Minnewashta Lake was once known as Middle Gar, but changed in the early 1900's to an Indian moniker known as good or nice. Though small at 126 acres, the average depth is a nice 10 feet and maximum depth of 16 feet. When homes on Minnewashta come up for sale, they do not last long. By no surprise have wee seen lakeshore values grow on Minnewashta and lake owners and vacationers enjoy the quaintness of Minnewashta. It is located between Upper and Lower Gar and has outstanding fishing, and is also a lake where skiers and wakeboarders alike enjoy utilizing to stay away from the high traffic. Minnewashta land values are similar to that of East Lake Okoboji from about $4500 to $7000 per running foot of lakeshore.
The following is from the Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council:
This lake is the second is a string of three small lakes located on the south edge of East Okoboji Lake eventually leading to the outlet creek of the Iowa Great Lakes. Minnewashta is 126 acres in size with 2.3 miles of shoreline. The Lake is located in the City of Arnolds Park to the south of Okoboji. Highway 71 runs along its Western edge. Average depth of Minnewashta is 10 feet with the deepest point of 16.5 feet. Most anglers fishing Lake Minnewashta are in search of its bass and panfish populations.
Lake Minnewashta connects Upper Gar Lake at the Sawmill Bridge and connects to Lower Gar Lake at the Trails Bridge.
Okoboji Mattress Co. is a Sleep Specialty Store located .7 miles west of the junction of 9 and 71 in Spirit Lake, IA. We are a locally owned Sleep Boutique featuring Serta and Simmons Mattresses and bases. Stop by try Malouf Z Pillows before you buy! A great selection of Serta, and Simmons Beautyrest Mattresses, Adjustable Bases, Malouf Sheets, Mattress Protectors, and Comforters, Malouf Z pillows, and more! New Sleep Lift Recliners from Mega Motion and Ultimate Power Recliner!
Best food in town? We sure think so. Rabab has outdone herself here in the Central Emporium! This upscale, fine dining restaurant will not disappoint. She offers Mediterranean and American dishes. The food is the best part, but Rabab's also has arguably one of the best views, overlooking beautiful West Okoboji lake. Not only is her food extraordinary, she offers an extensive selection of fine wines and cocktails.
Brooks North is a newer housing development located on a cul-de-sac offering beautiful views of Brooks Golf Club, ponds, nature areas, the bike trail system and the Nature Center. There are many beautiful homes and only a few vacant lots remain. Brooks North is located on the North end of Brooks Golf Club in Okoboji, IA.
SPUDNUTS!!! The newest tradition in the Lakes Area. Amazing donuts (called Spudnuts), coffee and a fun place to take a break from your day. These are made from potato flour which is where the name comes from. You can choose from glazed donuts, chocolate or maple frosting, donut holes(my kids' favs), cinnamon twists, cinnamon balls OR even maple frosting with bacon.
Find them at 1104 S Hwy 71 in Okoboji, across the street from Tweeters.
Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church
1204 L Ave
Milford, IA 51351
Services
Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Memorial Park
300 Lake Street
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Located on a huge property, this park was renovated in 2012 adding new playground equipment with areas designated for young kids and areas for older kids all wrapped around a Splash Pad that the kids just love.
2 shelters, including the Clayton Seeman Memorial Shelter house. Also, access to bike trails, walking paths and around 1,500 feet of East Lake Okoboji shoreline, 2 docks, 2 handicap-accessible piers and more.
Calvary United Methodist Church of Arnolds Park
679 W Okoboji Dr
Arnolds Park, IA 51331
Services
Saturday at 6 p.m.
Sunday at 9 a.m.
Summer- Memorial Day to Labor Day at 7:30 a.m. boat up/drive up service. At the bridge between East and West Okoboji Lakes.
Referred to locally as the lake turning over the thermocline is a feature of lakes with deep water. The water on the top of the lake changes temperature much more variably during the year. On West Lake, it can reach as much as 75 degrees in July while the water below, greater than 35 or 40 feet deep is relatively stable around 45 degrees. In the fall and early winter, the top strata of the lake will cool to below 45 degrees, and then because it becomes denser, it will "sink" below the lower strata, thus, displacing it and making the lake "turn-over". In the deepest part of West Lake (near the 136ft mark), no light is availble, and hence little life is known whether fish or plant. Typically questions are raised as to why the surface water gets dirty for a short period of time in the fall, this this is the standard answer.
Main Street Bar and Grill is a longstanding bar/pub/lounge that also has a great selection of food. Wednesday nights they offer a wonderful steak menu. Great cocktails and great food in small-town Terril, Iowa.
