We want to thank Visit Mason City and all of the local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Familiar Characters

We parked our car at Central Park, which is located in the heart of downtown. Our research had shown us that this is a very walkable town, which would allow for some up-close views. A visit to Mason City would be incomplete without a stop at the home of a local celebrity. Meredith Willson is a name that is synonymous with The Music Man. The first attraction on our list was the composer’s boyhood home. After our informative tour, we made our way into Music Man Square. This recreation of a 1912 street feels like walking onto the set of the musical. It also includes a museum featuring artifacts from the classic movie.

American Art

Our appetite for art was now primed, so we made our way to stop number two. The Charles MacNider Art Museum is FREE to the public, which is an added bonus for art lovers. Inside, we found plenty of local art from around the Midwest. There were pieces from familiar artists, like Thomas Hart Benton, as well as plenty from people new to us. We enjoyed learning about new-to-us artists who we will watch for in future excursions.

Grassroots Art

Our next point of interest took us down the road to grassroots art. Rancho Deluxe is a collection of miscellaneous artifacts. This stop would end up reminding us of our time in Lucas, Kansas, which is referred to as the Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas. This place is easy to spot with the shiny hubcaps and bicycle arch marking the entrance. The inside brought more eye candy into view. Large concrete blocks were decorated with interesting artwork. Weaving through the maze of rocks, we found some recognizable images that brought smiles to our faces.

Fueling Our Exploring

Not all art has to be for viewing. We found plenty of artistic images in the meals we devoured around Mason City. Whether we were just grabbing a quick sandwich for lunch, a light breakfast, or a chef-inspired dinner, there were plenty of reasons to celebrate. The town has quite the collection of dining options and our only regret was only having 24 hours in Mason City. We even squeezed in time for a visit to an iconic local ice cream shop, which has been serving guests since 1931.

Architectural Excellence

We made our way back to Central Park to grab our bags from the car. Our lodging for the night was right across the street, which was quite convenient. The Historic Park Inn has the distinction of being the last remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This Midwest architect is widely considered the greatest ever to design structures in America. His “Prairie School” style is easily recognized by the familiar geometric shapes and patterns. The Park Inn is a 27-room boutique lodging option that is a delight to experience.

Walking Art

During our 24 hours in Mason City, we learned that it has the nickname of River City. With the Winnebago River cutting a path through the heart of the town, this made perfect sense. The town’s residents have embraced the moniker and we found it repeated in the name of various businesses. They even have an abundance of outdoor artwork that is viewable as the River City Sculptures on Parade. With nearly six dozen unique statues, we had a blast checking as many as possible off of our map. The entire collection encompasses a 1.7-mile walk, so it was quite reasonable to add it to our day’s walk.

24 Hours in Mason City

As you can tell, we spent a very busy 24 hours in Mason City, Iowa. This Midwest town is filled to the brim with artistic endeavors and we only wish we would have had more time to explore. While our time ran out far too soon, you can plan your own escape to the city and be sure to allow even more time for discovery. We are sure that you will fall in love with the small-town charm that is found throughout the city. Make sure you allow opportunities to interact with the locals, who are friendly and welcoming. It’s another great destination for a weekend getaway that’s easy to reach from all over the Midwest.

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We want to thank Visit Mason City and MacNider Art Museum for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Getting Started

The MacNider Art Museum goes beyond just showing off its art collection. They use various pieces to help educate visitors about the art and various styles that are commonly found in art galleries around the world. In 1966, the museum opened with only a handful of permanent pieces. This small beginning didn’t prevent thousands of people from showing up to help celebrate. Ongoing special events would find the museum struggling with space constraints. In the late 70s, an expansion nearly doubled the area for guests, as well as providing additional gallery space.

American Artists

As we made our way through the galleries, a familiar theme came clear. The MacNider Art Museum has built an amazing inventory around American artists. While some of the pieces had a familiar look, we found them to be pieces from less familiar names. A George Washington portrait screamed of the work of Gilbert Stuart. He is well known for creating the definitive image of our first American president. The piece hanging in Mason City is actually the work of Jane Stuart, Gilbert’s daughter, and studio assistant. Hanging nearby is a landscape piece from John Martin Tracy. This obscure American artist created many of his pieces from memory and his attention to detail is uncanny.

