Muscatine is an interesting old river town full of interesting architecture, shops, and Museums. Here are a few of our favorites:
Shops:

The Cotton Shop is a world class quilt shop. It has been featured in quilt magazines, and is a destination for quilters region wide.






Neal's is in the same block as The Cotton Shop, and is a sewing machine and fabric store that has been there for decades. They claim to have over 5,000 bolts of fabric. Jerry, the owner has a wonderful collection of antique machines. I don't know about the number of bolts of fabric, there are a lot, but they ARE the sewing machine parts experts. I went in there one day, and asked if they had a bobbin for a 1904 White Rotary, and he went in the back rumaging around and came out with one. If you are into sewing as we are, don't miss these two shops.

A Planet's Wild is a wonderful privately owned toy store with a whole range of toys that can't be found at the big box stores. They can also order almost anything that is currently available. We were looking for some toy hammer head sharks to give out as gag gifts, and they actually had them!


Muscatine Books and More is a great source for anything literary. Tom and Sharon Savage own it. Tom is a writer himself, having published a book last year of Iowa place names, and the history behind them. They can also order almost anything in print.



Muscatine is home to several good antique stores. We consider the best one to be Past Times Antiques which is only 2 doors past our shop.





For about 70 years Muscatine was the Pearl Button Capitol of the World. The process of making them from river clams was invented here, and turned into a major industry. Billions were produced. If you see a pearl button on a garment, chances are it was made here in Muscatine.

The Muscatine History and Industry Center is the Pearl Button Museum with interesting displays on the whole process. It is free, and open 6 days a week.

I could hardly believe my eyes the first time I visited the Muscatine Art Center. Full of French Impressioninsts, Cezanne, Renoir, Picasso, Metisse. Also, Georgia O'Keefe and Grant Wood! They also have the worlds largest collection of antique art glass. And this place is free!


Muscatine has a very large collection of victorian homes, some of which are world class. The big Italianate home was built in the 1850's, and was recently featured in an issue of Architecture Digest. It has a commanding view of the river. There are 2 Frank Lloyd Wright homes here.


Our favorite down town restaurants are Button Factory Wood Fire Grill and Salvatore's.

The Button Factory Wood Fire Grill is in a remodeled factory building, and features food cooked on a real wood fire. Anything from the grill is a great experience, and worth the trip. Melanie especially likes the Salmon. I like the Iowa chop.... a thick cut of pork chop cooked on the grill. After all, we are in Iowa, where they raise the world's best pork.

Salvatore's is an Italian restaurant known for the freshest ingredients, great food, and great service.