First Presbyterian Church
1220 South Market St
Lake Park, IA 51347
Service - 10:30 am Sunday
Salon M Spa is an Aveda concept salon in Spencer. Located in the Southpark Mall, this upscale salon is sure to exceed your expectations. Salon M Spa's services include hair cuts, colors, highlights, updo's, and even extensions. They also offer waxing, manicures, pedicures, and spray tanning. As an Aveda salon, their mission is to be environmental leaders, by creating environmentally friendly products, and be environmentally conscious in the beauty world. Another cool thing about this salon, is that they are 99.9% paperless, which means you'll be handed an iPad, instead of a book or magazine. You can even bring your own ear buds to watch Netflix while you're getting your services done.
Looking for a pace to get organic, and natural foods? Wilder Thymes is your go-to place! As the only shop in the lakes area to offer such things, this quaint little shop is definitely a place to check out. They offer organic, and local foods, from snacks, spices, cooking ingredients, gluten free, dairy products, and more! Wilder Thymes also has an array of natural cleaning products, and personal care items that are hard to come by. Not only can you buy groceries here, but they also have a deli! Pizzas, wraps, braked goods, soups, and sandwiches are just some of the yummy things you can buy at Wilder Thymes!
At Winther, Stave & Co., LLP we use a team approach. You have a team of accounting professionals at your disposal, not just one person. With specialists in many different areas, we can draw on that breadth of knowledge and experience to help with services ranging from taxes, to payroll, to wealth preservation.
I hear this one all the time from prospects looking to list their house. "Well, agent xyz told us that if we listed with her, she'd have it sold in a week." This would fall into the category of "If it sounds too good to be true, the probably is." The majority of agents are not going to make this claim, but rather will give you an honest market analysis, inform you as to how weak or strong the market is, especially the market in which your home resides, and present the objective facts. A good agent will then lay out an effective marketing plan, where the majority of the focus should be on "online marketing". Be careful to not get caught up in empty promises, reduced commissions, and being talked in to lowering your price below market value (unless you must have a quick sale). The key to choosing a good listing agent is to objectively determine who is going to provide you the best opportunity to sell your home. Will your listing agent also aggressively work to find buyers, or will they just list your home and wait for another agent to do the work.
This new business to the lakes area is sure to be a hit! Arnold's Bark-ery makes healthy, fresh made snacks for all of the lucky dogs in the surrounding Okoboji area. They also provide natural, and holistic pet foods in their shop. A fun place to bring your dog to shop, as well as a place to get them groomed. What a fun addition to the area!
Boji Tan is a great tanning salon located in Spirit Lake. They offer different types of beds that are four different levels. This local business is very clean and the staff is always friendly and provides you with great service. At Boji Tan they don't only offer tanning but you are able to purchase AdvoCare products also. If you are going on a trip and want to get a base tan before you leave or if you just want to warm up on those cold summer days make sure to stop at Boji Tan!
The Three Sons is your go to University of Okoboji shop!! They offer everything you need for the family from name brand items to your local Okoboji gear. The Three Sons has been a family owned and operated business since the summer of 1960. You will feel like family while you are shopping here. If you are on the boat in the summer don't forget you can also shop their inventory on the Arnolds Park Boardwalk! University of Okoboji gear is one of our favorite ways to represent Lake Okoboji on a vacation!
The Clubhouse
2501 Boji Bend Dr
Milford, IA 51351
The Clubhouse is a smaller, comfortable restaurant with great food and a good atmosphere and even better food. There is a full bar, TV’s for the games, access to the pool area and inside and outside seating.
If you are looking for a way to get rid of paper and don't want to throw it in the garbage, the Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis Group offers a great solution. In addition to being eco-friendly you are helping this Kiwanis Group raise money to help children and the community out in other ways.
A couple time of month the local group will go out and pick up paper from your curb side, contact the group for their schedule.
OR
Just South of Faraway and just North of Kiwanis Park, is parked a semi trailer with a sign "Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis Paper Drive" At any time you can take your paper to this trailer.
Welcome to Okoboji High School. At OHS we are Pioneering Pathways for Every Student by building on the outstanding foundation and diverse learning opportunities available to students at Okoboji Elementary and Middle Schools through high expectations, caring and supportive teachers, world class learning opportunities, and a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities.
High Expectations - We speak of, model, and expect Pioneer Pride from every member of our learning community. Pioneers hold themselves to high standards in all aspects of life. Whether it is in academics, extracurriculars, or just in the way we treat one another, Pioneers lead the way.
