With a Farmer’s Market, Nightly Music, and Fun on the Water, There’s Nothing Like a Summer Weekend in This Iowa Town

When warm weather rolls around, Iowa is comes alive with outdoor entertainment and recreation options of all kinds. Iowa's small towns are at their best this time of year, and none will win you over more than the beautiful lakefront town of Clear Lake. This town of around 7,800 people is a popular vacation destination, thanks to its many water activities, including one of Iowa's most popular boat trips. However, did you know it also has a historic live music venue? What about one of Iowa's best farmers' markets? Those are just some of the surprises that await when you spend a day or more in Clear Lake. There are so many incredible things to do in Clear Lake, Iowa, that you might just want to take a summer weekend trip here and truly immerse yourself in the town's charming culture.

Clear Lake is always an amazing town, full of historic charm, but it feels extra-special during the summer months. How could it not, with this stunning lakefront awaiting all the locals and tourists? The town is constantly making improvements, such as adding an ADA-accessible pier to the waterfront to allow disabled anglers to get in on the fun. For younger guests, there's a town-run splash pad that operates during the summer for safe fun.

The Clear Lake Farmers Market isn't Iowa's biggest, but the farm-fresh goods available are delicious. Every stand has a unique selection of goods available, and it's never the same experience twice. There are also usually food trucks on-site, so you can have lunch when you're done shopping.

One of Iowa's centerpieces is the Surf Ballroom & Museum, a historic live music venue. The venue is best known as the place where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper played their final show on February 3, 1959. The three—along with their pilot—would be killed when their small plane crashed just outside of Clear Lake on that fateful date, which later became known as "The Day the Music Died." A small memorial marks the site of the crash, and it's worth a visit if you have time.

There are concerts most nights during the summer at the Surf Ballroom and other outdoor venues, which makes Clear Lake the perfect place to spend an extended weekend, so you don't have to drive home after a concert. Of course, the most famous way to spend a day in Clear Lake is with a gorgeous cruise aboard the Lady of the Lake, which offers daily 90-minute sightseeing cruises throughout the summer season.

Have you experienced summer in Clear Lake, Iowa? You can check out the Clear Lake Facebook page, where you'll find upcoming event announcements to help plan your summer vacation. The Clear Lake Farmers Market Facebook page also has details on the current vendors. If you're looking for an even quieter summer day trip, consider heading to the off-the-beaten-path town of Creston.