Lake Okoboji anyone?
Jul 22nd, 2008, 11:00 AM
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Lake Okoboji anyone?
Has anyone been to Lake Okoboji in northern Iowa? My husband just made a non-specific request for a getaway to a lake somewhere sometime in August - I know, good luck!
But I can't find much info on that area on here... any info out there - possible places to stay, etc?
But I can't find much info on that area on here... any info out there - possible places to stay, etc?
Jul 23rd, 2008, 05:35 PM
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Yes! I go to the lake every other summer (and have been for most of my 26 years). I live in California, but have family near there. It is a lot of fun. Village West is a good place to stay in. It's right there on the lake. There is also Village East on the other side of the lake, but that can tend to get busy and noisy. West is away from the action, so it is nice and quiet. But yet, it's just a short car (or boat!) ride away.
You can rent boats or jetskis or inner-tubes and have lots of good lake fun! There is Arnolds Park on the other side of the lake (from Village West) - a small theme park with the scariest roller coaster in the world! Well I think it is anyway...it's made entirely of wood and is about 100 years old!
You can also take sunset tours around the lake. Or just plain fish! I am not much of a fisherman, so I have no idea if the fishing is any good. But I do see people out there a lot.
Near Arnolds Park, there is a place called The Emporium with lots of shops. They have very good sales and deals over Labor day weekend. Also, there is a restaurant called Whiskey Dick's right on the water. You can eat on the patio on the lake.
The place pretty much clears out after Labor Day weekend, so you are smart to go in August...unless you want a ghost town! I am getting excited for my upcoming trip this summer! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I'm happy to answer them!
You can rent boats or jetskis or inner-tubes and have lots of good lake fun! There is Arnolds Park on the other side of the lake (from Village West) - a small theme park with the scariest roller coaster in the world! Well I think it is anyway...it's made entirely of wood and is about 100 years old!
You can also take sunset tours around the lake. Or just plain fish! I am not much of a fisherman, so I have no idea if the fishing is any good. But I do see people out there a lot.
Near Arnolds Park, there is a place called The Emporium with lots of shops. They have very good sales and deals over Labor day weekend. Also, there is a restaurant called Whiskey Dick's right on the water. You can eat on the patio on the lake.
The place pretty much clears out after Labor Day weekend, so you are smart to go in August...unless you want a ghost town! I am getting excited for my upcoming trip this summer! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I'm happy to answer them!
Jul 23rd, 2008, 05:48 PM
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Thanks Katie - living in Iowa you'd think I'd find someone who's been there but most people have said they went when they were kids but haven't been back as adults so their info is obviously outdated and probably jaded!
Is it a zoo in the summer? What would you say it's comparable too - Myrtle Beach, Wisconsin Dells?
Do you stay with family or have a favorite resort there?
Is it a zoo in the summer? What would you say it's comparable too - Myrtle Beach, Wisconsin Dells?
Do you stay with family or have a favorite resort there?
Jul 24th, 2008, 03:33 PM
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I wouldn't say it becomes a zoo there in the summer...but that's coming from someone who was born and raised in congested Southern California! There are a decent of people around, but I don't think that it gets too packed (for what I am used to). I can't say that I have ever been to Myrtle Beach or Wisconsin Dells. Sorry I don't have much of a comparison point for you.
I usually stay at the Village West Resort (http://www.villagewestresort.com/). They have really nice and spacious 1 or 2 bedroom condos to stay in. They also have what I liked to call "Toasters" which are stand alone, two-story, A-frames near the "beach." Yes, they do have a little sandy beach there!
If you end up going, you can't forget to take a drive into Milford (about 10 minutes south of Okoboji) and visit The Three Sons store (http://www.threesons.com/). They are the founders of the University of Okoboji...of which I am an alumna
U of O now has their entrance exam online...you should check it out and you will see what I am getting at (if you don't already know!) http://www.okoboji.com/u_of_o/
Please let me know if you'd like any more info!
I usually stay at the Village West Resort (http://www.villagewestresort.com/). They have really nice and spacious 1 or 2 bedroom condos to stay in. They also have what I liked to call "Toasters" which are stand alone, two-story, A-frames near the "beach." Yes, they do have a little sandy beach there!
If you end up going, you can't forget to take a drive into Milford (about 10 minutes south of Okoboji) and visit The Three Sons store (http://www.threesons.com/). They are the founders of the University of Okoboji...of which I am an alumna
U of O now has their entrance exam online...you should check it out and you will see what I am getting at (if you don't already know!) http://www.okoboji.com/u_of_o/Please let me know if you'd like any more info!