Caring and Supportive Staff - Our staff believes that every member of this learning community is important and deserving of respect and care. Our staff comes to school each day looking for ways to positively impact the lives of our students and families and truly care about our students both inside and outside the building and beyond. Students who have graduated often come back to thank teachers and staff members who made a positive difference in their lives.
World Class Learning Opportunities - OHS is committed to preparing students for a productive life in a changing world. This means a focus on constant improvement, integration of technology to support learning, and ever changing opportunities. Some of these include new courses in computer coding, engineering, and more. In order to be successful, students need knowledge and the skills to apply it. OHS is focused on Universal Constructs such as creativity, complex communication, adaptability, productivity, collaboration, and other skills that will enable students to apply their knowledge to new and changing situations throughout their adult lives.
Wide Variety of Extracurricular Opportunities - Our students are encouraged to get involved in a wide variety of sports, fine arts such as speech, debate, and music, and school clubs and organizations. More than 85% of our students are involved in our extracurricular programs. Whatever a student’s passion, they can plug into a team or organization here at OHS. Our size also allows students to explore multiple passions in many different areas with
We are very proud of the past, present, and future of Okoboji High School, and even more proud of the students, families, and community we serve. We would love to help you arrange a visit to learn more. We believe you too will see why we are proud to be Pioneers!
Yours in Education,
Brian Downing
Okoboji High School Principal
The Rolling Oaks Barn is an authentic barn that has been restored. This century old barn is available for rent for all of your event needs. The upper level is the events area where the lower level is a full service bar and is open weekly and on the weekends.
Melanders-downtown Milford
922 Okoboji Ave
Milford, IA 51351
New and used kitchen appliances, great selection, wide variety of the top brands. Local, helpful service.
Horseshoe Bend Recreational Area
1924 240th St
Milford, IA 51351
Do you like to sled? Don’t miss out on this one if you do. Just southwest of Milford, Horseshoe Bend has some great hills for sledding and tubing, including a lift for the tube hill. Also, cross country skiing and snowmobile trails.
During summer months, there are picnic areas, hiking and horseback trails, as well as camping sites and canoe launch for the Little Sioux River.
Minerva's is a fabulous dining experience, from the consistently great food to the diverse menu selections. It's a great place to dine in the lakes area year round. If you haven't been, you really should give it a try. The atmosphere is welcoming and the friendly staff is very attentive. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or meeting with friends, this is the place!
Ranch Okoboji has something for everyone. The ever popular mini golf course in Okoboji is a fun Wizard of Oz theme. They also have Tyotee's Mining, which is a fun little adventure for kids to mine gemstones, arrowheads, and fossils! For the adults, they have a margarita bar, with tons of flavors, all made with their own secret recipe! Once you're done with whichever adventure you choose at the Ranch, don't forget to shop at their little boutique area, with home decor, outdoor decor, and their extensive collection of flags!
If you haven't been to West O, you need to go. With their state of the art brewery, and access to some of the best water in the world, their beer is nothing short of amazing. Their tasting room has a cool, industrial feel, and perfect for tasting their many types of beers. CocO Stout has been an award winning beer for years, and definitely worth a try! West O has been voted "Best Iowa Beer" by the Des Moines Register readers in 2016.
Allure & Co. is a great one stop shop with many businesses all in one building! Home decor, rugs, furniture, lighting, a yoga studio, photographer, hair salon, massage and a coffee shop all under one roof! They offer so many great brands to provide some great shopping in the lakes area. The staff is very friendly which makes it a fun place to shop.
My local expertise, experience in other markets, combined with the power and influence of RE/MAX, enables me to help achieve all your objectives in your home purchase or sale. Call me, Lynn Thompson to discuss today's Real Estate opportunities.
A place for all ages, the Dickinson County Nature Center is a place that provides learning about nature, animals, and the environment. With many events for the community throughout the year, locals and tourists alike are sure to enjoy a fun time here. The ever popular Bee and Butterfly festival is a blast for kids, and kids at heart. We've enjoyed releasing a monarch butterfly, learning about different insects, and hearing about how bees make honey. They also provide classes for toddlers and kids to learn more about animals and nature. We always have fun checking out the animals they have at the Nature Center, and learning more each time we go.
