Whether you are looking for a girl’s weekend, mother daughter getaway, or a chance to jump-start your holiday shopping Okoboji is the place to be November 8-9! WOW – Okoboji Women’s Weekend is the premiere Holiday Kick-off shopping extravaganza. Here are some suggestions for a memorable Okoboji WOW Weekend!
STAY
Of course the first thing you need to do is make reservations at one of our many year-round lodging properties. The Oakwood Inn is an adults only bed and breakfast which was recently given Select Registry Status, a prestigious designation of inns and bed & breakfasts. The Inn Hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel. If you’ve got a group of friends coming, rent the Big House at Pick’s Lakeshore Resort! Other properties in the middle of it all where you will have a fabulous night’s sleep include AmericInn, Okoboji Inn and Suites, or the Super 8. If you are looking for a clean, budget-friendly stay, check out Ramada, Travelodge or Rodeway Inn. Check out all lodging properties HERE.
FRIDAY
After you get settled into your hotel Friday afternoon, you will want to go straight to the WOW Vendor Show at the Dickinson County Expo in Spirit Lake. With over 60 vendors and the new Artisans Market, the 4 pm – 8 pm time frame should give you plenty of time to circulate the room and get ideas for everyone on your Christmas list.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Saturday you will need to hit the ground running…there is SO MUCH to do: special events, holiday open houses, and shopping! The WOW Vendor Show will be open from 9 am – 4pm if there were things you needed to go back and purchase.
GREAT LAKES MALL
From there you will want to hit The Great Lakes Mall for a variety of shops for all ages and stages! Stores will be celebrating all weekend with awesome in store specials. Spirit Lake Silver and Gold will be hosting a Holiday Open House from 9:00 am – 5:30 pm. Interiors will be celebrating with in store specials and door prizes each day. Interiors showcases the seasons best in Holiday decorating and entertaining. The Look Fashions, Fashion Formula, and The Wild Child will be open from 10 – 5:30 with daily deals! Carolyn’s Hallmark will be all decked out for the holidays and will be open Friday and Saturday from 9 – 5:30 as well as 12-4 on Sunday.
HILL AVE
The eclectic shops on Hill Ave in Spirit Lake will WOW you with a variety of things you can find for the hard-to-shop-for person on your list. At Allure & Co. you will be amazed at the great selection of clothing, houseware, and furniture at reasonable prices. Enjoy a cocktail as you get inspired to decorate, shop and dress for the holiday season. Shop their Holiday open house Friday (10am – 6pm) and Saturday (10 am – 5 pm). Timeless Consignments boasts an array of unique treasures at reasonable prices. Stop in Megan and Co for a huge assortment of teas and oils to keep you healthy this holiday season. They will be hosting an open house on Friday and Saturday (10am – 4pm), so stop by for hot tea and snacks while browsing their new seasonal products. All teahouse items will be (ready to drink hot teas, speciality drinks, and candies) 1/2 OFF during Open House. For the guys & gals on your list, check out Evans clothing.
Highway 71 Corridor
As you continue on your shopping journey, check out the following shopping experiences along or just off the Highway 71 Corridor:
People say Mary’s Gift Shoppe is a hidden treasure and a unique experience for one and all! Mary’s features an ever-changing selection of fashionable scarves, jewelry, handbags, boutique clothing, home decor for every style, and a large kitchen selection for every cook! Hours: 9:30 – 5:00 Friday and Saturday.
Ferguson’s, in Spirit Lake, will be hosting their Holiday Open House from 9am – 5 pm Saturday. Register now for a planter make-and-take class at 11 am or a floral arrangement make-and-take class at 2 pm.
Little Red Gift Gallery is an incredible gift shop located inside the Pearson Lakes Art Center. Filled with locally made art, products, cars and more! It’s a perfect shop to find a one-of-a-kind item for anyone on your list!
The Barn Swallow in Okoboji boasts gifts of all kinds displayed in every nook and cranny – paintings, home décor, seasonal decorations, jewelry, beautiful linens, bookstore, greeting cards, purses, candles, t-shirts and sweatshirts, and an extensive book department for children and adults of all ages, plus much more! Truly an adventure in shopping. Hours: 10 – 5:30 Friday – Sunday
West Boutique is located at Okoboji Boat Works Marina and carries all of the latest fashions for women of all ages and sizes with brands like Free People, Kut, Lysse and so much more! Hours: 8-5 Friday; 9-3 Saturday.
Elements is your stop for great local jewelry, gifts and home decor. Hours: 10-5 Friday; 10-4 Saturday
Homeology is all decked out with Christmas decor, gift ideas, and kitchen goods upstairs, and clothing & jewelry on the lower level. Homeology will have cider, samples and door prizes! Hours: 10:00 – 5:00 Friday and Saturday.
Boat House Apparel, a flagship store of the Queen’s Court is your stop for fashion forward boutique clothing and accessory lifestyle brands inspired by life at the lake. Hours: 10-3 Friday and Saturday
Palm at the Park, your Lily Pulitzer headquarters, is the place to shop for all the holiday gatherings you’ve been invited to this season! Hours: Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-4
The Wash House Gift Shop has great ideas for gift giving and holiday entertaining.
The Three Sons is the place for University of Okoboji clothing and so much more for everyone on your shopping list! Hours: 10-5 Friday and Saturday; 12-3 Sunday
Antiques
If antiques are your shopping pleasure, don’t miss Antiques Etc. open Fri-Sat 10-5 and Sunday from noon-5, and the Spirit Lake Antique Mall, next to Pizza Ranch in Spirit Lake. Both are open 10 am – 5 pm Friday and Saturday. The newest shop, Old School Mercantile, in Okoboji is open Friday and Saturday 10-5 and Sunday noon-5. Timeless Consignments in downtown Spirit Lake will host their holiday open house on Nov. 8 and 9 (10am-4pm).
Marinas
Finally, for the lake lover on your list be sure to stop at our area Marinas for WOW gifts like paddle boards, wakeboards, skis, tubes, floating mats, clothing and maybe even a new boat!
- Mau Marine: 8-5 Friday; 10-3 Saturday
- Oak Hill Marina 9-5 Friday, 9-4 Saturday
- Oak Hill Outdoor: 9-8 Friday and Saturday
- Parks Marina: 8-5 Friday; 9-3 Saturday
EAT
With all this shopping you are no doubt going to need to keep your energy up, and you’re in luck because there are SO MANY great places to eat! If you’re looking for some fun breakfast options to start your day on Saturday or Sunday, head over to The Hutt Bar & Grill or O’Farrell Sisters. Looking for casual dining for lunch or dinner with something for everyone? Make sure you catch a meal at Tweeter’s, The Hutt, The Garden’s, or Smokin Jakes. In the mood for Mexican, then Los Pueblos or La Barca will satisfy the craving. Pizza on the mind? Go to Pub 19, Godfather’s or Pizza Ranch. Looking for more quiet and upscale dining experience…head to The Outrigger or Waterfront Grille & Event Center. As people who LOVE to eat out, we guarantee you can’t go wrong with any of these selections!
We are guessing by this point the guys are calling and begging you to come home, but before you do make sure you book another stay in Okoboji! Join us for Winter Games weekend or schedule a time to bring the whole family for Okoboji Winter Fun!
As always if you have any questions or need other recommendations please call us at 712-332-2209. We would love to help you plan your shopping getaway in Okoboji!
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