Iowa City

Iowa City was the first capital of the State of Iowa, established in 1839 by the then-Territory of Iowa, which at the time was rapidly expanding westward from the Mississippi River. Within 20 years the capital was again moved westward, this time to the more centralized location of Des Moines, where it remains. But before the capital left, the University of Iowa was established and thus was the town's future course set.
Today Iowa City is widely recognized as one of the most educated cities in the United States, with day-to-day life revolving around the University of Iowa, which is frequently regarded as one of the best public universities in the nation. The university has a major effect on the culture and economy of Iowa City, with an enrollment of over 30,000 students. Many of the town's jobs are associated with the university and its teaching hospital, with other large employers including educational service companies ACT and Pearson.
Iowa City is also noted for the university's Writer's Workshop, a celebrated creative writing program that has produced many a noted author. The Writer's Workshop established a strong literary community in the area, which is reflected in the town's literary festivals and the famed Prairie Lights bookstore. All of this led to Iowa City being named the third UNESCO City of Literature, so far the only such city in North America.

By car

Iowa City can be reached by I-80 from Chicago to the east and Des Moines to the west. I-380 brings in traffic from Cedar Rapids and Waterloo to the north. Especially in the fall and winter, expect traffic delays from university games as there are very few main roads or entrances/exits to I-80.

By plane

The nearest commercial airport, the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), is in Cedar Rapids, about 20 miles to the north on I-380. A taxi to Iowa City may cost $40; a shuttle $25. Sometimes lower-cost flights are available into Moline (MLI) or Des Moines (DSM).

By bus

• Greyhound and Burlington Trailways offer bus service to a variety of cities, mostly ones along Interstate 80. They operate from the Court Street Transportation Center, located at the northeast corner of East Court Street and South Dubuque Street in Downtown Iowa City.

Walking is the easiest way to get around Downtown Iowa City; the main campus of the university is right in the middle of Downtown and is very integrated with the town. West Campus, on the other side of the river, is more sprawling and hilly and is home to the hospital campus and most of the athletic stadiums and facilities. Bicycling is also a common way of getting around town; the university's biking page has a good list of resources for bicyclers.
For greater distances, there is an extensive bus system called Iowa City Transit; fare is $1. The university's Cambus system covers most campus buildings and is free and open to the public; the most useful routes for visitors are the Red and Blue, which loop between Downtown and West Campus clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively. Coralville Transit handles bus transit between Iowa City and Coralville; fare is $1.

• Old Capitol Museum

  phone: +1 319 335-0548
  address: 21 Old Capitol
  Tour Iowa's first capitol building in the center of the Pentacrest. Inside you'll find three floors of exhibits linked by a beautiful spiral staircase within the building's rotunda. The original Senate and Legislature Chambers are open as well as a couple of galleries which host changing exhibitions. Gift shop.

• University of Iowa Museum of Art

  phone: +1 319 335-1727
  address: 125 North Madison Street
  This museum's collection includes some European paintings, a large collection of African and Mesoamerican art, and some modern art among other objects. The old museum location was flooded in 2008, so a changing selection of works from the collection is held inside a temporary space in the Iowa Memorial Union. The rest of the collection is housed at the in the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, 50 miles from Iowa City. As of June 2019, a new permanent home is expected to open in 2022.

• University of Iowa Museum of Natural History

  phone: +1 319 335-0480
  address: 11 Macbride Hall
  One of the oldest museums west of the Mississippi, this place has many well-crafted displays of taxidermy figures, prehistoric artifacts, and exhibits on Iowa's geology and ecology, as well as the state's Native American cultures. Among the highlights of the museum are a reconstruction of a giant Ice Age sloth, a complete whale skeleton, and an extensive Bird Hall with over a thousand birds on display, including a marvelous cyclorama (a 360-degree diorama) depicting bird life on a remote Pacific island. Gift shop.

