Good travel story on Okoboji and the Iowa Great Lakes in the NYTimes (which unforunately I didn’t write – but could have if I wasn’t so busy riding my bike through northwest Iowa on RAGBRAI last June!)
see: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/31/travel/in-iowa-an-oasis-of-family-vacations-past.html?ref=travel
IF YOU GO
Where to Stay
Fillenwarth Beach (87 Lakeshore Drive, Arnolds Park, Iowa; fillenwarthbeach.com; from $160 in summer).
Crescent Beach Lodge (1619 Lakeshore Drive, Milford, Iowa; crescentbeachlodge.com; from $370 in summer).
Where to Eat and Drink
West O Beer (503 Terrace Park Boulevard, West Okoboji, Iowa; westobeer.com). Microbrewery and taproom.
Restaurant 1856 (Central Emporium, 144 Lakeshore Drive, Arnolds Park, Iowa;restaurant1856.com). Modern American cuisine, sunset views.
The O’Farrell Sisters Restaurant (1109 Lake Shore Drive, Okoboji; parksmarina.com) has been turning out breakfasts and lunches for nearly 70 years.
What to Do
Arnolds Park Amusement Park (37 Lake Street, Arnolds Park; arnoldspark.com). The Legend roller coaster is $8 a ride. Some attractions, like the Tipsy House, are free.
University of Okoboji merchandise is available at the Three Sons (902 10th Street, Milford; thethreesons.com).
A version of this article appears in print on August 31, 2014, on page TR9 of the New Yor
TakeBetsywithyou 
Happy memories of our first Ragbrai stopover town! I’d recommend Maxwell’s restaurant on the quayside for great service & excellent grub.I also loved Taco House – popular fast food Mexican place with home made salsa. We don’t have many of those in London sadly…
Looks like we have a few more places to try during our next visit 🙂