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.
Things to Do:
- Shop the Downtown shops like Rustic Corner, Cardigan, Darbe & Co, Otto’s Oasis, & more!
- Tour Carrie Chapman Catt’s childhood home – 2379 Timber Ave – Charles City
- Visit the Charles City Arts Center – 301 N Jackson St – Charles City
- Play a couple frames at the Comet Bowl – 1100 S Grand Ave – Charles City
- Tour the Floyd County Historical Museum – 500 Gilbert St – Charles City
- Shoot pool at Hot Shots Billiards – 700 Riverside Drive – Charles City
- Enjoy world class art at the Mooney Art Gallery – Inside the Charles City Public Library – 106 Milwaukee Mall
Places to Eat/Drink:
- Aroma’s Coffee Bar – 214 N Main St – Charles City
- Pub on the Cedar – 101 N Jackson St – Charles City
- Hot Shots Billiards – 700 Riverside Drive – Charles City
- Tellurian Brewing – 100 S Main Street – Charles City
Places to Stay:
Charles City offers several places to stay, but make your winter weekend getaway super cozy with a stay at the Sherman House Bed & Breakfast!
Book a Winter Weekend Getaway in Charles City!
Audubon
Audubon is the perfect place to escape the crowds during the winter. This small, classic Iowa community offers plenty of things to do and ways to relax during your winter weekend getaway.
Things to Do
- Explore Littlefield Recreation Area – 3108 Pheasant Place – Exira
- Burn off energy at Audubon Rec Center – 703 Southside Ave – Audubon
- Support local businesses like Present Company, Molly’s, and more
- Tour Templeton Rye – 209 Rye Ave – Templeton
- Visit Elk Horn for the Danish Windmill, Museum of Danish Heritage Museum, and more!
Get In Touch with Danish Heritage in Elk Horn!
Places to Eat
- Adobe Mexican Restaurant – 320 Broadway St – Audubon
- The Feed Mill Restaurant – 2079 US Hwy 71 – Audubon
- Darrel’s Place – 4010 1st St – Hamlin
- The Bakery on Broadway – 312 Broadway St – Audubon
- Danish Countryside Vines & Winery – 1425 Littlefield Dr – Exira
Where to Stay
Audubon offers two great options for your lodging needs. If you’re looking for a traditional stay, pick the Blue Grass Inn & Suites. This newer hotel complete with a large indoor pool, hardwood floors in the room, and more amenities is just what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a more unique stay, then book a stay at the Taylor Hill Lodge. This Century Farm barn turned lodge has been renovated into a unique stay so fantastic that you won’t want to leave. It’s the perfect way to spend a wintery Iowa weekend!
Five Reasons You Need to Visit Audubon County
Pella
Whether you’re looking for a couples weekend getaway or a girls trip, Pella is the perfect place to do either!
Grab Your Girlfriends & Visit Pella
Things to Do
- Visit Frisian Farms Cheese House – 2098 Fischer Ave – Leighton
- Tour the Pella Historical Museum & Vermeer Mill – 507 Franklin St – Pella
- Tour the Pella Opera House – 611 Franklin St – Pella
- Taste Test at Tassel Ridge Winery – 1681 220th St – Leighton
- Explore downtown shops
Where to Eat/Drink:
- Enjoy wine at The Wijn House – 615 Franklin St – Pella
- Cozy up at Brew Coffee House – 626 Franklin St – Pella
- Grab a sweet treat from VanVeen Chocolates and/or Jaarsma’s Bakery
- Enjoy George’s Pizza & Steakhouse – 626 Franklin St – Pella
Where to Stay
In our opinion, there is really just one place to stay when visiting Pella and that is at the recently updated Royal Amsterdam situated near downtown and along Molengracht Plaza. It’s the perfect place to cozy up and rest and rejuvenate in between exploring!
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids is a thriving city in Iowa with a diverse variety of culture and heritages, and a great variety of things for everyone! Throw in great places to eat and you’ll have a great weekend!
Things to Do:
- Learn about heritage & culture at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library – 1400 Inspiration Pl – Cedar Rapids
- Browse NewBo City Market & the NewBo District
- Admire art at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art including Grant Wood originals – 410 3rd Ave SW – Cedar Rapids
- Feel the need for speed with go-karts at Speedeezz Indoor Karting – 1120 3rd Ave. Dr SW – Cedar Rapids
- Try your hand at Civil Axe Throwing – 375 3rd St SE Suite 110 – Cedar Rapids
Where to Eat/Drink:
- Brewhemia – 1202 3rd St SE #101 – Go for the breakfast tacos!
- The Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery – 616 2nd Ave SE – Retro arcade games, hand cut fries, and local brews! That’s the trifecta, right, right?!
- Black Sheep Social Club – 600 1st St. SE – Upscale dining in a vintage repurposed building is the perfect spot for date night!
- The Map Room – 416 3rd St. SE – )ne of the finalists for the best burgers in Iowa along with a quaint location makes this a great stop!
- Café Saint Pio – 99 16th Ave SW – Located in the Czech neighborhood, this local coffee shop is a great place to start your day.
Where to Stay:
When visiting Cedar Rapids, there is only one place to stay and that is the Doubletree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex! It’s proximity to downtown makes it easy to get around, let alone it’s beautiful accommodations that make this hotel stand out!
The Ultimate Guide to a Weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mason City
Mason City, the River City, located in Northern Iowa offers culture, great food, a historic hotel, breweries, and more which make it a great destination for a winter weekend getaway.
Things to Do:
- Charles H MacNider Art Museum – World class art right in Mason City featuring Bill Baird marionette’s like those from “The Sound of Music”
- Walk the Music Man Footbridge, which was constructed to honor Meredith Willson, who wrote the musical “The Music Man”.
- Visit Music Man Square & Meredith Willson Childhood Home.
- Catch a hockey game of the North Iowa Bulls at the Mason City Arena.
Where to Eat/Drink:
- Markley & Blythe 15 West State Street – this 5 star restaurant located in the Historic Park Inn Hotel offers a small but deliciously crafted menu in a beautiful setting.
- Three on the Tree Coffee & Bakery 124 North Delaware Ave – a local place with a fun & funky vibe offering hot coffee & delicious baked goods.
- Birdsall’s Ice Cream – 518 North Federal Ave – a Mason City tradition offering homemade ice creams in a large variety of flavors. Get the banana fudge, you’re welcome!
- Fat Hill Brewing – 17 North Federal – whether you’re looking to enjoy a flight and relax or attend one of their special events, it’s a fun vibe.
- The Quarry 10 South Federal Ave – This restaurant & tapas bar offers great drinks & delicious food. My favorite is the sea bass.
Where To Stay:
While Mason City offers several options of places to stay, there really is only one place to stay and that is the Historic Park Inn Hotel. This hotel, which is the last remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, offers a unique and wonderful stay for your weekend getaway that can’t be replicated. Pick one of their unique rooms, enjoy a drink at the Draftsman, and unwind in downtown Mason City.
6 Things to Do in Mason City, Iowa
Winter Weekend Getaways in Iowa
You don’t have to leave Iowa to enjoy a winter weekend getaway. There are plenty of great destinations that will make sure you come out of the weekend feeling rejuvenated and relaxed! Plan one of these winter weekend getaways in Iowa now! Where will you visit first?!
Looking to travel outside of Iowa?! Head to Missouri for more great winter weekend getaways!
