The holiday season is expensive, no matter how you celebrate! Luckily, there are a lot of free winter activities in Iowa that can keep your family entertained during the holiday season without breaking the bank. Here are a handful of things you can enjoy without opening your wallet – except to gas up the car for the adventures ahead!
- Celebrate the Christmas Hygge in Elk Horn
Google Local / Ing. Daniel Luis Gomez Gomez Elk Horn is one of Iowa’s most interesting towns, and the Danish Museum celebrates the beginning of the Christmas season every year in the hygge. Visit the musuem on Thursday, December 13th to enjoy Danish song, dance, and snacks.
- Stroll the Pella Historical Village
Facebook / Travel Iowa Pella’s historical village is one of the most charming spots in the entire state. Visit this Iowa paradise during Christmastime and you’ll be blown away by this old fashioned, charming, and decorated holiday village.
- Find a snowy hill and go sledding.
Flickr / Joe and Jeanette Archie There’s nothing that puts you in the holiday spirit than enjoying a white Christmas! Find the nearest snowy hill (which isn’t too hard these days!) and spend a day flying down at top speed. Build a snowman after your last run, before you’re all wiped out!
- See Tinsel Tree Lane at the Taylor County Museum in Bedford
Facebook / Taylor County Historical Museum Tinsel Tree Lane is the highlight of the year for the Taylor County Museum in the tiny town of Bedford. Visit this charming Christmas display to inspire your own home decorating and to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season in Iowa.
- Take a walk around the twinkliest town in Iowa - Oskaloosa.
Facebook / Oskaloosa Main Street Thousands and thousands of Christmas lights are on display in downtown Oskaloosa - drive out here at night and you will be mesmerized by the displays throughout the town center.
- Visit the Villages of Van Buren County
Facebook / Villages of Van Buren The charming Villages of Van Buren County are one of the best places to visit during the holidays. Old fashioned displays, nativities, and christmas lights make these villages a must-visit on your holiday bucket list.
- Go for a winter hike!
Flickr / Michael Leland Dress in layers and really bundle up, but there’s nothing like visiting your favorite parks when they’re empty, and freshly covered in snow. The winter sky is beautiful, and you’ll love seeing the ways the places you love change throughout the seasons.
- Walk in Iowa’s Winter Wonderland
Flickr / SD Dirk Iowa is home to many charming holiday towns, but nothing quite tops Dubuque. Iowa’s own North Pole really takes holiday decorating seriously, and you’ll fall in love with Dubuque during Christmastime.
If you can’t get enough of the Christmas Spirit in Iowa, head to the best Most Enchanting, Magical Christmas Towns In Iowa and enjoy the magic of the holiday season.
Google Local / Ing. Daniel Luis Gomez Gomez
Elk Horn is one of Iowa’s most interesting towns, and the Danish Museum celebrates the beginning of the Christmas season every year in the hygge. Visit the musuem on Thursday, December 13th to enjoy Danish song, dance, and snacks.
Facebook / Travel Iowa
Pella’s historical village is one of the most charming spots in the entire state. Visit this Iowa paradise during Christmastime and you’ll be blown away by this old fashioned, charming, and decorated holiday village.
Flickr / Joe and Jeanette Archie
There’s nothing that puts you in the holiday spirit than enjoying a white Christmas! Find the nearest snowy hill (which isn’t too hard these days!) and spend a day flying down at top speed. Build a snowman after your last run, before you’re all wiped out!
Facebook / Taylor County Historical Museum
Tinsel Tree Lane is the highlight of the year for the Taylor County Museum in the tiny town of Bedford. Visit this charming Christmas display to inspire your own home decorating and to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season in Iowa.
Facebook / Oskaloosa Main Street
Thousands and thousands of Christmas lights are on display in downtown Oskaloosa - drive out here at night and you will be mesmerized by the displays throughout the town center.
Facebook / Villages of Van Buren
The charming Villages of Van Buren County are one of the best places to visit during the holidays. Old fashioned displays, nativities, and christmas lights make these villages a must-visit on your holiday bucket list.
Flickr / Michael Leland
Dress in layers and really bundle up, but there’s nothing like visiting your favorite parks when they’re empty, and freshly covered in snow. The winter sky is beautiful, and you’ll love seeing the ways the places you love change throughout the seasons.
Flickr / SD Dirk
Iowa is home to many charming holiday towns, but nothing quite tops Dubuque. Iowa’s own North Pole really takes holiday decorating seriously, and you’ll fall in love with Dubuque during Christmastime.
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