Vacation Okoboji

12/14/2024

Santa’s coming to town, and he’s making his first stop at Hill Ave in Spirit Lake! 🎅🎶

Join the fun until 2pm with face painting, crafts, and more at Santa’s Village!

12/10/2024

🎅✨ Santa's Village is Coming to Downtown Spirit Lake! 🎨🍪

Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 14th, 10 AM – 2 PM and bring the family to celebrate the season with:
🎄 Cookie decorating
🎁 Local open houses
🎨 Holiday crafts and games
🎅 Photos with Santa
🌈 Face painting..and so much more festive fun!

Let’s make holiday memories together! 🎶 Don’t miss this magical day in Downtown Spirit Lake.



Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce

12/06/2024

✨🎄 The Holidays are Magical at The Oakwood Inn! 🎄✨

Looking for a cozy escape this holiday season? 🌟 Step into a winter wonderland at The Oakwood Inn, where festive décor, twinkling lights, and the charm of the season create the perfect holiday retreat. 🕯️❄️

✨ Why You’ll Love Staying at The Oakwood Inn:
🎄 Stunning holiday decorations that will put you in the festive spirit
🔥 Warm, cozy spaces to relax by the fire
🍳 Delicious Breakfasts & Treats – Enjoy homemade holiday goodies that make your stay extra sweet.
🌲 Peaceful surroundings for the ultimate getaway

Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a friends' weekend, or just need a serene place to unwind during the busy season, The Oakwood Inn is your holiday haven. 🌟

Reserve your stay now and experience the magic—and flavor—of the season in Okoboji!

12/05/2024

🎄✨ There’s No Place Like Okoboji for the Holidays! ✨🎄

Get ready to make your season merry and bright with festive events happening all around the Iowa Great Lakes! 🎅❄️

🎁 Holiday Highlights:
🎄 Holiday Market in the Park – Shop hand-crafted items, enjoy Christmas music, take pictures with Santa, and enjoy sleigh rides down Lake Street on Friday, December 6th from 4:00-6:00 PM!
🎶 Jazzed-Up Christmas at the Roof Garden – 🎷 Enjoy a magical evening of live jazz and holiday favorites on Saturday, December 7th!
🩰 The Nutcracker Performance – Don’t miss this enchanting holiday classic at the Sami Bedell Center on Saturday, December 7th!
🌟 Holiday Fantasy Weekend in Downtown Milford – Celebrate with festive events for the whole family on Saturday, December 7th!
🌟 Christmas Light Displays – From the Downing and Leuders Family Light Displays to Heartland Pet Resort, the community is glowing with holiday cheer!
🎅 Santa’s Village – Crafts, treats, and a visit with Santa for the whole family!
🏡 Holiday Open Houses & Craft Nights – Visit local businesses for festive fun, craft nights, and photos with Santa!

✨ Whether it’s shopping, live performances, dazzling light displays, or family fun, Okoboji is the perfect place to celebrate the season. Don’t miss the magic! Visit our website for a full list of events!

12/03/2024

It’s almost here!! ⏰🎉 Your favorite summer Saturday tradition returns this Friday evening for a Holiday Market in the Roof Garden with beautiful and unique handcrafted items!

Join us Friday for pictures with Santa, live music, carriage rides, shopping and more!

Dashing through the snoooow! Come enjoy free carriage rides up and down the beautiful Lake Street from 4-7pm this Friday during our Holiday Market!

11/30/2024

Celebrate Small Business Saturday by exploring Okoboji's charming local shops! 🛍️✨ Find unique gifts, cozy apparel, and lake-inspired treasures perfect for sharing the Gift of Okoboji.

Plan your shopping adventure with our Okoboji Ultimate Gift Guide blog featuring must-visit spots: https://vacationokoboji.com/okoboji-ultimate-gift-guide/

Shop small, support local, and make your visit unforgettable! 💙

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from Vacation Okoboji! 🦃

As you gather with loved ones this holiday, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next family getaway or reunion! 🌊 From stunning lake views to endless activities for all ages, Okoboji offers the perfect setting to make lasting memories together.

Start planning your 2024 family adventure today – because nothing brings people together like the magic of the Iowa Great Lakes! 💙

11/22/2024

The seasons may change, but one thing remains the same.. There's nothing better than an Okoboji sunrise or sunset. ☀😍

📸: .photo

11/20/2024

❄️ Let the countdown begin! ❄️ Start planning your University of Okoboji Winter Games weekend now—the first draft of the schedule is HERE! From thrilling competitions to cozy festivities, it's packed with non-stop fun for all ages. 🎿🔥 Click the link to see what's in store and mark your calendars! 🗓️✨

https://www.uofowintergames.com/schedule/

11/19/2024

🎉 Celebrate 28 Years of Captain's Getaway! 🛥️✨

Join the fun this Wednesday, November 20th, as Captain’s Getaway marks 28 incredible years of great memories, good times, and unbeatable Okoboji vibes!

