USA Today Names This Midwest Lazy River Top 3

USA Today Names This Midwest Lazy River Top 3

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I judge water parks by one thing, the quality of their lazy river. Whether it's indoor or outdoor, the length and theming can make or break the experience.

It turns out the Midwest is home to one of the top three lazy rivers in the United States, according to USA Today. It’s located in a state not exactly known for theme parks or entertainment, but this lazy river looks like a tropical escape.

READ MORE: Minnesota Escape Room Ranks #1 by Newsweek

A Midwest Lazy River Worth the Road Trip

In Waterloo, Iowa, you'll find the state's largest water park: Lost Island. Since opening in 2001, it has steadily expanded into a 40-acre attraction featuring 14 major water slides, a wave pool, several kid play areas, and now, the #3-rated lazy river in the nation.

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Right at the front of the park, the Kailahi River delivers an immersive experience with waterfalls, water features, tropical foliage, and constant island music. It's designed to transport guests to a lush paradise, you may forget you're in Iowa.

Discover Lost Island Waterpark in Iowa

Just under four hours from the Twin Cities, Lost Island is no longer just a water park. In 2022, it added a full-scale theme park with an estimated price tag of $100 million.

Lost Island Theme Park is based around a fictional island called Auk Modu, which is divided into five themed realms: water, fire, earth, air, and a kids’ area. Each realm has its own story and rides, including three roller coasters and an award-winning 4D dark ride called Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol.

So if you're looking for a new family escape, it might be worth a trip to Iowa, for this one-of-kind lazy river.

Tour Minnesota's Fanciest Mini Golf Course - The Centennial Lakes Putting Course

While they won't call it a mini golf course, it kind of is. This 18-hole course boasts all real grass playing surfaces, natural obstacles like sand traps, boulders, and water, just like a real golf course.

The whole course looks and feels like a shrunken golf course, and it plays like one, too! The holes are long! The shortest hole is 57 feet, the longest is 125 feet, and the whole 18-hole course plays 1,662 feet.

This is no ordinary mini golf course!

Take a tour.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper

Minnesota's Best Restaurants You Can Boat Up To

Minnesota, as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, has a lot of great restaurants and bars right on the water. While there are many with beautiful lakeside views, not everyone has the option to boat up to enjoy some time at the establishment.

While this is by no means a complete list of every bar and restaurant you can boat up to in Minnesota, these are the top-rated ones according to online reviews.

NOTE: These are in no particular order.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

Filed Under: water park, iowa, midwest
Categories: Lifestyle, Featured, Attractions