YO UR G UI D E TO VI S I T
STORM LAKE, IOWA
Where endless opportunities & adventures await.
STORM L AKE Io w a Storm Lake is a hub of diversity located right on the shores of a 3,097-acre lake. Here you’ll find beautiful views and a strong sense of community. You’ll enjoy an energetic downtown filled with locally owned retail stores. Mixed with the convenience of several national chains, Storm Lake is the perfect home away from home.
E AT + D R I N K
LOCAL DINING
WHERE TO
LAKESHORE CAFÉ: The perfect place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with home-cooked food.
* BOZWELLZ PUB AND EATERIE: World famous Reuben, steak, seafood, pasta, and homemade desserts, a great variety with unbeatable prices. (0.5 mi. from campus)
CRU5H: On-campus dining that offers a variety of food options from burgers to wings, fresh Mex to milkshakes. (on BVU campus) LA ISLA: Authentic, gourmet seafood offered Nayarit style. (0.6 mi. from campus)
LA JUANITA: A short walk from campus and you’ll find a great place for authentic Mexican food. (0.5 mi. from campus)
(1.4 mi. from campus)
LAKESHORE PHO ASIAN RESTAURANT: Traditional Pho, Chinese, and Thai options. (0.5 mi. from campus) PLAZA MEXICO: Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, your favorite Mexican food for a reasonable price. (1.4 mi. from campus) PUPUSERIA LA ORIGINAL: Home-cooked style Mexican in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. (1.3 mi. from campus) SMOKIN’ HEREFORD BBQ: With smoked meat daily, the best BBQ food awaits; check out the 2017 Iowa’s Best Burger. (0.9 mi. from campus)
* VILLAGER RESTAURANT:
A Family Table Restaurant offering delicious home-style cooking and a welcoming, family atmosphere. (1.3 mi. from campus) YING’S KITCHEN: Authentic Thai cuisine made to order based on your level of spice preference. (0.5 mi. from campus)
COFFEE SHOPS, BAKERIES, A N D S W E E T T R E AT S BETTER DAY CAFÉ: Start your morning right with breakfast, organic coffee, and espresso, or come later for sandwiches and delicious desserts. (0.4 mi. from campus)
* COFFEE TREE: A woman-owned coffee shop with a loungey vibe offering wonderful coffee, homemade food, pastries, vegan, and gluten-free options. (0.6 mi. from campus)
GRAND CENTRAL COFFEE STATION: With two locations in town, a friendly, inviting ambiance greets you as you enjoy your favorite coffee, espresso, breakfast, or lunch. (0.2 and 1.6 mi. from campus) SCOOTER’S COFFEE: The Scooters you know and love has a location in Storm Lake, offering a quick drive-through to keep your day moving. (1 mi. from campus)
STORM LAKE BAKERY: Fresh, homemade baked goods including donuts, cookies, and rolls every morning, featuring signature donut holes. (0.5 mi. from campus) STORM LAKE CANDY CO.: Able to satisfy every sweet tooth with homemade ice cream, chocolates, fudge, and so much more bringing nostalgia as you enter Candy-land. (0.5 mi. from campus)
THE SPOT: Create your own or pick a signature flavor and watch your ice cream turn into rolled art. (1.5 mi. from campus)
FA S T F O O D * ARBY’S
JIMMY JOHNS
PIZZA RANCH
(1.5 mi. from campus)
(0.8 mi. from campus)
(0.6 mi. from campus)
DAIRY QUEEN
MCDONALD’S
SUBWAY
(1.2 mi. from campus)
(0.9 mi. from campus)
(0.8 mi. from campus)
HARDEE’S
PIZZA HUT
ABELARDOS MEXICAN FRESH
(1.3 mi. from campus)
(0.8 mi. from campus)
(1.2 mi. from campus)
* Alumni-owned business
P L AY
R E C R E A T I O N & E N T E R TA I N M E N T BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY GOLF COURSE AT LAKE CREEK: Open to the public, this challenging 18-hole course was named the Iowa Golf Association’s 2021 course of the year.
