The Best Ice Cream Shops in the Midwest
If you’re on a quest to find the best ice cream shops in the Midwest, then you’ve come to the right place! I love ice cream and no road trip is complete without it. The Midwest is full of amazing locally owned ice cream joints and my fellow Midwest Travel Bloggers have helped me by compiling them all in one spot! For your ease, I have organized them by state!
Continue “The Best Ice Cream Shops in the Midwest”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
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
Continue “Fun Things to Do in Fort Dodge: A Passport”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
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!
Continue “The Best Fall Recipes”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!
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
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!
Continue “Food Tour of the Iowa State Fair”Austin, MN – Not Just SPAM: 9 Reasons to Visit
I don’t know about you, but when I hear of Austin, Minnesota, I can’t help but think of SPAM! It makes complete sense since Austin is the home to Hormel, the maker of SPAM. But, after a recent weekend getaway in Austin, we know that there are so many more reasons to visit Austin. In fact, there are 9 reasons to visit Austin, MN. Whether you love spending time outdoors, history, or art, Austin offers it all! Time to plan a trip to visit Austin, Minnesota.
Thank you to Discover Austin, MN for hosting our visit to Austin! All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and my own. For full details, please see the disclosure tab.
Hormel Historic Home
Plan a Visit to West Central Iowa: 3 Day Itinerary
I’ve fallen in love with West Central Iowa! It holds some of the very best gems in Iowa. From wineries, rich Danish culture, good eats, and more you’ll be ready to plan a visit to West Central Iowa! And with this 3 day itinerary, it’s easier than ever! Ready to pack and get going? (Make sure to download the checklist at the end!)
Day 1: Elk Horn
On Day 1, start your visit to West Central Iowa in Elk Horn. This Danish community has so much to offer! Of course, the focus and center point of this community is their authentic and historic Windmill, but that is just the beginning!
Continue “Plan a Visit to West Central Iowa: 3 Day Itinerary”The Best Day Trips & Weekend Getaways in Southeast Iowa
The Midwest is full of lots of great day trips & weekend getaways. Iowa alone has a plethora of them! Southeast Iowa is no exception to this rule! Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, we have something for you! Wineries, breweries, museums, good food, and more! Check them out!
*Note – For the purposes of this post, Southeast Iowa is considered anything South of Highway 20 and East of I-35!
A Stay at The Black Hawk Hotel – an Escape in Cedar Falls, Iowa
Historic hotels have become our favorite stays and a night at the Black Hawk Hotel in Cedar Falls, Iowa, recently was no exception.
We were given a gift certificate for Christmas to the Black Hawk Hotel and I couldn’t wait to use it as this has been on my “must-visit” list for awhile now! We decided to use it on a Friday night for a quick getaway before T started spring fieldwork. The gift certificate we were given was part of a holiday promotion in which we were able to get the best available room, 2 free drinks from the bar, and an early check-in and early check-out time! (Watch their social media channels for different promotions!) Lucky for us, the best available room was a queen spa suite. WIN!
This post contains affiliate links for your ease! More details can be found on the Disclosure page.
Continue “A Stay at The Black Hawk Hotel – an Escape in Cedar Falls, Iowa”