Okoboji Couples SPRING Escape
Ready to Travel? Looking for a Spring getaway? Come see us in Okoboji! Spring is a fun much slower paced time to visit the Iowa Great Lakes while still finding plenty to keep you as busy as you want to be!
Rest & Relax
Oakwood Inn
Spring is a GREAT time to head to Okoboji to relax, refresh and reconnect! For an amazing couples getaway that includes a breakfast you won't soon forget check out the adults only opens in a new windowOakwood Inn Bed and Breakfast. This property recently was given Select Registry status which is on of the highest honors for independent and boutique properties. Other spring stays with dining on property include: opens in a new windowThe Inn, which was brand new in 2019, and houses Tavern at the Park a modern gastro pub with great food and craft cocktails; the newly remodeled opens in a new windowArrowwood Resort which houses opens in a new windowMinerva's restaurant; and opens in a new windowBridges Bay Resort where you can dine at opens in a new windowThe Waterfront Grille. For a traditional hotel and a great night sleep there is: opens in a new windowOkoboji Inn and Suites, opens in a new windowThe Roadway Inn, opens in a new windowAmericInn, opens in a new windowRamada, or opens in a new windowSuper 8.
The Inn Hotel
EAT and Drink
Okoboji has no shortage of amazing places to eat or sip on a cocktail all season long. Looking for a special occasion meal you can't go wrong at Tavern at the Park, opens in a new windowMinerva's, The Outrigger, opens in a new windowTweeter's, opens in a new windowThe Waterfront Grille, or opens in a new windowCiao Boji. For casual dinning while watching your favorite college or pro team play try opens in a new windowThe Hutt, opens in a new windowThe Gardens , opens in a new windowThe Ritz, opens in a new windowCaptain's or opens in a new windowNautical. For a cozy meal where good conversation can abound check out opens in a new windowSnappers or Kazarelli's. If its Pizza you are craving you MUST check out opens in a new windowPub 19 at Okoboji View golf course, opens in a new windowPortside Pizza Pub with a huge selection of craft beer, or the extensive flatbread menu at opens in a new windowThe Waterfront Grille. Be sure to stop at opens in a new windowWest O and opens in a new windowOkoboji Brewing Company, for locally brewed craft beer, come in the afternoon and you may be able to get a brewery tour. If you are here on a Tuesday you will want to try all you can eat pasta night at opens in a new windowMinerva's. If you would rather stay in the cozy quiet of your hotel room you can have opens in a new windowJimmy John's, opens in a new windowGodfather's, or opens in a new windowPizza Ranch deliver right to your door. The GREAT thing about spring is our summer favorites begin to re-open! The opens in a new windowOkoboji Store is now open and opens in a new windowO'Farrell Sisters in April!
Tweeter's
Pub 19 Bar and Grill
The Outrigger
Hit the Links
With more than 82 unique holes, golfing opportunities are abundant in the Iowa Great Lakes. You can golf a different, well-manicured course every day! With such great courses, we look forward to an early spring every year! Call opens in a new windowEmerald Hills, opens in a new windowBrooks, or opens in a new windowOkoboji View to make your tee time.
Lake
The second the ice goes out spring fishing ramps up! There literally is NO off season for fishing in Okoboji! The canals are the perfect place to begin your spring fishing adventure.
Stop by an area bait shop before you head out to find out where the fish are biting. opens in a new windowThe Hook Up and Oak Hilll Outdoor in Milford can offer great tips, sell you any bait and supplies you need, and give helpful advice of locations to avoid to stay safe. All of our opens in a new windowarea bait shops can give you helpful tips & advice on where to find the hot bite! If you’d like more guidance, it’s well worth the money to hire a opens in a new windowfishing guide to take you out for a few hours. Your guide will have all the supplies you need and make sure you have a day to remember!
If you hit it right you will want to visit The Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery which offers free, informational tours to visitors during the annual spring fish-rearing season. It is a popular destination for anyone seeking to view the aquariums that showcase the area's fish species.
Spring is a wonderful time to kayak the canals on the west side of West Lake Okoboji or the wetlands at opens in a new windowKettelson Hogsback.
Trails
Spring is a quiet and picturesque time to hit the multi-use opens in a new windowtrail system that winds its way through the Iowa Great Lakes. With over 60 miles of paved trails there are lots of places to see and explore on foot or bike. The "spine" of the system is a 14-mile trail through the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes region, connecting to the spine trail are several other shorter trails to explore including the opens in a new windowKenue Park Trail, Arnolds Park City Trail and the opens in a new windowSpirit Lake City Trail. If you are looking for a spring hike off the beaten path check out the nature trail at Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Area, which is great for bird watching, opens in a new windowThe Interpretive Trail at Gull point, or opens in a new windowHorseshoe Bend recreation area south of Milford.
