Local Attractions

From fascinating museums and historic sites to theme parks and art galleries, Spirit Lake and the Iowa Great Lakes region offers attractions galore. For more information, contact the Okoboji Tourism Committee, 243 W. Broadway, Arnolds Park, Iowa 51331, or call 712-332-2209 or 800-270-2574.

Spirit Lake

Dickinson County Museum
1708 Keokuk Ave
Spirit Lake, Iowa
712-336-5928 p

Olde Town (downtown Spirit Lake) has art galleries, restaurants, shopping and other attractions. Many of the buildings are fine examples of late 1800’s-early 1900’s prairie style buildings. Strolling the sidewalks is always an enjoyable experience.

Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts

A state of the art, 1000 seat auditorium connected to the Spirit Lake High School. This community center has hosted national performers as well as student performances. Plays, music performances, and other events use this outstanding venue with great acoustics and design features. Located on 28th Street, east of Hill Ave. in Spirit Lake. www.samicenter.org

Kenue Park
170th Street

This Dickinson County park is located one-half mile west of Spirit Lake off Highway 71. The park includes the Westport School, an 1800’s schoolhouse and the new Nature Center; the Butterfly House and a nature trail. An oak forest, wetland and open prairie, including picnic area make this park a popular destination.

Arnolds Park

Abbie Gardner State Historic Site
34 Monument Dr.
Arnolds Park, IA
712-332-7248 p
712-332-2779 f
mrkoppert@yahoo.com
www.iowahistory.org/sites/

Abbie Gardner's Cabin is the site of "The Spirit Lake Massacre" of March 8, 1857. Original log cabin with pioneer artifacts, interpretive center and film with Abbie's paintings and 19th century Dakota artifacts. Grounds with burial site, monument, self-guided tour open year-round during daylight hours.

Arnolds Park Amusement Park
37 Lake St.
Arnolds Park, IA
800-599-6995 p
ap@arnoldspark.com
www.arnoldspark.com

Amusement park offers rides, games, concessions, shows, go-carts and miniature golf. Roller coaster ranks as one of the top 10 wooden roller coasters in the country.

Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association Museum
91 Lake St.
Arnolds Park
712-332-6540 p
irrma@okobojichamber.com
www.iowarocknroll.com

Recording studio, musical instruments, period costumes, posters, pictures, awards, jukeboxes, music artifacts and the Hall of Fame Wall of Honor.

Okoboji Queen II Excursions
37 Lake St.
Arnolds Park. IA
800-599-6995 p
ap@arnoldspark.com
www.arnoldspark.com

An 18-mile narrated excursion around West Okoboji Lake. Open-air upper deck and enclosed lower deck. Refreshments and snacks available

Okoboji Tourism
243 W. Broadway St.
Arnolds Park, IA
712-332-2107 p
info@vacationokoboji.com
www.vacationokoboji.com

The Okoboji Tourism building houses the Maritime Museum, Hedburg Theater and the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce. The Maritime Museum is a fascinating collection of boats, artifacts, and pictures relating to the history of the Iowa Great Lakes. Admission is free but a donation is requested.

The Tourism Building is located next to Queens Court, which is a collection of many small tourist-oriented shops, and the Historic Arnolds Park amusement park.

Milford

Boji Bay Fun House Pavilion

The area’s newest attraction, with memorabilia from the original Arnolds Park Fun House, and other attractions. Conference/meeting space, and facilities for special events. Hwy 71 &86 www.bojibayfun.com

Clark Museum of Area History/Clark's Antique Acres
2151 213th Ave.
Milford, IA
712-338-2147 p
ijclark1@msm.com

View thousands of historic photos and memorabilia from the Iowa Lakes region. Antiques from the farm, home and yard.

Treasure Village
2017 Hwy. 86
Milford, IA
712-337-3730 p
terasurevillage@hotmail.com
www.treasurevillage.org

27-hole miniature golf, children's theater, Sunday evening gospel concerts, antique flea markets and other special events.

Treasure Village Theatre
2023 Hwy. 86
Milford, IA
712-337-3730 p
info@treasurevillage.org
www.treasurevillage.org

Okoboji

Lakes Art Center
2201 Hwy 71
Okoboji, IA
lakesart@iowaone.net
www.lakesart.org

Permanent and traveling exhibitions showcasing local, regional and national artists. Foreign and classic film series, interactive gallery, gift shop, and performing arts theater. Art classes for all ages.

Okoboji Summer Theater/Boji Bantam Theater
2001 Hwy. 71 N.
Okoboji, IA
712-332-7773 p

Okoboji Summer Theater/Boji Bantam Theater, an airplane hangar for the city of Spirit Lake that was converted into a theater in 1953, offers performances to the public and provides theater students training in all aspects of theater production. Performances run June through August.

The Higgins Museum
1507 Sanborn Avenue
Okoboji, IA
712-332-5859 p
www.thehigginsmuseum.org

This museum of U.S. national banking includes national bank notes (1863-1935) from all over the United States, focusing on those from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. Also, 16,000 to 20,000 turn-of-the-century Iowa photo postcards.

The Ranch Okoboji and Whispering Wind
Highway 71 N.
Okoboji, IA
712-332-2159 p
www.ranchokoboji.com