• University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame

  phone: +1 319 384-1031
  address: 2425 Prairie Meadow Dr
  Displays about the history of the Hawkeye teams, including Nile Kinnick's Heisman Trophy.

• The Black Angel

  address: Oakland Cemetery, 1000 Brown Street
  An oft-noted local attraction, the Black Angel is a statue in Oakland Cemetery. Designed by famed sculptor Mario Korbel, the statue is 8.5 feet tall and depicts a dark angel of death guarding over a grave. The beautiful yet eerie angel has been a source of local urban legend since its construction. Many legends say that if anyone kisses the statue, he or she will be struck dead unless they are a virgin. Despite this, the Angel and her folklore have been embraced.

• Pedestrian Mall

  address: Dubuque St & College St
  A pedestrian-only plaza in the middle of Downtown that is home to many locally-owned restaurants, bars, and stores, as well as the Iowa City Public Library. The Ped Mall serves as a pleasant gathering spot for locals, and plays host to public art displays and events.

• Antique Car Museum of Iowa

  phone: +1 319 354-3310
  address: 860 Quarry Rd, Coralville
  Over 90 automobiles dating from since 1899, with a replica of an early Skelly gas station.

• Johnson County Historical Society Museum

  phone: +1 319 351-5738
  address: 860 Quarry Rd, Coralville
  Permanent and rotating exhibits on the history of Iowa City and the surrounding county, with displays on farm life, the Native American history of the region, and the development of Iowa City. The society also maintains a collection of historic buildings scattered around Iowa City and Coralville which are opened on a limited basis, including Plum Grove, the house of the first governor of Iowa.

Parks

• City Park

  address: 200 E. Park Road
  A large riverside park with lots of amenities for families, including picnic shelters, ponds, playgrounds, athletic facilities, a boat ramp, a small amusement park for little kids that's open in the summer months, and an outdoor Shakespeare theater.

• Hickory Hill ParkA large natural wooded area on the northeast corner of town, past Oakland Cemetery, with lots of trails meandering through woods, reconstructed prairie and wetlands. Popular with day hikers and picnickers in the summer and cross-country skiers and sledders in the winter.

• Only minutes to the north, Lake MacBride and Coralville Lake offer beaches, camping, hiking, and boating.
• Twenty minutes west of Iowa City on Highway 6 lies F.W. Kent State Park, another popular camping destination with a small lake and beach.

Theater

• Englert Theatre

  phone: +1 319 688-2653
  address: 221 E. Washington St
  A historic theatre, first opened in 1912, now operates as a stage for plays, comedy and music performances, and community events. Also home to a small gallery showcasing local artwork.

• Riverside Theatre

  phone: +1 319 338-7672
  address: 213 N. Gilbert St
  Iowa City's resident professional theatre presents both classic and contemporary theatre. Most popular are Shakespeare plays, which are performed each summer at City Park's Shakespeare Theater.

• FilmScene

  phone: +1 319 358-2555
  address: 118 E. College Street
  An independent movie theater that shows many indie, arthouse, and foreign films, as well as special events such as film discussions and community screenings. The theater also shows film screenings by the student-operated Bijou Cinema, which offers free movies for students and showcases student work.

Music

• Gabe's

  phone: +1 319 354-4788
  address: 330 E Washington St
  Iowa City's most popular music venue offers performances by local, regional, and national bands and musicians. Some all ages shows but mostly 19+.

• The Mill Restaurant

  phone: +1 319 351-9529
  address: 120 E Burlington St
  Both a restaurant and a venue for live music, The Mill is home to performances by local and regional musicians. Every Monday is open mic night. Almost all shows 19+.

• Blue Moose Tap House

  address: 211 Iowa Ave
  Bar and live music venue, with local and national music acts. Most shows 19+.

Sports

The university's athletic teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes, are a major draw, particularly the football and basketball teams, though the wrestling and gymnastic teams have also enjoyed much success. The Hawkeyes play in the Big Ten Conference, which gets them a lot of exposure on the national level.

