Nestled midway between the twin cities of Des Moines and Minneapolis, this small town in Northern Iowa is situated on a natural spring-fed lake, attracting visitors to its restaurants, shops, marina, two state parks, and history. Clear Lake became famous in the 1950s when a legendary rock and roll singer who used to play at the concert hall in Clear Lake died in a tragic plane crash nearby. Fans still come from around the world to pay tribute, especially on the anniversary of the crash, when the Surf holds a Winter Dance Party in honor of the late artist.

Clear Lake State Park offers a range of outdoor activities on one of Iowa’s most popular lakes. Its natural spring-fed 3,000-acre lake is a draw for boating, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing. The park also features 50 acres of open spaces for hiking, towering mature oak trees, abundant wildlife, and a 900-foot sandy beach area, which is popular with families.

Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is 119 miles south and about a two-hour drive from Clear Lake. Alternatively, Minneapolis International Airport (MSP) is 128 miles north, or about a two-hour drive away. There is a bus from Des Moines to Clear Lake that takes about 2.5 hours and service from Minneapolis that takes about two hours. However, the most convenient way to get here is by car. Once in Clear Lake, driving is the easiest form of transport on dry land. Out on the water, renting a boat, jet ski, stand up paddleboard, or kayak are all fun options. You can also hire scooters, bicycles or a Surrey, a four-wheel bike that can accommodate two, four, or six riders.

The best time to visit your Clear Lake, Iowa, rental is between mid-June and early September. Summers in Clear Lake are pleasant, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit. The weekly event Thursdays on Main features live entertainment, classic cars, children’s rides, a street market, and outdoor movies. The winters tend to be cold, snowy, and windy, with average temperatures in the 30s. The main events in the winter are the Christmas by the Lake festival in December and Color the Wind, a kite festival in February. Springtime in Clear Lake is on the cool side, but there are a number of events to get involved in. There are Earth Day five and six-mile running races and a community clean up in April, as well as the Clear Lake Triathlon in May. In the fall, the Harvest Festival in October includes a farmers’ market, homemade salsa contest, grape stomp competition, wine samplings, food trucks, and live music.

The Surf Ballroom

This concert hall, where music greats once played, is now a National Historic Landmark. Opened in 1934 and designed to resemble an ocean beach club, it has been restored to include palm trees, ocean murals, wooden booths painted with fish and bubbles, and walls covered with stenciled pineapples. Big-band orchestras play on Sundays and classic rock acts perform throughout the week.

Central Gardens of North Iowa

Nestled in the heart of Clear Lake, Central Gardens of North Iowa offers nearly three acres of over 20 themed gardens. There are more than 22,000 flowers, a butterfly garden, wildflower garden, children’s garden, wetland, meadow, and woodland gardens to explore. Free to the public, the Gardens host free concerts, events, and educational programs each year.

Stockman House

Located about a 20-minute drive from Clear Lake, the Stockman House is an excellent example of the work of a prominent mid-century architect. Built in 1908, the house was an iteration of the famous Fireproof House in a compact Foursquare design with an entrance foyer and a sun porch on opposite sides. The house has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991 and is open to the public.