The River's Edge Bed & Breakfast Inn

Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
The Mark Twain boyhood home, museum, and other related sites are located in nearby Hannibal, Missouri. Enjoy stories from Twain's past and his imagination as you tour the exhibits.

Villages of Van Buren
The . . . rush of life races the blood, but the quiet life restoreth the soul . . . the quiet life is what you will find when you visit the Villages of Van Buren County, in southeast Iowa. Off the beaten path, but near to history, nature and the spirit of America's heartland. It is easy to relax as you drive through the countryside, picnic in a park, hike the trails, stroll through the shops, enjoy the historic architecture, or relax and take in the solitude and beauty of the surroundings.

Riverboat Cruise and Gambling
Cruise the beautiful Mississippi River aboard "Iowa's Friendliest Casino." This 1300 passenger vessel features unlimited gaming. The third deck features fine dining, entertainment, and a dance floor. Summer cruise season in Fort Madison. Winter dockside season in Burlington, Iowa (just 20 miles north of Fort Madison).

Grand Avenue
Keokuk's beautiful Grand Avenue is referred to in one publication as the "Miracle Mile". Pick up your walking tour guide and don't forget your camera, and enjoy the beauty these great homes have to offer.

Civil War
Battle of Pea Ridge re-enactment. Activities include a Ladies Style Show and Tea, Military Ball, Breakfast with the Troops, National Cemetery Memorial and Church Service, campfires and two Battle Reenactments. While in Rand Park, visitors can tour the camps, visit Sutlers' Row, snack on period food and enjoy period entertainment! Activities in the park are free of charge!

City of Christmas (Open November 25 - December 26)
Welcome to the City of Christmas in Keokuk's Rand Park. As you stroll through Rand Park, you will view well over 300,000 beautifully arranged Christmas lights and 100 delightful displays. Keokuk's City of Christmas began in 1989 when dreams became a reality and Toyland, Santa's Barn complete with reindeer and elves, Santa's Workshop, a Nativity scene, and the International Christmas Display all appeared in Rand Park for the month of December. Public reaction was outstanding and a holiday tradition began. Over a decade of memories have been shared by visitors to the City of Christmas, with totals of over 20,000 vehicles passing through Rand Park each year.

All of the displays are original and created by local citizens with many hours devoted to construction, decoration and upkeep and totally funded by donations. Jim Shuman, coordinator of these activities is the recipient of the distinguished 2005 Spirit of Keokuk Award because of his efforts. The City of Christmas is a non-profit corporation staffed by volunteers. As you journey where visitors from all over the world have toured, we hope you feel the Spirit of the Holiday Season!

Amana Colonies
The Amana Colonies. The Inspirationists emerged in the early 1700's as part of the Pietist and Spiritualist movement within the Lutheran Church in Germany. Eberard Gruber and Johann Friedrich Rock were early spiritual leaders in this Community of the True Inspirationalists. The Inspirationalists placed a great deal of emphasis on the development and the nurture of Inner Life via direct mystical contact with God. A strong commitment to church discipline and close community relationships also characterized the Inspirationists.

In 1842, 800 German Inspirationists settled near Buffalo, New York, and began to practice full communal life institutionalizing precepts concerning dress and lifestyle. For economic and spiritual reasons, however, the group bought 18.000 acres in Iowa in 1854 and called their new home "Amana" a word taken from the Old Testament Song of Solomon, which means "to remain faithful."

In 1932, the year of the "Great Change," community of goods was discontinued. Strict regulations on dress and lifestyle have also been gradually eliminated. Church life itself however, continues with its spiritualistic pattern and simple form of worship. in unadorned meetinghouses.

Despite the large number of visitors who come to the Amana villages each year, many unique cultural traditions remain and are, in fact, affirmed and passed on from generation to generation.

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