Get Outdoors in Charles City, Iowa

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!

Portions of our visit to Charles City were covered by the Charles City Chamber of Commerce and/or their partners. All thoughts and opinions are authentic and my own. For more details please see the Disclosure Tab.

Go Golfing at Wildwood Park & Golf Course

Charles City is a great place to go golfing and offer several options! We recommend heading to Wildwood Park & Golf Course. This 9-hole course is not only historic (over 100 years old), but also situated among some great landscaping. This makes it a great place to enjoy the great outdoors while getting in some exercise!

The History of Wildwood Golf Course

Back in 1916, golf was gaining popularity in this area, so a group organized the Wildwood Golf Association in hopes of gaining funding for a course. Fast forward to World War II when a nearby nursery applied to obtain German prisoners of war as employees. 20 prisoners were assigned to the area and the Wildwood Clubhouse became their barracks. A high fence was placed around the facility for security. The Clubhouse was not only a dormitory, but also a mess hall. After the war, it went back to being strictly a park and golf course.

Time to Golf

Book a tee time and cart to full enjoy this course! I’m definitely not a professional or even close to a semi-professional golfer, but I very much enjoyed golfing at Wildwood! Expect a more challenging course, but great landscape and bridge and creek features! My personal favorites were the historic block bridge and the #9 hole in which you tee off from a bluff! Make sure to stop into the clubhouse for a drink or snack and checkout the “ballroom” which can be rented for special events!

Wildwood Park & Golf Course – 1 Wildwood Road – Charles City, Iowa
Follow them on Facebook: Wildwood Municipal Golf Course

Other Golf Options

If you’re headed to Charles City with kiddos and a full 9-holes of golf isn’t the right fit, we recommend heading to Bayou Bend Mini Golf & Batting Cages! This 18 hole miniature golf course is perfect for all ages. They also feature 4 stall batting cages and arcade games, so plan to spend some time enjoying all of their offerings!

Bayou Bend Mini Golf & Batting Cages – 1304 Gilbert Street – Charles City, Iowa
Follow them on Facebook: Bayou Bend Mini Golf & Batting Cages

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Enjoy the Public Art Walking Tour

When you’re ready for a more relaxing portion of your trip, we recommend taking a walk around town enjoying the public art! Start at Central Park downtown and walk the perimeter enjoying the sculptures! You’ll find more sculptures along the Cedar River in Riverside Park! It’s a great way to enjoy the art, water, and get some exercise after a meal!

While you’re seeing the town on foot during the Art Walk, take a walk over the pedestrian bridge near downtown over the Cedar River and head just west of downtown and take a walk over the Suspension Bridge!

Support Local Businesses

Downtown Charles City you’ll find a variety of businesses to support! Make sure to stroll downtown and check them out! Here are some of my favorites!

The Studio at Mara

Just 2 blocks west of downtown, you’ll find Mara. Housed in a historic home, the main house is a Bridal & Prom Boutique and out back in a converted garage, you’ll find The Studio at Mara! Here you’ll find the newest trends in clothing, shoes, and jewelry! It’s a great place to browse the racks and snag something cute!

The Studio at Mara – 500 Kelly Street – Charles City, Iowa
Follow them on Facebook: The Studio at Mara

Farmers Market

Another great way to enjoy the outdoors in Charles City is to stop by their Farmers Market on a Saturday morning. Vendors are set up along the perimeter of the park from 9AM-12 Noon and offer a variety of baked goods, homemade items, and fresh grown produce. During our visit we snagged some scotcharoos, a gigantic kohlrabi, and a very delicious cantaloupe!

Charles City Farmers Market: Central Park – Charles City, Iowa
Follow them on Facebook: Charles City Farmers Market

Check out Otto’s Oasis

Thank you to Otto’s Oasis for hosting us for the floral design class. For full details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

Otto’s Oasis is a plant lovers heaven! Owner Jeff Otto started working at the shop when he was in high school and fell in love with the business. Fast forward many years, he purchased it from the previous owners in 2007 and hasn’t looked back!

