Category: Iowa

Iowa

7 Ways to Have a Great Weekend in Cedar Falls, Iowa

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7 Ways to Have a Great Weekend in Cedar Falls, Iowa

We all know those communities that we’re familiar with, but never spend time being a tourist in! Thankfully, after a weekend in Cedar Falls, Iowa, we’ve changed that!

I’ve spent my entire life traveling the one hour from our home area to Cedar Falls for shopping purposes, but never spent any time exploring the rest of the community. So, recently, when our friends at Cedar Falls Tourism invited us to spend a weekend exploring, we jumped at the opportunity! And what we found was a pure delight!

weekend in Cedar Falls

Thank you to Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitor’s Bureau and the Black Hawk Hotel for hosting us during our stay. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and our own. For full details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

Getting There

Getting to Cedar Falls is very easy thanks to its location along Highways 20 and 218. If driving isn’t for you, then you’ll find the Waterloo Regional Airport super handy!

If you’re traveling by car….

Des Moines, Iowa – 1 hour, 54 minute drive time
Minneapolis, Minnesota – 3 hours, 8 minute drive time
Chicago, Illinois – 4 hours, 24 minute drive time
Kansas City, Missouri – 4 hours, 35 minute drive time

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Iowa

Book a Funky Staycation at the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City, IA

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Book a Funky Staycation at the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City, IA

We are all about staycations, especially in the winter because you never know what the weather is going to do here in the Midwest!! Thankfully, Iowa is full of great staycation destinations including the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City. And with it’s modern funky vibe, it’s extra special!

A special thanks to the Highlander Hotel for hosting us on our staycation. All thoughts & opinions are 100% authentic and my own! For full details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

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Iowa

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries (and Cideries)

— Katy Flint2 Comments
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries (and Cideries)

Micro and local breweries are booming everywhere and Iowa is no different. In fact, there are so many of them that we’ve visited and love. So, I thought it was necessary to create the Ultimate Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries! We threw in a couple cideries too because we love them too! (They are listed alphabetically for organization!)

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Iowa

The Best Winter Weekend Getaways in Iowa

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The Best Winter Weekend Getaways in Iowa

Winter in Iowa can be so long! Thankfully, Iowa is also full of great destinations to help you escape. Historic hotels, delicious eats, unique art, and museums can all be found while visiting this great destinations. It’s time to schedule one of these great winter weekend getaways in Iowa!

winter weekend getaways in Iowa

Charles City

Carrie Chapman Catt Childhood Home – Charles City, IA

Whether you love food, shopping, history, art, or just relaxing, Charles City is the spot for you to spend a weekend getaway in Iowa.

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Iowa

Fun Things to Do in Fort Dodge: A Passport

— Katy Flint1 Comment
Fun Things to Do in Fort Dodge: A Passport

We’ve been visiting Fort Dodge, Iowa for a couple years now and we know how many great places there are to explore, so we thought it was only right to put together a Passport for you to follow to make the most out of your visit! There are so many things to do in Fort Dodge that we challenge you to check off each stop on the passport! Make sure to snag the FREE download at the end of the post to make the most of your trip!

We’d like to thank Fort Dodge Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Brookstone Inn & Suites, and Community Orchard who hosted portions of our trip to Fort Dodge. Regardless, all thoughts & opinions are 100% authentic and my own. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

Studio Fusion

Looking for great fun, year round? Studio Fusion is the place to stop! Paint your pottery, fuse glass into different creations, or attend one of their painting classes! It’s a great way to spend a couple hours and the staff and owner are super helpful!

Painted Silos

Fort Dodge Iowa

No matter time the year that you visit Fort Dodge, a stop by the Painted Silos is a must. Painted by Guido Van Helten, this mural is larger than life and the detail is unreal! Pictures don’t even really do it justice. Take time to walk around and examine the entire thing. Take it in close and from further away!

Plan a Day Trip to Fort Dodge, Iowa

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Iowa

The Best Fall Recipes

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The Best Fall Recipes

Fall is my very favorite season. I love the warm days, crisp nights, and all things fall like pumpkins & more! I also love all things fall recipes. To me, nothing is better than when the air is cooler and you can have the windows open while baking and cooking with delicious smells wafting through the air! With my love for all things fall, it seemed only right that gather up all my favorite and best fall recipes into one place!

Gluten-Free Harvest Granola

Gluten Free Harvest Granola

Honey, maple syrup, pepitas, and dried cranberries all come together with gluten-free oatmeal to make this delicious fall flavored granola! It’s homemade so you know exactly what’s in and you can customize to your liking!

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Day Trips

The Best Wineries, Breweries, & Cideries in the Midwest

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The Best Wineries, Breweries, & Cideries in the Midwest

I think it’s safe to say that microbreweries and wineries are gaining more popularity. Thankfully, we have some of the best wineries, breweries, and cideries in the Midwest! No need to travel to the metropolitan areas. From Minnesota to Wisconsin, & Iowa we are full of great places to grab a drink, enjoy a brew or wine, and relax! Check them out!

breweries wineries cideries in the Midwest
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Iowa

Oh My Osage, Iowa! 10 Reasons to Visit

— Katy Flint8 Comments
Oh My Osage, Iowa! 10 Reasons to Visit

Osage, Iowa, is a town around 3,500 people located in northeast Iowa. It may not be the place that you would typically seek out for your weekend getaway. But, I guarantee that there is plenty of things to do in Osage, Iowa, that will make your travels worth it!

A huge thank you to the Osage Chamber of Commerce for hosting our visit. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and my own. For more details, please check out the Disclosure Policy tab!

Location

As previously mentioned, Osage is located in northeast Iowa and is situated along 2 state highways making it easily accessible. It’s also relatively close to a couple regional airports. This means you can fly in and road trip there and back, enjoying the Iowa countryside!

If you’re traveling by car…

  • Des Moines, IA – 148 miles – 2 hours, 10 minutes drive time
  • Minneapolis, MN – 134 miles – 2 hours, 12 minutes drive time
  • Kansas City, MO – 341 miles – 4 hours, 50 minutes drive time
  • Chicago, IL – 338 miles – 5 hours, 25 minutes drive time
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Day Trips

Food Tour of the Iowa State Fair

— Katy Flint12 Comments
Food Tour of the Iowa State Fair

Everyone has their own reasons for visiting the Iowa State Fair! For some its the livestock, for others its the grandstand shows, but for me, it is definitely, the Iowa State Fair FOOD!

Visiting the Iowa State Fair

It’s a tradition for T and I to attend the Iowa State Fair at least one day each year! It’s our date day or weekend and something we look forward to sharing with each other!  We often do the same things at the fair…see the same things, and even eat the same fair foods, our favorites of course  We’re creatures of habit and honestly ok with that!

The Varied Industries Building, Pioneer Hall, and the Shoppers Mart underneath the Grandstand are always a must for us.  We also enjoy watching the FFA Parade of Champions and the Governor’s Charity Steer Show.  

But, really…the Iowa State Fair is all about the food, right?!  So, what do we eat?  Well, it’s usually a lot of the classics, but I also try to taste one new item each year.  It’s usually new to me, but not necessarily the fair.  So, what do we love?!

Grab our Tips for Visiting the Iowa State Fair!

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