Clear Lake Travel Guide

 atufft Says:  There is a sizeable park right off Main Street on the lake front, the Clear Lake City Park. An outdoor auditorium and children's play equipment are among the main features of this park. 

 atufft Says:  On the lake front are some really large summer homes, while in a block or so, particularly just south of North Shore Drive, there are some very nice Victorian era homes. I noticed for sale signs on some of these gems. Most of this architecture is very well maintained by... 

 atufft Says:  At the beach are cottages available for the summer. I found these very quaint structures built of wood or stone interesting. Although, I can't last anywhere for more than a few hours, let alone all summer, I can see how families might like to spend summers relaxing here. 

 atufft Says:  Main Street Clear Lake is well kept and has numerous gift shops, antique stores, restaurants, and ice cream parlors. Since the town dates back to 1851, the commercial architecture is mostly respectable brick structures from the late 19th and early 20th century. Main Street... 

 atufft Says:  A rather unique part of Clear Lake is the boat canopy business. These canopies stand on the lake bottom near shore, sheltering ski and fishing boats for the summer. During winter, the lake freezes and so the canopies have to be removed for storage elsewhere. A company... 

 atufft Says:  Clear Lake is surprisingly large and is surrounded by homes and cottages on all sides. The lake isn't so clear as it used to be due to agricultural run-off, but new projects to keep storm drains from polluting the lake have been completed in town. The lake is only 18 feet... 

 atufft Says:  For Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens fans, the Surf Ballroom, on the corner of Buddy Holly and North Shore Drive, is a must stop. The auditorium is still in active use for summer events. The airplane crash site memorial is in a field outside of town. I didn't have time for... 

 abbalulu Says:  Definitely go for the Fourth of July! It is great!This town has a carnival that comes to town that sits down by the lake. When you are on the farris wheel, you can look out onto the water.There are fireworks that they shoot off from a boat on the lake, when it doesn't rain... 

 angler1 Says:  lunch's are great and reasonable.homey atmosphere. nice people. burned badly by enron but bouncing back. we like the people and the great food.! tuscan meatloaf sandwich with grilled red pepper mayo. yummy!! 

 atufft Says:  Along 19th street there is a historic single overhead wire DC electric train system that still provides local industry freight transfer service. This system, which dates back to 1897 is not entirely unique in Iowa, but remains the only one still in commercial service. The... 

 DPando Says:  The exit of state route 35 leaded me to the main town...looked so so calm and quiet one hour before sunset, around 6.30 pm, I follow the road straight to the west towards the lake. GPS confirmed that and there it was !! after turning right a parking lot in front of the lake... 

 DPando Says:  So i losed my way or i didnt pay attention several times to the Gps and i followed my intuition or my michelin map for US-Canada-Mexico... before to cross Mississipi river in Dubuque..amazing sights i can assure you... from there route 20 leaded me to Waterloo, odd name for... 

 DPando Says:  I got Clear Lake by fortune.. that day i woke up in Chicago, i knew was my last day in the windy city and i should wake up early to move faster towards west. Relying on my GPS i hoped to drive to the highway 90 but no way it drove me across Iowa where i hadnt any intention... 

 abbalulu Says:   I grew up in Clear Lake until age 13 and have gone back 2-3x a year since. We would sail on the lake or water ski all summer. My gandma's house is now my favorite place to go. She is 93 years old and still lives in the same house and makes the best meals ever. My favorite...