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Okoboji – Just Beach it
Grab your towel and sunglasses and come explore Okoboji Beaches! Arnolds Park City Beach Arnolds Park City Beach is right in the middle of all the excitement. Just next to the bridge on Highway 71, you can walk or drive to the available parking lot after enjoying lunch at The Ritz. It is a Read More »
Read MoreShop Okoboji This Holiday Season
We invite you to come home to Okoboji this Holiday Season! There is still so much to SEE, EAT and DO in Okoboji! You’ll also want to check out vast array of shopping venues to find the perfect gift for everyone on your shopping list! Allure & Co. Allure & Co. is a modern boutique Read More »
Read MoreClassic West Lake Loop
This classic West Lake Okoboji loop ride will take you just over 18 miles around beautiful West Lake Okoboji. You can start at many points around the lake. This ride started at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji which has plenty of parking and is great launching point. You can head north or south from Read More »
Read MoreFall Okoboji Dining Guide
Enjoy this comprehensive Lakes Area Dining Guide for all things tasty in Okoboji! Please be patient with our dining establishments, they are very short staffed. We try to keep this as updated as possible but hours are changing all the time so call ahead or check Facebook for the most updated hours for each establishment. Read More »
Read MoreBehind the Scenes: Fun in Okoboji Video
The latest Vacation Okoboji video will have you dreaming of your next summer vacation in Okoboji, Iowa. Go behind the scenes to learn more about each of the Okoboji attractions that need to be on your to-do list! Lakeside Dining! Okoboji offers a wide variety of lakeside dining options including The Okoboji Store Bar Read More »
Read MoreOkoboji WINTER Dining and To-Go Guide
Enjoy this comprehensive Lakes Area Take Out dining guide for all things tasty and comforting! Bob’s Drive Inn – Milford Bob’s Drive Inn opened in LeMars, IA, in 1949 selling Hot Dogs and Taverns. The tradition lives on in Okoboji! Bob’s Drive Inn in Milford continues to be operated by the Kass Family – providing Read More »
Read MoreBehind the Scenes: Family Fun in Okoboji Video
The latest Vacation Okoboji video will have you dreaming of your next summer family vacation to Okoboji. Go behind the scenes to learn more about each of the Okoboji attractions that need to be on your families to-do list! Tubing! With over 15,000 acres of lakes in Iowa’s Great Lakes region, there is plenty of Read More »
Read MoreBouncelandia
Bounce Your Day Away! by Rebecca Peters This week I visited Bouncelandia, the world’s largest bounce house in Milford, IA. I was able to bounce my afternoon away and feel like a kid again. This unique attraction is perfect for all ages that love to have fun! Bouncelandia is very hard to miss. Imagine a Read More »
Read MoreOkoboji Family Vacation
Okoboji is nestled in the northwest corner of Iowa along the Minnesota border. The chain of lakes were formed by a glacier thousands of years ago, and now welcome generations of families to the crisp clean water and beaches! We are excited to welcome your family to create life-long memories in Okoboji (and get a Read More »
Read MoreFurry Friends Welcome in Okoboji!
Want to bring your furry best friend on vacation to Okoboji with you, but you don’t know what places are pet-friendly? We’re here to help! Whether you’re looking for lodging or dining options, we’ll find options that will give you and your pet(s) the best Okoboji experience! Pet-friendly Lodging Looking for a place to Read More »
Read MoreIn Search of the Hidden Selfie Spots
Have you ever wondered where some of the best selfie spots are in Okoboji – even the most hidden ones? Well, now you can find them one by one and take memorable selfies as you go! You can pretend to be pirates looking for the treasured selfie spot next to the Mini Queen at East Read More »
Read MoreTop 12 Okoboji Kids Activities
#1. Arnolds Park Amusement Park No vacation to Okoboji is complete without a day at Arnolds Park Amusement Park ! From the roller coaster to the log ride, you are bound to see smiles, hear laughter, and let out a couple screams! With many kid friendly rides, it is also a great place for all Read More »
Read MoreKettleson Hogsback
Connect with Nature! by Rebecca Peters This week I explored the trails at Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area. The weather is getting beautiful, and it’s a great time to get outside to watch the plants come back to life. I’ve heard there are great birdwatching opportunities at Kettleson Hogsback, with over 270 different bird species Read More »
Read MoreOkoboji Gold Disc Golf
