were hard pressed to only purchase what would fit in the cooler we brought from home. We had called ahead a couple of weeks, and had them set back some dry ice to help protect our investment. After savoring all of our goods when we got home, it is safe to say that this is some of the best meats we have ever found. We are so glad that they offer mail order, so that we can enjoy more of their wonderful products when we choose.

The Chocolate Haus is a little slice of heaven in the middle of the Colonies. This store is packed with all kinds of truffles, caramels, fudges, and just about anything that can be coated in chocolate. It is a working chocolate shop, and each time we visited they were in the process of making a different sweet treat. The aroma inside the store is intoxicating, and the treats are delicious.

A Meal For All

Our stay in Middle Amana allowed us four restaurant options, and we sampled them all. The Amana Colonies were founded with communal kitchens, which meant that everyone ate in large gatherings. Food is essential to life, and the residents embraced this time for bonding and fellowship. These same sort of values remain today, and some of the restaurants still offer “Family style” dining.

At Millhouse Brau Haus we dined on German traditional foods created with a modern twist. This recently revamped inn has been turned into a quaint dining establishment that features beers from the oldest craft brewery in the state of Iowa. Everything was so good that it was difficult to stop eating when we got full.

Our visit to the Ox Yoke Inn was filled with traditional standards. While we enjoyed the food at all of the restaurants we visited, the Pork Loin at this place was an amazing dish. We quickly discovered that the meats from the Amana Meat Shop were a common theme throughout the colonies. When you visit this restaurant, be sure to check out the small museum on the second floor.

The Ronneburg Restaurant was big on the family style dining feature. This is the type where each guest picks a main entree, and then the sides are delivered in large multi-serving bowls. Since we were a party of two, we never had the chance to experience this style of service, but it was clearly a popular choice among others in the restaurant.

It was clear that the German heritage of the colonies shines through in many areas, and especially in the dining menus. How surprised we were when we discovered PHAT Daddy’s Restaurant, which has quickly become famous for their unique pizza offerings. This out of the ordinary dining location offers some really interesting topping combinations, which may sound odd at first, but they certainly taste great.

Shop Till You Drop

In between meals we needed something to work off the calories. Main Amana is a great place for walking. The landscape is fairly level, and sidewalks are numerous and wide. The town is small enough to be covered in a few minutes, but our walks kept getting broken up by all of the great shops. Quality and craftsmanship go hand in hand at the Amana Colonies. In every shop we found a variety of beautiful goods to purchase. This is another reason we love traveling by car, as it allows for ample room to haul home our new found treasures.

The main drag through town is lined with the brown, unpainted buildings that are the trademark of the colonies. As we popped into each, we found boutiques offering unique articles of clothing and jewelry. At Midwest Leather, a nearby leather goods shop, we found everything from jackets to moccasins. Just a couple doors down is an amazing toy store named Little Red Wagon, which is filled to the rafters with gift ideas for the grandkids. Next to this is the Christmas Room, which as it name refers, is all about our favorite winter holiday. Here you can find just about any kind of ornament your heart desires, as well as the tree to hang them on.

Farther east we came upon some of the hand crafted pieces that are designed to become family treasures. At the Amana Furniture & Clock Shop the place is packed with pieces built to be handed down to the next generation. The meticulous work is evident in every piece they create, and it made me wish we would have brought a trailer along, as well. Just a little farther down the path we came to the Amana Woolen Mill, where visitors can see the machinery used to create their beautiful blankets. This is the oldest business in the Amana Colonies, and has operated since 1857. Clearly they have developed a winning recipe over that long of time.

Entertainment Options

After a day filled with shopping and eating, it was time to find some other distractions. There are a few trails around the colonies that offer a chance to commune with nature. At the Amana Colonies Visitors Center we were able to get a couple of bikes to help take in some sights. These came in handy for a ride along Lily Pond, which is especially nice in the evening.

Main Amana has a nice collection of wineries to visit, and each have their own distinct styles. (Read more about the wineries here>) It is quite easy to hit all of them in one day, if you wish. Of course, if you are there for the weekend you might as well spread it out.

During our stay we were fortunate enough to have the chance to catch a show at the Old Creamery Theater. It was interesting to find this place sitting out away from the main town. The entertainment was very good, and we felt quite welcome. It was certainly worth the visit.

