Summer Vacation Fun in Iowa's Great Lakes Region

If you are looking for an economical yet entertaining and family filled Summer getaway or vacation then the Iowa Great Lakes Region is the place for you. Iowa's Lake Okoboji "http://www.okoboji.com" is where you will find a wonderful Summer playground from fishing, boating, amusement park, go karts, swimming, theater, golf and wild life areas to name a few. It is located at the junction of US highways 71 and 9, which intersect in the city of Spirit Lake, Iowa.

The Iowa Great Lakes Region was first settled in the 1850s and is home to Arnolds Park, "http://www.arnoldspark.com", an amusement park with rides for young and old. Arnolds Park is a wonderful place for a child's birthday party or just a weekend of fun and games. Bumper cars, roller coaster, go karts, tilted house, and much more.

If it's a cruise you want you then come aboard the Okoboji Queen II. The Queen II has her legacy on West Okoboji Lake of over a decade of operation. If it is the beautiful glacial lake that you want to see there is no better way to see it then aboard the Queen II. A visit to the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum, "http://www.ncn.net/~curator/", which is located by the Queen II pier adjacent to Arnolds Park, is home to an extensive maritime collection of artifacts of the Iowa Great Lakes Region.

If you want to be at the controls, you can rent a boat, jet skis, or bring your own. In addition, if you want to play in the water you ski, swim or visit the Boji Bay Water Park full of water slides and fun water activities for the whole family.

Moreover, what getaway or vacation is complete without a little sightseeing, shopping and eating? The area is full of gift shops, antique shops, clothing stores and fine places to eat also.

Some of the sights consist of the Abbie Gardner Cabin, which is the site of the 1857 "Spirit Lake Massacre." The Abbie Gardner Cabin was first known for the "Massacre" and later became one of Iowa's first tourist attractions. The Abbie Gardner Cabin survives as a reminder of one of Iowa's most tragic events during its frontier days. The dramatic stories of Abbie Gardner and the Dakota leader, Inkpadutah can be found here at the Cabin and Museum. The cabin and Museum can be found just one block west of Arnolds Park.

The Spine Trail or Dickinson county Hiking trail covers an extensive area reaching to almost every natural habitat within Dickinson County. The trails are wide enough to allow for travel in two directions thus making this an excellent choice for hiking, biking, roller-blading, jogging or just a casual walk.

The area also provides an abundance of lodging. Motels, cabins, cottages, resorts and campgrounds are abundant throughout the area. Adjacent to Arnold's park is a beautiful campground and cabin and cottage area.

This area is also home to the University of Okoboji and the Winter Games. The annual University of Okoboji Winter Games takes place during the last weekend in January. The Games are designed to bring fun for all ages. Some of the events are the Ice Man Run, a broomball tournament, kids ice fishing contest, a snowmobile run, dog sled rides, snowball softball and football, and for the empty stomach the famous chili cook-off and ending the events with the fireworks and bonfire or Christmas trees.

No matter what time of the year you visit the Iowa Great Lakes region you will find something entertaining and relaxing for the whole family. This can be considered a day trip or weekend getaway if you live in Iowa. In addition, depending upon how many are in your group it can be a shoestring getaway for under $50.00 a day. The best time to travel if it's for the kids is during the summer.