Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Waterloo, Iowa

On the Cedar River, the seat of Black Hawk County is part of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area, home to more than 170,000 residents. Waterloo is recognized for its industrial growth, which emerged abruptly at the turn of the 20th century, with the agricultural multinational, John Deere, being one of its principal employers.

A remarkable museum details the advancements of John Deere’s tractors and engines, and visitors can also partake in guided tours at three different factories within the city.

The metropolitan area boasts a 100-mile trail network that spans both banks of the Cedar River, connecting urban centers to tranquil natural environments such as George Wyth State Park.

1. John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum

The globally recognized agricultural machinery manufacturer, John Deere, established its connection with Waterloo in 1918 when it acquired the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company, renowned for its Waterloo Boy tractors. The brand continues to be one of Waterloo’s largest employers, manufacturing tractors, engines, and components at state-of-the-art facilities that welcome guided tours.

In 2014, John Deere inaugurated a new museum on the grounds of the former Waterloo Tractor Works, which was John Deere’s inaugural tractor factory. Inside, visitors can explore a well-curated timeline of the company’s evolution, its technology, and the agricultural landscape of Iowa, filled with equipment from the company’s illustrious history. The museum also features engaging historical information alongside interactive exhibits aimed at captivating younger audiences.

2. Waterloo Riverloop Bike Trail

One of the distinctive features of Waterloo and Cedar Falls is the ease with which individuals can traverse the area by bike or on foot. There are many miles of multi-use trails that extend to all corners of the metropolitan area, making the banks of the Cedar River particularly accessible.

The Riverloop, spanning over 16 miles, facilitates access through Waterloo’s riverfront industrial sector, connecting downtown Waterloo with downtown Cedar Falls. The trail includes three convenient river crossings that offer shortcuts as needed. In the southeast of the city, visitors can join the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, an innovative 52-mile rail trail that leads to Hiawatha, following the former corridor of the Illinois Central Railroad, which ceased operation in the 1970s.

3. Waterloo Center for the Arts (WCA)

Waterloo’s notable riverside art museum features an array of indoor exhibition spaces paired with the outdoor Riverloop Sculpture Plaza. The diverse collection is particularly noteworthy for American Decorative, Midwestern, Folk, and Caribbean art, housing the largest inventory of Haitian art outside of Haiti.

During a typical visit, guests can explore traveling exhibitions, works by renowned Iowa artists such as Grant Wood, Guatemalan textiles, and a vast selection from the extensive Haitian art collection. The WCA also offers a variety of classes and workshops suitable for different skill levels and age groups, in addition to housing the Waterloo Community Playhouse and the Phelps Youth Pavilion, discussed further below.

4. Phelps Youth Pavilion

The multimillion-dollar expansion to the Waterloo Center for the Arts, inaugurated in 2007, offers an engaging world of interactive experiences for younger children. The Phelps Youth Pavilion features more than 40 interactive exhibits focused on art, culture, and entertainment.

Children can engage in simple drawing and painting projects or embark on high-tech adventures, such as a featured exhibit titled Dinosaur Ruckus, which included genuine dinosaur fossils and an opportunity for children to dress as prehistoric creatures while learning about natural history, art, and mathematics.

5. Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum

On November 13, 1942, five brothers from Waterloo lost their lives in combat during the sinking of the light cruiser USS Juneau at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. This tragedy led to the implementation of the Sole Survivor Policy shortly after the war. Established through a grassroots initiative, the museum honoring the brothers opened in Waterloo in 2008, aiming to honor the state’s veterans across all conflicts from the Civil War to present day.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the veterans’ stories through over 35 interactive stations, exhibits rich with artifacts, and the striking electronic Wall of Honor.

6. Lost Island

Until 2022, Adventureland in Des Moines was Iowa’s sole full-scale theme park. This changed with the grand opening of Lost Island, located on a portion of former farmland in southeast Waterloo. The attraction has connections to the adjacent Lost Island Waterpark, which opened in 2001 and features various amenities such as a wave pool, lazy river, and numerous slides including the high-speed Lost Soul Falls.

With a construction budget exceeding $100 million, the theme park comprises three roller coasters and a plethora of other attractions and performances across five distinct zones, all thematically inspired by the Pacific Islands. One of the premier thrill rides, the hydraulic launch coaster, located in the Yuta Earth Tribe zone, features two inversions and reaches a top speed of 75 mph.

7. George Wyth Memorial State Park

Located on the north bank of the Cedar River, in proximity to Waterloo Regional Airport, is a 1,200-acre expanse of wooded terrain featuring a series of picturesque lakes. The park serves as a sanctuary for white-tailed deer and a variety of bird species, with over 200 species documented within its bounds.

