Great Family Friendly Weekend Getaways to take in the Midwest this Summer!

The Midwest is a great place to spend time during the summer. It is full of many great family friendly weekend getaways. Sometimes busy families don’t have time to head out on week-long vacations, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore! We’ve been there in life, so I rounded up some of our favorite family friendly weekend getaways in the Midwest for you and your family to enjoy.

Charles City, Iowa

First in our list of family friendly weekend getaways is Charles City, Iowa. This community of 7300 people offers kayaking, golf, mini golf, delicious eats, history, and bike trails.

• Kayaking – Rapids End Outfitters – Rent kayaks or innertubes to enjoy the Cedar River.
• Golf – Wildwood Municipal Golf Course – This beautiful course has a history dating back to World War II. Trickling water and beautiful stone features make it extra special.
• Miniature Golf – Bayou Bend Mini Golf -This quaint mini golf course offers lots of family fun. They also offer batting cages and arcade games!
• Delicious Eats – Cedar River Pizza Co offers to-go pizza that makes for a great and simple picnic. Pub on the Cedar offers great choices of sandwiches, salads, and more with indoor or river-side outdoor dining. If mom and dad need a boost, grab a coffee from Aroma’s.
• History – Take the family out to the Carrie Chapman Catt Childhood Home to learn about her younger years. Also learn about her influence in Iowa and the suffrage movement.
• Bike Trails – Charley Western Bike Trail – Charles City is home to the Charley Western Bike Trail. This scenic bike trail is also great for families with young kids as it is relatively flat for easy riding.

Austin, Minnesota

Austin may be known for being the home of Hormel and SPAM, but so much more. This makes it a great destination for a family friendly weekend getaway! Enjoy a free baseball game, an amazing nature center, history, great eats, and SPAM!

• Baseball – Greyhound Baseball – Grab a free baseball game and watch the Austin Greyhound’s. This team is part of the Minnesota Baseball Association.
• Nature – Jay C Hormel Nature Center – This amazing nature center offers many miles of trails. Explore an observation tower, a covered bridge. The extensive nature center with interactive displays and live animals to enjoy.
• History – Hormel Historic Home – Learn about the founders of Hormel and SPAM and their lives at this beautiful historic home. Visit the SPAM Museum to learn about the history of this product and several other Hormel items! Plus, it’s FREE!
• Great Eats – All families love barbecue, right?! Piggy Blues BBQ is delicious and very family friendly. Mexican food from 1910 Fresh Mexican Kitchen is delicious, and pizza from Steve’s Pizza won’t disappoint.

*For Family Friendly Accommodations, stay at the AmericInn in Austin!*

Mankato, Minnesota

Minnesota is full of great family friendly weekend getaways and one of our favorites is Mankato. Get outdoors and enjoy this destination.

• Kayaking – Bent River Outfitters – Rent kayaks from Bent River Outfitters! Or, even partake in a guided float down the Blue Earth River. We recommend the guided float to take advantage of scenic stops along the way. Either way, you’ll have a great time!
• Waterfalls – Minneopa State Park – Spend time exploring this state park. Look for the bison, check out Seppman’s Mill, and explore the falls. Take time hiking the area, have a picnic, and enjoy the beautiful landscape.
• Be “Wow”d – Wow! Zone – Take the family to the Wow Zone! The kiddos can burn off lots of energy on a rainy day or hot afternoon at this family entertainment center. Enjoy bowling, glow in the dark mini-golf, laser tag, and numerous arcade games. Grab a delicious meal at their restaurant too!

*For Family Friendly Accommodations, stay at the Courtyard by Marriott!*

Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque is a great destination located along the Mississippi River and is the place where Iowa was born. Get in touch with nature, head to the river which makes it a great destination for a family weekend getaway. Check out these great things to do!

• Museum – National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium – Learn about the history of the Mississippi River, its importance to the economy and the development of Iowa along with the animals that make their habitat in and around the river. Plus, its hands on, so the kiddos will enjoy a visit.
• Take a Ride – Fenelon Place Elevator – Take a ride on the shortest, steepest and most scenic railway in the world! The ride is unique and the views are amazing.
• Park with a View – Eagle Point Park – One of the most scenic parks in Dubuque is Eagle Point Park. It offers views of the river and a lock & dam. Plus, there is a variety of playground equipment for the kiddos, shelters for a picnic, scenic hikes, and more! The best perk is only $1 per car to get into the park.
• River Views – Port of Dubuque River Walk – Located along the Mississippi River, you’ll find a great paved trail that is beautifully landscaped and features unique art installations. Plus, you can check out Stone Cliff Winery, Star Brewery Historic Landmark, and the Shot Tower Historic Landmark. It’s a great place to burn some energy and enjoy the views.
• Breweries – 7 Hills Brewing Co & Dimensional Brewing Company – Both breweries are brewing up delicious drinks and serving up yummy food! They may be breweries, but are still family friendly establishments!

There are many more great things to do in Dubuque, so make sure to check them out and plan your trip!

4 “Must Do’s” Things in Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque, IA: A Family Day Trip

The Barrel House & Ice Cream in Dubuque, Iowa

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Last, but certainly not least in our family friendly weekend getaways is Fort Dodge, Iowa. They offer UTV/ATV trail riding, an entertainment center, history, ice cream, and art! Plus, a great options for an overnight stay makes a well-rounded trip!

• UTV/ATV Riding – Gypsum City OHV Park – If your family has a UTV or fleet of ATV’s, this stop is for you! Enjoy several trails of varying difficulty by exploring the old gypsum mills. Steep climbs, tree lined trails, and even a dirt bike trail offer some thing for everyone.
• Family Event Center – Fort Frenzy – A variety of activities offer lots of family fun. Fort Frenzy offers mini golf, go-karting, and and more for outdoor fun. Indoors, you’ll find bumper cars, miniature bowling, and over 45 varieties of arcade games.
• History – The Fort Museum – Iowa has deep roots in the Civil War. Learn about the connection between Fort Dodge and the Civil War at the Fort Museum.
• Ice Cream – The Dariette – What trip is complete without ice cream?! The Dariette offers delicious ice cream treats to enjoy on a hot evening! Their courtyard makes for a great place to enjoy it under the twinkling lights.
• Art – Studio Fusion – Channel your inner artist at Studio Fusion. Each member of the family can create their custom piece of glassware or by painting their own pottery!

*For Family Friendly Accommodations, Stay at the Brookstone Inn & Suites!*

Plan a Family Friendly Weekend Getaway

The Midwest offers so much to see and do! It’s easy find a place to spend a family friendly weekend getaway. We have 4 of our favorites for you! Pick from baseball and pizza in Austin or kayaking and waterfalls in Mankato. Fort Dodge with history and ice cream or Charles City with golfing & kayaking. Which destination will you pick first?!

Updated 5/23/2024