Clear Lake, Iowa is known for being a quintessential Iowa lake town during the summer months! But, it’s not the only time to visit Clear Lake and Lakeside Inn, which is located on the south shore of Clear Lake. It is the perfect place to stay while you explore this community regardless of what time of year you visit!
Thank you to Lakeside Inn for hosting us during our stay. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and our own. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.
Lakeside Inn – A Clear Lake Staple
The Lakeside Inn was built several decades ago and instantly became known as a staple to the Clear Lake community! For the next several decades, it saw many friends & families use this great lakeside location to make memories. But, lets be real…after more that many years and visitors, it was tired. Thankfully, the newest owners of the Lakeside Inn saw the potential and decided to give it new life!
Lakeside Inn is located along South Shore Drive and is just a short 5 minute drive to downtown Clear Lake and features all lake-view rooms! In fact, this is the only hotel in Clear Lake that can boast a shore-side location! The entire Inn has been redone and now features modern style and features including hard surface floors, beautiful navy cabinets and solid surface counter tops, large wall-mounted TV’s, and REAL beds! Yup, an actual bed with an attached head board, which is different from so many hotels. (With great pillows, I might add.)
Of course, each room offers a balcony or patio with chairs to enjoy during the warm months and a great view of Clear Lake. Another plus, (during the warmer months) is the onsite restaurant and bar, The Landing!
Special Touches
For me, it’s the little things that make Lakeside Inn extra special. Their extra touches start with complimentary ice water to fill water bottles, coffee, and tea in the lobby. In another small nook, you’ll find books to borrow during your stay!
In the room you’ll find an additional Keurig, heat lamps in the bathroom to keep you warm after a shower, and great body lotion! So many hotels have terrible body lotions in their rooms, but not the Lakeside Inn! Additionally, they offer full-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the showers for guests to use!
The Best Winter Weekend Getaways in Iowa
10 Things to Do in Clear Lake
While we know a stay at the Lakeside Inn will be great, we have 10 things that you can do in Clear Lake to make your trip even better!
1. Clear Lake Arts Center
This local arts center features rotating exhibits and offers special programs, classes, and features local and non-local artists for all to enjoy!
2. Charlie’s Soda Fountain
Downtown, grab an ice cream from Charlie’s Soda Fountain. The owners rehabbed a historic building to match its history and are now serving up all sorts of delicious ice cream creations year round, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth anytime! My recommendation is the “Mud”. Trust me, you’ll love it!
3. Lake Time Brewery
With its beach and lake theme and a wide variety of micro-brews, its a great place to spend some time. I personally recommend the Red Currant Sour, but if that’s not your style, try one of their Lagers, Stouts, or Porter, which includes their famous Peanut Butter Porter. They are open year round, but offer great patio seating and food trucks during the warmer months!
4. Cerro Gordo Freedom Rock
Located just across the street from Lake time Brewing, you’ll find the Cerro Gordo Freedom Rock with its nod to the lake community along with Medal of Honor recipient, Henry L Smith.
5. Surf Ballroom
Of course, no trip to Clear Lake is complete without a visit to the historic Surf Ballroom. While it is known as being the place where Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and the Big Bopper played their last concert, it has heard about every big and small musician since 1948. Tours are available year round, but if you can take in a concert during your visit, I highly recommend. It’s a magical place!
6. Local Restaurants
Hungry?! Clear Lake offers several locally owned restaurants that offer delicious eats. Head to Cancun by the Lake just across from city park and with views of the lake. Fresh chips and salsa, delicious steak tacos (among other delicious meals), and the friendliest staff make for a great experience! We recommend Sevens, located downtown for a big, affordable, and delicious breakfast! For a great lunch, stop by KB Emporium where they use the freshest ingredients (and offer gluten-free options) along with great boutique type finds adjacent to the dinning area!
7. Pla-Mor Miniature Golf
Get outside when its nice and play a round of old-school miniature golf at Pla-Mor Miniature Golf.
8. 173 Craft Distillery
A great place to end the night is with a nightcap at the 173 Distillery. Here they are distilling their own bourbon, rum, vodka, and gin. With their amazingly smooth spirits, they are mixing, shaking, and creating delicious cocktails. They offer classics like the Old Fashioned and a Vodka Lemonade, but also cocktails with unique twists. They also offer snacks to enjoy while you’re sipping your drink, and often have live music on the weekends!
9. Local Shops
Ladies, we know you’ll enjoy strolling down main street Clear Lake and browsing all the locally owned shops and boutiques. We think you’ll especially enjoy The Red Geranium, Larsen’s Mercantile, Ralphene’s, and Unique Boutique plus so many more!
10. Cookies, Etc
A cookie vending machine?! Yup, Cookies, Etc is doing that! This north Iowa legend is THE BEST place to snag a fresh baked cookie, but if you can’t make it during their regular business hours, they offer a cookie vending machine outside. T loves the Monster Cookies, while my favorite used to be the Chocolate Chip Pecan. Did I mention they are served just very slightly warm?! Make sure to grab a couple extra to take home.
Getting There
Getting to Clear Lake is super easy whether you’re traveling by car or air. If you want to arrive via air, you can land at the Mason City Municipal Airport, which has daily flights on United from Chicago & Minneapolis.
If you’re traveling by car…
- Des Moines, Iowa – 1 hour, 40 minutes drive time
- Minneapolis, Minnesota – 2 hour drive time
- Chicago, Illinois – 5 hours, 57 minute drive time
- Kansas City, Missouri – 4 hour, 17 minute drive time
Plan a Visit to Clear Lake
While summer is a great time to visit Clear Lake with all the lake offers, we think a trip anytime of the year is a great idea. With a stay at the Lakeside Inn and so many great things to do in Clear Lake, we know you’ll enjoy an overnight stay, a weekend, or even a week-long stay. When will you visit Clear Lake?
