If you’re from Iowa, you know Lake Okoboji! So, when I learned I got to spend the weekend visiting, I was super excited. Then, I learned about all the things to do in Vacation Okoboji that aren’t on the lake. So, it doesn’t matter what time of year you can travel to this lake destination, you’ll have plenty to do and stay busy. Whether you’re looking for land or water, Okoboji is a great place to spend a weekend getaway in Iowa! Plus, you’ll find amazingly delicious food, which you know is so important to me!
Thank you to Vacation Okoboji for hosting us during our visit. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and my own. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.
Greater Okoboji Area
Vacation Okoboji is actually made up of several different towns and that blend together to make an amazing destination! Okoboji, Spirit Lake, Arnolds Park, West Okoboji, Milford, & Whapeton all offer a different vibe and different amenities!
Travel Time
If you are traveling to Okoboji by car…
- Des Moines, Iowa – 3 hours, 20 minutes drive time
- Minneapolis, MN – 3 hours drive time
- Kansas City, MO – 5 hours, 40 minutes drive time
- Chicago, IL – 7 hours, 20 minutes drive time
If you want to fly, I recommend flying into Sioux Falls, SD and then renting a car to make the 1 hour, 40 minute drive to the area.
The Studio Yoga & Barre
Located in downtown Spirit Lake, you’ll find The Studio Yoga & Barre. They offer a wide variety of classes including Barre, SUP classes (in the summer), cardio & light strength training) and several kinds of yoga.
We were lucky enough to be able to take a private beginner Aerial yoga class and it was amazing. Amanda is so well educated, makes clients feel at ease regardless of their level of fitness, and works well with clients! It’s fun to try something new while traveling, so we recommend heading to The Studio Yoga & Barre!
Arnold’s Park Amusement Park
Arnold’s Park Amusement Park has been a part of the Vacation Okoboji community since 1889.
Not only are they an amusement park, but they also host several events throughout the year, which add something special to the community! During our visit, OktoberFest was going on with vendors, bounce houses, and other simple games for the the little kiddos, food vendors, and live music!
We were able to partake in an antique pinball tournament hosted at the Arnold’s Park Museum during our exploration of things to do in Vacation Okoboji. We are definitely not pinball players, but the folks running the tournament were super friendly and made us feel at ease. It was also fun to walk around both the Park Museum and the Maritime Museum and learn more about the area! Finally, we ended our time at Arnold’s Park by exploring some of the shops!
Making a visit to Arnold’s Park needs to be at the top of your list of things to do in Vacation Okoboji!
Looking for more great Weekend Getaways in the Midwest?! Click HERE to snag our ultimate guide!
Emerald Hills Golf Club
There are several options when it comes to golfing in the Okoboji area, but Emerald Hills Golf Course offers the most beautiful, challenging, and extensive course in the area. This 18 hole golf course offers challenges of hills, water features, sand traps, and more.
While we are not good (or even frequent) golfers, we had a great time! Their course is beautiful, the people beyond friendly, and they have CLEAN, FLUSH toilets mid-course! (Seriously, any woman knows how amazing this is!) We had a great time and are happy to report, we only lost 1 ball! 😉 If you’re a golfer of any kind, definitely put Emerald Hills on your “must visit” list!
Little Swan Lake Winery
The entire area has so much to offer! Jump in your car and head on a little drive for your next item on your list of things to do in Vacation Okoboji! Near Estherville, you’ll find Little Swan Lake Winery! Here you can taste test wines, enjoy special events, and just kick back and relax! We had a BLAST at one of their live music nights! Such friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a bottle of wine and time with friends!
They also do serve special meals on nights with live music. The night we visited they were featuring bison burgers and while we didn’t try them, we did enjoy snacking on the cheese curds from the cooler!
Make sure to keep an eye out for the bison out to pasture on your way into the winery!
