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

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.

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7 Ways to Have a Great Weekend in Cedar Falls, Iowa

7 Ways to Have a Great Weekend in Cedar Falls, Iowa

We all know those communities that we’re familiar with, but never spend time being a tourist in! Thankfully, after a weekend in Cedar Falls, Iowa, we’ve changed that!

I’ve spent my entire life traveling the one hour from our home area to Cedar Falls for shopping purposes, but never spent any time exploring the rest of the community. So, recently, when our friends at Cedar Falls Tourism invited us to spend a weekend exploring, we jumped at the opportunity! And what we found was a pure delight!

weekend in Cedar Falls

Thank you to Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitor’s Bureau and the Black Hawk Hotel for hosting us during our stay. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and our own. For full details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

Getting There

Getting to Cedar Falls is very easy thanks to its location along Highways 20 and 218. If driving isn’t for you, then you’ll find the Waterloo Regional Airport super handy!

If you’re traveling by car….

Des Moines, Iowa – 1 hour, 54 minute drive time
Minneapolis, Minnesota – 3 hours, 8 minute drive time
Chicago, Illinois – 4 hours, 24 minute drive time
Kansas City, Missouri – 4 hours, 35 minute drive time

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Book a Funky Staycation at the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City, IA

Book a Funky Staycation at the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City, IA

We are all about staycations, especially in the winter because you never know what the weather is going to do here in the Midwest!! Thankfully, Iowa is full of great staycation destinations including the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City. And with it’s modern funky vibe, it’s extra special!

A special thanks to the Highlander Hotel for hosting us on our staycation. All thoughts & opinions are 100% authentic and my own! For full details, please see the Disclosure Tab.

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The Ultimate Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries (and Cideries)

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries (and Cideries)

Micro and local breweries are booming everywhere and Iowa is no different. In fact, there are so many of them that we’ve visited and love. So, I thought it was necessary to create the Ultimate Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries! We threw in a couple cideries too because we love them too! (They are listed alphabetically for organization!)

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Warm Up with a Winter Weekend in the Quad Cities

Warm Up with a Winter Weekend in the Quad Cities

Who’s ready for a fun winter weekend getaway right here in the Midwest? Well, we have just the trip for you in the Quad Cites. Whether you’re traveling with kiddos or just headed out for a couples getaway there is plenty to do. Check out our guide to a weekend in the Quad Cities and plan your trip now!

A huge thank you to Visit Quad Cities for hosting our weekend getaway. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic. For full details, please see the disclosure tab.

weekend in the Quad Cities

The Quad Cities

In case you aren’t familiar with them, the Quad Cities are made up of Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa; and Moline & Rock Island, Illinois. They are split by the Mississippi River, but it’s hard to tell where one of these booming towns ends and the other begins.

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15 of the Best Places Along the Mississippi River

15 of the Best Places Along the Mississippi River

Road trips are one of our favorite things and road trips along scenic drive make them even better! So, of course we know some of the Best Places along the Mississippi River to stop at! You can imagine how much we love traveling along the Great River Road which traverses Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and more along the Mississippi River! Check out these stops for an epic road trip!

Eagle Park – Clinton, Iowa

1. Maiden Rock Apples, Winery, & Cidery – Stockholm, Wisconsin

This unassuming cidery is a great place to spend some time! Get to know the owners, learn their story, and taste their ciders & wines. Plus, stroll through their gift shop and we’re sure you’ll find some extra special treats.

Cider tasting at Maiden Rock Apples, Winery, & Cidery
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The Best Winter Weekend Getaways in Iowa

The Best Winter Weekend Getaways in Iowa

Winter in Iowa can be so long! Thankfully, Iowa is also full of great destinations to help you escape. Historic hotels, delicious eats, unique art, and museums can all be found while visiting this great destinations. It’s time to schedule one of these great winter weekend getaways in Iowa!

winter weekend getaways in Iowa

Charles City

Carrie Chapman Catt Childhood Home – Charles City, IA

Whether you love food, shopping, history, art, or just relaxing, Charles City is the spot for you to spend a weekend getaway in Iowa.

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The Best Ice Cream Shops in the Midwest

The Best Ice Cream Shops in the Midwest
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!  

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Fun Things to Do in Fort Dodge: A Passport

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

Fort Dodge Iowa

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

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