#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 ages to let out their inner child. Then jump over to the Arnolds Park Raceway and unleash the need for speed. With three exciting tracks, there’s a race for every pace, so everybody can enjoy the wind whipping through their hair.
#2. Dickinson County Nature Center
You (and most importantly your kids) will be wowed by the stunning new exhibits at the Dickinson County Nature Center. Check out the live animals, indoor beehive, kids space and the all new interactive exhibits in the Pollinator Paradise. Outside you’ll find the Nature Playscape, a perfect spot for kids to be creative and use some energy! The best part…it’s all FREE! The hardest part will be getting your kids to leave!
#3 Bridges Bay Resort
Bridges Bay Resort has a variety of new attractions to show off this summer. Including a state of the art arcade, party room and fitness room! Boji Splash Water Park at Bridges Bay has completely overhauled the outdoor pool area making it larger and adding water slides! Inside, Jet down the tube slide, float the lazy river and grab a snack at the Pickled Parrot Cantina.
#4 Mini Golf
With two very unique mini golf courses, take a day and play both of them! At Pirates Cove, in the center of it all by Arnolds Park, you can putt your way through the world of 18th century pirates–beneath cascading waterfalls, across a natural stream and past pirate ship ruins! Nestled in a naturally beautiful landscape, this 18-hole course will delight your family. Treasure Village 27 hole Mini-Golf on Highway 86 is fun for all ages with a storybook theme, mischief spinners and lots of fun obstacles. This is the mini-golf your remember as a kid!
#5 Pearson Lakes Art Center (Get Artsy)
Take an art class, tour the galleries or come play in the Art Smart Gallery, which includes a life size light bright. So much great, free entertainment for all ages at the Pearson Lakes Art Center. You can also check out their class schedule and sign the kids up for a instructor led class while you are here. If you’re kids love getting creative, make sure you stop at the Kurio Kastle, paint your own pottery, in Spirit Lake!
#6 Children’s Theatre
The Okoboji Summer Theater’s Boji Bantam Theater has a variety of Children’s plays throughout the summer at The Okoboji Summer Theater Campus. Starting at 10:30 you will not want to miss the opportunity to bring your kids to see a Boji Bantam production. Check our calendar for show dates.
# 7 Beaches
Okoboji has a great variety of public beaches to enjoy the sun, sand and blue water! The kids will love building sand castles, jumping off docks, and floating on a tube in the lake! Terrace Park Beach is located down from Taco House and has new restrooms! Orleans Beach in Spirit Lake also has great playground equipment and the Spillway Drive-in, a locally owned ice cream and sandwich stop! Of course Arnolds Park Beach is a favorite and in the center of it all!
#8. Museums
There is NO shortage of history in the Iowa Great Lakes and you can spend days taking it all in! Start your museum tour at the Okoboji Spirit Center / Iowa Welcome Center in Arnolds park where you can tour the Maritime Museum, Arnolds Park Museum and see the state of the art exhibits at the Iowa Rock and Roll Museum. The kids will enjoy all there is there is to see including wooden boats and artifacts of lake life. Then step right next door into the Arnolds Park Museum and ride the wooden slide and play some skee-ball. If you have a car enthusiast check out the Okoboji Classic Car museum. While you are at the Dickinson County Nature Center walk down the path to the Westport Schoolhouse to relive the days of past in a one room schoolhouse. You will also want to make sure and visit the Abbie Gardner Cabin, Clark Museum and Dickinson County Museum.
#9. Get on the Lake
While in Okoboji you will want to enjoy the lake and there are a variety of ways to do it! You can take a ride on the Queen II or book a public cruise through Okoboji Boat Works. Maybe you want to rent a boat or personal watercraft at one of our many great marina’s or boat rental locations, you can be your own driver or hire one for the day. Make sure you rent a tube or Maui mat for all day fun in the sun. Want some exercise and a peaceful way to see the lake? Try out a kayak or paddle board. You can even do paddle board yoga or a sunset paddle through the Studio Yoga and Barre. If fishing is something you love or have always wanted to try hire a fishing guide to show you where and how! They will even supply all the poles and bait if you need them to. There are endless ways to get out and enjoy the beautiful blue water of Okoboji!
#10 Memorial Park Splash Pad
If you are looking for a great family and friends destination to cool off, splash and play then the FREE Memorial Park Splash Pad in Spirit Lake is the place to go. Overlooking East Lake there are two shelters, playground equipment and picnic tables. Bring your lunch and enjoy a day at Memorial park. Florence Park in Milford or one of the many other great parks around the area.
Besides these 10 fun activities for Kids there is much more fun to be had! Grab and ice cream cone or nutty bar; shop in the Emporium or Queens Court; play the instruments at Harmony Park in the Queens Court; go for a nature hike or bike the trails! Yes we could go on and on!
For more information please call us at 712-332-2209 or request a free visitors guide!