Iowa Craft Beverages

wineries and distilleries that are known for being family-friendly and would make fun stops along the way of your next Iowa vacation.

• Big Grove Brewery, Iowa City: Large open space for families, dogs allowed on the patio, street-food style menu.

• HFiretrucker BreweryH, Ankeny: Kids are welcome, the staff is friendly, great patio, family-friendly games on the event calendar. (Featured Advertiser - page 20)

• Kinship Brewing, Waukee: Welcomes kids and dogs, off-leash dog park onsite, space for stroller parking, perfect for an afternoon out .

• Gezellig Brewing, Newton: Cozy environment, pet-friendly patio, coloring books and games provided to entertain kids.

• Crawford Brew Works, Quad Cities:

Iowa Craft Beverages

Kid-friendly until 10 pm, dog-friendly patio with a fire pit, seating available for larger groups, rotating food trucks.

• HThe HallH, West Des Moines: Family-friendly Monday night bingo, multiple food options to choose from, many games available, indoor and outdoor spaces. (Featured Advertiser - page 23)

• HIowa Grape Vines WineryH, Maquoketa: Welcomes kids, offers root beer and ice cream for kids, onsite vineyard tours available. (Featured Advertiser - page 15)

• Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, Swisher: Kids are welcome, delicious pizza on the menu, patio and lawn spaces, live music onsite.

Tips for Visiting Craft Beverage Businesses with Kids

Even in family-friendly craft beverage establishments, there are still rules to adhere to and etiquette to follow. Remember these tips during your travels to have the best vacation experience and support local businesses respectfully and responsibly.

• Choose conveniently located beverage stops in areas with family-friendly attractions.

• Call ahead to confirm that kids and dogs are allowed.

• Choose outdoor seating areas with games to play and space to move around.

• Pick places that serve food or have food trucks.

• Don’t treat the business like a playground and only stay for a limited time.

• Clean up toys and games before you leave.

More Iowa Summer Ideas and Inspiration

If you love trying local drinks but want to plan a well-rounded trip that the whole family will enjoy, consider basing your travel route around a craft beverage trail in a particular region of Iowa. The I-80 Wine Trail, Scenic River Wine Trail, Central Iowa Beer Trail and Western Iowa Beer Trail are just a few examples of trails that allow you to visit multiple businesses and find plenty of fun, non-beverage-related stops along the way. There are some excellent kid-friendly resorts in Iowa that are perfect for summer vacations and will provide you with all the comforts of home, plus amenities like outdoor pools, free breakfasts and games.

If you plan to stop at breweries, wineries and distilleries during your family vacation, it is paramount to sip samples in moderation or take turns sampling and driving for everyone’s safety. But the big takeaway is that it is definitely possible (and a lot of fun!) to have the best of both worlds with a summer vacation in Iowa and find local things to do that everyone can appreciate together.

For more travel tips and inspiration about all things Iowa, visit our website at www.trails-tales.net