The Buzz: Altoona’s New Ice Rink is Seriously ‘Wild’
For once, more ice is a good thing. Check out Altoona’s new outdoor ice rink—donated by the Iowa Wild in partnership with Wells Fargo and the City of Altoona.
The Groundhog Grind 5K/10K: Feb 6th at Thomas Mitchell Park
Starting at 10AM on February 6th at Thomas Mitchell Park, The Groundhog Grind takes runners over the river and through the woods, visiting places with names like “Groundhog Gulch” and “Bone-Chiller Prairie.”
Visiting Altoona? Take a breather at Prairie Heritage Park.
Tucked away beside the bustling 8th Street Corridor—a district known for its shopping and dining—Prairie Heritage Park is an oasis of calm and serenity at the center of an otherwise bustling town. Stepping into the park, you feel like you’ve escaped to a whole new world, even though you’re only a block away.
A dog’s day in Altoona
This weekend, a local Shiba Inu took her owners on a spin through Altoona to sniff out the best doggie destinations in town! They explored a dog-friendly hotel, a pooch-approved bakery and a dog park with an obstacle course and a fire hydrant—the perfect place for a pit stop. Grab a leash and explore Altoona today!
Winter cycling? Altoona biker Doug McCloskey shares his top tips.
In a season when most of us are stuck inside, winter cycling is a great way to get out and explore the community. To help you get started, we sat down with Altoona resident Doug McCloskey—a member of the Altoona Road Riders bike club, who has been riding for 25 years—to learn his top tips for winter cycling.
We met a 20-foot Santa at Jolly Holiday Lights.
On a snowy winter evening, the Visit Altoona team hopped in the car, grabbed some peppermint cocoa and drove through the famous Jolly Holiday Lights—open now through January 3rd at Adventureland.
Lights, Santa, Action! Jolly Holiday Lights is back Nov. 27th-Jan. 3rd
For the past 25 years, driving through the stunning light displays of Jolly Holiday Lights has been a tradition for thousands of families. Now, the beloved event is back at Adventureland in Altoona, and it’s bigger and brighter than ever.
Mayor Dean Breaks Down His 3 Favorite Altoona Parks
Altoona, Iowa is known for our quirky charm, delicious dining, cozy fall shopping and high-stakes entertainment. But here’s a not-so-secret secret: Some of the greatest destinations in Altoona cost $0.00 and come with complementary monkey bars and sledding hills.
Altoona Weekend Roundup: Sept. 25-27
From giant pumpkins and toasty deals, to live horseracing and seafood feasts, these are the top things to do this weekend in Altoona, Iowa.
Off the Beaten Path: Meet the Willeys, Altoona’s Local Cycling Celebrities
Leave the car keys at home; cycling is the best way to see Central Iowa! We recently spoke with husband-and-wife cycling duo Vern Willey II and Vickey Willey at the Altoona trailhead of the Vern Willey II trail. The trail, of course, is named in honor of Vern.