Having lived in Okoboji all my life, there are a wealth of memories of Arnolds Park. I, like many of the locals, miss the nostalgia of the old Roof Garden, the fun house, the water slide and much, much more. With time comes change, and the amusement park continues to reinvent itself. Currently with over 20 rides to choose from, the family is sure to have a good time. The main attraction, The Legend Roller Coaster, is the 7th oldest coaster in the United States and apparently the 13th oldest in the world. Reaching speeds of up to 50 mph, the roller coaster has undergone substantial renovations in the last year. In front of the amusement park on West Lake is the Queen II excursion boat, and Pirate Jacks Bar. The sunsets here are unparalleled. If you have a chance to visit, make sure to check out the tipsy house, the three sons, and all of the shops. Just to the east is the green space, which provides great entertainment and in 2013 OAR came to play, which is a pretty big name for Okoboji.
Dependable & knowledgeable residential appliance repair company. Servicing most major brands of appliances in the Okoboji area. Hours are M-F 8am - 5pm. 24-hour service available.
Your local agent providing the Aflac benefit and service is Adam Roos (Milford). Aflac offers protection to families with a goal of reducing financial stress through income-loss and asset-loss protection. Aflac insures more than 50 million people. Aflac also offers different Supplemental Medical coverages. You can reach Adam at 712-330-4790 or adam_roos@us.aflac.com
Here's the scenario. You are building a house or remodeling your house. Material costs are up. Labor costs are up. You ask yourself, where can I save a buck? Before answering this question, you must be careful, especially if your home is located in an area where other quality homes are built, whether on the lake, off the lake, or in higher valued developments such as golf course developments, etc. Growing up in construction and with a plethora of new construction and remodels under my belt, let me share with you some of the easy things that your future buyers will recognize when they are looking for quality.
1. One of the first things buyers of higher end homes will look for is to determine if the owner used hollow core doors. It's an immediate sign that the seller was looking for ways to save money (where else then did they cut back that I can't see???)
2. The second most obvious is the counter tops. Did the sellers spend for a quality granite, quartz, or other hard surface, or was formica used?
3. The third item that might stick out is the cabinetry. Do the drawers have dovetail construction with hardwoods? Did they use "soft close" drawers? Are there pull outs for the pots and pans?
4. Flooring is an easy one also. Was laminate used, or is it engineered or hardwoods? Does the carpet convey a quality feel and plushness? Is there a nice thick pad underneath the carpet?
5. Though there are many other items to look at, cheap vs quality lighting and plumbing fixtures are probably the next major focus.
There is nothing wrong with with using lower cost materials, especially when trying to keep a project within budget, especially when trying to build more house for less money. Just be aware that most buyers looking to spend in excess of $300k for off lake homes and $500+ for East Lake chain homes, and $1M+ for West and Big Spirit will expect the very best materials and finishes.
Okoboji Skin Care
1008 Eastview Ave Suite #1
Okoboji, IA 51355
Okoboji Skin Care is a skincare clinic located in Okoboji that provides several different skincare and makeup lines. They also provide many services: face and body waxing, facials, laser hair removal, chemical peels, makeup applications and more.
Located in Spirit Lake Lisa's Bake Shop offers a large selection of bakery items along with to-go deli items. If you are looking for something specific you certainly can call ahead and order a personalized cake or cheesecake or just stop in a grab some of their famous cinnamon rolls and caramel rolls. If you cant decide what to have for lunch or dinner stop in and check out their large selection of take and bake meals and soups. You will not be disappointed!
CODIT is a licensed, insured and internationally certified arboriculture tree care business, which specializes in hard to access areas.
Union Memorial Church- United Methodist
805 Okoboji Ave
Milford, IA 51351
Services
Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Talk about a fun place to shop--this is one of the best! The owners and staff (including Britt, the furniture dog) are so personable and welcoming that you'll find yourself hanging out in their store because it's so much like home (or what you'd like your home to be)! They have great furniture, rugs, lighting to fit any budget. They also sell vintage pieces which don't last long in the store! And plants, yes, they even have plants! Plan to spend some time when you come here because there's so much to see! Located at 3520 Hwy 71 South, Spirit Lake or go to midwestmodernfurniture.com.
Remington's in Okoboji has great appetizers, salads, sandwiches, steak and much more. Remington's also has daily lunch and dinner specials. Happy Hour Mon - Fri 4pm - 6pm with free popcorn. Saturday is "Game Day" 11am - 4pm with drink and appetizer specials. Lunch and dinner reservations are taken, along with large group reservations with seating up to 150 people. Remington's offers a semi-private dining room that seats 50 people.
Located in the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes Area, Tom's Plumbing and Heating has been offering you local Plumbing/ HVAC services for MANY years.