• Kinnick Stadium

  phone: +1 319 335-9327
  address: 825 Stadium Dr
  Home to the Hawkeyes football team.

• Carver–Hawkeye Arena

  phone: +1 319 335-9431
  address: 1 Elliot Dr
  Home to the Hawkeyes basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling teams.

Events and Festivals

• One Book Two BookA celebration of children's literature, with lots of family activities, workshops for kids, a book fair, and even readings of work by children and students.

• Mission Creek Festival

  address: Downtown Iowa City
  Nationally-known acts, indie bands, and local musicians perform at various venues downtown. Literary readings by authors at local bookstores and coffee shops.

• Friday Night Concert Series

  address: Pedestrian Mall, Dubuque & College

• Saturday Night Free Movie Series

  address: on the wall at the Pentacrest on the corner of Jefferson and Clinton Sts

• Iowa Arts Festival

  address: Downtown Iowa City
  First weekend in June. Popular three-day community celebration of local and regional artists, including open admission to downtown's art galleries, live music, local food vendors, and other activities.

• Iowa City Pride

  address: City Park and Downtown Iowa City
  June. Gay pride parade, run, and festival.

• Iowa City Jazz Festival

  address: Downtown Iowa City
  Live jazz groups, both local and from around the world play on stages set up around downtown Iowa City.

• Iowa City Book Festival

  address: Downtown Iowa City
  The city's premier literary event, a multi-day celebration of the written word with lots of readings, discussions, demonstrations, and a book fair.

• Iowa Artisans Gallery Walks

  address: Downtown Iowa City
  20 downtown galleries showcase the works of local and regional artists.

• Coral Ridge Mall

  phone: +1 319 625-3112
  address: 1451 Coral Ridge Ave, Coralville
  A large upscale mall in adjacent Coralville. Anchor stores include Dillard's, Younkers, JCPenny, Target, and Best Buy, and the mall also has a movie theater, a carousel, and an indoor ice skating rink.

• Prairie Lights

  phone: +1 319 337-2681
  address: 15 S Dubuque St
  This large bookstore downtown is frequently hailed as one of the finest bookstores in the nation and regularly features readings by nationally and internationally known authors. The store is spread over three floors, with a children's section in the bottom floor. The top floor holds a nice cafe with views over the street.

• Bread Garden Market

  phone: +1 319 354-4246
  address: 225 S Linn St
  An organic grocery store with some good lunch options, including some excellent soups and breads as well as a salad and buffet bar. Tends to be on the pricey side, but is a good spot for a quick lunch or snack.

• Chez Grace

  phone: +1 319 338-1738
  address: 89 2nd St. #3, Coralville
  French cuisine.

• Devotay

  address: 117 N. Linn St.
  Tapas restaurant, also offers wine tastings.

• The Hamburg Inn No. 2

  phone: +1 319 337-5512
  address: 214 N Linn St
  Hamburgers, soups, a large selection of omelets and more. An Iowa City institution, noted for often being a stop for politicians during campaign season.

• Masala

  phone: +1 319 338-6199
  address: 9 S Dubuque St
  East Indian food. This place is leagues above the other Indian restaurant in town.

• The Motley Cow Cafe

  phone: +1 319 688-9177
  address: 160 N. Linn St
  Constantly changing menu featuring many dishes made with local meat and produce.

• Oasis

  phone: +1 319 358-7342
  address: 206 N. Linn Street
  Popular local mediterranean food. Serving falafel, hummus, babba ganoush, tabbouleh.

• Pagliai's Pizza

  phone: +1 319 351-5073
  address: 302 E Bloomington St (various locations in the state)
  Pizza from family recipes. Thin-crust style.

• Short's Burger

  phone: +1 319 337-4678
  address: 18 South Clinton Street
  Serving marvelously thick burgers and sandwiches, with only Iowa-made beers and ciders on tap.

• Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

  phone: +1 319 338-5500
  address: 19 S Dubuque St
  Asian, Greek and Italian noodle dishes.

