Okoboji with kids

Before we had kids, my husband and I spent many lazy summer weekends in Okoboji relaxing on boats or by the pool and long afternoons at some of our favorite watering holes. Looking back, we sat down a lot. Since having kids (they are 5 and nearly 2), we still enjoy visiting Iowa’s Great Lakes, but with a lot less sitting and more action.

One of our first stops is always Arnolds Park. This old-school amusement park offers rides, games, concessions, and their wooden roller coaster ranks as one of the top 10 wooden roller coasters in the country. My 5-year-old daughter loves seeing West Lake Okoboji from the top of the Ferris wheel.

We often visit the Treasure Village Theater to see the production of some classic children’s stories. It’s a nice length for little kids. They also offer face painting and a mini golf course that is made just for kids. It is easy enough that my daughter got a hole in one.

Swimming ranks high on my kids' list of favorite activities and there is certainly no shortage of places to swim in Okoboji. From nice beaches to the indoor waterpark at Bridges Bay Resort, we have tried them all and all were well received.

My daughter and I also took some time to go a little shopping. We spent over an hour in the Barn Swallow, a unique gift shop full of everything from books and shirts to decorations for the house. They also have plenty of stuff upstairs for little girls.

There are plenty of things for older kids to do as well, and I am looking forward to the many adventures that we have coming our way.

What's your favorite spot in Okoboji?

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office