Zach & Nichol

August 31, 2024 • Clear Lake, IA

Zach & Nichol

August 31, 2024 • Clear Lake, IA

Things to Do

Places to Drink

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Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar and Grill

307 Main Ave

Clear Lake, IA 50428

(641) 357-4629

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One of our favorite bars in town! They have great food, drinks, and people! It is located on Main Street and is in walking distance of four other bars.


173° Craft Distillery

306 First Ave. N

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-1733

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Another one of our favorites! Small bites to eat and delicious cocktails. Head upstairs to take in city park and lake views from the rooftop!


TAP'd

313 Main Avenue

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-8273

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We spend a lot of time here! They have 24 of Iowa's best craft beers on tap along with a full bar. They also have live music on weekends!


Lake Time Brewery

801 Main Ave

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-2040

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Our local brewery has 10 different beers on tap and for sale. Lake Time has great seating options including a large patio and cozy indoor seating.


The VFW

219 Main Avenue

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-7964

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Your classic VFW with drinks that are strong and cheap and good company. The V is cash only so plan accordingly.

Places to Eat

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The Surfside

444 North Shore Dr.

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-0444

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The Surfside is a full-service restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. This restaurant is conveniently located next to the Surf Ballroom!


The Surf Galley

619 Buddy Holly Pl

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-5756

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One of the newest restaurants in town. They have great food and delicious drinks! Definitely worth checking out!


Ge-Jo's

12 North 3rd Street

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-8288

Ge-Jo's has the best Italian food in town! If you go you have to try the mozzarella sticks, margaritas, and the carrot cake is so worth it! Ge-Jo's has comfortable outdoor seating right downtown!


The Landing

1603 S. Shore Dr.

Clear Lake IA 50428

(319) 569-3538

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The Landing is right on the water and offers a large outdoor lakefront bar and grill with perfect views of the water! Great food and drinks and one of a kind atmosphere.


Avion Azul

9184 265th St.

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-2626

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Avion has the best Mexican food in town and their drinks are amazing as well! They are located in the Mason City Airport providing a unique dining experience. The table-side guacamole and margarita towers are a couple of our favorites!


Seven's Restaurant & Steakhouse

307 Main Ave

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-0106

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Sevens is connected to Rookies and has some of the best food in town! They have hands down the best spinach and artichoke dip and their burgers are hard to beat.

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Gyro Place

300 Main Avenue

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-2525

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We love this place! As it is to be expected their gyros are amazing, but we also love their tacos! Since they are located right downtown we usually do carry out and eat in the park.


Cancun by the Lake

14 N. 3rd St.

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-6010

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Cancun is your typical Mexican restaurant with authentic dishes, chips and salsa, and margaritas. Their location is right downtown. We always have a good time when we visit!


PM Park & Tiki Bar

15297 Raney Drive

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-1991

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If you are up for a short drive around the lake head here to dine inside the historic and charming restaurant, or settle in at one of the colorful picnic tables on the lakefront lawn.


The Other Place

200 Highway 18 West

Clear Lake IA 50428-0528

(641) 357-8118

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The OP is our classic "go-to" restaurant serving American favorites and known for their pizza. In the summer they have a special deck menu and the deck seating is open.


Half Moon Inn

701 Buddy Holly Place

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-9339

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The Half Moon might be the busiest restaurant in town because they have amazing food serving delicious char-grilled steaks & seafood! This restaurant reminds me of supper clubs of the past.

Places With Sweet Treats

Coffee

Cabin Coffee Company

303 Main Ave

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-6500

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The best coffee in town! Wake up early, head downtown, and enjoy coffee by the lake. Be prepared the line can get long sometimes!


Scooter's Coffee

1903 Highway 18 E

Clear Lake IA 50428

641-210-6404

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Close to the hotels with a handy drive-through. We love the spicy breakfast sandwich!

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Ice Cream

The Olde Creamery

604 Buddy Holly Pl

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 231-0198

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A family-owned small-town ice cream and gift shop located near the Surf Ballroom!


South Shore Sweet Spot

5269 S Shore Dr

Clear Lake, IA 50428

(641) 357-9338

Lovingly referred to as "The Cone." Located a short distance around the lake on South Shore Drive. Great ice cream and a cute photo opp to boot.


Charlie's Soda Fountain

2 N. 4th St.

Clear Lake IA 50428

(952) 457-4572

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An old-fashioned soda fountain stop in to enjoy a soda, soft serve ice cream, malt, or sundae, conveniently located downtown.


