This park has a nice open feel to it. It also has a nice…read morewooden playground structure full of all kinds of fun things for the kids to explore and play on. I would of played on it, but the rules stated...playground is only for kids up to a certain age. They keep this playground neat and clean. Its a tobacco and dog free playground. I'm guessing if your dog smokes, skip this place..

When I'm in Mason City and want to get outside for a bit, my first thought is to go out to Lime…read moreCreek. They've got a nice assortment of trail loops of differing lengths that intersect so you can get whatever distance hike you want, and see the different parts of the land. There is also a nice long trail that runs along the river that has some scenic spots as well. The nature center building isn't super big, but it's nice to take a look at the fossils, taxidermy, and information about the animals. In the winter especially, the trails aren't busy and you can really just walk about and take be at peace in the environment. It would be nice if there was a bit more signage at some of the intersections of the trails, however, as there are some spots where it's not clear where you'll end up.

The visitors center is a great place to learn about the flora and fauna of Iowa. It's filled with…read moreall kinds of unique stuffed animal wildlife. Some taxidermy guy had fun. Kinda creepy, but still interesting. They also have a few aquariums with live fish. Oh..and a live turtle. Very clean and well organized. If you check out the upstairs, there's a lot of hands on exploration things to do with the kids. Remember...don't forget to go to use the restrooms before you go hiking. Yes...there are 11 hiking trails to choose from. Some are short, some are long. I chose the easy hike since it looked like a storm was coming. There are also wheel chair accessible trails. Nice place to check out if you enjoy nature.

Great little park along the river in the heart of mason city. The bike path that runs along here is…read moreperfect for taking a quick stop to let the kids burn off some energy. There is a very nice and large play structure with a number of smaller ancillary structures surrounding. Swings abound and there's enough for kids of multiple ages to keep busy with keeping everyone in the same general area. Well worth checking out in your looking for a place to let the kiddos roam for a bit!

East park has more stuff to do. But West park is a little more secluded, and has a smoking ban in…read moreplace. Not in the best area of Mason City, however.

This Iowa landmark is one of 4 (that I remember) that requires a drive in the country, while…read moreenjoying the vast stretches of rural beauty. The other 3 are the Estherville Meteorite, the highest point in Iowa (Hawkeye Point at 1670 feet), and the Field of Dreams baseball diamond. 75 years after that fateful plane crash, folks are still coming to the informal shrine to "Where the Music Died". They come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They turn into the small parking lot, not knowing for sure why they're doing it. We arrived as innocent as children, longing for the past. People will come, Ray. OK, that's from Field of Dreams, but it fits. After a brisk walk of about 1/2 mile starting from the big glasses, what I found was a stainless steel guitar and a set of three stainless steel records marking the exact spot where the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & JP ''The Big Bopper'' Richardson came to rest following their final concert at the Surf Ballroom in nearby Clear Lake. A second monument was erected on the 50th anniversary of the tragedy honoring their pilot, Roger Peterson. Waylon Jennings was also at the Surf that day, but gave up his seat to Richardson, and took the bus. When Holly learned that Jennings wasn't going to fly, he said in jest, ''Well, I hope your ol' bus freezes up'' and Jennings responded, also in jest, ''Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes''. This would haunt Jennings for the rest of his life. Dad stayed in the car while I completed my lone pilgrimage. The visit was short, the day was cool, and this fan monument was insightful and worth the trip to this lonely stretch where unfortunate history was made. I hope that any person reading this review has a chance to visit here and the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, which is the site of Buddy Holly's last performance.

Took a detour of the road during my travels today and visited the Buddy Holly Crash Site. Popular…read morespot to stop and view the crazy tragedy that occurred on 2/3/59. The trail head to the crash site (which is located in a corn field) is marked by a large pair of Buddy-Holly type glasses. You can park on the side of the road, and then walk through the corn field on a well-travelled path to the crash site, which has some fan-made memorials there. I placed my sunglasses in the middle of the bridge of Buddy Holly's glasses in the photo attached. True artists and RIP to all that past that day. RIP Highly recommend checking out this spot. Pretty cool to see.

