Clear Lake State Park - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Surf Ballroom & Museum is a historic venue located in Clear Lake, Iowa. It is known for its significance in the history of rock and roll and is closely associated with the last performance of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson before their tragic plane crash in 1959.

McIntosh Woods State Park is a popular outdoor recreation area located in northern Iowa, near the town of Ventura. The park, which opened in 1944, is located on the north shore of Clear Lake, the second-largest lake in the state. It is a popular access point to the lake for fishers and boaters on account of its three-lane boat ramp.

The Buddy Holly Crash Site is a historical location near Clear Lake, Iowa, where a tragic plane crash occurred on February 3, 1959. The crash resulted in the deaths of three influential rock and roll musicians: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. The incident is widely known as "The Day the Music Died."

Parker's Woods is a recreational park located in Mason City, Iowa, United States. It was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. At the time of its nomination it contained three resources, which included one contributing building, one contributing site, and one structure. It contains 13 acres of land along Willow Creek. The park features picnic areas, three tennis courts, volleyball court, basketball courts, playgrounds, and fishing in Willow Creek.

Elmwood-St. Joseph Municipal Cemetery, located in Mason City, Iowa, is a historic cemetery that serves as the final resting place for many individuals in the community. The cemetery holds historical significance within the community, with burials dating back to earlier periods. Many of the interred individuals may have played roles in the development and history of Mason City.

The Park Inn Hotel is notable for being one of the last remaining hotels designed by the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is part of a larger architectural complex that includes the City National Bank and the Park Inn Hotel. The hotel was completed in 1910.