Iowa Weekend Getaways

1. Brookstone Lodge and Suites - 2 hours 20 min from Des Moines

Brookstone Lodge and Suites is located in Algona, Iowa, and features many different rooms to suit every need. Guests can choose from modern style rooms or suites, all of which feature a microwave and refrigerator, coffee maker, ironing board and hair dryer en suite.

Travelers will also find a business center located in the building, which includes a guest computer for easy printing and faxing.

A complimentary pass to Anytime Fitness is available for those wishing to stay active during their stay. Coin laundry facilities are available on-site for guests’ convenience. A large continental breakfast is served each morning, and includes hot items like eggs and sausages as well as traditional fare like cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, pastries, and more.

The property is close to Ambrose A. Call National Park, which protects within it a beautiful old-growth forest- perfect for nature-loving travelers.

Address: Brookstone Lodge and Suites, 3408 Main St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536, Phone: (712) 415-1079

2. Hotel Julien Dubuque - 3 hour

Hotel Julien Dubuque offers 133 spacious and elegant rooms to guests, with a variety of suites to suit every traveler, including those looking for spa getaways in Iowa. Each room comes equipped with luxury linens, pillow-top mattresses, complimentary Wi-Fi, LCD HDTVs, a walk-in shower, and spa-quality bath products. Hotel Julien Dubuque also offers specialty suites complete with Whirlpool baths, king-sized beds, and oversized rooms that comfortably sleep up to four adults.

The Potosa Spa is located on the lower level of the hotel, and their complete menu of services will ease tension and encourage relaxation.

Their treatments are inspired by the Native American Medicine Wheel, and include signature services only found at this location.

After your spa treatment, dine on American cuisine at Caroline’s Restaurant, or opt for cocktails and appetizers at the Riverboat Lounge. Located in the heart of downtown, guests can walk to the Mississippi River, or to Asbury Plaza shopping center.

Address: Hotel Julien Dubuque, 200 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001, Phone: (563) 556-4200

3. Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, Dubuque

Perfectly located on the Mississippi Waterfront, the Grand Harbor Resort offers easy access to many Dubuque attractions. That said, there is so much to do at the resort that you may never want to leave. For many visitors the Waterpark is the prime attractions, featuring a wide variety of exciting rides, slides and splashes. The indoor waterpark is fun all year round and there are activities for all ages. The guestrooms are spacious and modern offering free Wi-Fi, Coffee Maker, Microwave and Mini-fridge for your convenience. Your dining requirements are taken care of by the Tony Roma Restaurant where you can feast on delicious ribs, steaks, sea foods and more.

Address: Grand Harbor Resort, Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, Dubuque, 350 Bell St, Dubuque, IA 52001, Phone: 563 690 4000

4. Mason House Inn - 2 hours 20 min

Mason House Inn & Caboose Cottage is a charming bed and breakfast located in historic Bentonsport, Iowa. The hotel was built in 1846 by Mormon craftsmen, and the nine rooms and suites are all decorated in a unique themed style, intentionally void of any technology to encourage guests to relax and embrace the antique theme.

Adventurous guests can rent Caboose Cottage, formerly a working RS&P caboose, which now has a kitchen, dining area, and bedrooms that sleep up to 4 people. Most rooms in the house feature handmade quilts, carved bed frames, and other traditional handiwork, in addition to modern comforts like pillow-top mattresses and complimentary Wi-Fi.

A country breakfast is served by the proprietor each morning in the 40 foot dining room. Mason House Inn is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha, Kansas City, and Minneapolis, and is the perfect distance away for a relaxing weekend retreat.

Address: 21982 Hawk Dr, Keosauqua, IA 52565, Phone: (319) 592-3133

5. Kingsley Inn - 2 hours 50 min

With modern comforts and superior service, Kingsley Inn is an integral part of the Fort Madison community. Each room is appointed with luxury and comfort in mind, and while each are decorated in a unique style, all rooms and suites include amenities like HD televisions, deluxe bedding, and generously sized bathtubs.

The Kingsley Inn High Tea offers the perfect combination of savory and sweet fare, along with delicate teas, every Saturday by reservation only.

