Best Midwest Vacation spots

**Bobber** · 05-08-2010, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by terryk

we love this area My personal best place to a 3-day trip: Duluth, MN & North Shore

Can you elaborate on what there is to do up there?

**Tre4ISU** · 05-08-2010, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by CYCRAZY

Cant argue with that. Grew up 30 miles from Okoboji and had alot of great times out there. I love the Lakes!!

Wait a second, I grew up 20 miles from Okoboji.

**Tre4ISU** · 05-08-2010, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by fattgregg

Fact. Makes Okaboji look like a farm pond

I don't know where this Okaboji is that you speak of.

I will take Okoboji on any nice summer weekend. Plenty of possibilities.

**Royalclone** · 05-08-2010, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by wxman1

My girlfriends family usually goes down to Branson and the lake near there every couple of years and love it.

Branson might be a long trip from Iowa for three days. But stating later this month, you can fly non-stop jet service straight into the year-old Branson Airport from Des Moines for a little as $150.00 round trip.

**Icky_Mettle** · 05-08-2010, 06:52 PM

BWCA.

**TommyTalknSport** · 05-08-2010, 06:54 PM

Marshalltown,IA. Swift smells real good this time of year

**jamesfnb** · 05-08-2010, 07:48 PM

Chicago:

Stayed down by Michigan Ave (shopping for the wife)
Spent plenty of time at Navy Pier for the kids, along with visits to the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium
Cubs game at Wrigley
Unique restaurants, great food

**swiacy** · 05-08-2010, 09:30 PM

We go to the Lake of the Ozarks for at least a week every year. Obviously love the place. If travel time is part of the three days, that's not enough time to enjoy the Lake if driving from Iowa. It's a 6 hour drive from where we live right on the Iowa side of the Mo. border. If you like to boat, jet ski, ski, bar hop on the water and all things associated with water activities Lake of the Ozarks is the best. 1500 mile shore line with private development allowed. Nothing against Okoboji, but its a puddle in comparison.

**XLK9** · 05-08-2010, 09:51 PM

If you like camping and canoeing, try the Yellow River Forest in NE Iowa (Allamakee County, I think). It is some of the prettiest scenery in Iowa.

**snowcraig2.0** · 05-08-2010, 09:55 PM

Okoboji is cool, but the Ozarks is on a whole different level.

**Shinyhappyclone** · 05-08-2010, 09:58 PM

Chicago. St. Louis.
Black Hills if you have 5 days.
Apple River if you like naked, tatooed, and flashing ladies.
HoneyCreek Resort near Ottumwa! Run by the State! (that was a joke).
You could take 100 3 day weekend trips to Chicagoland and do something different every time. I-88 is as smooth as Lindsay Vonn's belly.
Fort Lauderdodge if you like naked, tatooed, and flashing homeless dudes.

**crash_zone** · 05-08-2010, 10:02 PM

Any creek in Iowa with arrowhead or geodes....and a farmer kind enough to give you permission to look for either.

**Cyclonepride** · 05-08-2010, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by crash_zone

Any creek in Iowa with arrowhead or geodes....and a farmer kind enough to give you permission to look for either.

I love wading the creeks for arrowheads. My find per hour ratio is a bit sad, but that never deters me.

**Swanson10** · 05-09-2010, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

I love wading the creeks for arrowheads. My find per hour ratio is a bit sad, but that never deters me.

Entertaining life?

**crash_zone** · 05-09-2010, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

I love wading the creeks for arrowheads. My find per hour ratio is a bit sad, but that never deters me.

Depends on where you go and who the competition is. In a un-hunted creek after a good rain - skies the limit! Before my parents sold their farm, used to have lot of creeks to walk without worrying about if someone beet me there....not so much now. Geodes tend to be a bit easier.

Good fun all around - get to learn about nature, bugs (including mosquitoes and ticks), geology, play on mud slides, etc. Throw in a picnick with a campfire, makes for a great day.