Location: Spirit Lake
Top Things to do in Spirit Lake
Countries
The 10 Best Things to Do in Spirit Lake, United States
Spirit Lake is a city in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,840 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dickinson County.
Restaurants in Spirit Lake
1. Arnolds Park Amusement Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 188 reviews
Historic Amusement Park and Museum. Celebrated over 125 years of operations.
Reviewed By Luv2Adventure - Colorado
So you ever get to the ticket counter of the amusement park and are like "oh man I only want to watch my kids enjoy themselves and may only ride 1 or 2 rides with them and I have to pay full admission" well Arnold's has you covered! Free admission to get in and walk around, you can do a day pass, or you can just pay by the ride! Clean, reasonable, wooden rollercoaster is awesome, water log ride, bumper cars bring you back to being a kid! The ferris wheel gives you a great view of the lake, there are even a couple of free things like tilted house or the mirror maze!! Take some time to swing by, you will enjoy it with your friends and family!
2. Goodies Handmade Candies
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Sunapee17 - Newport, New Hampshire
This great candy store makes delicious chocolates - truffles, bars, turtles and fudge (plus more) Problem is choosing from the extensive assortment of home made candy. Coffee bar offers many options - staff is friendly and informed. Cards and small gift items available. You can also buy a bag of coffee.
3. Okoboji Classic Cars
Overall Ratings
5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By SillyG2003 - Des Moines
You have got to check this place out! You will have a great time! Admission is $12.00 per person; your ticket then turns into $10.00 towards one item in their gift shop. The gift shop has a nice assortment of shirts and hats.
The lobby area has the gift shop, a collection of model cars, insanely clean restrooms, and the artist who made all of the murals studio. If he is in and his door is open you can go into his studio, check out his art, and chat-great guy!
The museum part is done by a guided tour. If mobility is a concern they have golf carts to take you around on. The tour contains three parts-the cars, the murals, and history of the area. The tour is wonderful. The guides know so much. You will have an absolutely great time.
FYI: the gps on two different phones and the navigation in our car couldn't find the spot. When you are on Highway 71 turn west onto Highway 86 and the museum is on your right side just off of Highway 71. This junction is on the south end of Milford...aka...the south end of the Okoboji area.
4. Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By derbusa - Camarillo, Ca
Question is "do you have to be a geriatric to relate to this museum?" The answer is that it helps but it is not necessary. The quality pieces in the museum will satisfy the experienced visitor as well as the casual observer. I grew up on a lake in Wisconsin so I could relate to all of it. The boats, the motors, the artifacts and images are all there. The docents are very friendly and kind.
5. Spirit Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By tiffanybrasch - Omaha, Nebraska
Beautiful lake to spend a day or even a few days at! Very close to Okiboji. It actually feeds into lake okiboji. Warm water. This lake didn't seem as busy and crowded as the Okoboji lakes.
6. Abbie Gardner Cabin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Bruce W
We wanted to see the memorial of the Gardner cabin and cemetery where my wife Dorothea Watnem is a distant relative of Abigail Gardner we were amazed with the story of Abigail and the history of the Spirit Lake Massacre and the statue they erected on the Gardner home site the original cabin is still there and have a Small museum about the Gardner family and the Spirit Lake Massacre we found it very interesting.
7. 'Boji Splash Indoor Waterpark Okoboji
Overall Ratings
4 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By ChampCamp
We rented a cabin on the Bridges Bay Resort property and received 6 passes to Boji Splash each day. This is something I wouldn't pay extra for, but it gave the kids something to do. Staffing does not seem to be well managed. The line to check in was long and there was only one person actually checking people in and someone else standing next to him not doing anything. It seemed like lots of people had free passes, but their names weren't on the list which made the line really back up. Pizza boxes from the Waterfront were stacked pretty tall on the trash cans. This is an attraction I would not pay for, but since it was included it was something to do for an afternoon.
8. Okoboji Summer Theatre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Dawn E - Madison, Wisconsin
Not really a bad seat in the house. We saw a two hour show with a 10 minute intermission. They stuck very close to the times listed. We were shown to our seats, which are inside a theater - not outside. We saw "Here Comes the Bride". It was very funny and well done. I couldn't believe we were there for two hours. Costumes weren't real attractive, but $18 dollars is a great deal.
