By Sabra Ruppert Rieck
When someone mentions Iowa, most people think of farmland & corn fields. In the N.W. corner of the state however, there's a premier vacation spot with a chain of lakes covering almost 15,000 acres.
Okoboji is a fun family destination and resort town. With a population of just over 700 people, summer fun brings as many as 120,000 on weekends. There's a lot to see and do!
Recreational Activities
For outdoor enthusiasts, there are plenty of fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, sailing, public beaches, biking and hiking trails.
The Queen II lake tour is a very popular and relaxing activity to enjoy. Arnolds Park Amusement Park is situated along West Lake Okoboji. You can’t beat the view!
Arnolds Park is one of the longest-running parks in the world. It's 125 years old and has one of the oldest wooden roller coasters.
Rich Cultural History
If you’re a history enthusiast, there are a number of great museums in the area to enjoy. There is the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Arnold’s Park Museum, and also a Classic Car Museum - something for everyone’s taste, most are free, with a requested donation.
Local Shopping Experiences
Shopping is one of my favorite activities! Okoboji and the surrounding towns have plenty of shopping options.
The Emporium is located along the lake in Arnold’s Park. It has numerous shops and restaurants.
It's a fun way to spend a few hours!
Barn Swallow Gift Shop is a must stop! it's in a huge old house and full of fun discoveries. You can actually get lost in there!
As you go north to Spirit Lake, there's Mary’s Gift Shoppe with a wide array of gifts and clothing.
Next is Goodies Homemade Candies with lots of chocolate delights, ice cream and other desserts. There are lots of shops in Arnold’s Park.
Delicious Cuisine
There are lots of excellent restaurants in this area. Our favorite is Okoboji Store, which sits right on the water between East and West Okoboji Lakes. While enjoying your outdoor dining experience, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery on the water and watch the boats come and go. They have excellent food and drinks, one of their specialties being a Bloody Mary that can almost be a meal in itself. They also have live music on weekends in the summer.
Smokin’ Jake’s is a new place we tried this year. Located on Broadway (behind the Emporium), they specialize in all types of smoked meats and have some great baked beans. They have a nice collection of memorabilia that's fun to look at and reminisce. 
Arts and Cultural Events
The Rooftop Garden Ballroom is a great music venue. We've seen The Lettermen perform there several times.
This year we had the pleasure of seeing an ABBA tribute group from Sweden performing a free show at the Preservation Plaza on the grounds of Arnold’s Park. Okoboji Summer Theater produces several plays throughout the summer.
The Takeaway
You don’t have to like swimming or boating to have fun in Okoboji. There are so many options for families, couples, as well as girlfriend getaways. It’s a great place to relax and unwind. The natural scenery and breathtaking sunsets are unparalleled! The abundance of hotels, cabins, resorts and camping areas make it a great place to relax.
