Category: Travel Adventures

Iowa

Unplug at Taylor Hill Lodge

— Katy Flint4 Comments
Taylor Hill Lodge

Thank you to Ann and the Manatt’s for hosting us on our visit to Taylor Hill Lodge. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and my own. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

Sitting on a hill on a highway North of Audubon, Iowa, you’ll find Taylor Hill Lodge. What looks like an unassuming barn and partial farm site needs to be your next destination when planning a trip to unplug and unwind. Every detail has been thought of and will meet all your needs. This full service bed and breakfast is a true gem in the middle of Iowa.

Welcome

The winding drive from the highway to the top of the hill and the barn/lodge is tree lined and idyllic. I should have known at that moment that our stay at the Taylor Hill Lodge would be like no other stay. Park your vehicle, enjoy the view of surrounding farm ground and head inside. Ann, the innkeeper, will greet you with a smile and a personality full of joy!

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Iowa

El Adobe Restaurant in Audubon, Iowa: The Best Pasta!

— Katy Flint18 Comments
El Adobe Restaurant in Audubon, Iowa: The Best Pasta!

While El Adobe hosted us for one of our visits to their restaurant, all thoughts and opinions are 100% truthful and my own. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

If you had told me that I’d visit El Adobe Restaurant in Audubon, Iowa, and have the best pasta of my life, I would never believe you! But, that is exactly what happened! Visiting Audubon, Iowa, was full of pleasant surprises and El Adobe was definitely one of those.

How El Adobe Came to Be

Alex, the owner of El Adobe, is very easy to talk to! While we were on our visit, he came out from the kitchen (yes, he is the cook too) to visit with us briefly! During that visit, we learned that Alex is a hard worker with lots of dreams and visions. After years of working in Chicago in Italian restaurants, Alex and his brother knew they wanted to own their own restaurants.

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Iowa

5 Ways to Have an Amazing Girlfriends Getaway in Audubon County, Iowa

— Katy Flint23 Comments

*Although portions of our trip were hosted by Audubon County Economic Development & Tourism, Taylor Hill Lodge, The Broadway, Divine Salon, & El Adobe Mexican Restaurant, all thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

Pack your bags and grab your girlfriends and head to Audubon County, Iowa. We promise you won’t forget it! A small community full of culture, the arts, history, and commerce provides the perfect place for you and your girlfriends to unwind and recharge. My mom and I recently took off on a roadtrip with Audubon County as our destination. We love exploring small communities and we’re excited to check this one out. But, what we found far exceeded our expectations and left us wanting to stay longer and plan future trips!

1. Stay at the Taylor Hill Lodge

Taylor Hill Lodge Audubon
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Iowa

Spend an Afternoon being a Tourist in Mason City, IA

— Katy Flint16 Comments

I have spent virtually my entire life living near Mason City, Iowa, but have never taken the time to be a tourist. This changed recently when I accompanied by friend Melody from Where I May Roam on a few adventures in the River City!

Come along with me as I share the perfect way to be a tourist for an afternoon in Mason City, IA.  

Mason City IA

Music Man Square

If you grow up in North Iowa, you are well aware that Mason City’s nickname is the River City. This is based off the musical, “The Music Man”.  This musical written by Meredith Willson which he patterned after his hometown of Mason City. This is a heritage that Mason City is very proud of.

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Midwest Travel

Why You Need to Visit College of the Ozarks

— Katy Flint12 Comments
Why You Need to Visit College of the Ozarks

After 5 trips to Branson, we have finally toured the College of the Ozarks.  For several years, we’ve heard rumblings about visiting the college, but have never committed to doing it.  So, during our last trip, we finally took the plunge.  

college of the ozarks
The Keeter Center

About College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks was founded in 1906 and has been known as the College of the Ozark since 1990. It’s nickname is “Hard Work U”. Why? Students that attend College of the Ozarks graduate without any debt. In place of paying tuition, each student commits to working 15 hours per week on campus! It’s a fascinating concept! Also on campus is a classical laboratory high school.

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Midwest Travel

3 Reasons (and more) to Visit Sedalia, Missouri

— Katy Flint24 Comments

When I told T we were headed to visit  Sedalia, Missouri, on our way to Branson, he was skeptical! Now, we’re ready to go back when it’s summer to do more exploring! While there are many more things than just three to do in Sedalia, we are starting with these three because it’s what we got to explore and they were pretty great!

Daum Museum of Contemporary Art

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Midwest Travel

Escape at the Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia, Missouri

— Katy Flint12 Comments

While we were hosted by the Hotel Bothwell during our visit to Sedalia.  All thoughts and opinions are our own and 100% truthful. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.  

T and I have driven through Northern Missouri several times on our way to Branson without ever thinking to stop. Then, we got the opportunity to visit Sedalia, MO and escape to the Hotel Bothwell and now, we love us some Northern Missouri!

The History of the Hotel Bothwell

The Hotel Bothwell opened in June of 1927 and was built by John Bothwell and cost $500,000, which is the equivalent to 3.4 million dollars today! At it’s beginning it was home to 109 rooms. However, it’s not always been a hotel. In 1988 it was sold and was converted into an assisted living facility as well as sitting empty from 1993 until 1999. In 1999, it was purchased and renovated and then reopened.

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Iowa

The Princess Grill & Pizzeria: Good Food & Rich History

— Katy Flint9 Comments

Places that serve good food with a historic touch are A+ in my book! As a history nerd (this was actually my major in college), I love visiting places rich in history and the Princess Grill & Pizzeria in Iowa Falls, IA offers both history and good food!

The History of the Princess

The Princess originally opened in 1915 by Greek immigrants. However, tragedy struck on Christmas Day of 1934 when the business was completely destroyed by fire. The owners rebuilt and reopened it on July 1st of 1935. The Princess you see now is just as it was in 1935. This includes the 25 foot soda fountain!

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Iowa

Charles City, IA: Restaurants, Shopping, & Culture

— Katy Flint16 Comments
Charles City, IA

Regardless of what season you visit Charles City, Iowa, you’ll find so much to do…from history to art, delicious eats, and more!

Charles City Restaurants

When bloggers gather, you can almost guarantee that there will be food. Lots and lots of delicious food! These Charles City restaurants didn’t disappoint either! This community offers several selections of delicious restaurants and food establishments

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