Iowa Gold Star Military Museum

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum
4.5
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
See what travellers are saying
  • Sissy0711
    Saint Joseph, Missouri24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the best museums I have seen
    This is one of the best military museums I have visited! Trust me, I have two military history sons so I have seen many museums in multiple states. Wonderful interpretation, chronological flowing exhibits, and very nice staff/volunteers. Well done!
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 21 July 2023
  • wyliec2
    Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic Museum
    Visited in spare time with relatives. We’ll done, historical timeline from Civil War through Desert Storm and War on Terror. Spent 2 hours and could have spent more - very detailed exhibits of US and foreign military forces.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 8 September 2023
  • dambanker
    Toronto, Canada1,232 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth the visit
    Had some time to kill and I had seen signs for this museum on the Interstate, so I finally decided to check it out. It's on the Camp Dodge Base so I did call ahead as being non-American I wasn't sure if I could go there. No issues, just had to show id at the gate. Both the base and museum are easy to find and it was interesting being on a military base too. The museum itself is free to enter and it's really good, much better than I expected. Lots of displays following the timeline of US conflicts. The displays were excellent with lots of interactive features. Great place for kids. Outside there's lots of vehicles on displays as well. Great place to visit if you enjoy history.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 28 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles48 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
11
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1

dambanker
Toronto, Canada1,232 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
Had some time to kill and I had seen signs for this museum on the Interstate, so I finally decided to check it out. It's on the Camp Dodge Base so I did call ahead as being non-American I wasn't sure if I could go there. No issues, just had to show id at the gate. Both the base and museum are easy to find and it was interesting being on a military base too.

The museum itself is free to enter and it's really good, much better than I expected. Lots of displays following the timeline of US conflicts. The displays were excellent with lots of interactive features. Great place for kids. Outside there's lots of vehicles on displays as well.

Great place to visit if you enjoy history.
Written 28 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wyliec2
Saint Bonifacius, MN32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Friends
Visited in spare time with relatives. We’ll done, historical timeline from Civil War through Desert Storm and War on Terror.

Spent 2 hours and could have spent more - very detailed exhibits of US and foreign military forces.
Written 8 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cello12345
Urbana, IL556 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
This museum is on the grounds of the Camp Dodge military facility. Make sure to use the driving directions on their website, rather than relying on a GPS mapping service (we had to finally call for help - apparently they get this all the time.) Don't be put off by the guarded main gate - just drive right up and show your driver's license - the public is allowed on this facility. Signage to find the museum once you're on the base is quite good.
Also be aware that in addition to the indoor exhibits, the museum also has a large array of military vehicles "out back" - don't miss it!
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sissy0711
Saint Joseph, MO24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
This is one of the best military museums I have visited! Trust me, I have two military history sons so I have seen many museums in multiple states. Wonderful interpretation, chronological flowing exhibits, and very nice staff/volunteers. Well done!
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

davidjensen399
Johnston, IA204 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Couples
We finally decided to visit the museum during Memorial Day activities. There are lots of specific pieces of equipment tied to each time period and era. Also some interactive exhibits. It's a nice little museum; a hidden gem. You just need to show your id to get into Camp Dodge.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tmann1376
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Family
What a great piece of history! I have paid for attractions that are not even close to this free place. Great displays of military from all the wars. My kids were really interested in all the gear and vehicles. My only regret is that I didn’t have more money for a donation. This place is funded from donations and it needs to be funded for all of us to enjoy. Completely worth a visit!
Written 23 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MisterRick
Des Moines10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019
The Iowa Gold Star Museum is without a doubt, one of the hidden treasures in the State of Iowa. Located at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, the museum was once the Adjutant General of Iowa's Headquarters building. A significant expansion has allowed the museum to display artifacts and maintain exhibits that date from the birth of the state in 1849 all the way up to the todays global war on terrorism. The museum represents the role Iowans have played in every conflict and war by telling their story through some unbelievable exhibits and displays. The weapons display is second to none, the World War I trench is something to experience and the Viet Nam era helicopter looks ready to take off on a mission. If you have any interest in Iowa history, military history, or have served in the Armed Forces, plan on spending an afternoon, you will be amazed at what this magnificent museum has to offer.
Written 13 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cdhcch
Cedar Rapids, IA602 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Couples
Many do not know or understand our country's history or how Iowans have participated in it. The displays walk you through the contributions of those that came from our state.
Written 1 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mschae8125
Colorado Springs, CO3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Solo
I have been fortunate to visit some of the beaches of WWII battles including Normandy and Iwo Jima. Believing it was a nice gesture I gave 5 small 1oz. bottles of this hallowed ground to the museum. The curator later called me and said they didn’t want it. When I said give it to a vet he said no and if I didn’t come and get it he would “throw it into the garbage.” I can’t think of anything more offensive than to disrespect a fallen hero by such an act. All my vet friends (and I have many) are appalled the a gold star museum would dishonor the men who gave their lives so the rest of us can be free. I will never support any institution that would throw hallowed ground into the garbage. How incredibly despicable can one be!?
Written 24 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ellen K
Urbana21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2017
The history of Iowa in the Military. Very interesting displays, some that were very realistic. The names of people that are or were neighbors or relatives or that you've heard of and how they served was a surprise. A lot of honors to fellow Iowans.
Written 7 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, Johnston

Frequently Asked Questions about Iowa Gold Star Military Museum

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum is open:
  • Tue - Fri 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Sat - Sat 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM


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