We all have our good days and our bad days. In Okoboji, you can only have good days… but what does a perfect day in Okoboji look like? Good question. From one teen to another, I’ve got you covered. I’ve constructed an itinerary of the perfect summer day in Okoboji, so you can spend the whole day doing the things that actually matter… the fun parts!
TOPOG Coffeehouse
8:30 a.m.
When a teenager rises from their hibernation, what better way to start the morning than coffee?
The Topog Coffeehouse along Queen’s Court in Arnolds Park is there to satisfy that teenage urge for a trendy café drink! From one teen to another, I recommend their famous “A Latte Caramel” and delicious Avocado Toast to compliment!
Shop Hop
9:30 a.m.
Calling all shopaholics! Just up the Arnolds Park Promenade, the Central Emporium has everything you need!
As teens, we have an acute need for the newest wear, and trust me, the Central Emporium has got you covered. At the Animal House, you’ll find only the latest trends in teen fashion- including local brand, Freed Sailors! Freed Sailors attire is a must-have at Lake Okoboji so be sure to check it out!
Beach Volleyball
10:00 a.m.
Time to slip around in the sand and pretend to be a D1 Volleyball player!
Beach Volleyball is the perfect way to add a little bit of spice to that “perfect” set of yours. Can’t blame the setter if they lose their footing.
Head down the Arnolds Park Promenade and you’ll find yourself at the Beach Volleyball courts in the sand, adjacent to Bob’s in the Park– home to some of the best milkshakes in Iowa!
Oh, and make sure you bring a volleyball 🙂
Bike Ride to Lunch
11:30 a.m.
So long as you stay within a manageable distance of the restaurant- you might as well make your way to lunch in fashion!
The Iowa Great Lakes Trails are designed to take you everywhere around the Lakes! Take advantage of a glorious day and add a little twist by biking to lunch!
I highly recommend renting an E-Bike! If you’ve never tried one, rent one out to make this perfect day just right! I promise you’ll never want to go back to normal biking again, especially the options available in Arnolds Park from Bojiebikes!
Burger & Company
12:00 p.m.
Where should our bike ride destination be? To Burger & Company on Hill Avenue of course!
As one of the most popular burger joints in the region, the original BC Burger has been a staple for local teenagers since the restaurant opened in 2020. Burger & Co. is the perfect intermediary option if you’re looking for something more than fast food, but not overly expensive!
Treasure Village Mini Golf
1:30 p.m.
Be sure to give yourself some time to bike to our next destination! The trails are a great way to explore the area and will easily get us to Treasure Village Mini Golf! Treasure Village offers visitors a fun, friendly experience with 27 hand-crafted holes!
I believe that a couple of holes grant superpowers. On some holes, you can spin a wheel with a chance for the spinner to land on a specific request for how you are supposed to make the shot. Whether it’s a no-look shot or a one-legged shot, it is sure to be fun! One time, I had to take a shot with my eyes closed and I ended up getting a hole-in-one! So, yeah… superpowers granted.
The Frozen Parrot
3:15 p.m.
Once you’ve biked to your afternoon snack destinationat the Frozen Parrot, you’ve made a complete loop around West Lake Okoboji! The Frozen Parrot is a very recent addition to the area, and offers a very unique treat – popsicles!
These aren’t just freezer popsicles you’d find at Hy-Vee; Frozen Parrot offers visitors a choice between water or milk-based popsicles. After choosing (and I highly recommend milk-based, it’s delicious!), pick a dip for your popsicle, add toppings, and drizzle!
I never thought a popsicle dessert could taste so good!
Milford Pioneer Theatre
4:00 p.m.
Provided a solid movie is showing, the Milford Pioneer Theatre is the perfect place to experience that movie Mom said you can’t watch. This theatre has some of the friendliest staff I have ever met and some of the cleanest auditoriums I have been in!
The Milford Pioneer Theatre is made to serve! With reclining seats and pull-out trays, this theatre has all you need to sit back and relax for your favorite film!
The Hutt
6:15 p.m.
It’s getting about that time, huh? Fresh off the reclined seats of the Milford Pioneer Theatre, let’s find somewhere to dig in! Rolling back into Arnolds Park, just off the highway, you’ll find The Hutt Bar & Grill!
At The Hutt, you’ll find only the kindest employees and some of the region’s best food! I recommend starting with an order of cheeseballs. Every breathtaking dining experience begins with cheeseballs. And what better to complement our appetizer than with the Legend Burger, named after the famous Legend Roller Coaster in Arnolds Park Amusement Park!
With affordable prices and delicious food, what more do you need when it’s all at The Hutt Bar & Grill?
Arnolds Park Free Concert
7:30 p.m.
You read that right. Free. Concert. What more do I need to say? To end this perfect Summer Saturday with a blast, what better to do it than a Live at the Lake concert?
Regardless of if the music is rock, country, or pop, the concerts at Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park are bound to be a good time. You’re either swaying back and forth, waving your phone light, or, if you’re lucky, bouncing up and down screaming your heart out in the mosh pit. Either way, you get to end the night on a high note… with fireworks!
End of the Day – Fireworks
10:30 p.m.
Stick around till the end of the concert and you can gaze at the exploding lights over West Okoboji Lake! What a way to end such a perfect day!
Biography
Spirit Lake teenager Teegan Jones is an expert on the ins and outs of Okoboji. Amidst his Junior year at Spirit Lake High School, he is involved in Student Council, Key Club, Youth in Philanthropy, and Boys Tennis. With lofty goals, Teegan will be serving as a Senate Page in the Iowa senate for the 2024 legislative session.
He has dedicated countless hours to community service and philanthropy in the Lakes Area. Setting a hefty goal to volunteer 400 hours within a single year, Teegan has recently begun helping at Vacation Okoboji as he makes headway toward his goal.