iowa great lakes maritime museum

This is a nice little museum that spotlights the history of the area. There are recovered artifacts & sunken boats.

This museum is beautiful with vintage boats, artifacts from the old Arnolds Park, and lots of history that is laid out well and very pleasing to the eye. Staff are great and very welcoming. A must see in Okoboji!

It's free! If you ride the Queen II around the lake you'll learn lots of lake and area history that makes the museum even more interesting!

We only got to spend about 30 minutes here, but I think I could have stayed a lot longer. Seeing this museum brought back some of the childhood memories I had of going to Okoboji and Arnolds Park. Of particular interest to me was the boat with the number 30 on it that had sunk into West Lake back in the 1940's and then was brought back up in the 1990's in an effort spearheaded by Jim Koenig, I believe. Having the actual boat on display is a wonderful addition to the museum.

Cool to see history of area and look and some of the old boats. Even our nine year old son liked it. Small museum but it gets the job done.

Visited on a Tuesday afternoon to see more about some of the boats discussed during our Queen II boat tour on the lake. The receptionists were very friendly and wanted each family to sign in. The museum is free and offers a wide variety of displays for all ages. I really enjoyed the news archives while our kids liked the store and free checkers game. Everything was very clean including the bathrooms and gift shop. You could spend 15-45 minutes here depending on your level of interest. Check it out!

Been coming to Okoboji for years but this was my first stop at the museum. I was impressed by the size of the space and the extensive collection. I especially enjoyed watching some of the old videos. I would recommend visiting to get out if the heat or the rain if you are in town.

This is a nice museum to learn about the history of the area with emphasis on the lake and surrounding culture of those whose lives depended on the lake. Great stop and the price is right!!

This museum brought back memories when I was a kid visiting Okoboji back in the 50's. Don't miss this free museum. Some very nice wooden boats to see.

The lakes history truly does come to life at this little spot! Love seeing the boats, the old school wet suit and all the history of the Queen and Captain Steve!

As a child this was everybody's place. Cabins for rent all over. Now it's a private lake with a few exceptions. If the people of Okoboji expect to keep the park going, they better make hefty donations or bring the cabins back so the general public can enjoy. If you don't believe me, drive around in the dead of winter. The majority of homes are vacant, The museum captures "the old days" and for that I rate it high. But the park is a disappointment anymore with the funhouse and skating ring gone.Now the rich have brought mussels to these amazing lakes. The average folk couldn't afford to go more than one place to boat, that is why years ago this stuff didn't happen. The museum is a memorial to what once was. RIP Lake Okoboji.

We spent about an hour in the museum. Good place for history lover & will get nice clicks/snaps with variety of boats. Gift shop is reasonable & staffs are very informative & friendly. Worth a visit and there is no entry fee. Its very close to Arnolds theme park.

They have a great museum that takes you back into the history of the lake... actual sunken boat they have brought up and old park rides... So many pictures, facts making the history fun to see! Usually try to go once a year and find something new Every time!!Worth the time to go!!

It's interesting to note that there is an Iowa Navy! I always learn something new about the area's history whenever I visit this jewel of a museum. The volunteers are quite knowledgeable, friendly and helpful...don't forget to sign the guestbook. Spend at least a half hour going through the museum looking at the exhibits and then check out the gift shop for souvenirs. It's well worth a visit.

Really interesting photos and old boats from the Lakes area.Well worth you time to learn more about the history of Okoboji.