Clear Lake

Stephanie
Clear Lake

Food scene

This is a local and visitor favorite! Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a casual, relaxing atmosphere. Whether you choose to dine outside at the brightly colored picnic tables or in the historic interior, you are in for great food and a great time. Outside boasts the Tiki Bar, a small wading beach for kids, yard games, and even a pirate ship stage that kids love to play on. There are numerous concerts and events during the summer. Come visit us between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and you can visit PM Park without even having to drive anywhere. We are located right across the street!
16 locals recommend
PM Park
15297 Raney Dr
16 locals recommend
This is a local and visitor favorite! Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a casual, relaxing atmosphere. Whether you choose to dine outside at the brightly colored picnic tables or in the historic interior, you are in for great food and a great time. Outside boasts the Tiki Bar, a small wading beach for kids, yard games, and even a pirate ship stage that kids love to play on. There are numerous concerts and events during the summer. Come visit us between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and you can visit PM Park without even having to drive anywhere. We are located right across the street!
You can’t miss the place lovingly referred to as “the cone” by locals. Bonus: it’s close enough to drive or have a short drive.
8 locals recommend
South Shore Sweet Spot
5269 S Shore Dr
8 locals recommend
You can’t miss the place lovingly referred to as “the cone” by locals. Bonus: it’s close enough to drive or have a short drive.
If you’re looking for the gem that all of the locals go to, you’ve found it! A must try for seafood, steak, and chicken dishes.
8 locals recommend
Half Moon Inn
701 Buddy Holly Pl
8 locals recommend
If you’re looking for the gem that all of the locals go to, you’ve found it! A must try for seafood, steak, and chicken dishes.
12 locals recommend
Lake Time Brewery
801 Main Ave
12 locals recommend
Part new age/holistic health shop, part tea shop, this a must stop for those looking to add a little bit of relaxation to their lives. We have recommended and gifted their tea to many. There is no going back! A favorite in our house is the apple cobbler tea and strawberry lemonade.
Holistic Harmony
313 North 8th Street
Part new age/holistic health shop, part tea shop, this a must stop for those looking to add a little bit of relaxation to their lives. We have recommended and gifted their tea to many. There is no going back! A favorite in our house is the apple cobbler tea and strawberry lemonade.
A favorite among our guests, you must try their delicious cookies and popcorn!
9 locals recommend
Cookies, etc.
217 Main Ave
9 locals recommend
A favorite among our guests, you must try their delicious cookies and popcorn!
AMAZING Italian by the lake.
17 locals recommend
GeJo's by the Lake - Italian Restaurant and Lounge
12 N 3rd St
17 locals recommend
AMAZING Italian by the lake.
If you’re looking for the best affordable local place to get meat, sides, or something to grill, Louie’s is hands down the best. They also make delicious and fresh donuts on the weekends! Our family always looks forward to visiting and trying out new selections from Louie’s.
7 locals recommend
Louie's Custom Meats and More
810 US-18
7 locals recommend
If you’re looking for the best affordable local place to get meat, sides, or something to grill, Louie’s is hands down the best. They also make delicious and fresh donuts on the weekends! Our family always looks forward to visiting and trying out new selections from Louie’s.
Local grocery store in downtown Clear Lake.
Randy's Neighborhood Market
20 S 4th St
Local grocery store in downtown Clear Lake.
9 locals recommend
Fareway Grocery
910 US-18
9 locals recommend
Papa Everett's Pizza
910 U.S. 18
Any local will tell you, you have to try ice cream or even dinner at the Viking! They take cash only and typically have long lines, so be prepared. Once you see how huge and delicious treats like the chocolate chip cookie sundae are, you’ll forget all about the wait. Early afternoon tends to be a better time to visit to avoid crowds.
11 locals recommend
The Viking
3 S Main St
11 locals recommend
Any local will tell you, you have to try ice cream or even dinner at the Viking! They take cash only and typically have long lines, so be prepared. Once you see how huge and delicious treats like the chocolate chip cookie sundae are, you’ll forget all about the wait. Early afternoon tends to be a better time to visit to avoid crowds.
If you’re looking for a fantastic deli like you’d find in the city, hidden in the area, I highly suggest you try out State Street deli! High quality sandwiches made with fresh ingredients.
State Street Deli
107 E State St
If you’re looking for a fantastic deli like you’d find in the city, hidden in the area, I highly suggest you try out State Street deli! High quality sandwiches made with fresh ingredients.
If you’re looking for a convenience store, check out the quick shop! They even have a drive-through so you don’t have to get out of your car.
Quick Shop
904 North 8th Street
If you’re looking for a convenience store, check out the quick shop! They even have a drive-through so you don’t have to get out of your car.
18 locals recommend
The Other Place
200 US-18
18 locals recommend
Great breakfast stop!
7 Stars Family Restaurant
2309 3rd Ave S
Great breakfast stop!
20 locals recommend
Cabin Coffee Co
303 Main Ave
20 locals recommend
7 locals recommend
Gyro Place
300 Main Avenue
7 locals recommend
9 locals recommend
Cookies, etc.
217 Main Ave
9 locals recommend
9 locals recommend
Muskie Lounge
702 E Lake St
9 locals recommend
If you are on the Ventura side of the lake, and you need a quick snack or something to eat, stop in to the Ventura Mart. This is also the closest gas station to McIntosh. Many people visiting worry about running out of gas, having access to a bathroom, or needing a quick snack and Internet search results often overlook this little local gem. If you stop by during breakfast, I recommend the Nordic breakfast sandwich.
Ventura Mart
If you are on the Ventura side of the lake, and you need a quick snack or something to eat, stop in to the Ventura Mart. This is also the closest gas station to McIntosh. Many people visiting worry about running out of gas, having access to a bathroom, or needing a quick snack and Internet search results often overlook this little local gem. If you stop by during breakfast, I recommend the Nordic breakfast sandwich.
This is a great and affordable option for those looking for a diner like atmosphere.
7 Stars Family Restaurant
2309 3rd Ave S
This is a great and affordable option for those looking for a diner like atmosphere.
This award winning lunch spot is One of the top things on the list of many returning visitors. It’s a great place to eat while shopping downtown as well. Make sure to check their hours of operation which tend to be scarce.
18 locals recommend
Starboard Market
310 Main Ave
18 locals recommend
This award winning lunch spot is One of the top things on the list of many returning visitors. It’s a great place to eat while shopping downtown as well. Make sure to check their hours of operation which tend to be scarce.
Pasta Bella Mason City
416 Indianhead Dr

