Yellow River State Forest

I also want to add, that not only is there Pikes Peak in Iowa, but there is also Yellow State Forest. There is about 30 miles of hiking there, plus camping, not only for ';regular'; folks, but there are 2 campgrounds for people and their horses.

So, I would like to know who it is that makes these travel things up, because they are missing the true travel places in NE Iowa.....don%26#39;t let Pikes Peak pass you by!!!!

Yellow River State Forest

Northeast Iowa has the most beautiful scenery you will ever experience! Yellow River Forest is the gateway to travel as you go east to the Great River Road to view the wonderful Mississippi River.

Downtown Dubuque

Coming to downtown Dubuque in February with friends to celebrate a birthday. Looking for a place to stay within walking distance to downtown bars, especially the Irish bar, and suggestions for other bars/restaurants.

Downtown Dubuque

There is a Holiday Inn on Main Street downtown Dubuque that would be walking distance to some places. Bricktown is a very nice restaurant and also has a separate bar and pizza joint.

Downtown Dubuque

I agree with Iowagymmom.

xp

event in Amana

I attended a Cajun Fest in Amana (yes, Cajun in Iowa!) and it was Awesome!! It was like stepping into Cajun Country - total immersion with Cajun food, dance, music, activities for kids, Cajun cooking lessons, everything!

It%26#39;s held each year over Memorial Day weekend - and I think you can go to www.cajunfest.net for more info.

event in Amana

I would agree. I had never heard Cajun and Zydeco music until I first went to the festival. I%26#39;ve gone back every year since - this will be my 9th year and once again I can%26#39;t wait. The music is contagious and makes you want to stand up and dance. The food is spectacular. I had never had and probably would never have had alligator, crawfish, etc., if I hadn%26#39;t tried it at the festival. It is a weekend that you don%26#39;t want to miss. Every Memorial Day in the Amana Colonies.

Theme Suites

This is such a great facility near the Grotto of the Redemption. The theme suites are awesome! They are different than a regular motel room. The Safari Suite has animals painted on the walls. The kids love it! The facility is also very clean, has an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna and fitness room. The conference room is great for a family reunion. I would recommend this facility to anyone traveling in the area!

Theme Suites

when I was a kid we went to Iowa several summers to see my grandmother who had married an Iowa farmer late in life. This was in %26#39;40s. They lived not far from West Bend so we visited the grotto several times.

About 5 years ago we drove by the old farm and made sure we stopped by West Bend to see if grotto was still there.

phil in Oreg

Living near the Quad Cities

Good Afternoon all!!! I am a recent college graduate from Michigan State University and thinking of moving near the QUAD CITIES for a job. I will be there for 1-2 years and I was wondering if someone could provide some feedback about the area. I%26#39;m used to the city and like to go out occassionally are there things to do there???

Living near the Quad Cities

What kinds of things are you looking for? There is Riverboat Gambling, several malls, the Annual Bix Fest, the Quad City Mallards Hockey, minor league baseball team, Chicag is also less than a two hour drive.

Living near the Quad Cities

Well lets seee....

1) I%26#39;m single are there any nice places to meet girls. Bars, poetry/jazz clubs, exciting events.....

2) Is it a very diverse town or is it mainly the same race all around??

3) What types of college atmosphere is it there?? Not really expecting it to be like my school,(Michigan State University:#1 Party School) but how does it compare?

Two places I would suggest looking at things to do, is the Quad City Times Website (www.qctimes.net) and the Rock Island Argus (wwww.qconline.com). Both are the local newspapers. Another website that has a lot of information on arts events is Quad City Arts (www.quadcityarts.com). It is one of those places, that if you look hard enough, there is always something to do. I also want to pass along that they have a great symphony orchestra, a brand new art museum (The Figge), and there is always something going on at the Mark of the Quad Cities.

Also you are a hour drive from Iowa City/ Cedar Rapids, and three hours from Chicago that always has something going on.

Good luck with your move!!!

Court Avenue Area

If you are in the downtown area and looking for some good food/bars head down to the Court Avenue Area.

Judge Roy Beans (love the club sandwhich) , Johnnys All American (the frisco burger is my fav) and the Spaghetti Works are all on Court Avenue. You can also find the Court Avenue Brewery (which has some great food and nice beer - I like the jumbalya and the Pointer Brown Ale).

For my money he best places in the Court Avenue Area are:

The Royal Mile - English pub atmosphere (0n 4th street just off Court Ave).

- over 30 beers on tap (mostly imports), a lot of imports available in bottles and cans.

- excellent pub grub - try the stew or the fish and chips

- reasonable prices

- interesting crowd

- if you really like your beer try the Red Monk upstairs!

The High Life Lounge:

- just opened groundhog day 2005!

- the bar is supposed to look and feel like it is stuck in a time warp from 1964. By and large they hit it! wood paneling, carpet, the beer signs and most importantly the menu takes you back to the wonder years! As a small town Iowa boy born and raised the menu took me back to the small town cafes/bars I frequented as a child.

