We're moving here in 2027 and opening our card shop here — but Clear Lake days are already a family tradition. The lake, the music history, and the small-town gold, from a family of 8.
Beach-day base camp: sand, shade, and room for all six kids to burn energy.
Clear Lake State Park
Where Buddy Holly played his last show. Stand in that room once and you'll get it.
Surf Ballroom & Museum
Free, gorgeous, and the kids treat it like a secret garden. Picnic perfection.
Central Gardens of North Iowa
The sunset cruise is the most Clear Lake thing there is.
Lady of the Lake
Rainy-day headquarters. Story time has saved more trips than I can count.
Clear Lake Public Library
Saturday mornings done right — local everything.
Clear Lake Farmers Market
Rainy-day save, and genuinely good exhibits.
Clear Lake Arts Center
Window shopping that turns into actual shopping. Great small businesses.
Downtown Clear Lake
Our future card shop, opening 2027. Come say hi when the doors open.
Trophy Case Cards
Lake-house weekends: book the porch, thank yourself later.
VRBO Clear Lake Vacation Rentals
Dinner with the water in view. Non-negotiable at least once per trip.
PM Park
Free — the full loop is the best tour in town.
Bike Loop Around the Lake
Free — bobber required, patience optional (especially for kids).
Dock Fishing at Sunset
The biggest small-town Fourth in Iowa. Fireworks over the water.
Clear Lake 4th of July
Free to watch — Clear Lake does winter festivals like it does summer ones: all in.
Winter Games Weekend
Day two, slower speed: same lake, new corner of it.