Sightseeing

A Clear Lake staple! Nothing is better than an afternoon on the lake on this classic icon of Clear Lake.
15 locals recommend
Lady of the Lake Dock
North Lake View Drive
15 locals recommend
A Clear Lake staple! Nothing is better than an afternoon on the lake on this classic icon of Clear Lake.
Feel like a day trip in the greater area? You can’t miss the grotto!
8 locals recommend
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption
208 1st Ave NW
8 locals recommend
Feel like a day trip in the greater area? You can’t miss the grotto!
They offer fantastic boat rentals, including pontoons with slides! The best part is, you don’t even have to get in the car. It is located directly across the street from the Stone House!
6 locals recommend
Clear Lake Boats - Marina: Barge/Rentals/Gas
4749D S Shore Dr
6 locals recommend
They offer fantastic boat rentals, including pontoons with slides! The best part is, you don’t even have to get in the car. It is located directly across the street from the Stone House!
8 locals recommend
Buddy Holly Crash Site
8 locals recommend
6 locals recommend
The Music Man Square
308 S Pennsylvania Ave
6 locals recommend
East Park
802 3rd St NE
There are literally fossils everywhere to explore along with a great nature center! Make sure to take a bucket or something to put your keepsake fossils in.
Fossil & Prairie Center
There are literally fossils everywhere to explore along with a great nature center! Make sure to take a bucket or something to put your keepsake fossils in.
Three Stars Plaza
Rent a golf cart, kayak, party pontoon, or boat during your visit! Make sure to book ahead!
8 locals recommend
Movement Solutions
712 US-18
8 locals recommend
Rent a golf cart, kayak, party pontoon, or boat during your visit! Make sure to book ahead!

Outdoors

McIntosh Woods State Park
1200 E Lake St
14 locals recommend
Clear Lake State Park
6490 S Shore Ct
14 locals recommend
Make sure to check out the view from the tower! You could spend hours hiking or picnicking here.
Pilot Knob State Park
2148 340th St
Make sure to check out the view from the tower! You could spend hours hiking or picnicking here.
Fantastic hiking trails, natural play space, and nature center.
Lime Creek Nature Center Trail
Lime Creek Nature Center Trail
Fantastic hiking trails, natural play space, and nature center.
Well-maintained public bathrooms, a newer splash pad for kids, and a sandy beach to splash and swim at.
13 locals recommend
City Beach Park
South Lakeview Drive
13 locals recommend
Well-maintained public bathrooms, a newer splash pad for kids, and a sandy beach to splash and swim at.
A beautiful area to visit, as well as a hike along the spillway.
Beeds Lake State Park
1422 165th Street
A beautiful area to visit, as well as a hike along the spillway.
Apples on the Avenue
3035 Addison Boulevard
Georgia Hanford Park and Arthur J Gerk Arboretum

Entertainment

Bowling, arcade games, and delicious bar food selections.
Super Bowl, Inc.
19050 Iowa 9
A nostalgic, affordable theater for the whole family!
Lake Theatre
4 N 4th St
A nostalgic, affordable theater for the whole family!
Pottery on the Plaza
14 South Federal Avenue

Shopping

Lake Lifestyle
311 Main Ave
The Basic Birder

City advice

Don't miss

Food delivery

DoorDash does service the Stone House! After a busy day on the lake, order from the door Dash app to have delicious food from clear Lake and Mason city delivered to your doorstep.
Don't miss

Geocaching

For guests into geocaching, make sure to check out the music man map!