Brad's Bungalow is located within the Central Emporium just up the hill from the Arnold's Park…read moreAmusement Complex. This year's Iowa visit turned out to be in late August, which for a summer resort area typically means generous end-of-season sales. This casual sportswear store was no exception, as its "Storewide Clearance" advertised 20%-50% off everything in the store. In other words, we came in even though we weren't really looking for anything in particular. My Son takes a Size 13 shoe of which Brad's had a decent selection. However, the Kid was in a "Don't Tread On Me" mood and he bolted rather than acquiesce to our pleadings to try something on. I then looked around and found a really cool Minnesota Twins hat for 20% Off. The guy running the place was cool throughout.

A friend of my husband's introduced him to Brads, now we have to go every time we're in town. We…read morenever leave empty-handed. Great selection of shoes and clothes. So much fun!!

Soon after our last visit, my Son lost his prize red and black hoodie. He probably left it behind…read moreon a Southwest Flight between Oakland and Portland. That loss stuck with him, as he insisted that we return to Animal House during the Summers of 2011 and 2012 to find a suitable replacement. During the last visit, we finally found a worthy successor, and at 20% Off. I knew we did well because he wouldn't take the damn thing off afterwards and even posted a picture of it on his Facebook page. I'll have to admit that it does go well with the matching Fox white t-shirt that Gayle and I also purchased for him.

Meh. Horrible…read moreshopping experience. Completely ignored by the staff of mostly rude young people. After 15 minutes of waiting for assistance, I gave up and left (and purchased another item elsewhere). Also, wtf is up with them playing ranchero (Mexican) music in the store?? Nobody wants to hear that garbage here in Iowa. I moved away from California to get away from that crap! Will never shop here again. Outrageously expensive merchandise as well.

The best place for shirts! The owner is extremely nice and they have the best prices. We go here…read moreevery trip to Okoboji.

Touche of Okoboji is one of the seasonal shops located within the Queen's Court at Arnold's Park…read more You'll find it at the Iowa Welcome Center side. Considering the short season and Iowa thrift, I continue to be surprised that these stores survive from year to year. Touche offers an eclectic array of gifts and accessories. That includes Lakegirl, handbags, sunglasses, jewelry and more. So while Gayle had her fun here, this +1 first wandered around this compact and stuffed space and then escaped to Books and Things across the way. She thought that this place was a lot of fun, while this male doesn't quite understand.

I enjoy this place. I wish they had a website where I could purchase things in the off-season. For…read moreexample, this year I found tiny little Husker logos to put on your nails (fingers and toes) but they are going to be gone long before the football season is over (unless I reserve them just for important games). I got their last sheet of them so I would like to purchase more!

This is a fabulous place to find unique gifts for kids and adults alike…read more From games to home decorations to cheeky items, they have everything but the kitchen sink and clothing (which is wonderful in a place where OKOBOJI is on nearly every piece of clothing available). I always stock up on Birthday and Christmas gifts here. The owners are wonderful and make you feel at home the moment you walk in the door. They truly know how to run a great business!!

They have some of the best prices of the goodwills ive been to some goodwills sell an item for more…read morethan new at store but this goodwill sells at great price for used items.

I have to be honest, the service out our Goodwill is hit or miss. There have been times I've had…read moreterrible service, and others when they've been extremely helpful. I know one time I was 9 months pregnant and took bags of donated items and the staff expected me to hoist the bags I brought up into the cartons in the back room. Other times, they've gone out of their way to be helpful. I do think we have one of the cleanest goodwills I've been to. There's room to browse and light to see, and things are neat and organized.

I had my bridal appointment 2 weeks ago with Courtney. Courtney was absolutely fantastic. She went…read moreout of her way to order some alternative dresses for me to try on, and this resulted in the dress of my absolute dreams! This is the best experience I have had with a bridal store, and I couldn't have asked for a better consultant! If you stop in this store, ask for Courtney!

Hy-Vee (along with Fairway) are the more notable Iowa grocery store names. Hy-Vee also sells…read moregasoline and runs a separate chain of stand-alone drug stores. This one in Milford offers the pharmacy in back, a kitschy gift selection in front, and various household sundries in between. I wandered in one day to supplement some cabin supplies and hung around a bit longer just to listen to various community gossip being exchanged at check-out.