WHERE TO
(3.5 mi. from campus)
CENTURY BAR: A short 10-minute drive from campus in Alta, offering bowling and great food. (5.6 mi. from campus)
KING’S POINTE RESORT: Mini-golf or a nine-hole golf course accompanied by lake-side dining options with fire pits and seasonal indoor and outdoor waterparks. (1.6 mi. from campus) LITTLE LAKE DISCOVERY CENTER BOARDWALK: Walk the boardwalk through timber and wetland or take in the endless views from a perch with looking glasses, a magical place during sunsets. (1 mi. from campus)
VISTA 3 THEATRE: A Fridley Theaters affiliate with three theaters offering the latest movies in 2D or 3D, plus unbeatable popcorn. (0.5 mi. from campus)
S T O R M L A K E & PA R K S The shores of Storm Lake are the perfect place for some great outdoor time!
9 PARKS
3
ISLANDS
6
BEACHES
3,097
ACRE NATURAL LAKE FOR RECREATION & STUDY
12
MILES OF TRAILS
M U S E U M S A N D C U LT U R E BUENA VISTA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: An educational place to learn all about Buena Vista County and tour landmarked historical sites. (0.3 mi. from campus)
HARKER HOUSE: A Victorian Era Museum featuring three generations of the Harker family who build this house in 1874. (0.7 mi. from campus) WITTER GALLERY: This local art gallery features some of the best displays by local and regional artists. (0.6 mi. from campus)
F E S T I VA L S CHILLS AND THRILLS: Dress in your Halloween costume and go trick-or-treating through the streets of downtown. FIESTA LATINA: Led by BVU’s student organization RAICES, this celebration features Latino culture with food, children’s activities, live music and dance performances, and crafts. HY-NOON KIWANIS ESCAPE TO THE LAKE KAR SHOW: Every Labor Day weekend 35 classes of antique cars from sports cars to hot rods are put on display. KIDS FEST: In the heat of summer, the City of Storm Lake teams up with King’s Pointe Resort to offer a day full of foam pits, mini train rides, dunk tanks, sno-cones, and so much more. MIRACLE ON LAKE AVENUE: Right before the end of the Fall semester, take in the sights of a lighted Christmas parade, tree lighting ceremony, musical performers, crafts, treats and so much more. OKTOBERFEST: In late October taste the old world with polka music and dancing along with German-style food and beer. SANTA’S CASTLE: A must-see from Thanksgiving to the end of December, located in a classic 1905 Carnegie Library, experience one of the world’s largest collections of priceless antique holiday animation, a massive miniature railroad, and shops full of unusual gifts.
SLAPT ON STAGE: High school-aged thespians from the Storm Lake Area Performers of Tomorrow put on a raucous acting performance in Sunset Park free of charge. STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR: This two-day festival is the granddaddy of Storm Lake celebrations with featured concerts, a massive parade, street performers, a classic car cruise, food vendors, and it all leads to an enormous fireworks display. STORM LAKE FARMERS’ MARKET: From late spring into October, every Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning fresh produce is put on display. STORM LAKE MUNICIPAL BAND: Each Sunday afternoon through June, symphony, big band, march, and modern pop music rings through the Sunset Park Band Shell for free performances. STORM LAKE PROUD MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL: With over 30 different cultures in the Storm Lake Community, this festival is a chance to experience every single one with food, music, and dancing. WOOD, WINE AND BLUES: In late August, just in time for when you arrive on campus, Sunset Park hosts some of the finest chainsaw carving artists where you can watch art emerge, play in a cornhole tournament, or taste test wine and craft beer.