Gull Point Hike
MUSEUMS
Okoboji Classic Cars
History buff or not, spring is a fun time to visit Okoboji's many and varied museums. Our local museums can help take you on a trip through time to learn about how this place came to be! Start at the opens in a new windowIowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum located in the year-round Iowa Welcome Center and gift shop. The friendly folks here can help point you in the direction of anything going on in Okoboji! The Maritime Museum itself houses an impressive collection of antique wooden boats, and maritime history. The opens in a new windowArnolds Park Funhouse Museum is housed in the same building with so much fun memorabilia including the wooden slide, barrel, and sugar bowl. I promise if you take one ride down the slide you will want to take another! The highlight of the collection is the Vintage Pinball machines which you can play! They are so much fun you may end up playing all of them! While here you can also swing through the opens in a new window Iowa Rock 'N Roll museum which preserves the legacy of Rock 'N Roll in Iowa We are not exaggerating when we say you could spend ALL DAY at the opens in a new windowClark Museum in Milford. This museum features thousands of historic photos of the area as well as artifacts from restaurants, the amusement park and so much more. There is also a historic reading area which includes information on darn-near every county in Iowa! You will most definitely NOT want to miss the opens in a new windowOkoboji Classic Cars Museum, which showcases a rotating inventory of restored classic cars amidst a backdrop of floor to ceiling murals by artist Jack Rees. Even if you are not a classic car lover you will be WOWED by Okoboji Classic Cars! The guided tour they take you on through the building enhances your experience, and makes it fun for all ages!
Indoor Entertainment
Pearson Lakes Art Center
If you're looking for more indoor fun, there is no shortage. Channel your inner artist by strolling through the opens in a new windowPearson Lakes Art Center. While there check out their class listing and work on your own artist skills. Speaking of art you can also paint your own masterpiece at the opens in a new windowKurio Castle Pottery Painting Palace in downtown Spirit Lake, call ahead for an appointment. Next, stop at the opens in a new windowDickinson County Nature Center where environmental learning abounds! There is always something to see and do, whether it be visiting an exhibit or playing with the permanent displays. Plus, it's all free!
opens in a new windowThe Throwing Post, Okoboji's hot new attraction, invites you to come throw some axes. Guaranteed to be easier and way more fun than you think it possible!
Catch a movie at opens in a new windowGreat Lakes Cinema 7 which has multiple screens and a popular selection of the newest movies! The opens in a new windowMilford Pioneer Theater has added a second theater which boasts all leather recliner seating, highlights the newest movies and has online booking where you can even pick the seat you want. Both have comfortable seating, buttery popcorn, and a wide variety of delicious treats!
opens in a new windowCorner Lanes bowling Alley in Spirit Lake has been recently renovated, has delicious food, drinks, music and of course bowling.
opens in a new windowRiddle me That is the perfect place to work on your communication skills as you work together to solve a mystery to ESCAPE from a room full of puzzles and clues! Make your reservations in advance to include this fun (and challenging) stop on your trip.
Shop
Interiors
No trip to Okoboji is complete without doing some shopping and there is NO BETTER time to shop than spring! The stores will be filled to the brim with all things spring and summer! Be sure to check out opens in a new windowHomeology and opens in a new windowElements right in the center of it all in Arnolds Park. opens in a new windowBoat House Apparel in the Queen's Court and opens in a new windowPalm in the Park in the Emporium are both open on weekends with great new styles for the season. Next head up toward Spirit Lake stopping at opens in a new windowWest Boutique in Okoboji, on the hill by Okoboji Boat Works, with a great selection of clothing and shoes. The next stop is opens in a new windowMary’s, where you can shop home decor, clothing, a huge selection of kitchenware and gourmet food perfect for entertaining. Next is the Great Lakes Mall where you will you will find opens in a new windowThe Look, opens in a new windowWild Child, opens in a new windowFashion Formula, opens in a new windowInteriors, and opens in a new windowSpirit Lake Silver and Gold. In downtown Sprit Lake opens in a new windowAllure & Co. is your one stop for coffee, lunch, clothing, home decorating, and furniture. They really have it all, even a Yoga Studio, opens in a new windowThe Studio Yoga and Barre, a photographer and beauty salon. If you are more into antique shopping there is no shortage of antique stores in Okoboji. Be sure to check out opens in a new windowAntiques Etc., opens in a new windowSpirit Lake Antique Mall, (both open March - December)and opens in a new windowTimeless Consignments (open year round). The stop no one should miss on a trip to Okoboji is opens in a new windowThe Three Sons in downtown Milford. This is your spot for official University of Okoboji gear! Proof that you're working towards your degree in fun!
The Three Sons
Antiques Etc.
Day trip
Looking to branch out for a day? Start the day off with a late breakfast at opens in a new windowThe Hutt (weekend breakfast only) or O'Farrell Sisters and then take off for opens in a new windowRound Lake Vineyards in Round Lake in Minnesota. The Vineyard and grounds are beautiful and the wine and food are amazing too. Hop back in the car and head east to the opens in a new windowLittle Swan Lake Winery where you will find great musical entertainment most weekends. For dinner make your way back to Okoboji for many great options.
As always if you have any questions or need other recommendations please call us at 1-712-332-2209. We would love to help you plan your Spring getaway to Okoboji!
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