🍹 Employee-Priced Drinks | 3 PM – 7 PM
🍔 $5 Smash Burgers | 5 PM – 10 PM
🎶 Dueling Pianos Live | Starting at 7 PM

Whether you’re here for the music, the food, or the celebration, this is a night you won’t want to miss. Let’s toast to 28 amazing years and many more to come! 🥂

📍 Plan your evening and meet us at Captain’s!



📸:

11/04/2024

It's almost time for WOW Women's Okoboji Weekend! On Nov. 8th and 9th, enjoy a great opportunity to jumpstart your holiday shopping and have fun while browsing different businesses and vendors. Need inspiration to make the most of the weekend? We put together a guide to help you plan a fun shopping weekend in Okoboji. See you soon!

vacationokoboji.com/wow-girlfriend-getaway

11/02/2024

Less than one week until WOW Women's Okoboji Weekend! Grab your gals, book your stay and join us for a weekend of shopping, dining and fun! Learn more at vacationokoboji.com

10/25/2024

Happy Friday! This weekend is the perfect time to get your fix of Okoboji favorites that are wrapping up soon for the 2024 season.

🍔 Tavern At The Park- Okoboji – Savor their delicious menu with specials on all drinks before they close their doors. Open Oct 25 and 26 5-9pm.

🍻 Okoboji Store Bar & Kitchen – Just a few days left! Stop by for lakeside views, tasty eats, and great vibes. They will be open through Oct. 27th.

🍹 Block Party Retro Pub at Vintage Block Inn and Suites Okoboji – Listen to live music from Boon and Lambert on Saturday at 5:30pm. Sip on fun cocktails with your crew and enjoy the groovy atmosphere! Open at 4pm Thursday-Saturday.

🍨 The Frozen Parrot – Treat yourself to their delightful gelato, pops, and even limited-quantity pies! It’s the perfect sweet spot before the season wraps up. Open Fri - Sun, 3pm - 9pm.

Don't miss out! Make the most of this beautiful fall weekend in Okoboji! 🍂

10/24/2024

This weekend is going to be a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful fall weather while diving into some serious Halloween fun in the Iowa Great Lakes area! 🍂👻

✨ Kick off the weekend with Family Nature Night at the Dickinson County Nature Center on Friday! Starting at 5pm, learn about the myths surrounding some intimidating creatures, craft your own spider necklace, and meet a few animal ambassadors. It’s spooky, but in the best way! 🐍 🌿 (Preregistration to attend.)

🍬 Trick or Treat Time! Whether you're grabbing goodies at the Great Lakes Mall (11 am - 2 pm) or taking part in downtown Spirit Lake’s Candy Walk (2-4pm), there’s plenty of sweets to go around on Saturday! 🕸️

💀 Thrill seekers, get ready for the ultimate fright at the Nightmare at the Fair haunted house at the Clay County Fairgrounds hosted by the SPENCER JAYCEES. The experience is held on both Friday and Saturday starting at 7pm. Dare to enter if you can handle the frights! 👻 🎃

🎶 Stop by The Wine Bar and Art Gallery on Saturday for music and a costume party w/ prizes to celebrate as they close for the season! Get your costumes planned and ready for a fun night starting at 5pm with music at 8pm.

From spooky to sweet, there’s something for everyone to get in the spooky spirit this weekend! 🍁 👻 🎃

10/23/2024

🍂🛍 If you're craving some retail therapy, check out our fall shopping guide to discover all the best spots to snag your favorite finds this season. From clothing to antiques, this guide has everything you need for a perfect shopping day in Okoboji.

Ready to explore Okoboji’s retail scene? Dive in and plan your next shopping adventure. Maybe even get ahead on your holiday gift hunting! We're continuously adding more shops to this list so if we missed your favorite shop, let us know — we’d love to add it!

Check it out! ➡️ vacationokoboji.com/okoboji-fall-shopping-guide

10/22/2024

In need of activity ideas for this weekend? Head to Arnolds Park Amusement Park to join in on their final weekend of fall festivities. Don't miss out on all the fun still to be had!

🎉 Enjoy rides and other games at the Harvest Fun Fest this Friday (5pm-8pm) and Saturday and Sunday (11am-5pm).
🎶 Jam out at Friday Night Live with music by Luke Thomas starting at 5pm.
🛳️ Take a fall cruise on the Queen II on Saturday and Sunday at 1pm.
🎤 Catch Allie Colleen in concert Saturday night in the Roof Garden Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30pm.
🏈 NFL Game Day tailgate on the Lakeview Deck Saturday and Sunday starting at 11am!

Visit arnoldspark.com for more information. With great weather in the forecast, it's the perfect weekend to soak in all of the fall vibes. See you there! 🍁

10/18/2024

This weekend is the final weekend at Little Sioux Orchard for the 2024 season! 🍎 🍂 Grab your friends and family and head out for one more tractor ride into the orchard for apple picking fun! Grab more delicious pie and other goodies. Explore the corn maze challenge. Don't miss your last chance to take aim with the apple slingshot! 🎯

With the weather looking perfect, it’s the ideal time to soak up some fall fun together. See you there!

Hours:
Saturday 10-5pm
Sunday 12-4pm