With some terrific day trip options in the surrounding area, having your own car makes sense. Without one, it wouldn’t be half as easy to enjoy all that Clear Lake, 25 miles away, has to offer. Surf Ballroom and Museum ought to be high up on your list here. Clear Lake State Park and Buddy Holly Crash Site are interesting attractions too. Don’t skip Mason City either! Just 30 miles away, The Historic Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank, Music Man Square and Meredith Willson Boyhood Home are non-negotiable stops here.