weekend 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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Iowa

A Weekend Getaway in Mason City, Iowa: 6 Things to Do

January 16, 2023January 11, 2023 — Katy FlintLeave a comment

Who wants a weekend getaway with a big-city feel, but not the big city crowds or traffic?! Well, we think a weekend in Mason City, Iowa, is just what you are wanting then. We have 6 stops that will make for a great weekend with your special someone. Check them out.

** Special thanks to Visit Mason City, Iowa for hosting us during our visit. All thoughts & opinions are 100% authentic and our own. Please see the Disclosure Tab for full details.

Mason City, Iowa

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Iowa

Plan a Winery & Brewery Tour of Madison County, Iowa

June 30, 2022March 3, 2024 — Katy Flint8 Comments

Covered bridges and the John Wayne Birthplace might be what Madison County, Iowa, is known best for, but the hidden secret?! They have an abundance of great wineries & breweries to enjoy! After spending a weekend in their beautiful countryside recently, we can safely say that you and your special someone need to plan a winery & brewer tour of Madison County, Iowa.

*Special thanks to the Madison County Chamber of Commerce for arranging samples, food, and accommodations for our visit. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and our own. For more details, please check out the Disclosure Tab.

Madison County, Iowa

Madison County is located in southwest Iowa, about 30 minutes from West Des Moines and offers beautiful rolling landscape. It is a booming community, but not overpopulated, so we’re sure you’ll enjoy the opportunity to slow down, relax, and enjoy your visit. Winterset is the county seat and the hub of all activities (and very centrally located), so it’s a great place to book a room and make it your home base for your trip.

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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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Iowa

The Best Winter Weekend Getaways in Iowa

October 6, 2021January 19, 2023 — Katy FlintLeave a comment

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!

Charles City

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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Day Trips

The Best Wineries, Breweries, & Cideries in the Midwest

August 30, 2021October 22, 2023 — Katy FlintLeave a comment

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!

breweries wineries cideries in the Midwest

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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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Day Trips

The Best Day Trips & Weekend Getaways in Southeast Iowa

April 26, 2021March 28, 2023 — Katy Flint2 Comments

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!

getaways in Southeast Iowa — Goldie’s in Prairie City

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Girl's Trips

A Stay at The Black Hawk Hotel – an Escape in Cedar Falls, Iowa

April 15, 2021April 15, 2021 — Katy FlintLeave a comment

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.

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