In 2025, as many meeting attendees extend their business trips and even bring their families along, there’s increased demand for destinations that boast opportunities for business and leisure — also known as “bleisure.” Iowa’s multi-faceted towns and cities offer dining, shopping, museums, lakes, parks and attractions — more than enough to fill pre-meeting and post-meeting days with fun. Whether they’re traveling to an Iowa-based event alone or bringing the whole family, attendees will want to block extra time to enjoy these and other Iowa cities.
Okoboji
The Iowa Great Lakes Region is a water-lover’s paradise, with dozens of fun ways to explore and enjoy its chain of interconnected lakes.
The city of Okoboji offers an ideal vantage point to take in the area’s highlights, from water sports on West Okoboji Lake or East Okoboji Lake to fishing at Spirit Lake.
“No matter what time of year you come, there are lots of lake-based recreational activities to enjoy,” said Kiley Zankowski, Vacation Okoboji’s executive director. “We offer private boat tours of the lake, as well as boats, jet waves, paddle boards, kayaks and canoes to rent.”
Area parks, like Gull Point State Park and Pikes Point State Park, offer more than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails, plus opportunities to camp and swim.
Downtown, local shops are joined by an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. There are free concerts — plus fireworks — every Saturday, all summer long, at Preservation Plaza, a lakefront park and pavilion.
Thirteen museums supply indoor fun, including the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum and Okoboji Classic Cars, a vintage car museum that’s also a top off-site venue.
Families can find fun, interactive exhibits about wildlife of the region at the Dickinson County Nature Center. Nearby, Arnolds Park Amusement Park — one of the longest-operating amusement parks in the world — features a roller coaster, a raceway and more than 20 other kid-friendly attractions, as well as event space.
Decorah
Nestled in Iowa’s Driftless Area — characterized by picturesque hills, river valleys and limestone bluffs left untouched by glaciers — Decorah is big on outdoor fun.
There are plenty of ways to be immersed in the natural beauty, from waterfalls at Dunning’s Spring Park to biking on the 11-mile Trout Run Trail or paddling along the Upper Iowa River, which runs through town.
“We are not the flatlands that people might expect from other portions of the Midwest,” said Alyssa Ritter, marketing and community engagement specialist for Visit Decorah. “Our topography is perfect for hiking and biking or, during the winter, for cross-country skiing.”
The city’s 12-block, walkable downtown is the true heart of the community. It’s where visitors can shop for their next favorite novel at Dragonfly Books or find local handmade crafts at Agora Arts before they explore the world’s largest collection of Norwegian-American artifacts at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, which can host events in multiple indoor and outdoor spaces. Downtown is also home to the historic, 34-room Hotel Winneshiek and adjoining Steyer Opera House, which offer an elegant backdrop for every event from business meetings to banquets.
“Our downtown community is so vibrant,” Ritter said. “In addition to shops and dining, we offer more than 500 arts events downtown each year, from poetry slams and live music to lectures and workshops.”
Visitors can enjoy a tour of Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, sample its multiple award-winning beers and host an event at its upstairs venue. For dinner, Luna Valley Farm — a working farm 15 minutes from downtown — serves wood-fired pizza with local ingredients on an outdoor pavilion that overlooks its picturesque grounds.
LeClaire
History in LeClaire runs deep, thanks to its pivotal role as a crucial port along the Mississippi River during the river’s shipping heyday.
Visitors can view the Mississippi by car along the Iowa Great River Road Scenic Byway or cruise along its storied waters on the Riverboat Twilight, a LeClaire-based riverboat with cruises from 90 minutes to two days in length.
Bird lovers flock to the area to see bald eagles and pelicans, while history fans find plenty to explore at attractions like the Buffalo Bill Museum, which shines a light on the life of the famed rodeo entertainer and LeClaire native. The museum also houses The Lone Star, the last wooden-hulled paddlewheel tugboat to operate on the Mississippi River.
Vintage shoppers can spend an hour or more browsing Antique Archaeology, run by Mike Wolfe of “American Pickers” fame.
Downtown’s Cody Road District is a nine-block area of 60 historic structures that house restaurants, boutiques and gift shops. Meanwhile, the area’s wineries and breweries, including Wide River Winery and Green Tree Brewery, are inviting spots to sip a locally crafted drink among friends. Mississippi River Distilling Company doubles as an event venue and a place to sip spirits.
Every January, the city hosts the LeClaire Eagle Festival, with eagle watching, wildlife presentations and ice-carving demonstrations. Christmas in LeClaire, another popular annual event, is three days of holiday themed festivities each December. Planners will find capable meeting and event venues at the LeClaire Civic Center and the River View Lodge.
Fort Dodge
With more than 30 locally owned restaurants, public art and opportunities for golfing, kayaking and other outdoor recreation, Fort Dodge naturally blends work and play.
The Cardiff Center at Fort Frenzy is a perfect example of this. The entertainment complex is home to activities like laser tag and mini golf, while its largest event spaces can accommodate up to 400 attendees. Fort Dodge’s eight branded hotels with 800 guest rooms make lodging a breeze for attendees.
“Visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions in Fort Dodge,” said Tiffany Conrad, community sales manager for Visit Fort Dodge. “From miles of outdoor water and land trails to a diverse range of indoor activities, there are many options for fun and relaxation, all within a 15-minute drive.”
The Blanden Memorial Art Museum offers tours of its expansive collection of American, European and Japanese paintings, sculpture and photography. Also downtown, the Laramar Ballroom, a restored historic event venue, frequently hosts live performances, dances and other social events.
Visitors can explore Fort Dodge’s early history through exhibits at The Fort Museum and Frontier Village or take in a live comedy or music performance at Crossroads Hotel and Events Center.
In addition to restaurants and shops, downtown Fort Dodge is home to Shiny Top Brewing and River Hops Brewing, where guests can enjoy local craft brews and listen to live music.
Solider Creek Winery also frequently hosts live events at its 6.5-acre vineyard. Nearby, The Community Orchard, an apple orchard and café, offers a retail shop, an outdoor playground and seasonal events, including an annual apple festival.
