The Ultimate Northern Iowa Summer Road trip

Explore Osage and Clear Lake, Iowa

If you’re looking for a summer road trip packed with small-town charm, local flavors, and unexpected adventures, Northern Iowa is calling your name.

We recently spent a few days exploring Osage and Clear Lake, and discovered the perfect mix of cozy, community-driven experiences and wide-open summer fun. Whether you’re craving a quiet getaway or a lively weekend full of good food, local shopping, and lakeside views, this two-town road trip has it all.

Here’s how to spend 4 unforgettable days in Northern Iowa:

Day 1 & 2: Osage Iowa: Where Small Town Charm Shines

We kicked off our trip in Osage, a town that knows how to do community right. From farm-fresh flavors to hand crafted shops and local brews, Osage makes you feel like part of the family the second you arrive. Osage is the kind of place where shop owners remember your name, and the Friday night gathering in the park feels like the whole town has shown up just to hang out together.

We started by checking into our cozy spot for the night, the Mitchell County Conservation Cabin. Nestled in nature right along the Cedar River, this cabin gave us the perfect balance: peaceful mornings sipping coffee on the porch while our kids played, but close enough to town for dinner, shopping, and adventure.

We arrived in Osage mid afternoon, and headed downtown for some exploring. We popped in The Market, which is an adorable hub for all things local food. Here you can shop for fresh, locally sourced products such as honey, eggs, meat and produce.

I was lucky enough to get to spend some time chatting with the owner of The Market, Jes Baldus, who also owns Taste, Piggyback Smokeshack, and the Blind Pig Speakeasy. I was blown away by this lady and all that she offers Northern Iowa! She kicked the traditional restaurant model to the curb, and instead offers her customers an elevated culinary experience. From progressive dinners, to reservation only- private chef’s tables, it’s obvious that this is an absolute gem of a restaurant, offering unique cuisine, most of which is sourced locally.

And if that’s not enough, she gave us a private tour of The Blind Pig, her members only speakeasy, which was 100% the most adorable bar I’ve ever been in. It’s the kind of spot you’d expect to find in a big city- low lighting, handcrafted cocktails, and a cozy, secret vibe- but here it is, right in the heart of rural Iowa. While you do need a membership to enter The Blind Pig, Jes assured me that if you book a private Chef’s Table dinner with her, you get to enjoy a nightcap down here afterwards.

After we finished our tour with Jes, we headed to the Osage Farmers Market, where the community comes together each week to celebrate local produce and handmade goods. We enjoyed some freshly squeezed watermelon lemonade, and snacked on some homemade oatmeal creme pies. There were so many different kinds of fresh produce and handmade treats to choose from.

We headed to Limestone Brewers for a taste of local beer and some dinner. This family-friendly brewery has a laid-back vibe, with music, axe throwing, and even a golf simulator. It’s the kind of spot where locals gather, kids play board games at the tables, and visitors feel like part of the town from the moment they walk in.

The next morning, we took a stroll along Main Street. We grabbed homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee at Kountry Kupboard, and stocked up on some snacks for the day. We made several stops at some of the locally owned shops, including Maxine’s on Main, Osage Floral & Gifts, and Emerson’s, where we found locally made candles, gifts, and apparel. Our favorite shop was Create, which has tons of local screen-printed or embroidered items. They also have a DIY candle bar, and a station where you can make your own pen, which was a huge hit with my kids.

We headed to lunch at Stan’s Drive-In, a local old fashion drive-in where the root beer floats taste just like summer. Then we headed out of Osage just a bit to check out Twisted River Farm Store, where you can pick up farm-fresh produce, locally raised meats, and handmade treats straight from the source.

Next, we headed to Stillwater Greenhouse, which had an incredible selection of trees, bushes, flowers and more. Not far down the road was Skyview Market, which had a great selection of locally sourced meats, cheeses, and handmade gifts.

And as the sun started to dip, we joined the community for Friday Night Out, a local event with live music, food trucks, and families filling the park. It felt like the heart of Osage: welcoming, relaxed, and full of joy.