A Cozy Place To Rest

The lodging options in Amana focus primarily on Bed & Breakfast style accommodations. There is one motel in the main town, as well. For our visit, we were fortunate enough to be hosted by Buh Schloss, which was one of the newer lodging choices. This charming home sits just off the main street, and offers a quiet place to rest after a day of exploring. This lodging option is the only AirB&B in the town, to our knowledge.

A Relaxing Pace

Our visits to most cities usually have us moving at a fairly quick pace. We do this to be able to feature as many great options as possible, so that our readers can build an itinerary with the choices that best fit their favorite types of establishments. In the Amana Colonies the pace was slower on purpose. This type of town is meant to be savored, and a thorough exploration requires immersing in the local culture. The people of Amana are so kind, and friendly, that this is easy to do. Although we only spent a couple of days with them, we felt as though we were able to get a better understanding of the lifestyle that helped build this wonderful community. We hope you will take the time to visit the Amana Colonies, and sample their unique brand of hospitality. We are betting you will be impressed with the exceptional quality that is apparent in every thing they do. So what looks like the first thing you would want to try when you get to Amana?

                                            *We want to thank the Amana Colonies for hosting our visit. Rest assured that the opinions are all our own.

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#1 – Ackerman Winery

We started our walking tour after we left the Amana Heritage Museum, which is located on the West end of the town. The whole tour covers a walk of about 1/2 mile, and has nice sidewalks along the way. Our first stop was at Ackerman Winery, which is the oldest operating winery in the state of Iowa. It began in 1956, and has continued ever since. They offer a good variety of fruit and grape wines, and even have a few exotics. Have you ever sampled rhubarb wine or how about dandelion? Well you can at Ackerman. For those more classic wine lovers, they also carry a nice selection of traditional wines. Many of these have won prestigious awards from around the country.

#2 – Sandstone Winery

This small, and unassuming winery had the distinction of being adjacent to a 150 year old sandstone house. They carry a smaller number of varieties, but focus on delivering the best flavor from each. Here we found more fruit wines, which ended up being a theme in Amana. We had a hard time choosing our favorite, but finally decided it was the cherry based wine. You will not want to miss this place, so keep your eyes peeled for the sign. The entrance is actually down a driveway, which was quite unique.

#3 – The Village Winery

If we were giving awards for the most unusual wineries in Amana, it would certainly go to The Village Winery.  This is another place that focuses on fruit based wines, and also throws in some exotics.  Here we sampled elderberry, pineapple, and cranberry based wines. They offer 15 varieties, and all of their wines are produced on site, just as it has been done for three generations. After we finished sampling (and purchasing), we moved into the Four Seasons portion of the shop. Here we found a wide variety of home decor and various trinkets. It certainly offers a short diversion from all of the tastings.

#4 – White Cross Cellars

Our final stop was at White Cross Cellars, which offers a more traditional approach to wine making. Here we found a nice variety of white and red wines, which are produced with many similarities to German and French wines. The owner explained that many of the grapes are grown locally, but they also ship in some varieties from outside the region. This allows them to create wines that would not usually be bottled in the area. After tasting a few, we found a lot of similarities to California wines. This place certainly has set itself apart from the fruit based wines offered in the other wineries in town.

By the time we finished, we had sampled many fine wines from the region. What we discovered was that each winery had its strong points, and by visiting them all, we had a more complete understanding of the wine making history in the Amana Colonies. It was certainly an eye opening, and palate pleasing experience. We hope that you too will make a trip to Amana, Iowa to sample the delicious wines that can be found in this quaint tourist town. Let us know which are your favorites, and we will see how it stacks up to our choices. Thanks.

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We want to thank the Ox Yoke Inn for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Old World Architecture

Our visit was scheduled for dinner time. During the day, as we spoke with shop keepers they would ask about our dining plans. When we told them it was Ox Yoke Inn, they would all tell us about their experiences. After a day full of build up, we were ready to taste the dishes this landmark location serves up. The original portion of the building (made of brick) was built in 1856, with the woodshed added in 1870. Additions were also added in 1976, and allow them to serve the growing tourism market.