Visiting the area for a few weeks and needed a place to run the dogs. I asked some locals and they…read morepointed me here. It's a great space for both large and small dogs. They have separate areas for both. There weren't a lot of dogs usually one other person, but hopefully more people will find.

We stayed at Clear Lake a State Park for 4 days and Three nights in a tent with our two young kids…read more It was the Best Camping experience we've ever had. The camp hosts were amazing and so helpful. The beach was awesome!! The park was clean and the bathrooms and showers were top notch and always spotless. After being at a few other state parks this summer I can honestly say that Clear Lake State Park is one of the best campgrounds in Iowa! We will be back!

It's amazing that even 65 years after one of pop culture's defining tragic moments happened, people…read moreare still coming to visit here. Yes, this is where the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper happened. It is on a farm field, and I am grateful the owners let people walk a-ways to where the memorial is. It is about a half-mile from the parking lot, or where the oversized dark-rimmed glasses are from the road. Try to wear old shoes or boots when the grounds are wet. To get here, just plug it into your GPS. There are no signs that guide you there. Park in the "Day the Music Died" parking lot, and there are johnny toilets available. And please, pick up after yourself.

"I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed…read morebride But something touched me deep inside" Five miles outside of Clear Lake, Iowa up a county road, then a gravel road and then a 1/2 mile hike on a dirt trail through a corn field, lies a marker that marks the spot in 1959 where a small plane crashed. It is a pilgrimage that I have always wanted to do The isolated location and the majestic autumnal cloud formations created a somber and silent Sunday afternoon trek that was heavier than I expected. We streamed Buddy Holly's catalogue in route and American Pie on our exit. An afternoon I'll always remember. "But not a word was spoken The church bells all were broken"

My mother and I loved everything music man in this town. We geo cached around here and had a blast…read more Mason City is a under rated gorgeous town with the history of Music man Musical

Scenic footbridge over Willow Creek named in honor of Meredith Willson. The bridge was originally…read morebuilt so people living in the neighborhoods on the south side of the creek could more easily walk to downtown (the bridge is over a block long and quite high over Willow Creek). The view is scenic with the many trees along the bank of the creek and the water flowing along. I can remember being "impressed" as a child riding across this bridge in a stroller (a cautionary note to parents). The bridge is worth a visit and was named in honor of Meredith Willson, but please note this is not the foot bridge that is an important part of the story in Willson's "Music Man." You will find a small "Till there was you" limestone bridge located in East Park (a few steps north of the site of the original band shell). Also, a little to the west of the band shell, and on the banks of Willow Creek, you will find the foundation of an old wooden footbridge that was once a popular crossing point. Willow Creek makes an attractive turn there with a view of limestone outcroppings. Willson would have been familiar with this location, and it would have been an appropriate location for such a song.

We are from out of town and our dogs needed to burn up some energy. Incredible dog park!read more

Oh yeah. My dog just died and went to heaven. A place to…read moreplay fetch. A place to run. A place to make new friends. Its a pretty awesome park. There's about 3 enclosures. One area is enclosed for little dogs and another enclosed area for big dogs...and last but not least.... there's an enclosed training park for big/med sized dogs. The training park has a bunch of doggy obstacles for your furry friend to train on. If your dog needs a drink, there's also a nice watering station there too.

Small but exceptional!!! The fragrance as you walk on the paved paths as well as smaller gravel…read morewalkways are so soothing. Water features, interactive planting areas, open area with seating ( several sections) and yard games. This is a gem in the middle of Clear Lake!!! I truly enjoyed walking ( even doing several laps) is the well kept, loved gardens

Central Gardens in Clear Lake is a beautiful place to spend a few hours on a summer day. I go…read moreseveral times during the season and each trip is different, new colors and varieties seem to bloom throughout the season. It is a great place to grab a lunch to go from one of the great local restaurants and enjoy nature. Do not forget to bring your camera and take some of the beauty home with you. If your timing is right, you can take in one of dozes of the summer events they have planned. One of my favorites in picnics & Performances on Sunday afternoons. Grab a bottle of wine, your lawn chairs and enjoy great local musicians.