Located along the Mississippi River, Muscatine has all the beautiful scenery, delicious restaurants, boutique shopping and history you could ever dream of. This historic river town is home to some of the state's best museums sharing the community's interesting past, one that is sure to entertain any history buff.
Where to Go
1. Muscatine Art Center
This museum offers more than world-renowned art. Step inside the 1908 Edwardian mansion, once the private home of a local lumber heiress, to discover its many distinctive architectural details of the period. Through exploring the home, you'll also find each room's historic walls are lined with French Impressionist works and American decorative arts. Head outside to find the Japanese garden and sculpture court outside.
2. Downtown Muscatine
Take a relaxing stroll through Muscatine's downtown district and admire the buildings' historic architecture blended with new ideas. Pose with the iconic Clammer statue, a nod to the town's history, feast on international flavors from Mexico, Italy and Vietnam and peruse the boutique shops and their locally-made goods.
3. National Pearl Button Museum
Experience the Muscatine that was once known as the "Pearl Button Capital of the World." This museum's first floor shares the story of the community's involvement in the "gold rush of the Midwest" in the 1890s, when river towns across the country extracted beautiful white pearls from their waters, contributing to nearly 1/3 of the world's pearl buttons. The second floor delves into Muscatine's thriving manufacturing industry throughout the 1940s and 50s.
Where to Eat
1. Maxwell's on the River
With an emphasis on fresh, local and sustainable food, Maxwell's on the River showcases the finest dining in the heart of Muscatine's downtown. Settle into their comfortable dining room to enjoy a relaxing night with sweeping views of the river.
2. Missipi Brewing Company
The combination of great food, great music and the finest spirits west of the Mississippi River makes Missipi Brewing Company a must-stop in Muscatine. This family-owned restaurant offers a casual dining experience with that ole' time pub feel.
Where to Stay
The Merrill
Named the #1 Hotel in Iowa by the U.S. News & World Report, Muscatine's lone boutique hotel offers a luxurious stay for the most relaxing night. Perfectly placed in the heart of the downtown, The Merrill not only offers unobstructed views of the Mississippi River, but also comfortable amenities that will make you feel right at home.