9. Superior 71 Drive-In Theatre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By vmsolko - Rockwell City, Iowa
My husband and I visited the drive-in one night on a weekend away. I had never gone to a drive-in before. We got there early and got settled in. The snack bar had many delicious items - lots of bar food along with your traditional movie theater stuff. We didn't realize it, but you actually are paying for a double feature. So you get that week's new movie, along with last week's movie that plays right after.
This would be a great activity with kids if you had the right movie and made sure your car was comfy for everyone. We stowed our van seats and had blankets, so it was like watching a movie in bed. :)
10. Ranch Okoboji
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Welcome to The worlds Greatest Mini Golf, Ranch Okoboji. An indoor and outdoor family fun park, located in the heart of Okoboji. With over 3 acres of fun and attractions, we are the area's favorite family fun and entertainment center. Our most popular attraction is the 18-hole mini-golf course. Included with every golf purchase , you are able to enjoy sand volleyball, bocce ball, horseshoes, bags game and kids country. Bring your towels and get ready for a squirt gun battle on the pirate ship. Purchase squirt guns at the clubhouse and have a blast! Inside the clubhouse you can do many things. Tyotees Wild Mining Adventure is fun for the whole family. Purchase your bag of mining rough and go to the sluice box where you will pan for gemstones, fossils, arrowheads and much more. Of course you get to keep what you find. 3 original skeeball machines take 1 quarter per game. Margaritas Bar is on site and serves "the best margaritas north of the border." They are a full bar and customers are able to take beverages out on the course. Don't forget the shopping! the Whispering wind is a unique shopping experience. windsocks, flags, metal art is everywhere, "expect the unexpected." Having old-fashioned family fun is what Okoboji is all about and Ranch Okoboji is a great place to start. This safe family facility will delight young and old and is a "must do" for anyone visiting the lakes! Large Groups: "The Ranch" is a perfect location for birthday parties, school and church outings...any special occasion. Our birthday party packages are designed to maximize the happiness of your child's special day. Consider Ranch Okoboji as the place to give your employees a fun-filled day to boost moral and communication. Birthday celebrations, Company outings, Family reunions, School and church field trips, Boy and Girl Scout troop meetings, Daycare outings, etc... Up to 10 birthday guests - $69 Up to 20 guests - $109 $6.00 for each additional guest The birthday parties include one round of mini golf, the birthday cake and juicy. Choose one of three cake flavors...Vanilla, Chocolate or Marble. . Your well-planned party is just a reservation away! So if there is an event in your future, give us a call and we'll supply the fun. After you've worked up a good appetite, and a powerful thirst, come on inside for some hand-dipped ice cream, pizzas, soda, a cold brew or margarita. And, if you start to tire out before your munchkins do, just grab another drink and relax in our outdoor seating area.
Reviewed By IowaLakeGirl78 - Sioux City, Iowa
I am an Okoboji fanatic and know the area well. However, I was genuinely surprised when a friend of mine suggested we stop and have a kick a@$ margarita at the Ranch. I thought she was just describing the margaritas but Kick A@$ Margaritas seems to be the name of the on-site bar and gift shop. I have driven by it countless times on the way elsewhere and have never noticed it. I am so glad I know about it now.
We stopped around 10:30 and because "it is 5:00 somewhere" and we were in Okoboji, we had margaritas. You get your choice, blended or on the rocks. I had the Okoboji and it was good - a bit pricey at $8 but you get to keep the cup. Yay! They had a few other varieties and I got the impression the flavors change now and then. After ordering and receiving our drinks, we looked around the fun and funky gift shop. They carry lots and lots of windsocks and flags, t-shirts, funny signs, home decor, drinking-related napkins with funny sayings, the works. After we shopped around a bit. the very nice and friendly employee invited us to go outside and sit at one of the tables and relax. We did just that. There is indoor seating as well.
Outside there are things for kids to do while the parents sit and enjoy margaritas. They also have a limited menu with chips and salsa and other munchies.
Stopping here kicked off our Girls' Trip wonderfully. I can't say enough about how nice the employee was. She was so genuine and welcoming. Someone in my group thought she was maybe the owner.
I am not sure if they advertise at all. I'd posted a picture on facebook of us there and 3 of my friends who are Okoboji locals had never heard of the place.
Other plusses - clean bathroom, shady parking.
I can't wait to go back.
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