Familiar Faces

We always like spotting artwork from familiar artists that hail from the Midwest. It never ceases to surprise us to see works from Thomas Hart Benton, which are easily distinguishable. His Missouri upbringing clearly influenced the subjects of his paintings. The MacNider Art Museum has another recognizable piece, which has a sister piece in our hometown Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Milwaukee artist Marc Sijan has risen to stardom with his Hyper-Realistic art. His Security Guard piece at the KC museum has confused visitors for years. Many times we have seen people stop to ask it directions, only to discover it was part of the exhibit. One of the museum’s newest pieces is from local Mason City artist, Charles Fritz. We love how he embraces the West with rich colors and subjects.

Master Puppeteer

We moved upstairs, to explore more artwork, and found ourselves in the Bil Baird gallery.  This Midwesterner grew up In Mason City, before moving on to celebrity status. In the 1930s, he created his familiar puppet style, which would become his signature. His art form transcended borders and he would become an international star. He created pieces that are recognizable to people around the world. While much of his groundwork occurred before our childhood, there were some that we could relate to.

Growing Popularity

Bil, along with his wife Cora, kept building their repertoire, and the opportunities kept coming. In 1965, the couple performed the puppet scene in the movie The Sound of Music. The images from “The Lonely Goatherd” are some of the most familiar puppet forms ever created. The MacNider Art Museum has a wonderful collection of puppets that bring back feelings of childhood.

Outdoor Art

On our way into and out of the museum, we were treated to many outdoor sculptures that dot the city landscape. While these pieces are not associated directly with the museum, it is certain that Mason City, and its residents, embrace all types of art. During our exploration, we found murals, statues, and grassroots art scattered around the city. It was apparent that this Iowa city is all about art and we love that.

Visit MacNider Art Museum

Visiting sites like MacNider Art Museum offer us a chance to expand our knowledge of American art. With two rotating galleries dedicated to temporary exhibits, there is always something new to see. The museum has come far from the early days with few pieces. These days, they have a significant inventory, which means that there are lots to see in the galleries. We did a self-guided tour, which allowed us to spend as much time as we wanted with the pieces. The museum has an intimate feeling and a size that doesn’t overwhelm. We invite you to visit MacNider and see if it doesn’t inspire you to seek out more local art museums to explore.

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We want to thank Visit Mason City and the Park Inn for hosting our stay. Rest assured that all opinions are our own. 

Clean Lines

It’s hard to imagine that all of these geometric masterpieces started with a man born in 1867. To say that his ideas were ahead of his time would be an understatement. Being raised in the Midwest gave him a solid base for his views of how homes on the prairie should look. Wright’s first attempt at adding geometric design into his structures came in his own home. Building in a quiet suburb of Chicago, he added his new design style to his in-home studio and the kid’s playroom. This would be the beginning of his ‘Prairie School” architectural movement.

60 Years of Magic

Our visit to Mason City, Iowa allowed us a chance to stay in the only remaining Wright-designed hotel in the world. The Historic Park Inn Hotel is truly awe-inspiring. From our first sighting, we knew that it would be special. After checking in at the front desk, we decided to wander around the historic lodge. Each floor holds recognizable geometrically-designed, leaded-glass windows. The simple lines are carried through in so many of the accents that it becomes a huge tapestry of repeated shapes.

Familiar Sights

We are kind of late-comers to the group of Wright appreciators. In fact, it wasn’t until a trip to Springfield, Illinois that we toured our first structure designed by this architecture genius. The Dana-Thomas house introduced us to his unique simplistic, yet soothing style. Wandering through the Historic Park Inn reminded us of this previous visit. The design of the furniture and light fixtures echoed the patterns we found throughout the hotel. It was the fact that he repeated his theme throughout a design that speaks the most about Wright’s 60 years of magic.

