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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Iowa City & the Amana Colonies, Iowa
Calyx Creek's lavender fields near Oxford are free to walk on open weekends, and the seven Amana villages and Kent Park's 27-acre lake are minutes away.
2 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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The country west of Iowa City is rolling farmland along the Iowa River, with the seven villages of the Amana Colonies to the north and the University of Iowa's Pentacrest museums to the east. Interstate 80 makes the whole area quick to cross: Herbert Hoover's birthplace in West Branch and the Brucemore estate in Cedar Rapids are each well under an hour away.
Calyx Creek, a family lavender farm outside Oxford, anchors the area. Its fields, shop and cafe are free to visit during open hours, which in fall 2026 run Saturdays 10 to 4 and Sundays 1 to 5. The farm says its experiences usually run May through October, while its treehouse stays and private events go year-round. Pair it with a lake walk at F.W. Kent Park next door, an afternoon in the Amanas, or a free museum in Iowa City.
The lavender farms
- Calyx CreekLavender farm · Oxford
Free weekend visits to the fields, shop and café; ticketed classes May through October; treehouse lodging year-round.
Best time to visit
Calyx Creek's visitor experiences usually run May through October; it has not published exact bloom dates, so check its website's bloom status before a summer trip. Kent Park's swimming beach is open daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from the first Saturday after Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Amana Colonies' guided walking and van tours run May through October, and the colonies held Oktoberfest October 1–4, 2026. Brucemore's mansion tours pause for winter and resume in early March, while its grounds stay open all year. The Old Capitol and the Museum of Natural History are open Wednesday through Saturday all year, with free admission.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- F.W. Kent Park🏞️ Park · Oxford · about 4 mi, 10 min drive
About 1,060 acres of Johnson County parkland with a 27-acre fishing lake circled by a crushed-rock trail, more than 13 miles of hiking trails and a Conservation Education Center with hands-on displays and a wildlife viewing area.
Sunrise to 10:30 p.m.; unguarded beach open 11 a.m.–8 p.m. from the Saturday after Memorial Day through Labor Day
- Amana Colonies🏘️ Town · Amana · about 9 mi, 15 min drive
Seven villages settled by a German communal society that lived communally for more than 90 years, now a National Historic Landmark of independent shops, furniture makers, wineries, a brewery and trails. Start at the visitor center at 622 46th Ave.
Guided walking and van tours May–October; Oktoberfest October 1–4, 2026
- Amana Heritage Museum🏛️ Museum · Amana · about 9 mi, 15 min drive
The Amana Heritage Society's main museum tells the colonies' story; the society also runs the Communal Kitchen and Cooper Shop Museum, the Homestead Church Museum, the Homestead Folk Art Museum and the High Amana General Store.
Seasonal; check the society's hours and admission page
- Old Capitol Museum🏛️ Historic site · Iowa City · about 18 mi, 25 min drive
A National Historic Landmark on the Pentacrest with restored period rooms, including the original Iowa House chamber where the state constitution was first drafted and the first university president's office.
Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed most federal holidays
free
- University of Iowa Museum of Natural History🏛️ Museum · Iowa City · about 18 mi, 25 min drive
Founded in 1858 in Macbride Hall, it calls itself the second-oldest museum west of the Mississippi; galleries include a mammal hall and the Laysan Island Cyclorama.
Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
free
- Coralville Lake🏞️ Park · Coralville · about 16 mi, 25 min drive
An Army Corps of Engineers lake between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids with hiking and mountain biking, and the Devonian Fossil Gorge below the dam.
Administration building and visitor center closed until further notice
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site🏛️ Historic site · West Branch · about 30 mi, 35 min drive
Hoover's modest birthplace cottage, buildings from Hoover's boyhood and his gravesite, all walkable in a few hours, with the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum on the grounds. A third of a mile off I-80 at exit 254.
Buildings open daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
free
- Brucemore🏛️ Historic site · Cedar Rapids · about 30 mi, 40 min drive
A 26-acre estate around an 1886 mansion, with mansion tours, evening programs and fall events such as Frights by Candlelight (October 29–November 1, 2026).
Grounds open year-round; mansion tours resume in early March
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Millstream Brewing Co.Brewery or taproom (21+) · Amana
Founded in 1985 in Amana, it calls itself Iowa's original craft brewery and also makes root beer and other sodas for nondrinkers (21+ for beer; plan a designated driver).
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMF.W. Kent Park
Walk the crushed-rock loop around the 27-acre lake and stop in the Conservation Education Center; about an hour.
- 11:15 AMCalyx Creek · about 10 min drive
About 10 minutes. On a Saturday open day, walk the fields, browse the shop and have lavender treats and drinks from the cafe as a light lunch; allow 1.5 hours.
- 1:15 PMAmana Colonies Visitor Center · about 15 min drive
About 15 minutes north. Pick up a map and walk Main Amana's shops; about an hour.
- 2:30 PMAmana Heritage Museum · about 5 min drive
A short drive or walk in Amana; 45 minutes on communal-era life.
- 3:30 PMMillstream Brewing Co. · about 5 min drive
A few minutes away. Sit on the patio with a house root beer or a beer (21+); about 45 minutes.
- 4:45 PMOld Capitol Museum · about 30 min drive
About 30 minutes east to Iowa City for a last look at the Pentacrest before the 5 p.m. close (Wednesday–Saturday only), then dinner downtown.
Tips
- Calyx Creek is closed Monday through Friday in fall 2026; plan a Saturday (10–4) or Sunday (1–5) visit.
- At Calyx Creek, park along either side of the lane and check in at the marked door of the main building.
- The Old Capitol and the Museum of Natural History are both free but closed Sunday through Tuesday.
- Kent Park's beach has no lifeguards; swimming is at your own risk.
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is free and sits right off I-80 at exit 254, an easy add-on heading east.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
Does Calyx Creek charge admission?
No. The fields, shop and farm are free to visit during open hours, and no ticket is needed.
Can I bring my dog to Calyx Creek?
Yes, leashed dogs that are respectful of other guests are welcome.
Are the Iowa City museums free?
Yes. The Old Capitol Museum and the UI Museum of Natural History are free, open Wednesday through Saturday 10 to 5.
When are the Amana Colonies tours offered?
Guided walking and van tours run May through October.
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The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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