The Grove
Brand new to the Visit Okoboji scene, you’ll find The Grove just outside. This brand new pumpkin patch has a little bit of everything for everyone to enjoy! A slide, train rides for the kiddos, and a playground for the littles! The adults and older kids will enjoy the giant trikes, paintball slingshot, and corn maze! Grab the family and head make the trek to check out this new spot! Plus, every year, the owner Taryn has plans to add new features, so you’ll want to make a return trip!
Looking for more fall fun?! Make sure to check out U of O Oktoberfest! This local festival is full of things to do with the kids: rides & inflatables, vendors to shop, beer to drink, food vendors, and live bands! It’s a great way to celebrate fall!
University of Okoboji Okotoberfest is September 24th, 2022
Delicious Eats
Vacation Okoboji is not lacking for great places to eat! Check out these spots we found!
Pub 19 at Okoboji View
Located at the beautiful Okoboji View Golf Course, you’ll find Pub 19. This restaurant offers your typical golf course food of burgers and other sandwiches, but have kicked it up a notch with delicious steaks and drool worthy pizza! They make their own dough, add fresh toppings, and cook directly on bricks! YUM!
Personally, I loved their shoe string style sweet potato fries!
Waterfront Grille
At the Waterfront Event Center, you’ll find the Waterfront Grille. This spot is great for outdoor dining and enjoying views of the lake! A wide variety of menu options makes this a great spot for everyone of all ages! We loved dining on the patio and enjoying the beautiful lake weather. We had heard they were also famous for flatbreads and carried a gluten-free pizza, so of course we had to try!
I chose “The Godfather” which was loaded up with a garlic butter sauce, roma tomatoes, feta cheese, pesto drizzle, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. Theh, I had it on their gluten-free cauliflower crust! It was probably the best pizza I’ve had since discovering that I have a gluten allergy! The flavors were fresh and the crust perfectly crispy! DELICIOUS!
Yesterday’s
Yesterday’s, which has been a staple in the Okoboji area for over 35 years is your epitome of supper club. They are known for their amazing seafood options, but the service was what stood out in my mind! All the employees were friendly, very attentive, and excellent at their jobs!
I opted for The Oscar Chicken (a grilled chicken breast topped with jumbo lump crab, grilled asparagus, and hollandaise) and it was mouthwatering! It was simply amazing! I also opted for their house cut/homemade curly fries and was not disappointed! I could have eaten 5 lbs of those things! Our experience at this Okoboji classic restaurant was top notch!
Crescent Beach Family Resort
Of course, you need a fantastic place to stay during your weekend getaway in Okobjoi. Having a great place to call home during a trip can make it even better!
Crescent Beach Family Resort is located on the west side of Lake Okoboji in the Village of Wahpeton. This part of the area is less congested and makes a great place to land at night! Here you’ll find suites complete with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchenettes, a seating area, and dining area. Did I mention that all rooms are lake front?! You can’t go wrong with that!
The rooms were very clean and well taken care of! Crescent Beach also offers an extensive playground for the kiddos (on it’s own island), a private beach & swimming area, water trampoline & other water toys, a fishing dock, paddle boats, paddle boards & kayaks, tennis courts & yard games, and more .
In addition to having lots of amenities and great accommodations, the staff was some of the best around! They were friendly and incredibly helpful with all questions that we asked!
Enjoy Plenty of Things to Do in Vacation Okoboji
While most people are familiar with summer and the lake, there are really are more things to do in Vacation Okoboji that have nothing to do with the lake! This community has lots to offer from golf to an amusement park with special events, a winery, and more! You won’t be bored or go hungry! Okoboji is just one of the many places to spend a weekend getaway in Iowa! Plan your trip with Vacation Okoboji now!
Need More Weekend Getaways in Iowa?
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- 6 Danish Treasures in Elk Horn, Iowa
- Plan a Girlfriends Getaway in Audubon County, Iowa
- Get Outdoors in Charles City, Iowa
PIN it for Later
What a fantastic fall getaway! I’ve only been to Obji in the summer….Arnold’s park with the kids is the best! After reading this article, I’m looking forward to returning 🙂
I feel like we only caught a glimpse of everything there and that there is so much more to see & do!