*Although portions of our trip were hosted by Audubon County Economic Development & Tourism, Taylor Hill Lodge, The Broadway, Divine Salon, & El Adobe Mexican Restaurant, all thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.
Pack your bags and grab your girlfriends and head to Audubon County, Iowa. We promise you won’t forget it! A small community full of culture, the arts, history, and commerce provides the perfect place for you and your girlfriends to unwind and recharge. My mom and I recently took off on a roadtrip with Audubon County as our destination. We love exploring small communities and we’re excited to check this one out. But, what we found far exceeded our expectations and left us wanting to stay longer and plan future trips!
1. Stay at the Taylor Hill Lodge
Taylor Hill Lodge is located outside of Audubon and located in a Century Farm Barn. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what we found blew my mind. Taylor Hill Lodge is set up perfectly for your girlfriends getaway with 6 bedrooms and the ability to sleep 13 people! There is also a magnificent great room made cozy with big leather couches and a fireplace. A beautiful view from the outdoor fire pit is the perfect place to gather with a glass or two of wine! This full-service bed and breakfast is the perfect place to stay and escape from the world with your girlfriends.
2. Visit the Various Art Features
The Audubon County area and surrounding communities are very strong in the arts. When you’re ready for some culture in your getaway, head to the The Little Mermaid & Sculpture Park. Here you’ll find a replica of the Little Mermaid Sculpture from Copenhagen, Denmark along with 8 different bronze sculptures that feature the tales of Hans Christian Andersen. Each one is full of detail and simply amazing.
Very near the sculptures, you’ll also find the Audubon County Freedom Rock painted by Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II.
In the center of Audubon, you’ll find the John James Audubon Plaza featuring a life-sized bronze statue of him and his dog, a tribute to veterans, and several of the ceramic tile mosaics. These mosaics are created by a native to the area, Clint Hansen, and not only line he plaza, but also throughout the entire downtown area. The park is a great place to walk and enjoy nature.
3. Get Manicures at Divine Salon
What’s a girlfriends getaway without a little pampering?! When you’re ready, head to Divine Salon and get a manicure from Shelby. Not only does she give an impeccable manicure, her salon will transport you to the big city from Audubon County. This bright and amazingly decorated shop will not only give you the feel that you’re in a high-end salon, but make you feel like a million bucks! It’s definitely worth the time!
4. Enjoy Good Eats
If you and your girlfriends are like me, you need good food! Thank goodness Audubon County is brimming with places for good eats and drinks! Grab all the girls and head to The Broadway for coffee and breakfast. Not only are their coffee drinks on point, they have a great selection of options for breakfast from muffins to quiche to the most amazing donuts! Seriously, eat the donut! They also offer lunch specials.
Of course, for me, a good margarita is a great way to win me over and that is definitely what the margaritas at Adobe Mexican Restaurant did for me. From the very best margaritas to excellent chips & salsa to fantastic staff, and a large menu, you won’t be disappointed! Whether you stop for lunch or dinner, I promise you’ll be happy.
5. Browse the Shops
Of course, no girlfriends getaway is complete without shopping and the options in Audubon County are abundant. Shops line the downtown area of Audubon as well as out in the countryside. Shops like Present Company and Local Flair offer a variety of home decor, kitchen items, and women’s clothing selections!
You’ll find something for everyone at one of these stops! Pick up a candle, a new outfit, coffee, or a gift for someone or yourself.
Also, don’t miss the Vintage Pearl Apparel. You have to visit owner Kelsi’s basement (with an outside entrance), but it’s totally worth it. She is the owner of a new boutique with a great sense of style!
Molly’s is located outside of Audubon in a barn/machine shed and packed full of home decor and a clothing boutique. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll probably find it here in Audubon County.
There’s So Much More To Audubon County
While these five things are the perfect ways to have, there are so many more things you can add to your itinerary. If you’re a history nut, make sure to stop by the Nathaniel Hamlin Park & Museum. Get your body moving on the T-Bone Trail or at the Audubon Recreation Center!
Catch a movie at the newly renovated and re-opened Rose Theatre. Play golf at the Audubon Golf & Country Club. Take time to stop and smell the roses at the Heritage Rose Garden in Gray, IA. And, if you’re looking for a good glass of wine, head to Exira to the Danish Countryside Vines & Wines.
Whatever your idea of a great girlfriends getaway is, I am fully confident that you can have an amazing one in Audubon County, IA! Trust me, you will see! Make your plans now!
(And of course, no trip to Audubon IA isn’t complete without a visit to Albert the Bull.)
A HUGE thank you to the Audubon County Economic Development & Tourism for arranging our trip and hosting us on our girlfriends getaway.
More Weekend Getaways
Looking for more midwest weekend getaways?! I’ve got you covered:
- Mankato, Minnesota – A Weekend in Mankato, MN: 5 Must-Do’s
- New Ulm, Minnesota – The Top 5 Things to Do in New Ulm, MN: A Weekend Getaway
- Sedalia, Missouri – 3 Reasons (and more) to Visit Sedalia, MO
- Charles City, Iowa – Charles City, IA: Restaurants, Shopping, & Culture
Great girls weekend getaway idea! I love how cute the Taylor Hill Lodge looks. T
Its amazing!! I’ll be featuring it more soon and you’ll be stunned!
Looks fun – even for a guy ☺️
Haha! There is definitely things guys would enjoy also!! Especially the Mexican food and lodge!
What a fun trip! Glad you were able to do a little getaway with your Mom.
It was a great trip! We’re ready to go back.
I may plan a trip simply to see the sculpture park and giant cow! Those are definitely my kind of attractions. What a fun girlfriend getaway!
It was a great getaway and an awesome community! They are so warm and welcoming!
This looks like my kind of town! I wish I lived in the U.S. or a little closer so that I could visit. The Inn and the shops especially look amazing!
It’s such a sweet community. It is definitely something that the US (and especially the Midwest) has a strength, quaint little towns.
What a cute getaway idea, and I’d love to stay at that lodge. Looks like you guys had a great time. I feel like I might need to add in a few more margarita stops though, just for good measure.
Oh yes! the more margaritas, the better! 😉 I’m ready to head back to the lodge too!!!
Sounds like a quaint little place to have fun with your closed ones. Curious to know if you would recommend this only to people residing in the US or to international visitors as well. We do not live in the US, hence the question. 🙂
I’d say if you were visiting the US and the Midwest, it’s definitely some place to make a stop!
Ok Katy, noted. Thank you. 🙂
I’ve never been to Iowa. I’ll have to stop here when I take my All-American road trip!
Iowa has so many fantastic stops!
I never think of getting away to Iowa, but looks like some great things to do there!
There’s amazing things to do in Iowa, but we are often referred to as a Flyover State.
This seems like an amazing getaway! I would definitely be planning a trip there.
It’s a great getaway! And because it’s a small community, it’s easy to unwind!
Looks like a great place to spend the weekend. I love Molly’s already and sign me up for that dinner! Yum!
It’s such a fantastic community! Mom and I are hoping to get back there again soon!!!