Stay & Play packages are available, which include the hotel booking as well as a round at Lake Cooper Golf Club, plus other activities, and dinner at the club restaurant. Although the hotel restaurant is currently closed for remodeling, when they reopen, Atlas Steak and Smokehouse Restaurant will focus on bistro cuisine such as steak, fish, and house-smoked bacon.

Fort Madison is a vibrant community, and is also the home of the longest double deck swing-span bridge.

Address: Kingsley Inn, 707 Ave H, Fort Madison, IA 52627, Phone: (319) 372-2144

6. Belmont Hill - 2 hours

Belmont Hill Victorian Bed & Breakfast in Cedar Rapids is a stunning 1882 National Register home that has been renovated into a beautiful vintage getaway. The three guest rooms have been updated to include all the modern comforts like central air conditioning, satellite television, high speed Wi-Fi and private baths, while still staying true to the Victorian aesthetic of the original home.

Recycled wood elements and historic brick walls make each room cozy and completely unique.

The wooded grounds and spacious perennial gardens of the house are the perfect place for a quiet walk.

Belmont Hill provides an indulgent breakfast for guests, complete with fresh juices, fruit, and a selection of delicious pastries. The breakfast table is set in traditional style, complete with fine linen, china, crystal, and a roaring fireplace. Its central location in Cedar Rapids is close to many attractions like the Amana Colonies and the Kalona Amish Community.

Address: 1525 Cherokee Dr NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, Phone: (319) 366-1343

7. The Blackhawk Hotel - 2 hours

As the oldest operating hotel in Iowa, The Blackhawk Hotel has a longstanding tradition of excellence and customer satisfaction. A large variety of rooms and suites offer something for every price range, however all accommodations come with high speed Wi-Fi, TV and DVD players, and coffee makers.

Many suites overlook pre-Civil War era historic Main Street, and come with other luxuries like whirlpools, exposed brick walls, and expansive sitting rooms. Guests can unwind with a cocktail at The Stuffed Olive martini lounge, which is tucked away in a quiet corner of the hotel lobby. Soho Sushi Bar and Deli is a unique restaurant that serves both classic New York deli fare and California sushi plates.

The hotel is centrally located in the Cedar Falls downtown area, and is close to the Performing Arts Centre, the Ostler Regent Theatre, and the Cedar Falls trails that are just steps away.

Address: The Blackhawk Hotel, 200 E 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801 , Phone: (563) 322-5000

8. Okoboji Inn and Suites - 3 hours 15 minutes

Located Milford, Iowa, right next to the Iowa Great Lakes, Okoboji Boulders Inn and Suites provides the perfect atmosphere for any trip, whether it be a fishing excursion, family outing or romantic getaway.

Every room comes equipped with amenities like a 32-inch plasma HD TV, rollaway beds, and complimentary high speed Wi-Fi. Spacious suites come with indulgences like whirlpool tubs and luxury bedding. A hot breakfast is served each morning, and guests can cook for themselves at the outdoor grill and fire pit, complete with picnic seating.

The Emerald Hill Golf Course is located right next to the hotel, and special package pricing is available for golfers who want to try out this beautiful and challenging course. njoy the outdoors at the nearby Horseshoe Bend County Wildlife Preserve, or take in a show at one of the many different indoor and outdoor concert venues around the Iowa Great Lakes region.

Address: Okoboji Boulders Inn and Suites, 3400 Okoboji Ave, Milford, IA 51351 Phone: (712) 338-4424

9. Wilder Park - 2 hours

Close to Allison, Iowa, Wilder Park hosts many different types of wildlife, and has options to suit every camper. Wilder Park has 52 campsites, 24 of which can be booked in advance for a small fee per day.

Campsites with electricity and full hook-ups are available, as well as traditional tent camping sites. A shower house, three storm shelters, and a dumping station are all included in the site fees. A mini-golf course is perfect for little ones, while parents can enjoy the full golf course as well as two fishing ponds, baseball diamond, and beach volleyball courts.

A summer concert series on the outdoor stage within the park is a fun evening activity for the whole family, to cap off an adventurous day on the hiking trails. Wilder Park boasts 8 miles of paved biking and hiking trails, as well as beautiful prairies teeming with wildflowers. If you are looking for cheap Iowa destinations, tent camping at Wilder Park is a good idea.