Casual and Comfortable

Ox Yoke Inn offers a dining atmosphere that is designed to focus on the dishes. We were dressed casually, and at no time felt out of place. The majority of the diners appeared to be tourists, which makes sense as the entire population of the Amana Colonies being less than 2000 residents. The decor features lots of oil lamps and antiques, which lends to the old world feel.

The attitude of the staff is to treat each guest like an invited friend. While our visit had been pre-planned by the Amana Colonies Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, we got the feeling that the treatment we received would have been the same anyway. We were seated in front of the fireplace in the main dining room. The over-sized mantel clock and steins added an Old German influence to the room. As we perused the menu, our server brought out dishes of pickled ham and pickled beets for us to whet our appetites.

Ox Yoke Inn Meals

Many families dine at Ox Yoke Inn, and enjoy the value of the family-style service. This includes each person picking an entree, and then they share family-sized bowls of various side dishes. We didn’t feel this would be the best approach for two people, so we each chose a plated meal. Crystal selected the Chicken Schnitzel, which is a boneless chicken breast with a cracker crust. The meal also includes a couple of sides, as well as a homemade roll and strawberry jam. We shared entrees, so I did get to sample the chicken, which was tender and moist.

I went with the Honey Apple Pork Loin, which was highly recommended by our server. It also includes two sides of choice, and the roll with jam. There is also a small dish of cranberry applesauce that accompanies this entree. While the schnitzel was delicious, the pork loin was absolutely amazing. This dish has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Pork Paradise Show, and it is quickly apparent that they make the most of being the pork capitol of the country. (see the story here>)

That’s A Lot Of Pie

By the time we finished our meals, we were both stuffed. Little did we know that Ox Yoke Inn is just as famous for their homemade pies. While we were tempted to push the limits of ours stomachs, we just knew it would be folly. That didn’t stop me from dreaming about a slice of their Peanut Butter Chocolate Cream Pie or the German Chocolate Pie. Alas, we held firm, and passed on the dessert options. Unbeknownst to us, with 24 hours notice they will prepare you an entire pie to go. Next time we will need to bring a bigger cooler.

Have You Met Yokey?

We thanked our server, and the rest of the staff for our fantastic evening. As we prepared to leave, we were asked if we wanted to visit the museum. With our curiosity piqued, we made our way upstairs to the second floor. Here we discovered a small assembly of artifacts specific to the Ox Yoke Inn. There are many of the old crocks and cooking utensils that were common during the early years of the Colonies. We also had a chance to meet Yokey the bear, as well as Oxley the moose. This was certainly not something we expected, and left an amusing final note on our visit. It cemented our understanding that Ox Yoke takes their food serious, but still has a playful side. Why not try it for yourself?

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We want to thank the Millstream Brau Haus for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Inside or Out?

It was wonderful weather for late July, and the outdoor patio was very popular. When we entered, the hostess asked if we wished to dine inside or out, and we chose an interior table. We had an extra early breakfast appointment, so our lunch break was just after the restaurant opened. This gave us a choice of seats, but by the time we left the place had filled up.

Lodge Style Dining

The interior of the Millstream Brau Haus restaurant is similar to many of the buildings in Amana. It has a rustic look and is filled with stout wooden beams. The whole place has a sturdy feel, and the age oldness is quite apparent. In its previous life it had served as the Colony Inn since 1860. That seems to be the underlying theme in Amana. Everywhere we went, everything was old and sturdy.

Millstream Brewery

The restaurant is a fairly new venture, which began in August of 2016. It was created with the idea of being a true German style beer hall. Millstream Brewery had opened its doors in 1985, which made it the first brewery to operate in Amana since 1884. The idea of creating small batch craft beers was the intent of the owners. In 2000, the brewery changed hands, and the current owners are dedicated to continuing the tradition of high quality, while introducing new beers and lagers into the Millstream family.

Dining at Millstream Brau Haus

Continuing the German theme, the food at Millstream Brau Haus offers up many traditional dishes. Some have slight twists, and of course there are a few dishes more recognizable to appease those lacking a desire to be adventurous. Shortly after being seated, we were joined by Teresa Albert, one of the current owners. We also had the pleasure of meeting Lord Nathan Kula, who is the creative force behind the menu. We discussed the menu options, and decided to opt for a couple of the more traditional dishes. My choice was Chicken Schnitzel and Noodles. The schnitzel is a breaded chicken cutlet, and included a blend of grilled vegetables. This was served over a bed of  noodles, which helped create a nice balance to the dish. It paired well with a cold draw.

