I learned a new word today - Staycation! The urban dictionary defines it as "a vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that home and one's home environs have to offer." With the U.S. economy sagging and the average price for unleaded regular gas surging toward $4 per gallon, day trips close to home have a fresh appeal. Instead of giving up a summer R&R completely, why not plan to see the sites around Iowa? Every small town in Iowa has a celebration for something...there's Pancake Days, Good Egg Days, Duesey Days. There is a outdoor Christian music festival with 50+ bands. Then there are local attractions that welcome visitors all year long - John Wayne Birthplace, Pella Heritage village, Ledges at Boone Iowa. There is a website that lists all Iowa events by the calendar or by the region or town - http://www.traveliowa.com/. Some of the interesting ones I just found - Rubberbandance Group in Perry Iowa June 4, Scandanavian Days in Story City June 6-8, Citywide garage sales in Nevada June 14, a Garage Tour (tour the best garages in town instead of houses) June 22. One of our favorites right here in Des Moines is CelebrAsian and it is this weekend - May 17.We'd like to hear your favorite destination or celebration that is a day-trip away. You have until Friday May 17 to post your faves! We'll draw a name then for a dinner gift certificate. Don't Delay - Post your Favorite Today!
Posts
16 comments:
Pancake Day in Centerville Iowa is the last Saturday of September. Go early and put out your lawn chair on the Centerville square so you can watch the parade at 1p.m. There is entertainment, pancakes, a queen contest, pancakes, band contests, oh and did I mention pancakes. It is a great day of fun and many, many things to see and do in Centerville.
For the Olsen family it is the Des Moines Rennissaince held at Sleepy Hollow Park. It is during the weekends in September. They are talking of expanding it to the weekends of October too. I have always loved the Pagentry of the medevil era. My older DS loves the whole knights and kings thing. I can't wait to see if my younger DS loves as much as the rest of us.
We have been to John Wayne's Birthplace,the whole town of Pella,Several small towns for car shows,Amana's,and a few other places. All are great. Gary & Colleen Wood
I love the town of Pella. There is the Tulip Tea Room - wonderful, tried and true receipes, gift shop, their own cookbook, and great decor and service. Pella is a great place to sit in the park and ponder
I like to travel the great river road and drive the out of the way state and county roads. Day road trips save on motel costs. Also like to stay at home and do whatever comes to mind, always a long list of things to do to choose from if the mood moves you. Throw in a small town car show and staying close to home is no bad deal.
Amana is a favorite spot for my family...Great food, sweets, art, furniture, quilt shops, and fantastic B & B's...love it there, always relaxing.
Amana is a favorite spot for my family...Great food, sweets, art, furniture, quilt shops, and fantastic B & B's...love it there, always relaxing.
The small town of Breda Iowa has a great 4th of July celebration. It's outdoors at the park/ballfield. There are many games for kids, facepainting, bingo, raffles, homebaked pies, and grilling by the cattlemens association. There is a beer garden with poker tables led by the American Legion. It is an all day event, closing with an awsome fireworks display.
I would have to say August 9, In Adel for the Sweet Corn Festival!!! All the sweet corn you can eat! What better way to spend a day than eating the iowa vegetable and enjoying the warm summer day?
A fun place to visit is the bridges in Madison County. There are several unique bridges and a lot of history about the bridges. They have a festival every year to honor the bridges, but I have never been. There are also lots of cute little shops and diners in the area!
We love going to Nordic Fest in Decorah. There is great Norwegian food, a parade, Nordic Dancers, street dances; tons of fun. It takes place the last weekend in July.
The Giddings
I love to go to the Farmers Market. It started last week and goes thru October. Great food and fun.
I like to go to Kalona, IA for shopping & food. They have some really neat market places that you can purchase the hard to find items for cooking and baking. Then after leaving there we will hit the Amanas and go into some of their shops where we can purchase 'nativities', etc. See why these are my favorite places to go!! Only takes a day to do both and catch a great meal on the way home. Linda
I love attending the Tulip Time festival in Pella- one of my favorite times of the year! It is a three day fesival filled with parades, dutch dancing, shopping, and or course, lots of great food!
Favorite Iowa spots/events are live music at the Simon Estes ampitheater, the State Fair (of course), Ledges State Park in Boone, and Field of Dreams.
Duane Johnson
The Pelican Festival at Saylorville Lake every September. Thousands of migrating white pelicans descend on Saylorville on the same weekend every year!
Post a Comment