Day 3 & 4: Clear Lake, Iowa: Lakeside Fun & Music History

After Friday Night Out in Osage, we made the short drive to Clear Lake, a town that blends lakeside leisure with iconic music history, and ended the evening watching the sun set over the gorgeous lake. Whether you’re boating, relaxing, or snacking your way through town, Clear Lake is what summer dreams are made of.

We started our first morning in Clear Lake with donuts from the infamous South Shore Donut Co. They offer some really fun and unique flavors, like Fruity Pebbles and Wedding Cake.

Then we headed over to the legendary Surf Ballroom, where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper played their final concert. You can take a self guided tour through the building, stepping onto the iconic wooden dance floor, with stories of rock & roll legends echoing from the stage.

On Saturday mornings, just outside of the Surf Ballroom, you can find the local farmers market. We wandered through and found all kinds of yummy treats and locally made items. Then we headed to the Clear Lake Arts Center & Sculpture Garden. There are some great photo ops here at the unique outdoor sculptures that celebrate local creativity, and so many interesting pieces in the indoor gallery as well. They even offer a Makers Space; our kids spent forever doodling and painting rocks in this fun room.

For lunch, we headed to Starboard Market, which is the cutest sandwich shop with homemade sides and some of the most decadent desserts you’ve ever seen. There are shaded tables in the alley right outside the market, which made the perfect spot for us to enjoy our lunch.

After lunch, we headed to the Clear Lake Fire Museum, a small but neat museum dedicated to the heroic men and women of the Clear Lake fire department over the years. This is a must stop if you have kiddos who love all things firefighters!

The afternoon was starting to warm up, so we headed to the City Beach. The beach has a fantastic splash pad located right next to it, and a large sandy area and shallow waters along the shore – the perfect spot to cool off on a hot day. We loved watching the sailboat races on the lake while we were playing at the beach. And of course, we couldn’t miss a stop at the adjacent City Park, which has tons of shaded spots for kids to run and play.

After spending the afternoon on the beach, we decided to find a cozy spot to relax, so we headed to Lake Time Brewery, a family friendly spot with local brews, soft drinks and pizza. We found a shady spot to sit on the patio, and played some card games while we sipped on a beer (root beer for the kids!).

Then we wandered through the Central Gardens of North Iowa – a stunning botanical garden that is free to visit. We found beautifully maintained paths lined with flowers, fountains, and quiet corners perfect for taking it all in, plus a great area for kids to dig and play.

For dinner, we enjoyed pizza and cocktails on the patio of 173 Craft Distillery, followed up by ice cream at Lillie Mae Chocolates. They had so many unique chocolates to choose from, and we all enjoyed the flavored popcorn bar sampler, where you could try any of their unique popcorn flavors, like ranch, watermelon, or raspberry lemonade.

On the last morning of our Northern Iowa road trip, we stopped at Cabin Coffee Co. for some breakfast and a latte. This charming coffee shop offers both breakfast and lunch, and has a cozy vibe with lots of seating.

We followed breakfast with a visit to the Buddy Holly Crash Site Memorial, which is about 10 minutes north of Clear Lake in a quiet Iowa field. The site is marked by a giant pair of black glasses.

Of course, no trip to Clear Lake would be complete without time on the water, so we hopped on the 90 minute Lady of the Lake cruise and saw the town from a new perspective. You can’t purchase tickets in advance, so plan to arrive a bit early to ensure you get a spot (note that they only accept cash).

We needed a quick bite before we started our trek home, so we popped in Pretzelmaker for some tasty pretzel bites and frozen lemonades.

Why Northern Iowa Deserves a Spot on Your Summer Travel List

This trip wasn’t about rushing from one attraction to the next; it was about slowing down, meeting people, hearing their stories, and experiencing the heart of Northern Iowa. From the farm stands of Osage to the lakeside breeze in Clear Lake, every moment felt like a reminder of what a Midwest summer is supposed to be: connection, discovery, and fun.

If you’re looking for a road trip that’s full of small-town magic, local flavors, and places that leave you smiling long after you leave, Osage and Clear Lake should be at the top of your list.