On the eastern side of Iowa lies a fun college town with an artsy vibe. Cultural experiences here include exploring the university's art and natural history museums as well as a charming literary walk. Iowa City has been named a UNESCO City of Literature and many accomplished authors have called the town home, in part due to the outstanding writing program at the university.
Learn about the history of the colonies at Amana Colonies
Amana Colonies is a tourist attraction made up of seven villages located among 26,000 acres. The colonies were founded and built by a group of religious Germans who fled to the area to escape persecution. The colony was nearly self-sufficient and inhabitants engaged in crafting and farming. Today the seven villages are a popular tourist attraction with many craft shops and restaurants.
Address: 622 46th Avenue, Amana, IA 52203, Phone: 319-622-7622
Swim in Coralville Lake
Coralville Lake's primary purpose is to prevent floods and control water flow in the area. However, the lake offers many recreational opportunities as well. The surrounding grounds have 500 campsites spread across three campgrounds. Several of the recreational activities that are available include fishing both from the pier and from boats as well as on the nearby river. Additionally, visitors can take advantage of the lake's hiking and mountain biking trails, swimming in the lake, sand volleyball courts, and picnic areas. The lake is easily accessible from I-80, making the site a convenient place to spend a day or two.
Address: 2850 Prairie Du Chien Road NE, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-338-3543
Visit the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History is a museum located on the campus of the University of Iowa. The museum was established in 1858 and houses an extensive collection of mammals and birds as well as Native American artifacts. Guided tours are available with prior reservation and self-guided tours may be taken during opening hours.
Address: 17 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-335-0480
View the paintings at the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art
The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art houses one of the leading university art collections in the United States. The museum contains around 15,500 objects and pieces of art with many diverse origins.
Visit the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library and burial site of the 31st President of the United States, Herbert Hoover. The surrounding park grounds are home to President Hoover's birthplace cottage, gravesite, and several buildings from the period.
Address: 210 Parkside Drive, West Branch, IA 52358, Phone: 319-643-5301
Have a picnic in Hickory Hill Park
Hickory Hill Park is a large park in northeast Iowa City. The park contains 190 acres of abandoned fields, forests, prairie, wetlands, and more surrounding Ralston Creek and other streams. The park is home to a variety of amenities, including several picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, water fountains, and multi-use trails. The trails in the park are dog-friendly as well.
Address: 800 Conklin Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-356-5000
Walk along the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk
Iowa has been home to many accomplished poets, playwrights, novelists, and journalists. The Iowa Avenue Literary Walk celebrates and explores the lives and works of 49 authors who are related to Iowa in some way. The walk follows a series of bronze panels that feature quotes from literary works as well as the authors' names.
Address: 123 S. Linn Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-356-5245
See an exhibit in the Iowa Old Capitol Building
The Iowa Old Capitol Building is the former site of the main government building for the state of Iowa. It now stands as a landmark and centerpiece of the University of Iowa campus.Reservations are required for free public tours as well as private group tours and special events.
Address: 21 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52242, Phone: 319-335-0548
Stroll through the Iowa City Farmer's Market
The Iowa City Farmer's Market operates during the summer and features two locations in Iowa City several days a week. The market offers a variety of local, seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as home-made baked goods. During the holidays, the farmer's market hosts indoor holiday markets and events.
Address: 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-356-5000
Enjoy the views of Lake Macbride
Lake Macbride State Park is the largest state park in the state of Iowa. The park features 2,180 acres of recreational space, featuring a variety of outdoor activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, camping, and hiking. The park has reservable picnic shelters and a lodge. The lake has a beautiful beach with a designated swimming area and concessions. A 5-mile crushed limestone trail circles the lake following the shoreline. Additional limestone paths and six permanent Volkssport trails provide additional opportunities for recreational activity. The lake has boat ramps as well as boat rentals, providing ample opportunities to experience the park from the water.
Address: 3525 Highway 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, Phone: 319-624-2200
Pick up a snack at NewBo City Market
NewBo City Market is a market in the New Bohemia District of Cedar Rapids. The market features a variety of local and homegrown food as well as art and events.
Address: 1100 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, Phone: 319-200-4050
Visit Plum Grove Historic House for free
Plum Grove Historic House is a historical home and the former residence of the first Governor of Iowa, Robert Lucas. The house was also later the birthplace and childhood home of author Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd.Visitors can take free tours of the home as well as the historical vegetable and flower gardens.
Address: 1030 Carroll Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-337-6846
Go kayaking in Terry Trueblood Recreation Area
The Terry Trueblood Recreation Area is 152-acre park with a variety of recreational activities and amenities. The park features several trail routes that can be used for walking or running. Other activities include fishing, birdwatching, and hiking.
Address: 579 McCollister Blvd, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-356-5100
Have dinner at Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack
Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack strives to adapt classic Kansas City barbecue styles for Iowa diners, offering up delectable sandwiches and full meat places prepared with the restaurant's homemade barbecue sauce recipes.
Address: 1940 Lower Muscatine Rd, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319- 354-7427
See the fossils at Devonian Fossil Gorge
Devonian Fossil Gorge is a unique geological site where visitors can explore a former seafloor from approximately 375 million years ago. A map detailing all of the sites is available online and at the park's entry plaza.
Address: 2850 Prairie Du Chien Road NE, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-338-3543 ext. 6300
Pick your own apples at Wilson's Orchard
Wilson's Orchard is an orchard and nature park located on both sides of the Rapid Creek valley. The orchard features many varieties of apple trees growing nearly every imaginable kind of apple. Several varieties of pumpkins are featured in the fall as well. Guests are welcome to pick their own apples and pumpkins.
Address: 4823 Dingleberry Rd NE, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-354-5651
Watch a movie at FilmScene
FilmScene is a compact movie theater that shows first-run films, classic movies, film series, and workshops. The theater is located on the downtown pedestrian mall and features a cafe and a rooftop patio.
Address: 118 E College Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, Phone: 319-358-2555
