It’s only natural that a town the size of Orange City is limited in social activities. To help themselves not succumb to boredom, students might consider looking down the road for inexpensive entertainment. Within a 30-mile radius of Orange City are a variety of places perfect for a night with friends.
With fall approaching, Pumpkinland, located on the outskirts of Orange City, offers an array of activities. One highlight is the corn maze, which costs $6 per person. Pumpkinland also has a free petting zoo, a fire pit and a retail store with many homemade goods. There is an excessive amount of pumpkins for sale, too. Pumpkinland is open from 10 a.m. until as late as midnight Monday through Saturday.
Sandy Hollow in Sioux Center is another prime spot to check out. Sandy Hollow is a campsite with 37 camping spots ranging from $12 to $19 a night. Sandy Hollow includes a sand volleyball court, baseball fields and a bike trail. The campsite also has three ponds for fishing and swimming.
If swimming in murky pond water is unappealing, Sioux Center’s aquatic center would be a better alternative. The aquatic center is in Sioux Center’s Four Seasons Center, which is across from Dordt’s Campus. The name Four Seasons is fitting; the center has an indoor pool with two water slides, diving boards, a basketball hoop and a hot tub accessible year-round.
In the same building as the pool is an ice skating rink. The rink is open for free skating almost daily. There is also a moonlight schedule for evening skating. Ice skating costs $4, and skate rentals are an additional $3.
For all of the ice cream lovers out there, Le Mars, which has the title “Ice Cream Capital of the World,” might be an appealing destination. In Le Mars, students can find the famous Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor located downtown and treat themselves to a homemade waffle cone. Not only is the ice cream delicious but the low prices make Blue Bunny even more enticing.
After getting hyped up on sugar, students can take their energy to the bowling alley at Sweet 16 Lanes, also in Le Mars. Sweet 16 Lanes has a laid-back atmosphere with great food. With an $8 cover charge on Tuesdays, students can partake in QuarterMania. From 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 p.m., shoes are free, bowling is a quarter a game, and soda and fries are a quarter, as well.
A short three miles from Orange City is the Roadside Disc Golf course, located by the pond in Alton. Disc golf is a game that can be played both for fun and competitively. The course in Alton is relatively short and flat, although potentially challenging because of the multiple obstructions throughout the course. Although there is no admission fee, players must bring their own discs.
There are many opportunities to have an enjoyable time in Northwest Iowa, so think twice before staying on campus for the night.
