Best Bet: Amana Colonies Winterfest on Saturday, Jan. 27

Coats, boots, gloves and hats - all the rage when Winterfest blows into the Amana Colonies. This seasonal celebration features ways to warm visitors indoors and out, from a morning Freezer 5K run/walk to the evening Snowball dance at the Millstream Brau Haus in Amana. Other events include breakfast at the communal kitchen in Middle Amana ($15, reservations at 319-622-3567), old-fashioned fun like crosscut log sawing, the Great Amana Ham-Put (think shot-put), beard competition and Nagelhauen nail driving contest, as well as a wine and beer walk. Shops will tempt guests with treats, demonstrations, crafts, and restaurants always beckon.

Amana Colonies Winterfest

All day Saturday (1/27), Amana and various other colonies' sites; many free, some with fees; Festivalsinamana.com/winterfest.html