17 Fun and Adventurous Things to Do in Clear Lake, Iowa

Clear Lake Theater

The Lake Theater in Clear Lake was originally an opera house built in 1890. You can still see original architectural written features on the top of the building.

Unfortunately, the opera house was succumbed by fire and the interior was destroyed in 1920’s. But that didn’t dampen the town’s spirit as it was renovated a decade later; making it into the movie theater that many locals frequent today.

Iowa Trolley Park

Iowa Trolley Park in Clear Lake, is home to a collection of older rail cars, vintage equipment, and railroad artifacts. It’s operated by the mason city and Clear Lake electric real Road historical society.

The Trolley Park gives visitors the chance to see and try it first hand some pieces of real railroad history. Hop on to a handcar or blow the whistle on a speeder or diesel locomotive ride. Learn about the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Depot that served Clear Lake from 1913-1984.

Admission to the museum is free. The Trolley Park is only open on Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm between Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Iowa DNR Aquarium

Get close and personal with fish from the Clear Lake at the department of natural resources aquarium. Realize this isn’t your typical tropical fish or ocean sea creature aquarium. These fish are what are found in North Iowa lakes and rivers.

Browse the tanks featuring walleye, perch, muskie, largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish, plus rough fish species and panfish including crappies, yellow and white bass.

For more information call 357-3517 to see if the display is open.

Charles H MacNider Museum & Architectural Walking Tour

The MacNider Art Museum in Mason city includes a permanent collection of American Art. It also includes the famous Bil Baird puppets and an interesting display of artistic ceramics.

The museum regularly changes exhibits, films, studio classes for all ages, special events and a gift shop.

Kinney Pioneer Museum

Though not actually in Clear Lake, it’s only 9 miles away in Mason City at the Mason City Municipal Airport. As part of the Silos and Smoke Stacks National Heritage Area, the Kinney Pioneer Museum holds 18,000 square foot of exhibits that preserve the history and traditions of North Central Iowa.

It hosts a one-room school house, log cabin,  jail and blacksmith shop. There are demonstrations of Pioneer crafts in trades during the special event days.

You and your family may experience life on the Iowa frontier through the vintage exhibits, including a Pioneer Village. Be aware, the Kinney Pioneer Museum is only open from May 1st to October 1st.

Clear Lake Battle of Pleasant Hill

If you’re a Civil War history buff, check out where the historic Battle of Pleasant Hill took place.

The story of Clear Lake Soldiers who served during the Civil War is depicted through a unique display at Clear Lake City Park. A granite stone marks the memory of Lieutenant Tom Howard who died in the Pleasant Hill Battle in Louisiana on April 9, 1864 and the G.A.R. Post of Clear Lake who served during the Civil War.

There are several other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

• • Clear Lake in the Civil War – a different marker also named
  • Clear Lake in the Civil War
  • Civil War Memorial
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Clear Lake Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial
  • Buddy Holly • Ritchie Valens • J. P. Richardson
  • Surf Ballroom
  • Three Stars Plaza

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clear Lake.

Clear Lake Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Memorial is at the intersection of Main Avenue and Lake View Drive, on the left when traveling west on Main Avenue in Clear Lake, Iowa, in Cerro Gordo County.

The Clear Lake Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in memory of those who served and gave their lives in the Vietnam Conflict.

Clear Lake Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial

The Clear Lake Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial pays tribute and honor to Medal of Honor recipient, First Lieutenant (Infantry) Henry I. Smith, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 15 March 1865, while serving with Company B, 7th Iowa Infantry, in action at Black River, North Carolina.

First Lieutenant Smith voluntarily and under fire rescued a comrade from death by drowning.

Clear Lake Fire Museum

Iowa’s first, the Clear Lake Fire Museum, was constructed by the local volunteer firefighters. Central to the exhibit is the still operative 192 Ahrens-Fox pumper engine. This Rolls-Royce of fire engines was a major fire fighter for fifty years; being decommissioned in the mid 1970’s.

Other exhibits include a large collection of early fire extinguishers, as well as old firefighting apparatus and equipment.

The Clear Lake Fire Museum is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day each year.

Clear Lake 9/11 Memorial

Just outside the Clear Lake Fire Department, a 9/11 steel memorial invites visitors to stop and remember the terrorist attacks in 2001.

Ten years later in 2011, local firefighters travelled to New York City to escort back a piece of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center.

Clear Lake’s 9/11 Memorial was designed to be a reminder and celebration of brotherhood of our Nation and those in fire services as well, tighten the bond of all who were affected by the attacks.

Central Gardens of North Iowa

North Iowa’s Central Gardens, located in Clear Lake, boasts it’s amazing 2.75 acre horticultural green space. Over 15,000 guests from every state and several countries make these gardens a fun and relaxing destination every year.

The goal of Central Gardens in Clear Lake is to engage a diverse audience with a variety of events that unite to learn and enjoy the beauty of the gardens. They proudly host over 50 events, offered almost exclusively at no cost to participants.

Central Gardens is open from May to October dawn to dusk. So, make you bring your camera!

Do you love botanic gardens? Check out our 15 Best Botanical Gardens in the United States

Bicycle Trail Riding at Clear Lake

Clear Lake is a bicycling town! You can bring your own bicycle or rent a beach cruiser to ride the 14 miles around the lake. Or, if you’re really adventurous, you can explore country landscape or travel of the two bicycle trails in the area. 

Sister’s Prairie Trail:
The trail leads from Ventura Heights access to an access off 235th St., just west of Cardinal Avenue on the north side of the road. This scenic paved trail traverses just over a mile through a private prairie-wetland complex representative of Iowa’s beautiful prairie pothole region.

Trolley Trail:
A 7.5-mile bike trail between Clear Lake and Mason City on County Road B-35. The trail extends into Mason City, where the trail it’s clearly marked.

Lady of the Lake

Lady of the Lake, North Iowa’s premier cruise ship welcomes you aboard! So, sit back and enjoy a 90 minute public cruise around the natural, spring-fed Clear Lake. The Captain gives a historical narration about the boat, beautiful Clear Lake and sites you can see around the lake.

You can also charter the Lady of the Lake, book a group public cruise and throw a party for your travel companions.

But, one of their best highlights is their 4th of July Fireworks Cruise and make memories that will last a lifetime. Check Lady of the Lake’s cruise schedule for dates and times.

Camping at Clear Lake

There’s no better place to camp than where the sun sets beyond the horizon lighting up the sky with beautiful hues. Lightening bugs sparkle in the evening as the campfires are lit.

If you’re bringing your RV or camper to be serviced at the Newmar and Winnebago Service Center in Forest City, you’ll definitely want to extend your time in the area before or after your service appointment.

So pack your RV or tent and camping gear because Clear Lake is definitely a for even a staycation. These four awesome campgrounds that are calling your name!

• • • Oakwood RV Park
    • Hidden Lakes Campground
    • McIntosh Woods State Park
    • Clear Lake State Park