The Danish Windmill is encouraging families to use a week-long moratorium on high school sports and activities from July 25-August 1 to plan an end-of-summer family vacation to Iowa’s Danish Villages.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, the Iowa High School Music Association and the Iowa High School Speech Association announced the pause earlier this year and dubbed it Family Week.

Lisa Steen Riggs, manager of the Danish Windmill said, “Traveling together as a family is a great way to create memories through shared experiences—like climbing up to the top of a historic 60’ windmill built in Denmark in 1848 or trying to spell your name in runes inside of a replica 900 AD Viking smithy’s home and workshop. During Family Week, we are offering 2 for the price of 1 on admission.”

“On behalf of the tourism industry, we are thrilled for families to have this designated week to prioritize quality time together and hopefully choose to explore what Iowa has to offer,” said Amy Zeigler, state tourism manager for the Iowa Tourism Office. “Whether your family is adventure seekers, foodies or artsy, Iowa has unlimited offerings close to home and ready to be discovered.”

This initiative follows the launch of Travel Iowa’s Fuel Your Road Trip on July 1, which offers anyone who plans their road trip using the Build a Trip tool available at traveliowa.com a chance to win a $200 gift card each week through August 31.

As an additional incentive, participants will receive a confirmation email including hashtags for use along their road trip. Those who engage via social media during their visit will have the chance to win additional gift cards. 

Tourism in Iowa generates nearly $9 billion in expenditures and $517.5 million in state taxes while employing 70,200 people statewide. In Shelby County, tourism generates over $16.2 million in expenditures and $1.09 million in state tax receipts.