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Whether you want to explore a nature reserve or visit a nearby city and check out some museums, historical monuments, and cultural centers, going on a day trip is a great way to spend some quality time with your family. If you are searching for the best destinations to discover near Newton, IA, here are three fantastic day trips you can go on in the family SUV. 1. Des Moines Located about 35 miles west of downtown Newton, the capital and most populous city in the state of Iowa is a wonderful day trip destination that can be reached in a little over half an hour via route I-80. Sitting on the banks of the Des Moines River, this city is an important cultural center in the region and offers plenty of local landmarks that attract visitors from all over the country. A growing financial and industrial hub, Des Moines has experienced a population boom since the 1980s, when the first skyscrapers started being built in the city. Nowadays, some of its most famous tourist attractions include the Iowa State Capitol, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the Des Moines' Downtown Farmers' Market, and the St. Ambrose Cathedral. more 2. Cedar Rapids Home to almost 300,000 inhabitants in its metropolitan area, Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in the state of Iowa and an increasingly important hub for culture and arts in the region. Located a little under 100 miles east of downtown Newton, Cedar Rapids can be reached in about one hour and a half via route I-80, making it a fantastic day trip destination. Although smaller than Des Moines, Cedar Rapids is not in short supply of things to do and places to visit. Some of the local attractions you should explore while in town include May's Island, the Czech Village and New Bohemia district, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, and the Cedar River Trail. 3. Elk Rock State Park If you are looking for a quaint nature reserve to enjoy a day away from the city and explore the natural wonders of Iowa, Elk Rock State Park is the place to be. Located just 25 miles south of Newton, this sprawling nature reserve can be reached in about half an hour via route IA-14. Some of the facilities you can find here include public boat ramps, picnic tables, fishing spots, and an equestrian camping area. If you are looking for a sedan, an SUV, or a crossover to go on memorable adventures and discover the wonders of Iowa, visit us today at Lauterbach Buick GMC! Our family-owned and operated dealership offers a great selection of new Buick and GMC models for sale, as well as the best customer service in the region. Photo by Brett Sayles: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-men-sitting-on-picnic-bench-1141434/

A Buick Encore and a GMC Terrain are both excellent SUVs to drive to destinations offering fun outdoor activities in and around Newton, IA. There's plenty of legroom for family and friends and all the gear needed to spend the day swimming, fishing, boating, and playing a round of golf on the most scenic course in the area. 1. Swim, Boat, and Fish in Rock Creek Lake The 602-acre Rock Creek Lake in Rock Creek State Park is the most popular spot for water activities in the area. The beach is a great place to sunbathe and swim, and there are plenty of fishing spots along the 15-mile shoreline to hook bass, bluegill, saugeye, crappie, and catfish. You can operate a boat of any size, and the concession offers fishing boat, pontoon, canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals. more Dock spaces are for rent around the lake, and there are also public docks at the campground. Rock Creek State Park is at 5627 Rock Creek East in Kellogg, about nine miles from Newton. The concession stand is open daily from mid-April to mid-October, from Monday to Thursday between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 2. Take a Dip in the Maytag Pool For nearly a century, the people of Newton and the surrounding areas have flocked to Maytag Park at 301 South 11th Ave W in Newton to escape the summer heat in the Maytag Pool. Since the pool opened in 1935, it's been a tradition for families and friends to get together to splash in the pool and enjoy all the other great activities the park offers. The pool has been modernized with zero-depth entry, a diving well, two slides, and water fountains and offers swimming lessons throughout the summer season. The park has tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, and a disc golf course, and in the summer, the Maytag Bowl hosts all sorts of fun events. 3. Stroll Through Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens The Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at 3000 N 4th Ave E in Newton cover over six acres of beautifully cultivated gardens, including glorious shade gardens, a butterfly garden, and a rose garden. Stroll down the winding trails past colorful azaleas, wildflowers, and peonies and appreciate the nine sculptures by Iowa artists on display along the paths. 4. Play a Round of Golf on the Westwood Golf Course The scenic 18-hole Westwood Golf Course on ​3387 Highway F48 W in Newton is renowned for it's high-level of maintenance, spectacular views, and friendly staff, but mainly for the challenge, even to the most skilled golfers. There is also a driving range, two practice greens, and a well-stocked pro golf shop. After a round of golf, enjoy delicious treats at the snack bar. There are fabulous activities outdoors around town. If you want to own a vehicle ideal for outdoor fun, swing by Lauterbach Buick GMC today and test drive one of the powerful and spacious Buick and GMC SUVs.

We love our connection to nature and outdoor life in Newton, IA. When we want to escape the confines of city life, we reach for the picnic basket and the car keys. There are many great state parks within easy reach of our city, and we want to share some of their highlights with you. Rock Creek State Park Rock Creek is one of central Iowa's major parks and was dedicated in 1952. It covers more than 600 acres and includes the beautiful Rock Creek Lake. Entertainment opportunities abound in this park. If you enjoy a leisurely day fishing, bass, catfish, bullhead, and bluegill and someone of the varied species you'll find in the lake's water. more Boating is another relaxing way to spend the day, and the only limitation is you can't travel at more than 5mph. There are picnic spots around the lake, and you can reserve an open-air site if you're bringing a larger group with you. Hikers and walkers can both enjoy the varied terrain and eye-catching views while you traverse the 15 miles of lakeshore. Camping is also available at designated sites in the park. Elk Rock State Park This park was completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1969 when Lake Red Rock was created. This is a very popular venue for birdwatchers, as more than 200 species of waterfowl and migratory birds live or visit here. You can also see white pelicans and bald eagles regularly visiting the area. Over forty species of fish live in the lake, which provides some of the best fishing in the area. Camping is available, and they also have an RV park. The campsites include fire rings, picnic tables, showers, and restrooms. It's advisable to book a site in advance, as they fill up very quickly in spring and summer. Bicycle trails criss-cross the park, and horse riding and hiking are also popular leisure pursuits. Lake Keomah State Park An 83-acre man-made lake forms the centerpiece of this 366-acre park. The lush green wooded areas, vibrant marshlands, and wide-open grasslands throughout the area provide a host of different ways to enjoy your time here. Camping is very popular, and the park's campsite has full-service electricity, water, and sewerage. Fishing opportunities abound as largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish all thrive in the peaceful waters of the lake. Swimming is a wonderful option to cool off, although it is unsupervised. You can also bring your boat or kayak and enjoy a day out on the water. For the more adventurous, hiking trails can take you up close to see the varied wildlife and birdlife. Enjoy Your Outdoor Adventures! Load up your 2022 GMC Acadia AT4 and take a drive through nature. Its powerful 3.6L V6 engine will make short work of the distance. With a towing capacity of 4,000 lbs, you can take your boat and all your gear with you. For all your GMC and Buick needs, visit us at Lauterbach Buick-GMC.