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Marketing marvels in Okoboji, Iowa and surrounding areas help to create magic
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I just returned from a 9-day end-of-summer vacation with my family in Iowa. Most of you reading this must think we’re crazy to spend nine days in Iowa but there are some hidden gems in the state that you might not be aware of that are worth visiting.
Let me preface the details with a few facts:
Dickinson County year-round residents total just over 16,400[1]
Summer population of the Lakes Region is as follows[2]:
Memorial Day weekend 100,000
July 4th holiday 120,000
July 4th – Labor Day 75,000
You’re wondering what might lure so many people to a small town in Iowa. What attraction brings such a swell of population during the summer? It’s simple: a lot of water and a little magic.
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Most of our days were spent boating on Lake Okoboji, a blue water, spring-fed lake that has a shoreline of 26 miles and a depth of 134 feet. In fact, we extended our trip two more days so we could soak up more sun in the boat and relax a little longer. The bars and restaurants on the lake are prime examples of great marketing. One example is the Barefoot Bar on East Lake Okoboji, located at Parks Marina, where their motto is “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem”. Check out their logo, which is a graphic representation of their attitude. A relaxing good time is had when you kick off your shoes. Here you can dock your boat on their expansive dock system or park in the marina parking lot if you have to come via auto. The outdoor bar and restaurant imported coconut trees for ambiance and palm tree leaves from Florida for the roof. The atmosphere here is relaxed and casual…and you can come in your swimsuit straight off the boat. This place is a hopping, happening place on weekends and holidays throughout the summer.
No visit to the Iowa Great Lakes Region is complete without visiting The Nutty Bar Stand. Doug Frederick, the current owner bought The Nutty Bar Stand in 1991. According to Doug, he hasn’t been able to trace back to the year that the Stand opened. Through pictures, Doug has been able to ascertain that The Nutty Bar Stand was open in 1945 and has been serving freshly made nutty bars using a block of Wells Blue Bunny vanilla ice cream on a stick, dipped in chocolate, and then rolled in nuts each year since. You can’t get these anywhere else in the world and since I live nearly 1000 miles away, I had one every day of my trip! The stand is also widely known for its freshly made root beer. As a kid, I would belly up to the open-air nutty bar and enjoy my Nutty Bar on the State Pier. Now, the Nutty Bar Stand is located adjacent to its original location in an upgraded enclosed facility with air conditioning. Despite the relocation, I can feel the same great memories of when I was a kid as I order my Nutty Bar and take it out to the State Pier to eat.
Historic Arnolds Park began in 1889 when steamships were transporting passengers throughout the lakes region. Wesley Arnold decided to create an attraction with a water toboggan slide into the lake which marked the beginning of the amusement park that has evolved into what is now called Historic Arnolds Park. The Legend, the nation’s 13th oldest wooden roller coaster is still a major attraction. A replica of the original Queen steamship, the Queen II excursion boat takes guests on a historical tour of West Lake Okoboji. For more than a hundred years, families have been visiting Arnolds Park for an affordable, leisurely vacation. Today, Historic Arnolds Park is still a great, family vacation destination.
In this area, you leave the real world behind and step into a magical world.
Last but in no way least, is a mention of a visit to the Little Swan Lake Winery, located outside of Superior, Iowa. This diamond-in-the-rough establishment will be the feature of an upcoming article. Little Swan Lake Winery…where you can get a good, full-bodied dry red wine. Who knew? Stay tuned. More on the Little Swan Lake Winery to come.
For more info: Visit Arnolds Park, Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, or Barefoot Bar at Parks Marina.
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Arnolds Park ·
wooden roller coaster
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