Category: Travel Adventures

Day Trips

The “Must Have” Guide to Coffee Shops in Iowa

— Katy Flint2 Comments
The “Must Have” Guide to Coffee Shops in Iowa

I love coffee and love visiting new coffee shops and they automatically get bonus points if they are locally owned joints! I’ll pass Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts any day of the week for a mom & pop coffee shop! Thankfully, Iowa is loaded with lots of great coffee shops! I’ve collected them all here for your convenience and even categorized them by region! So, schedule a road trip to enjoy them all (not necessarily all at once) and enjoy a hot (or cold) cup of joe!

Coffee Shops in Northeast Iowa

Rustic Brew – 117 1st St NW, Hampton

Not only is this a locally owned coffee shop that serves delicious lattes, mochas, frappes, and a large variety of flavored chai tea, but it’s also a microbrewery. Start with coffee and a scone, stay for lunch with a great sandwich or their homemade special, and finish your day with a Sloberknocker (yes, that’s a beer).

Grab a Brew at Rustic Brew in Hampton, Iowa

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Day Trips

The Ultimate Guide to a Weekend in Cedar Rapids, IA

— Katy Flint4 Comments
The Ultimate Guide to a Weekend in Cedar Rapids, IA

You know we love finding those places made for a great weekend getaway! So, of course, after our recent trip, I knew I needed to provide you with the Guide to a Weekend in Cedar Rapids, IA!

weekend in Cedar Rapids

It’s no secret that I’ve lived in Iowa my entire life. One place that I never thought about exploring, let alone spending a weekend was Cedar Rapids. We drove through it regularly, but rarely stopped. To be honest, I had never even considered googling things to do there. So, when I had the chance, I jumped at the opportunity to spend a Weekend in Cedar Rapids and I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that I did! And I’ll tell you over and over that you need to plan a weekend too!

Thank you to Cedar Rapids Tourism for hosting us during our stay! Regardless of that, all thoughts & opinions are 100% authentic and my own. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

6 Great Winter Weekend Getaways in Iowa & Missouri
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Day Trips

26 Things to Do in the Midwest: A-Z

— Katy Flint10 Comments
26 Things to Do in the Midwest: A-Z

Some people call the Midwest the flyover states, but these 26 Great Adventures are here to prove you wrong! We have the complete list of things to do in the Midwest from A-Z!

This post contains affiliate links for your ease. More details may be found on the Disclosure page.

The Midwest is a great place to socially distance and enjoy time away! Check out this variety of things to do in the Midwest!

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Day Trips

A Perfect Girls Day: 4 Reasons to Visit Estherville, IA

— Katy Flint8 Comments
A Perfect Girls Day: 4 Reasons to Visit Estherville, IA

Women today are busier than ever and are in need for a getaway! Shopping, architecture, good food, and nature are the perfect reasons to plan a visit to Estherville, IA! No girls day is complete without each of these things, so you’re bound to have a perfect day!

Thank you to the Estherville Chamber of Commerce for hosting our visit. All thoughts & opinions are 100% truthful, authentic, and my own. Please see the Disclosure Tab for more information!

Estherville, Iowa

Estherville, Iowa, is located in northwestern Iowa with a population of a little over 6,000 people. This means it has several amenities to offer not only it’s residents, but also it’s visitors! Lucky for you, it means you can have a great visit there!

visit to Estherville
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Travel Adventures

The Ultimate Guide to Clearwater, Florida

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The Ultimate Guide to Clearwater, Florida

You don’t have to leave the United States to find white sand beaches, beautiful ocean waters, and lots of things to do! Clearwater, Florida offers all of these things and my friends at hotels.com have asked me to put together the Ultimate Guide to Clearwater for you.

Clearwater Beach sign and palm trees along a path in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
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Iowa

2 Day Itinerary for The Great River Road: Explore the North Mississippi River

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2 Day Itinerary for The Great River Road: Explore the North Mississippi River

The fall is a great time for a road-trip. Changing leaves and cooler temps are just around the corner, here in the Midwest. This itinerary for the Great River Road is a great way to celebrate! One of the very best places to roadtrip to see beautiful views, colorful leaves, and more is along the Mississippi River by driving The Great River Road.

The Great River Road is a National Scenic Byway that travels along the Mississippi River from Itasca State Park near Park Rapids, Minnesota all the way south beyond New Orleans in Louisiana! Now, there is no way to drive this beautiful road in a weekend, so we recently spent 2 days driving through parts in Minnesota & Iowa. We found some great stops and have put them together into a leisurely 2-day itinerary for you!

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Travel Adventures

15 of the Best Family Friendly Things to Do in Pigeon Forge, TN

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Planning family vacations can be stressful, but with this guide to the Top 15 “Family Friendly” Things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, we’ve taken the stress off you! My friends over at Hotels.com want you to be able to relax and enjoy your time with the family, so they’ve asked me to share this list with you!

Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Tennessee Drone Aerial.

COVID-19 Disclaimer – As travel is still uncertain, please keep your own safety in mind along with the safety of others! If feel comfortable traveling, please do so responsibly! We have a few tips to follow if you do decide to travel at this time:Wear a face mask, make sure to have hand sanitizer handy and wash hands frequently, check websites before you travel for updates, policies, closures, etc. And finally, book a hotel with free cancellation in case you need to change your plans at the last minute!

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Iowa

Get Outdoors in Charles City, Iowa

— Katy Flint2 Comments

Summers in Iowa are a great time to get outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway with your special someone or with the family, there are endless options of things to do outdoors in Charles City. Golfing, bike trails, kayaking, and more are at your fingertips here! We’ve gathered up some great options for you plus great places to eat and stay so you can enjoy your time in this community! Check out these great ways to get outdoors in Charles City!

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Iowa

Great Bike Trails in Iowa: Explore the State on 2 Wheels

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Great Bike Trails in Iowa: Explore the State on 2 Wheels

While most people think of corn, pigs, and wide open spaces when they think of Iowa, there really is much more to our state! These great bike trails in Iowa are just the beginning of lots of outdoor things to do here!

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned bike rider or enjoy it a little at a time, Iowa has one for you! You can use these trails to explore the communities they connect or just to burn some energy and get a workout in! Bike trails are a great way to explore with the family at very little to no cost. Iowa has a large system of bike tails all over! Here are the great ones we have found!

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