SHOP WHERE TO
GROCERY & MORE ACE HARDWARE
MAY FLOWER ASIAN GROCERY
(1.3 mi. from campus)
(0.4 mi. from campus)
BOMGAARS
STORM LAKE AFRICAN GROCERY
(1.4 mi. from campus)
DOLLAR GENERAL
(0.5 mi. from campus)
(1.4 mi. from campus)
SUDEE ASIAN MARKET
FAREWAY
(0.5 mi. from campus)
(0.8 mi. from campus)
HOPE & UNITY GROCERY
* THE DAILY APPLE (0.4 mi. from campus)
(0.4 mi. from campus)
HY-VEE
VALENTINAS MEAT MARKET
(1 mi. from campus)
(0.5 mi. from campus)
LA PERLA STORE
WALGREENS
(0.4 mi. from campus)
(0.6 mi. from campus)
MARCUS LUMBER
WALMART
(1.6 mi. from campus)
(2.0 mi. from campus)
YAWLAY ASIAN MARKET (0.3 mi. from campus)
A P PA R E L & G I F T S BROWNS SHOES FIT CO. (0.5 mi. from campus)
THE BUCKLE (0.4 mi. from campus)
ELEMENTS (1 mi. from campus)
HIBBETT SPORTS (1.7 mi. from campus)
MAURICES (1.7 mi. from campus)
SUGAR BOWL
(0.5 mi. from campus) ELEMENTS
WISHING WELLS BOUTIQUE (0.4 mi. from campus)
S T AY
SAFE
A S A F E I O WA C I T Y The National Council for Home Safety and Security named Storm Lake the 13th safest city in Iowa on its most recent list, based on safety and crime statistics.
OFF CAMPUS STORM LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT - NON-EMERGENCY (0.9 MI. FROM CAMPUS)
712.732.8010
BUENA VISTA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE - NON-EMERGENCY (1.6 MI. FROM CAMPUS)
712.749.2525
BUENA VISTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER - NON-EMERGENCY (0.7 MI. FROM CAMPUS)
712.732.4030
ON CAMPUS CAMPUS SECURITY (24/7)
712.749.2500
COUNSELING SERVICES
712.749.3650
HEALTH SERVICES
712.749.1238
48 HOURS IN STORM L AKE
D AY 1
Th e se lf- guided t o ur
1.
Start off with a homestyle breakfast at the * VILLAGER. A perfect way to start your day.
2.
After breakfast, it’s time to grab a drink at COFFEE TREE and explore what Storm Lake’s downtown has to offer.
3.
Discover local businesses like the * DAILY APPLE and SUGAR BOWL.
4.
You won’t need to leave the downtown area for lunch. LA JUANITA is a BVU favorite for authentic Mexican.
5.
After lunch, it’s a great time to head to the lake. No matter the weather, there are trails all around STORM LAKE, built for you to explore.
6.
You’ll probably notice the array of chainsaw sculptures downtown and near the lake. These works of art are made by Jeff Klatt, a local chainsaw artist.
7.
Commemorate your trip with a photo at BVU letters by the VICTORY ARCH on campus. It’s just a short walk from the lake!
8.
BVU’s on-campus restaurant CRU5H DINING is what’s for supper.
D AY 2
1.
You can’t say you’ve visited Storm Lake if you don’t stop at the STORM LAKE BAKERY for donuts.
2.
Today’s morning pick-me-up takes you back to campus for COMMON GROUNDS, where you’ll find Starbucks coffee.
3.
Spend the morning hitting the links at BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY GOLF COURSE AT LAKE CREEK, a beautiful 18-hole course.
4.
On your way back toward town, you’ll find Iowa’s Best Burger at SMOKIN’ HEREFORD BBQ.
5.
Continue the day’s adventure at KING’S POINTE with a full indoor and outdoor water park.
6.
See the diversity of Storm Lake food with dinner at LAKESHORE PHO, authentic Thai.
7.
And finally, wind down your stay with a bucket of popcorn and a movie at VISTA 3 THEATRE.
* Alumni-owned business
VISIT
BVU.EDU/STORML AKE Fun places to explore, natural beauty, and a safe community. Storm Lake is all of this and more! Come discover it for yourself!
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