The Amana Colonies are located a short distance from Iowa City in Amana, approximately 18 miles away. Actually, it consists of seven small German villages. It is also a National Historic Landmark.
In Amana you can walk the streets and visit all sorts of little shops - candlemaking, basketmaking, wine-tasting, old fashioned candy, an out of this world bakery, and one of the finest furniture stores and woollen mills in the area. There is a smoked meat shop, and beautiful grandfather clocks!
The restaurants all feature German fare. Their homemade sauerkraut is scrumptious! They also feature country fried chicken, wiener schnitzel, smoked ham and pork chops, barbecued ribs, and homemade desserts, like German fruit pie. This is all served family style. This is a must visit if you are in the Iowa City area.
You can park and walk the streets to most of the shops in Middle Amana. It does take a car to drive to the rest of the colonies.
There is a wonderful golf course located just outside of Amana. There is also a beautiful lily pond that fills with blooming lilies. There are several bed and breakfasts in the area and some small hotels.