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A favorite baggy sweater or sweatshirt. Cozy vibes and a mug of pumpkin spice latte or hot cocoa (don’t skimp on the marshmallows). The flaming gold and reds of the changing leaves. The smack of pads colliding on the gridiron. While summer waves goodbye, fall brings a whole new energy and beauty to Storm Lake. Here are 10 reasons to visit - do them all.
10. Eat! Storm Lake has an amazing array of some 30 restaurants and food markets. Many reflect multiple cultures with authentic dishes – Mexican, Chinese, Thai, El Salvadoran, African and more. Swimsuit season is past – so feel free to eat your way around the globe. There are plenty of all-American options too, from upscale to super-casual to family style. You’ll find southern BBQ, pizza of all kinds, steak, seafood, burgers, wings, you name it. Multiple coffee shops and one of the state’s most beloved bakeries, too.
9. Cheer! Buena Vista University brings college-level sports to the fall – football, volleyball, soccer, all with great venues to enjoy the action. Gear up at the Spirit Store in the innovative underground Forum building.
8. Art! Storm Lake boasts two art galleries, both with free admission and ever-changing exhibits. If the weather is too brisk to be outside, visit Witter Gallery in the Storm Lake Public Library building, or BVU art gallery in the Social Sciences and Art building on campus. Be sure to also check out our public art installations – beautiful mosaic murals created by Mexican masters, a series of lighthouse icons painted by local artists, and many sculptures in the parks from our chainsaw carving competitions held annually.
7. Play! Playgrounds aplenty keep our youngest visitors happy on those weekend escapes from school. Awaysis Park offers tons of playground fun for smaller kids plus a sweet sandy beach. Mom and Dad – there’s a chance to scale a tall lighthouse for an amazing view. For kiddos a bit older, ride the slides in a brand-new play area at Chautauqua Park. The park also offers basketball, mini-pitch soccer and pickleball play. For a bit quieter experience, visit the smaller play areas in Frank Starr, Sunset and Kiwanis parks. Mandeville Park adds disc golf to the mix. You can make a full day of play.
6. Fish! Storm Lake is an angler’s paradise. Fishing is good from shore, docks or boats, with more than 28,000 visitor fishing hours logged each open season alone. Dodge the tourist traps — Storm Lake is easy-in, easy out and boater-friendly. There’s plenty of open water to explore, and walleye, channel cat, crappie, and white and yellow bass eager to bite.
5. Golf! You can still get in a round on the scenic Sunrise Pointe golf course near the lakefront, with all the clubhouse amenities and Regatta Restaurant steps away to take care of post-play appetite. There’s even a pirate-themed mini golf option for the whole family. The course is open through October or as long as weather allows. Lake Creek offers an 18-hole country club experience.
4. Splash! That’s right, hit the water no matter what the autumn weather brings. King’s Pointe has an exciting indoor waterpark, with thrill slides, a lazy river, playland for small children, water basketball and more. A snack shack poolside keeps the troupe fed, and you can stay over at the award-winning resort. Make a weekend of it.
3. Celebrate! Fall festivals are always a hoot. Oktoberfest brings live polka music and traditional European fare. Chills N Thrills brings trick-or treating and entertainment to the downtown shopping village. Fiesta Latina in October offer folkloric dance, mariachi, pinatas, children’s games and activities, lots of vendors and more. Bango haunted house, a short drive away, is a Halloween blast. Watch the schedules for more.
2. Shop! Whether your taste runs to the latest in fall fashion, or the good times of a spirited Farmer’s Market, Storm Lake has you covered. Unique gift and home décor shops are bursting with seasonal surprises, and three antique stores downtown cater to the treasure-hunting spirit.
1. Trails! Fall is a achingly gorgeous time in Storm Lake, with a lakefront clad in its brightest colors, and migratory birds revisiting their favorite resting spot. Beyond the sweat and mosquito season, nothing beats a cool autumn hike or bike on our miles of trail along the shore and through the beautiful parks. Ah, the crackle of crisp leaves underfoot, and the air sweet as cider. The trails are well-lit for a romantic stroll after dark, just sayin’.
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