Keep Your Disc Level! by Rebecca Peters This week I learned to play disc golf at the Okoboji Gold Disc Golf Course at Kenue Park next to the Nature Center. This course offers a fun, yet challenging 18 holes that winds through a Burr Oak Savannah and over a glacial kame between the Westport Schoolhouse Read More »
Read MoreThe Maritime Museum
So Many Wooden Boats! by Rebecca Peters This week I visited the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum and gift shop. The museum is full of fascinating artifacts that tell a story about our community in years past. It is free to visit, but donations are accepted. The gift shop is filling up with toys, trinkets, Read More »
Read MoreThe Throwing Post
Bullseye! by Rebecca Peters This week I honed my skills to become an expert ax thrower at The Throwing Post in Arnolds Park! Spoiler! I am still not an expert ax thrower! The Throwing Post is an ax throwing bar on Allen Avenue in Arnolds Park. They have multiple ax throwing lanes, which you can Read More »
Read MoreAerial Yoga
I Was Floating Upside-Down by Rebecca Peters This week I tried aerial yoga at Studio Yoga & Barre in Spirit Lake. There are very few instructors or studios in the Midwest that offer this type of yoga. Silks, or large slings of fabric, are hung from the ceiling. You can really enhance your stretching by Read More »
Read MoreRiddle Me That
My Brain Got A Workout! by Rebecca Peters This week I visited the Riddle Me That! Riddle Me That is an escape room in Arnolds Park. Get a group of friends (or coworkers) together and plan for a challenging hour solving a series of riddles and puzzles to escape the room and win! This week’s Read More »
Read More50 Mile Ride
This 50 mile challenge ride is fun, safe, and winds through the beautiful trail system, while also giving you some safe wide open county roads to test your speed. Milford Trail Head You can begin anywhere along the route, but this ride started at The Milford Trail Head. From there you shoot up a county Read More »
Read MoreDickinson County Nature Center
Pollinator Paradise by Rebecca Peters This week I visited the Dickinson County Nature Center! They have recently extended their hours to be open Tuesday-Saturday from 10-4. It is free to visit and enjoy all of the educational exhibits. Most of the special programs they offer are also free, but registration is required. They are limited Read More »
Read MoreCraft Brewery Tour
I’ll Take One of Each by Rebecca Peters This week I did a local craft brewery tour and visited Okoboji Brewing Company and West O to taste their local brews and enjoy the unique vibe each brewery has to offer. The Iowa Great Lakes Area brews delicious beer! Both breweries offer something for everyone’s taste, Read More »
Read MoreKurio Kastle: Pottery Painting Palace
I Painted Up A Storm by Rebecca Peters This week I visited the Kurio Kastle Pottery Painting Palace. It is a great destination if you’re looking to creating something uniquely “you,” or want to escape your thoughts for an hour or so. The Kurio Kastle is located on 16th Street just off Hill Avenue in Read More »
Read MorePearson Lakes Art Center
I Explored Art by Rebecca Peters This week I visited the Pearson Lakes Art Center. I explored the multiple visual arts galleries, classrooms, performing arts theatre, and gift shop filled with original artwork from local artists. Then, I went back later in the day to take the Wine 101 culinary arts education class! Holly, the Read More »
Read MoreOkoboji Classic Cars
A Step Back In Time by Rebecca Peters This week I visited Okoboji Classic Cars, an incredible experience unique to the Iowa Great Lakes Area! If you’ve never visited, what are you waiting for? Okoboji Classic Cars is a car dealership featuring cars spanning 100 years. It’s a full restoration shop. It’s also a paradise Read More »
Read MoreIowa DNR Trail Brochure
Gull Point State Park 1500 Harpen St. Wahpeton, IA 51351 Iowa DNR Trail Brochure Welcome to the Barney Peterson Memorial Interpretive Trail. The trail length is approximately 1.5 miles in length. It will take about 45 minutes to hike the trail. Please follow along in this brochure as you walk along the trail to learn Read More »
Read MoreVintage Pinball
Vintage Pinball Adventures by Rebecca Peters This week I visited the Arnolds Park Museum to try my luck at some of the newest additions, the vintage pinball machines. The museum is filled with items that will bring a smile to your face and remind you of great times in Arnolds Park. I did a lap Read More »
Read MoreHot Power Yoga
Adventures with Hot Power Yoga by Rebecca Peters I’ve taken Gentle Yoga classes at Yoga Okoboji in the past, but never attempted the Hot Power Yoga. The room was as the title of the class describes, a hot 98 degrees, and it didn’t take long for my face to match the red color of my Read More »
Read MoreIce Fishing!