Because of the university, downtown is very busy on weekend nights. With thousands of college-aged people (and older folks staying around for home games) drinking within a few blocks of each other, use caution when walking to or visiting establishments. There is a bar for all types. State law requires alcohol purchases to be made before 2AM. After 10PM non-exempt drinking establishments only allow persons 21 years of age and older, unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, spouse or domestic partner.

Student crowd (21+)

• Brothers Bar and Grill

  phone: +1 319 338-6373
  address: 125 S Dubuque St
  Due to the large cover for those yet to turn 21 years of age, it caters to an older crowd. There's a dance floor and it's pretty upbeat.

• Atlas Restaurant

  phone: +1 319 341-7700
  address: 127 Iowa Ave
  Classy place. Great wine and cuisine.

Student crowd (19+)

• Studio 13

  address: 13 S Linn St
  Iowa City's only gay bar and dance club. DJs most nights of the week, plus fun drag shows, karaoke, theme parties and contests. Mainly college-aged (19+).

Relaxed crowd

• The Airliner

  phone: +1 319 351-9259
  address: 22 S Clinton St
  A staple bar for decades. It's known for incredible pizza ($1.50/slice on Sundays) and cheap drinks. Visited by Tom Brokaw in May 2008 when his favorite booth as a student was dedicated to him with a plaque.

• Joe's Place

  phone: +1 319 338-6717
  address: 115 Iowa Ave
  Located downtown and generally caters to an older crowd. Fairly laid-back atmosphere.

• Blue Moose Tap House

  phone: +1 319 358-9206
  address: 211 Iowa Ave
  Good place to play pool and get cheap beer. Draws a fairly diverse crowd and has great music with frequent shows upstairs.

Writers' haunts

• George's Buffet

  address: 312 E Market St
  A dark dive bar, not a buffet. However, they do make the best burgers in Iowa City. Filled with locals and students from the Writers' Workshop. If you go in the afternoon, you'll probably spot more than one aspiring writer filling up a notebook.

• Dave's Fox Head Tavern

  address: 402 E Market St
  One block away from George's. Often considered the "fiction bar," to George's supposed allegiance within the poetry division. In reality, students from each of the disciplines frequent both locations. Divey, with a popular pool table, a jukebox, and a taxidermied fox behind the bar.

Sports bars

• Sports Column

  phone: +1 319 356-6902
  address: 12 S. Dubuque St.
  Variety of cheap drinks. Great place to watch football and basketball games. It gets pretty chaotic on the weekends.

• The Vine

  phone: +1 319 354-8767
  address: 330 E Prentiss St
  Wings and beer, busier on game day.

• Hotel Vetro

  address: 201 S Linn St
  New, modern, hotel downtown on the Pedestrian Mall, in Iowa City's tallest building.

• Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

  phone: +1 319 688-4000
  address: 300 E 9th St, Coralville
  Large new hotel and conference center in Coralville, with river views.

• Hilton Garden Inn Downtown University

  phone: +1 319-248-6100
  address: 328 South Clinton Street
  Opened in 2017, 100% smoke free, close to downtown.

• Iowa House Hotel

  phone: +1 319 335-3513
  address: 125 N Madison St
  On the campus of the university, inside the Memorial Union building. Few frills, but the location is hard to beat for the price.

Newspapers

• Iowa City Press-Citizen is Iowa City's biggest daily newspaper.
• Daily Iowan U of I's daily newspaper.

• The seven historic villages of the Amana Colonies are 25 miles west on Highway 6.

• Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum

  phone: +1 319 643-5301
  address: 210 Parkside Dr., West Branch
  Located 15 minutes east of Iowa City. Exhibits about the life of former President Herbert Hoover and temporary exhibits about American history and culture. Tours of Hoover's birthsite cottage, a blacksmith shop, a Quaker meeting house, and the Hoovers' gravesite. Gift shop.

• Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

  phone: +1 319 643-2541
  address: also in West Branch