Top Things to Do in Clear Lake and Mason City
Rock and roll history and lake fun anchor Clear Lake; Mason City is great for architecture buffs.
Do
Stockman House and Robert E. McCoy Architectural Interpretive Center
Frank Lloyd Wright's 1908 Stockman House illustrates how Prairie School style suited middle-class homes. The interpretive center next door shows a video on Wright's influence in Mason City. stockmanhouse.org
The Music Man Square
Tour the childhood home of Meredith Willson, who wrote and composed The Music Man, and see a replica of the 1962 movie's streetscape. The Music Man Square on Facebook
The Surf Ballroom and Museum
In Clear Lake, big-name concerts typically pack the venue best known for the gig Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper played before all three died in a 1959 plane crash in northern Iowa. Self-guided tours are also available year-round. surfballroom.com
Eat and Drink
Northwestern Steakhouse
Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth steak in a cozy atmosphere in Mason City. Northwestern Steakhouse on Facebook
PM Park
This Clear Lake spot looks a little plain, but the cheerful cafe's breakfast is good. PM Park on Facebook
Stay
Historic Park Inn
The best stay in town is the world's only surviving Wright-designed hotel. historicparkinn.com
More information: Visit Mason City visitmasoncityiowa.com and Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce clearlakeiowa.com