Adventures in Okoboji – Ice Fishing Rebecca Peters, Okoboji Tourism Director Each year thousands of people visit the Iowa Great Lakes to enjoy the amenities our area has to offer. Join me each week as I become a tourist in our backyard to explore a few of the spots that make the Iowa Great Lakes Read More »
Read MoreIce Skating!
Adventures in Okoboji – Ice Skating Rebecca Peters, Okoboji Tourism Director Each year thousands of people visit the Iowa Great Lakes. They come to enjoy the natural resources, attractions, museums, restaurants, and shopping. They take pictures to remember the fun moments spent in our backyard. They go home and share stories of a great vacation. Read More »
Read More30 Mile Ride Loop
One of the best thing about the bike trails in The Iowa Great Lakes are there are many great loop rides you can enjoy. This 30 mile loop ride can easily become a 40 mile or 50 mile ride depending on how many miles you are wanting to get in. This ride began in Milford Read More »
Read MorePatio Dining and Drinks
When summer finally comes we all want to be outside as much as possible! Here are 17, YES 17, great patios for outside dining or drinks! Tavern at the Park Tavern At The Park is a Modern Gastropub featuring unique food and bar menus, indoor and outdoor seating. You may even find live music on Read More »
Read MoreCentral Emporium Stores
Full of unique locally owned stores, come down and make your way through each store in the Central Emporium located in Arnold’s Park! Dellapina Dellapina is a family owned and operated business originating out of Peru. Owner and designer, Marcy Costello, offers her family’s homemade Peruvian jewelry and sterling silver jewelry right here in the Read More »
Read MoreA Weekend in Okoboji- What to Do
You have a weekend in Okoboji… What will you do to fill your time? Scroll to have your weekend timeline already planned out for you! ARRIVE FRIDAY NIGHT You just reached your dream destination of Okoboji to have arrived at one of our beautiful lodges and resorts! After you drop of your bags, get Read More »
Read MoreBest Activities for Teens in Okoboji
Explore these teen friendly activities with you, your friends, and or family for any weekend or weekday in Okoboji! Arnold’s Park Beach Sand Volleyball Right on the beach, Arnold’s Park is home to sand volleyball courts that host league games and friendly competition! Grab everyone you can find to fill up the teams and courts! Read More »
Read MoreOkoboji Puzzles!
Would you like to work on a puzzle in real life? Visit Homeology in Arnolds Park or The Barn Swallow in Okoboji to purchase fun puzzles!
Read MoreOkoboji Zoom Backdrops
Are you spending more time on video chats? Do you miss Okoboji? Add an Okoboji video backdrop to your next zoom chat! We’ve given you 4 options below. Download the video & add it to your zoom virtual backgrounds. (Zoom Virtual Background Instructions) Download Queen at Sunset Video Backdrop Download Ferris Wheel Video Backdrop Download Read More »
Read More“FOCUS” – OKOBOJI
“FOCUS” means the center of interest or activity; focal point; heart; the core; or center of attention. Synonyms for “FOCUS” include attention, priority, concentration, to pay particular attention to. In our busy fast paced, plugged in, work, work crazed culture it is easy for us to lose “FOCUS” on what matters in life. We understand Read More »
Read MoreShop till You Drop Okoboji Style
Maybe it is a rainy day… or you are too sunburnt to get out on the water… or you need new Okoboji apparel! Either way, take a day to visit all of the wonderful shops located around the lakes area to enlarge and improve your wardrobe! Bungalow 29 Bungalow 29 is Okoboji boutique shopping at its finest. Read More »
Read MoreQueens Court Shops
A vacation is never complete without visiting all of the Arnold’s Park Shops! Come on down and leave with plenty of shopping bags! Boat House Apparel Boat House Apparel, the “anchor” store of Queen’s court has a variety of beautiful clothing; such as, tank tops, tees, hats, sweatshirts, and accessories! They describe their store best: Read More »
Read MoreTop Activities for Kids and Families in Okoboji
Okoboji is home to a numerous amount of family friendly activities that everyone will enjoy! Make it a goal to visit the following exciting Okoboji activities around the area! Click places you are interested in to visit their website for more information! Mini-Golf! Pirate’s Cove, Ranch 66, and Treasure Village – You can find easy entertainment in spending Read More »
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