- if you want to fit in the with regulars order a TANG and jaeger! It is surprisingly good.

- The bar is at 200 2nd Street (near Sec Taylor)

Buzzard Billy%26#39;s

- Cajun food done Iowa style (ie not as spicey).

- decent selection of beer (try crappy beer night on Thursdays if you love your low end American beers).

- nice courtyard for outdoors dining and drinking when the weather permits.

- I love the armadillo eggg appetizers

- the place is decorated with a movie/tv show feel. Movie posters are all over along.

Hessen Hauz

- German style beer hall on 4th Street near the railroad tracks.

- On the inside the place looks like I imagine a small beer hall to look like. they have all your German beer needs covered here.

- The place really rocks when they have a polka band in action

- try a boot of beer with your friends

- not a place for lunch but like the Bavarian nachos and the Hunters pizza!

Court Avenue Area

Let me guess, you own those bars don%26#39;t you. I think it is interesting that you list the 4 bars all owned by the same group as the 4 best.

Court Avenue Area

I wish I did just happen to like their bars - think I also mentioned Court Ave Brew pub, Johnnys and Judge Roy Beans to start.

cream tones

Lake Okoboji recommendations?

Hi,

We%26#39;re thinking of spending a week at Lake Okoboji-- 3 generations. Any recommendations of resorts or hotels? I think I would like to get a cabin at a resort with water access, possibly some boating or other activities, and near to restaurants, etc., but I am really open to any suggestion :-)

Thanks,

Julie

Lake Okoboji recommendations?

Hi Julie,

My name is Darci Farnum and I live about 18 mi from the Lakes. I would be happy to help you with info

and let you know about what%26#39;s available in the area.

My family stayed at Fillenwarth Beach which has a website when Googled. It has cabins, an indoor pool and beach and have several boats. We took an afternoon cruise with the whole family, which was LOTS of fun!

It%26#39;s within walking distance of Arnold%26#39;s Park and the Emporium (a little shopping area) and one of my favorite restaurants (Gepettos sp?). Their website is fillenwarthbeach.com

You may also want to try The Inn, which I am not as familiar with.

The Arrow Wood Resort is right next to a very nice golf course and has an indoor pool and fitness center and restaurant I also like (Minervas).

The Arnolds Park area has a little shopping and boat/jet ski rental area. There is a State park (Gull Point) that has a very nice lodge, camping etc. on the West edge of the lake.

If anyone likes wine, my friends Scott and Diane Benjamin own a winery about 12 miles from the Lakes. They will host events for your group or they have events scheduled on most weekends through October.

Please let me know if you need more information, phone numbers, etc. I am happy to help.

I was online looking for spots to hold my 25th Class ReU when I ran across your post.

:) Have a nice evening!

Darci

my email is darci@farnum.org

Lake Okoboji recommendations?

Hi Julie,

My name is Darci Farnum and I live about 18 mi from the Lakes. I would be happy to help you with info

and let you know about what%26#39;s available in the area.

My family stayed at Fillenwarth Beach which has a website when Googled. It has cabins, an indoor pool and beach and have several boats. We took an afternoon cruise with the whole family, which was LOTS of fun!

It%26#39;s within walking distance of Arnold%26#39;s Park and the Emporium (a little shopping area) and one of my favorite restaurants (Gepettos sp?). Their website is fillenwarthbeach.com

You may also want to try The Inn, which I am not as familiar with.

The Arrow Wood Resort is right next to a very nice golf course and has an indoor pool and fitness center and restaurant I also like (Minervas).

The Arnolds Park area has a little shopping and boat/jet ski rental area. There is a State park (Gull Point) that has a very nice lodge, camping etc. on the West edge of the lake.

If anyone likes wine, my friends Scott and Diane Benjamin own a winery about 12 miles from the Lakes. They will host events for your group or they have events scheduled on most weekends through October.

Please let me know if you need more information, phone numbers, etc. I am happy to help.

I was online looking for spots to hold my 25th Class ReU when I ran across your post.

:) Have a nice evening!

Darci

my email is darci@farnum.org

Hii Julie.

Lake Okoboji is a great spot. It is unpretentious but fun. We stay at West Oaks. It is a condo complex. There are units overlooking the water, and units across the street overlooking two swimming pools. It is a block west of the Fillenwarth which someone else told you about, and a block east of an historic amusement park with a vintage wooden roller coaster. West Oaks is a complex of 2 bedroom, 2 bath condos that sleep 6 (with a pull out sofa in the living room.) We have a time-share with a lakeside balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows. The sunsets are amazing. West Oaks has boat hoists and docks. We have a boat but you can rent one at any of the many marinas. Although West Oaks is a timeshare facility, it also rents by the night or week. http://www.westoaksresort.com/ There are many restaurants and bars within walking distance. I also understand that many families rent a townhouse or cabin at Village West. http://www.villagewestresort.com/index.html

Julie

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