With the holiday season rapidly approaching, there’s a lot on everyone’s minds. Take some time to skip the hectic crowds and lines at the mall and gather up your family for a winter adventure in Iowa like no other. Any of the following places will fill your heart with holiday cheer or winter wonder and you’re sure to make great memories with those you bring along.
- Stroll the Music Man Square
Facebook / Music Man Square Music Man Square in Mason City is home to one of the most charming Christmas displays in all of Iowa. You’ll feel like a movie star when you get on set!
- Hit the slopes at Sleepy Hollow.
Facebook / Sleepy Hollow Sports Park Sleepy Hollow Sports Park is one of the best places to hit the slopes in Iowa. Ski, board, or tube - you’ll have plenty of terrain and plenty of snow to enjoy! This Des Moines sports park is all you need for a day of winter fun.
- Check out the Tannenbaum Forest in Amana
Facebook / Amana Furniture Shop Amana’s Tannenbaum Forest is a great place to stroll and shop. Take in all the beautiful Christmas trees before heading out to explore the rest of the villages! Learn more about the Forest here.
- Drive through the Mt. Pleasant Festival of Lights
Facebook / Mt Pleasant Festival of Lights Mt. Pleasant’s Festival of Lights is one of Iowa’s best and brightest drive through light shows. Brew up some hot cocoa and hit the road to see this stunning display. Read about the festival of lights right here.
- Shop the International Christmas Market
Facebook / Amana Shops Amana is also home to one of Iowa’s best Christmas shops. The International Christmas Market is bursting with holiday cheer, and you’ll really want to see it in person! For an idea of what you’ll find, click here!
- Visit Reiman Gardens to see their Holiday Train
Facebook / Reiman Gardens Reiman Gardens at ISU is fun to visit all year long, but during the holiday season, they set up a stunning holiday train trail! The village on display is a replica of the ISU campus, made with all natural materials.
- See the Jolly Holiday Lights
Facebook / Jolly Holiday Lights Altoona lights up with this drive through display, and you’ll love every second of your journey. All proceeds go to Make A Wish, so you can contribute to the spirit of the season while oohing and aahing at the glistening lights.
- Sled down your favorite neighborhood hill
Flickr / Wes Peck Grab a sled (or a cafeteria tray!) and hit the hills in your neighborhood. Everyone has a favorite place to fly down the slope - what’s yours?
- Track down the best light displays in town
Flickr / Phil Roeder Each neighborhood in Iowa decorates for the holidays in different ways, and you would be surprised at what you can find if you just get in the car and drive. It’s so nice seeing all of the displays and decor!
- Step back in time at Urbandale’s Living History Farm
Facebook / Living History Farms This historic living farm is a great place to visit on a crisp winter day. This unique, open-air museum will tell the tales of Iowa’s agricultural history. It’s truly a one of a kind experience.
- Attend the University of Okoboji Winter Games
Facebook / University of Okoboji Winter Games This enormous winter festival is the site of dozens of indoor and outdoor events in Northwest Iowa. There’s broomball - the original event - along with snowball, flag football, a bike face, a polar plunge, and SO much more. The games start in January, but it’s never too early to start training! Learn more here.
What’s your favorite way to spend a winter day in Iowa? Tell us in the comments below!
Facebook / Music Man Square
Music Man Square in Mason City is home to one of the most charming Christmas displays in all of Iowa. You’ll feel like a movie star when you get on set!
Facebook / Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park is one of the best places to hit the slopes in Iowa. Ski, board, or tube - you’ll have plenty of terrain and plenty of snow to enjoy! This Des Moines sports park is all you need for a day of winter fun.
Facebook / Amana Furniture Shop
Amana’s Tannenbaum Forest is a great place to stroll and shop. Take in all the beautiful Christmas trees before heading out to explore the rest of the villages! Learn more about the Forest here.
Facebook / Mt Pleasant Festival of Lights
Mt. Pleasant’s Festival of Lights is one of Iowa’s best and brightest drive through light shows. Brew up some hot cocoa and hit the road to see this stunning display. Read about the festival of lights right here.
Facebook / Amana Shops
Amana is also home to one of Iowa’s best Christmas shops. The International Christmas Market is bursting with holiday cheer, and you’ll really want to see it in person! For an idea of what you’ll find, click here!
Facebook / Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens at ISU is fun to visit all year long, but during the holiday season, they set up a stunning holiday train trail! The village on display is a replica of the ISU campus, made with all natural materials.
Facebook / Jolly Holiday Lights
Altoona lights up with this drive through display, and you’ll love every second of your journey. All proceeds go to Make A Wish, so you can contribute to the spirit of the season while oohing and aahing at the glistening lights.
Flickr / Wes Peck
Grab a sled (or a cafeteria tray!) and hit the hills in your neighborhood. Everyone has a favorite place to fly down the slope - what’s yours?
Flickr / Phil Roeder
Each neighborhood in Iowa decorates for the holidays in different ways, and you would be surprised at what you can find if you just get in the car and drive. It’s so nice seeing all of the displays and decor!
Facebook / Living History Farms
This historic living farm is a great place to visit on a crisp winter day. This unique, open-air museum will tell the tales of Iowa’s agricultural history. It’s truly a one of a kind experience.
Facebook / University of Okoboji Winter Games
This enormous winter festival is the site of dozens of indoor and outdoor events in Northwest Iowa. There’s broomball - the original event - along with snowball, flag football, a bike face, a polar plunge, and SO much more. The games start in January, but it’s never too early to start training! Learn more here.
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