Otto’s Oasis consists of about 4 different aspects. When you enter, you’ll be greeted by the gift shop portion which offers a large variety of gifts and decor and a small clothing selection This is also where you’ll find the floral design portion of Otto’s and head designer, Christopher, who has been with the business for roughly 15 years! Not only can Christopher make any floral dream you may think of, he will also give lessons to groups or even individuals! (Call for availability & pricing.) Next you’ll find the greenhouse which offers yard and garden decorations, tools, and loads of plants (both perennial and annual)!

Taking a floral arranging class at Otto’s Oasis

The other part of the business you can’t see is their landscaping business. Jeff will come to your home or business, talk about what you’d like, offer ideas, and then design and execute your vision perfectly!

Not only is Otto’s a one-stop shop when it comes to anything plant or flower related, the crew is really one of the nicest I’ve ever met! Check out these pictures from my floral design lesson!

And if that’s not enough, Otto’s Oasis is a poinsettia haven in the winter! Check out these pictures!

Otto’s Oasis: 1313 Gilbert Street – Charles City, Iowa
Follow them on Facebook: Otto’s Oasis

Kayak with Rapids End Outfitters

Thank you to Rapids End Outfitters for hosting our kayaking adventure. For full details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

What better way to enjoy the outdoors in Charles City than kayaking the Cedar River?! Rapids End Outfitters is located right across the street from the Cedar River, so it makes it easily accessible to the water! Rapids End offers tube, kayak, and canoe rentals! It’s super affordable and included in the rental fees is a shuttle service for drop-off or pick-up if needed!

They also provide life jackets, paddles, and more! Want to go fishing? They have bait too! If water isn’t your thing, they have bikes for rent too! You can take them all over town and even on the bike trail!

Rapids End Outfitters: 100 S Mary St – Charles City, Iowa
Follow them on Facebook: Rapids End Outfitters

Try the WhiteWater Course

Just slightly upstream from Rapids End, you’ll find the Charles City WhiteWater course! This was Iowa’s first whitewater park when it opened in 2011 and has been drawing people to town ever since! If you’re feeling brave, you can take your kayak, sup paddleboard, or even tube down this course! The course had 3 distinct areas to navigate including a safe cute along the left side of the river for those that aren’t quite as daring! So, rent a tube for $10 and spend the day going up and down the course!

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Eat & Drink Outdoors in Charles City

This river town is a great place to find delicious food with patios! There are several options to enjoy and continue your time outdoors in Charles City!

The Pub on the Cedar

I’m not new to The Pub on the Cedar, but I still love it! This locally owned sports bar has been voted to have one of the best tenderloins in Iowa, which makes it a popular choice! But, they also happen to have a great patio for enjoying lunch, dinner, or just drinks!

You’ll find a little bit of everything on the menu from salads to sandwiches, pasta, pizza, and more! My personal favorite is the sweet potato tots and the Raspberry Chicken Salad.

Grilled chicken & Sweet Potato Tots from The Pub on the Cedar

The Pub on the Cedar: 101 N Jackson St – Charles City, Iowa
Follow them on Facebook: The Pub on the Cedar

Tellurian Brewing

Located just a half block off the river, you’ll find Tellurian Brewing. This locally owned micro brewery has a super fun and relaxed vibe. Located in an old service station, you can belly up to the bar to try a few samples before deciding on your brew of choice! Grab a glass of your favorite or choose a flight of 4 options to enjoy. Grab your drink and head outside to their patio to sit under the lights and listen to music or enjoy conversation with friends!

While Tellurian doesn’t offer food, Cedar River Pizza Company will deliver there and they frequently have food trucks parked outside, so make sure to follow their Facebook page for those updates.

Tellurian Brewing: 100 South Main St – Charles City, Iowa
Follow them on Facebook: Tellurian Brewing

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Traveling to Charles City

If you’re traveling to Charles City by car…

Des Moines, IA – 2 hours, 5 minutes drive time
Minneapolis, MN – 2 hours, 30 minutes drive time
Kansas City, MO – 4 hours, 45 minutes drive time
Chicago, IL – 5 hours, 20 minutes drive time

If you want to travel to the area by air, fly into Mason City Regional Airport via Air Choice One, rent a car, and make the 35 minute drive to Charles City.