midwest getaways Archives

Iowa

Plan a Visit to Northwest Iowa: The Best Stops

March 17, 2023March 17, 2023 — Katy Flint2 Comments

Where do you head to experience great food, shopping, outdoor recreation, and more?! I make a plan to visit Northwest Iowa! Whether you stop in Fort Dodge, Okoboji, or Estherville (and a few in between), you’ll enjoy your adventures in this part of the state!

Fort Dodge

Fort Dodge has a lot to offer those who love the arts & the outdoors plus history!

Things to Do:

Visit the Painted Silos – People drive from hours around to view these stunning hand-painted silos, so you don’t want to miss them!
Create at Studio Fusion – Head to Studio Fusion to paint ceramics or fuse glass.
Explore The Fort Museum – Learn about the original Fort Dodge and the role it played in the Civil War along with history of Iowa and the area!
Venture out to Veterans Memorial Park & the Children’s Forest – Located north of Fort Dodge a few miles is a beautiful park dedicated to honoring the Veterans and giving kids a place to explore!

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Weekend Getaways

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

May 31, 2022June 5, 2022 — Katy Flint4 Comments

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.

Get Outdoors in Charles City, Iowa

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Midwest Travel

Austin, MN – Not Just SPAM: 9 Reasons to Visit

June 1, 2021June 13, 2021 — Katy FlintLeave a comment

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

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Day Trips

Plan a Visit to West Central Iowa: 3 Day Itinerary

May 9, 2021May 7, 2021 — Katy FlintLeave a comment

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!

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Girl's Trips

The Best Weekend Getaways in the Midwest

March 28, 2021May 4, 2021 — Katy Flint2 Comments

Ready to travel? We’ve gathered up this list of the very best in Midwest Weekend Getaways to help make your planning easier! You’ll find them grouped by state, but I’ve also noted which ones are the best for families, couples, girlfriends getaway, and more! I hope you’re excited to get exploring!

The Best Midwest Weekend Getaways

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Iowa

21 Places to Visit in Iowa in 2021

November 29, 2020September 1, 2021 — Katy Flint12 Comments

I can’t believe we’re already at the end of 2020, but that’s ok! We’re all ready to leave this year in our rearview mirror and move on to 2021. I’m also already planning where I want to visit, so I thought I’d share these 21 places to visit in Iowa with you, so you can make your plans too! I’ve included food, places to stay, outdoor activity, and indoor, so there is something for everyone!

1. Visit the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor

I love all things ice cream! The Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor is not only an ice cream parlor for experiencing the delicious treat, but also has an interactive experience to learn about ice cream and Blue Bunny!

2. Explore the Bridges of Madison County

Madison County is home to the iconic covered bridges which were featured in the Hollywood film “Bridges of Madison County”. Plus there is so much more to see!

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Weekend Getaways

Great Winter Weekend Getaways in the Midwest

November 1, 2020December 4, 2023 — Katy FlintLeave a comment

Winter is knocking at our doorstep here in the Midwest! This also means people traditionally think of this as the time to go away to a warmer place! We are lucky because we have so many options for great Winter Weekend Getaways here in Iowa and other Midwest states!

While the Midwest may not be the ideal vacation spot in the middle of winter for everyone, they do offer several spots that offer great accommodations, things to do, and awesome places to grab a bite to eat!

Check out the Best Winter Weekend Getaways in Iowa!

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Iowa

15 Iowa Day Trips to Make

May 10, 2020October 12, 2021 — Katy Flint6 Comments

Iowa is full of all sorts of great places to visit for a weekend or even just a day. I’ve put together a list of 15 Iowa Day Trips that should be on your “to do” list this summer!

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Going on Iowa Day Trips

Traveling is different for everyone. Some people consider traveling to be out of the country for a long period of time. Others consider it within the US for a week. Of course, there are those who look for weekend trips and day trips!

Iowa day trips are a great way to see the state without having to dedicate an entire weekend or week to exploring! So, here are 15 fantastic day trips that you can enjoy with your girlfriends, spouse, significant other, or the entire family. These are no particular order!

Snag the Ultimate Guide to Traveling in Iowa by clicking HERE!

Pella

A plethora of downtown shops, biking on the Volksweg Trail, or exploring one of the many nearby parks makes Pella great spot for an Iowa day trip! Make sure to check out the Vermeer Windmill and Pella Historical Society Museums!

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Midwest Travel

The Minnesota State Fair: A Guide to Don’t Miss Fun

September 1, 2017August 4, 2022 — Katy Flint4 Comments

This was not my first visit to the Minnesota State Fair! In fact, it was actually my 3rd or 4th visit. I do however consider myself an expert in fairs! Not only was I involved with the Franklin County Fair in my hometown for more than 10 years, T and I love visiting different fairs and especially the Iowa State Fair!

So, what’s so great about the Minnesota State Fair?

Things To Do

You will not, I promise, run out of things to do at the MN State Fair! The choices are endless!

1. Math On A Stick

If you have small children, we recommend heading to Math On A Stick! Created as a way for kids and adults to both enjoy mathematical skills without actually doing equations, there are several stations that challenge kids to use their logical and creative brains at the same time! The stations can change each day as well! The day we visited, there was a station that used balloons to create different shapes, etc. Even the big guys found it entertaining!

Tips for Visiting the Iowa State Fair

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