Carrying It Through

It was time to check out our room, which we were sure would also include the same attention to detail. Sure enough, we found the design in the furniture and windows, just as we had in the main rooms. With so many layers of repeating design, it’s easy to overlook some of the finer details. One that became more apparent in our room was the arch-shaped pattern to the wall treatment. Discovering this renewed our effort to capture more of the finer points.

Taking it Outside

Mason City has embraced its relationship with the famous architect and his 60 years of magic. As we wandered the city, we found a variety of murals that mimicked the geometric patterns that are synonymous with Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs. Each one cements the marriage of art and architecture.

More To See

While most of our travel blogging adventures don’t allow for an extended time in our lodging, we had to make adjustments for our stay at the Historic Park Inn Hotel. Having an opportunity to experience such a notable destination, we wanted to soak it in. Each mural that we found, which reminded us of Wright’s work, made us long for more time at the hotel. We weren’t about to forego our other stops, but we knew in the backs of our minds that we had a fantastic rest awaiting us. Have you ever visited any of Frank Lloyd Wright’s properties?

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We want to thank Visit Mason City and the local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured that all opinions are our own. 

Brewed Breakfast

I cannot remember the last day that didn’t start for us with some delicious coffee. It’s the go-go juice that gets us rolling for a day of exploring. Mason city has some unique choices, so we struggled with having to select just one. Just a couple of blocks from our hotel, we discovered Three on the Tree Coffee & Café. Located on a corner, this woman-owned eatery offers a relaxed setting for some serious sipping. Most mornings, the coffee would be enough to carry us until midday. Of course, the desire to explore the menu had us sampling a little of their edible menu items. A variety of scones were too tempting to pass up, and we added one to our table. Their Biker Bars are a sweet snack packed with nuts and fruit. We even sampled a couple of their egg balls that reminded us of mini-quiches.

Handheld Deluxe

Our lunches are usually a protein-packed outing that fuels the back half of our day. State Street Deli was a perfect fit for this approach. Offering a selection of hot or cold sammies makes this a good stop for a quick meal. Our early arrival ensured fast service, but even when the lunch rush arrived, the line still moved quickly. Crystal enjoyed her smoked turkey sandwich, although I think she was just a little jealous of my pastrami on rye. As you can see from the photo, they don’t skimp on the ingredients, so you can treat yourself to a filling meal for a fair price. Our bellies were happily stuffed by the time we finished our meal.

The Quarry

With a half-dozen Iowa cities under our belt, we have found some amazing meals all across the state. Mason City was beginning to rival some of the stops we made in Des Moines, and we were just now heading to dinner. Just around the corner from our lodging, we found our evening destination. The Quarry Restaurant is a popular upscale destination for distinct dishes. After scanning their robust menu, we decided on a couple of colorful plates. My choice of the Jambalaya Penne Pasta brought the flavors of Louisiana to the dinner table. Crystal went more traditional with the Filet and a side of Brussel Sprouts. A pair of flavorful salads added some more pops of color to our space.

Treat Yourself

As we continue to refine our visits, we have learned to look for historical anchors to add to our itinerary. While visiting with some of the locals, we were clued in about an ages old ice cream stop just a couple of blocks from where we were staying. Birdsall’s Ice Cream has been serving up a variety of creamy flavors since 1931. Even though the ice creamery has changed hands a few times over the decades, it is still ran with customer satisfaction being paramount. We found ourselves facing a long line of locals, who were more than happy to suggest their favorite flavors to us. This certainly added a sweet treat to our Mason City visit.

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We want to thank Visit Mason City for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Welcome to the Jungle

As we approached Rancho Deluxe, it stood out from the rest of the neighborhood. This green space is vibrantly decorated with an assembly of brightly colored artifacts. Rows of pennants directed us to the entrance of this unusual art installation.

Color Us Surprised

As we wandered around Rancho Deluxe, it was clear that the main theme was color. Large concrete blocks were stacked in a loose maze design. This meant that as we meandered, the landscape was constantly changing. It was interesting to see the various designs that had been added to the mix.