Crystal selected the Onion & Garlic Bratwurste, which comes from the Amana Meat Shop. (We will talk more about that place in a future article.) Her dish came with a bowl of sauerkraut, a side of cottage cheese, and a pickle. She has never been a beer drinker, so she chose an orange soda to compliment her entree. Her selection was a good choice, and the meats from the Amana Meat Shop have a flavor that is hard to top.

A Millstream Brau Haus Sweet Ending

After we finished our meals, Teresa came back by to visit some more. Much to our surprise, she was accompanied by some of the Millstream Kutchen-Truffels. (Cake Truffles) These exquisite little treats are dipped in chocolate, and each has its own unique flavor combination. Although we were already quite full, we knew it was important to test these out for research purposes. Let’s just say, that the plate was empty when we got up from the table. They were that good. Of course, we knew our next actions would be to go for a long walk, and burn off some of the German goodies we had just savored. Do you have a favorite German dish? Tell us what it is in the comments section below, so that we can add it to our list for future visits.

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Designed for Durability

The weekend we visited was in between festivals, so the crowds were lighter than usual. This was certainly okay with us, as it gave us more space to wander. We also were able to observe in more detail, than what you would expect during a busy period. When we first entered the Amana Woolen Mill we stepped into the sales room. Here we found an assortment of the items produced at the factory. All were for sale to the public.

Tools of the Trade

Here we found a loom set up for demonstrations. No one was working it during our visit, but evidently they do during busier times. A work room is visible through a window, and lets visitors see the cutting tables used by staff. We could imagine past workers determining new designs under the watchful eyes of a village elder. The history of the community was evident everywhere we visited.

Quality Products at Amana Woolen Mill

We made our way from the showroom toward the factory section. On the way, we found lots of their blankets displayed. Each one proudly wears the Amana label, and with that comes the decades of dedication to this craft. The colors and patterns are mostly muted, but some are a little more bright than others. With so many options, it is hard to select just one.

Looms Sit Idle

We knew a Saturday visit meant that the factory would be quiet. The workers operate the looms during the week, as they turn out yards and yards of quality textiles. We were sure that we missed out on a true wonder. It would have been really interesting to watch these huge machines in motion.

Last Look

We made our way back toward the entrance, and found even more blankets hung and stacked along the way. Many of the patterns were ones we have seen for years. Checkerboard, gingham, striped, and plaid were extremely popular. Solid colors were available, but not nearly as prevalent. No matter how many patterns they create, all share in the same high quality that visitors have come to expect at the Amana Colonies. We are hoping to make a return visit at a time when the looms are turning, but in the meantime, we will continue sharing our experiences from the other places we visited in the Amana Colonies. Be sure to sign up for our emails, so you don’t miss any of these articles.

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Friendly Atmosphere

Since our dinner at Ronneburg Restaurant was planned for Saturday evening, we stopped by earlier in the day to make reservations. While there, we spoke with the hostess for quite a while. She told us about her migration from eastern Europe to the United States. After time in the mountains, she and her husband settled in Amana. A common occurrence we found in the Amana Colonies, was the friendly people who live and work there. It was easy to strike up a conversation, and they truly listened. That is a little more rare in these electronic days.

Full Meal Portions

We can only assume that since they have been used to family sized meals for so long, they just continue these over-sized portions today. Guests can choose to dine family style or pick plated meals. This seemed like a safer way for the two of us, and it was still a lot of food. After polishing off our salads, our appetites were ready for some home cooking. I had ordered broasted chicken, which comes with potatoes and two side vegetables.

Ronneburg Restaurant Delivers

Crystal had decided to go with the Ham & Swiss Chicken, which has a slight similarity to Chicken Cordon Blu. Her plate was also covered with the same sides. By this point we were both ready to toss in the towel and give up. Being troopers, we knew that we had to give it our best shot for our readers sake. (At least that is the excuse I am going to use.) The food was good, but after all they have been making these kind of meals for generations. Neither of us were able to finish our plates, but by this point of our visit we had come to expect this.

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