The Viking

3 S Main St,

Ventura, IA 50482

(641) 829-3514

If you are up for a drive around the lake The Viking is a must stop! They have the best ice cream around! Be prepared the line can be long at times!




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Other Sweet treats

Cookies, etc.

217 Main Avenue

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-1060

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These baked fresh, warm-from-the-oven cookies, made from family recipes, are legendary! They have seven different flavors to choose as well as ice cream sandwiches, shakes, malts, sundaes, and generous ice cream cones. If visiting after hours there is a cookie ATM to satisfy your late-night sweet tooth. Cookies etc. is conveniently located downtown.


NIP Fitness & Smoothie Bar

216 US 18

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-1647

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NIP is one of the gyms in town, but their smoothie bar is open to the public. With tons of options to choose from you are sure to find the fruit smoothie for you! They also offer delicious chicken rice bowls!


South Shore Donut Co.

1205 S Shore Drive

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-8005

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A local donut shop offering gourmet donuts! Check them out for a delicious treat.

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Attractions

Lady of the Lake

Downtown by the Seawall

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-2243

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Check out the "big boat" in town! The Lady is an authentic paddle-wheel excursion boat with public and private cruises. She is also parked dockside for the public to board and enjoy a drink.


The Splash Pad at City Beach Park

S Lakeview Dr

Clear Lake, IA 50428

Hop from spout to spout as 16 randomized jets shoot water high in the air. Located along the beach walkway, this splash pad is a great way for non-lake swimmers to enjoy the beach.


Clear Lake Arts Center

17 S. 4th St.

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-1998

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A cultural complex offering visual arts exhibitions, a gift shop with unique treasures and art by regional artists as well as an outdoor courtyard and sculpture garden.


Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & ''The Big Bopper" Plane Crash Site

N 43 13' 12'', W 93 23' 0''

The outdoor memorial honoring "The Day the Music Died" is located just under 1/2 mile along a fence row in a field north of town. There is a large pair of black-rimmed glasses marking the trailhead on Gull Avenue and a stainless steel guitar with a set of three stainless steel records marking the exact spot where the plane crashed.


Clear Lake Farmers Market

460 N Shore Dr

Clear Lake, IA 50428

641-323-2709

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Clear Lake's Farmers Market is open Saturday mornings 9-12 in the parking lot of the Surf Ballroom. Stock up on fresh vegetables, fruits, and more!


Main Street

Main Street

Clear Lake, IA 50428

Come and explore a wide variety of shops and stores in Clear Lake's quaint downtown.



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Parks & Beaches

Clear Lake State Park

6490 S Shore Dr

Clear Lake, IA 50428

641-357-4212

There is a 900-foot sandy beach that offers unsupervised swimming and is a great place for swimmers and sunbathers. The 55-acre park offers a tremendous diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities due to its location on the lake as well as its natural beauty.

City Park

S Lakeview Dr

Clear Lake, IA 50428

City Park is located in the downtown area of Clear Lake and is situated at the lakefront. Enjoy two large playgrounds, lake views, and access to Clear Lake. This .83-acre park provides a beach area for sunning, swimming, and water sports. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available. Convenient and free parking.


Everybody Plays Playground

109 S 15th St

Clear Lake, IA 50428

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An inclusive playground in Clear Lake, giving children of ALL abilities the accessibility & experiences to play together. They have a new splash pad this year!


Tourist Park

1512 S Shore Dr

Clear Lake, IA 50428

(641) 357-7010

This 4.3-acre park is located along South Shore Drive and has a lake view, electrical service, restrooms, and 2 grills. The park offers newer playground equipment, 2 sand volleyball courts, and picnic tables.


Pine Tree Park

2300 South Shore Drive

Clear Lake IA 50428

(641) 357-7010

Pine Tree Park is located on South Shore Drive in a residential area and is the City's largest park. Other amenities include sand volleyball courts, ball diamonds, basketball hoops, and large open spaces. This park has two very nice playgrounds.


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Golf Courses

Veterans Memorial Golf Club

2200 North Shore Drive

Clear Lake, Iowa 50428

(641) 357-4457

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This nine-hole par 36 course offers stunning views and a challenging game for golfers of all skill levels, it’s perfect for a relaxing round or a competitive match! Zach plays men's league out here on Thursday evenings.


Oak Hills Golf Course

518 27th Avenue South

Clear Lake, Iowa 50428

(641) 357-2216

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Oak Hills Golf Course, located near the Clear Lake State Park Campground entrance, offers a delightful nine-hole par 30 course surrounded by gently rolling hills and tree-lined fairways.

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