Don’t Block Us In

Stepping back from the maze, we found that there was no real cohesive theme to the mini-murals. It almost felt like each had been decorated at a different location and then assembled in a haphazard manner. The artwork ranged from simplistic geometric patterns all the way to intricate pictures that portrayed current events. Many of the pieces had an obvious connection to Mason City, like The Music Man theme represented by the band member marching with a trombone.

Lots of Variety

While the concrete blocks take up a substantial part of the property, that is not the only artwork at the site. A garden-type setting has a variety of smaller sculptures, created from various found items. It is easy to find yourself mesmerized by the assembly of these creations, that time seems to stand still. Before long, we were making notes of the individual items that were used to construct these statuaries. On the fringe of the property, we found this patriotic display. Much like the other installations, this one was an eclectic collection of materials that were repurposed into this monument.

Side street Discovery

Mason City was proving to be a very artistic city. Throughout town, we discovered a broad range of artwork. Being a pedestrian-friendly destination, the addition of outdoor sculptures and art installations makes wandering the streets even more enjoyable. With lots of delicious meals on our itinerary, and maybe a sweet treat or two, we were loving the idea of walking off some calories. Do you like to park and walk when exploring new destinations?

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We want to thank Visit Mason City for hosting our visit. Rest assured that all opinions are our own. 

The Family Home

Having a chance to visit the boyhood home of Meredith Willson, was an opportunity to learn more about the Midwestern composer responsible for a substantial body of work. After checking in at the Music Man Square, we joined a few other visitors for a guided tour. Willson was born and raised in Mason City, which is situated on the Winnebago River. From a young age he was interested in music. By the time he reached adulthood, he was an accomplished musician on the flute and piccolo.

Growing Up with Music

After attending the Damrosch’s Institute of Musical Art, in New York City, he would go on to perform in John Philip Sousa’s band. Willson moved on from that role to perform with the New York Philharmonic. He would eventually move to San Francisco where he would become musical director for the NBC radio network. By 1940 he was busy composing scores for movies like Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator and The Little Foxes with Betty Davis. World War II would find him working with stars like Gracie Allen and George Burns. After seeing the home, and Willson’s boyhood bedroom, we were ready to move into the Music Man Museum.

The Music Man

Here we would get detailed background on his most famous piece of work. Drawing on his memories of his hometown, Willson wrote the story of a con man named Harold Hill, who visits a small town in Iowa. Hill’s River City stop is designed to convince the townspeople in their need to organize a community band to the tune of “Ya Got Trouble”. While his intentions are underhanded, he becomes sidetracked when he falls for the local librarian, “Marian the Librarian”. The resulting commotion results in an unexpected ending that features an impromptu marching band. Along the way we are treated to some of the other classics like “Seventy-Six Trombones”, “Shipoopi”, “Goodnight Ladies”, and “Till There Was You”.

Memorabilia Galore

Moving through the museum, we found a wide variety of artifacts and memorabilia associated with The Music Man. There are also other pieces that center around his other works. Willson’s other big musical hit is The Unsinkable Molly Brown, which tells a fantastical tale of a wealthy woman who survives the sinking of the Titanic. The story is loosely based on a real person, Margaret Brown, who hailed from Hannibal, Missouri. During our time in the museum, we also discovered that Meredith is responsible for the 1951 song “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”.

Mainstreet USA

Once we completed our time looking at the accolades and awards, we headed back toward the museum entrance. This area is designed to mimic a River City stop along Main Street. Visitors can meander down the road peering in the storefronts. Each one is filled with items that would have been commonplace in 1912, which is the setting for the musical. Strolling to the end, we discovered an ice cream shop that was open for business. You know us, we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to enjoy a sweet treat while we looked out over the diorama.

River City Stop

The Music Man Square and Meredith Willson Boyhood Home are an interesting side note in the history of Mason City, Iowa. It is easy to see how the city has embraced this hometown hero. The entire city has a distinct artistic side which makes it especially interesting for tourists. When The Music Man premiered, in 1962, it was right here in his hometown. He even led the parade through town, which was attended by stars from the silver screen. Much like his imaginary counterpart, Meredith brought music to this Iowa town. Do you remember The Music Man?

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