Call Tom's Plumbing for your Plumbing / HVAC needs, whether you are doing new construction, a current homeowner needing service, a business owner or whatever your needs may be.
The Ritzer family has owned and operated Tom's Plumbing for MANY years and provide great experience and knowledge of the industry.
Located at
172 Hwy 71 N
Arnolds Park, IA 51331
or call them at 712-332-2426
Fisherman’s Factory Outlet
1803 18th St (Hwy 9 & 71)
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Located across the street from Pure Fishing, the Fisherman’s Factory Outlet is a must stop for avid fishermen. This outlet store offers all kinds of fishing equipment including fishing poles, reels, tackle and bait. You can find a lot of popular brands at much discounted prices here, including factory reconditioned Abu Garcia, Fenwick, Berkley, Coleman, Pflueger, Mitchell, PENN and more .
You can also find outdoor clothing including coats, shirts, boots, gloves and more.
I had the opportunity and privilege to work at Triggs for 4 years in my high school and college years. Jim Triggs and Mike May run one of the best family resorts in the Lakes Area. The resort has 48 condo style units that are continually updated and maintained immaculately. It truly is a family resort as most units are rented each week every year by the same families. People really begin to know each other and I had a great time getting to know all of the families better each year. We always looked forward to seeing them each year and catching up. Triggs offers boat/watercraft rentals, 4 gas docks, boat hoists for rent, an outdoor pool, a daily groomed beach, game room, and many more great amenities. If you are planning a vacation to Okoboji, I highly encourage you to call early and see if you can get a reservation at Triggs Bay Resort. You will not be disappointed.
Yesterdays Restaurant has been an Okoboji favorite and is only opened seasonally. Yesterdays has a complete dinner menu that features nightly specials. They have a wonderful martini menu that will not disappoint. Make sure to also make reservations in the Japanese Teppanyaki Room. Watch as asian inspired meals are prepared and served by your personal chef.
This Bar/Restaurant has an amazing selection of beers on tap and bottled to suit any beer drinkers needs. Nautical serves lunch & dinner and be sure to try the wings, which are made with homemade sauces and cooked to a crisp perfection. A great atmosphere in the heart of Arnolds Park.
Snook’s of Okoboji started primarily as a retail flooring store. After a transfer of ownership, the new owner, Bill Adams, has transformed our store into a one-stop home store. We now not only retail flooring, but also offer a wide selection of furniture, bedding, window treatments, decor and outdoor living. With the ability to purchase from the floor or order custom, we’ll make sure you get what you’re looking for to suit your space. Let our family help your’s.
Stop by today or shop online at snooksofokoboji.com.
Okoboji Boat Works is home to "The Fish Shack" and "The Inconvenience Store". Formerly a marina of thriving boat sales since 1890, OBW now offers up many different rentals, a 24 hour gas dock, excursion boats, and more. I remember the days as a child of fishing for crappie and blue gill here and along the docks of Smith's Bay. Though the scenery has changed, the outstanding fishing has not.
Its almost here!!! Walleye Weekend marks the beginning of another great summer here in the Okoboji Area. Anglers from all over come to try and catch the prize fish. Our local DNR tag and release specific Walleyes while they are gillnetting in the Spring. Whether you are fishing from shore or by boat, you cannot go wrong. It is a great time to get the season started and check out the local restaurants. Maybe you will catch the big one. For more information about Walleye Weekend you can go to http://okobojichamber.com/events-calendar/iowa-great-lakes-walleye-weekend/
Saint Mary’s Catholic Church
1005 Hill Ave
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Services
Saturday at 5 p.m. (confessions at 4:30 p.m.)
Sunday at 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Thursday - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday - 9 a.m.
Friday - 12 p.m.
Goodies Handmade Candies is a small family-run business located in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Goodies has become a "must stop" place when visiting the area.
Goodies offers handmade candies, ice cream, coffee, and gifts. Each batch uses fresh quality ingredients and no added preservatives.
Customers from all over rave with remarks such as, "Goodies makes the best candies they have ever had."
3401 Berquist Ave
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Local hardware store in Spirit Lake owned by Gary & Peggy Fick & Cynthia Fick. The selection and the service are excellent at Ace Hardware, if you have a need they are quick at helping you find it. You can find Ace HW by going on Hwy 71 South from Walmart, it is located on the East side of the road at the 3rd stop light.
Open at 7:30 am Monday through Saturday and 10 am on Sunday.
Ace Hardware has more than 4,600 stores in 50 states and 70 countries. Each store is independently owned.
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