Summer provides an ideal opportunity to visit, with options for swimming at George Wyth Beach or renting paddleboards, kayaks, or canoes through Maxx Rentals Paddlesports. Among its multiple water bodies, the park arguably represents the area’s prime fishing location, boasting a diverse array of fish including bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, yellow bass, channel catfish, northern pike, and white crappie.

The park features more than 5.5 miles of wooded trails, which connect to the extensive 100-mile trail system encompassing Waterloo and Cedar Falls.

8. Young Arena

If you are interested in witnessing top hockey prospects, attending a Waterloo Black Hawks game at the 3,000-seat Young Arena is highly recommended. Competing in the United States Hockey League (16-21), the foremost junior hockey level in the nation, the Black Hawks have secured nine championship titles since the league’s inception in 1947. As of the current writing, 18 former Black Hawks players are competing in the NHL.

Owned by the city, Young Arena was inaugurated in 1995 and has undergone multiple upgrades since then, including the addition of a team store for merchandise and the Coors Light Cold Zone. The rink is open for public skating, open hockey, and skating lessons during the week.

9. Riverloop Amphitheater

At the heart of Waterloo’s rapidly evolving waterfront is this outstanding outdoor venue for performing arts. Nestled on the slope of the levee, the Riverloop Amphitheater offers an exceptional view across the Cedar River, with the stage situated below along the Riverloop.

The amphitheater accommodates up to 600 attendees and is situated adjacent to the Expo Plaza. In summertime, it serves as the site for Cinema on the Cedar Movie Nights, featuring family-friendly films, and the Outdoor Concert Series. Both series are open to the public at no charge, with food and beverages available for purchase.

10. Bluedorn Science Imaginarium

Similar to the Sullivan Brothers Museum, the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium is part of the Grout Museum District and was opened in 1993. This three-story science center focuses primarily on younger minds, featuring exciting interactive displays that delve into concepts like light, sound, liquids, gases, electricity, and momentum.

Described as a “playground for the imagination,” the museum allows children to explore guided by their own curiosity, navigating from one station to another. Additionally, a schedule of engaging science demonstrations brings various scientific principles to life.

11. John Deere Tours

The agricultural giant offers guided tours of three of its advanced facilities in Waterloo. Scheduled from Monday to Friday, these complimentary 90-minute tours provide valuable insights.

The Tractor Cab Assembly Operations allow visitors to observe the production of 6R, 7R, 8R/8RT, and 9R/9RT/9RX Series tractors (tours available at 8 am, 10 am, and 1 pm), alongside a John Deere retail shop at this facility. The John Deere Engine Works manufactures crucial components such as crankshafts, heads, and engine blocks, as well as diesel engines and power centers for other manufacturers (tours are at 9:30 am and 1 pm).

Finally, Drivetrain Operations produces parts including transmissions, gears, and axles, offering one tour per day at 1 pm.

12. Hartman Reserve Nature Center

The largest preserved natural wooded area in Black Hawk County lies on the boundary between Waterloo and Cedar Falls. The Hartman Reserve Nature Center includes century-old forests of white oak, bur oak, and red oak, as well as important restored prairie, wetland, and riparian habitats in its lower regions.

Guests can access the preserve by foot or bike via the South Riverside Trail, exploring the over 300-acre expanse along color-coded pathways, and visiting the Interpretive Center, which features interactive natural exhibits, live animals, and hosts events such as the Maple Syrup Festival in March.

13. Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens

Established on former farmland in the southern part of the city, the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens was initiated in the early 1990s and operates from April through October. This site draws inspiration from Iowa’s agricultural roots, with an organic thematic element connecting the gardens, structures, and artworks sprinkled throughout.

Within the various areas, visitors can discover a labyrinth, rose garden, mosaiculture exhibit, children’s gardens rich with activities, a butterfly conservation area, shade garden, and display gardens filled with vibrant annuals, perennials, and colorful flowering bulbs in spring.

14. Palmer’s Family Fun

Located near the airport in northern Waterloo, Palmer’s Family Fun is a classic entertainment center that operates from March through October. For families seeking enjoyable activities during summer break, this venue offers a variety of attractions, including mini-golf with 36 holes, go-karts, batting cages, laser tag, archery tag, and a 300-yard driving range featuring 30 hitting stations.

Younger visitors are sure to be captivated by the enormous inflatable jumping pillow located in a safe sandy area.

15. Dan Gable Wrestling Museum

Sports enthusiasts may appreciate the knowledge that one of the greatest wrestlers in history originated from Waterloo. Dan Gable (b. 1948) secured gold at the 1971 World Wrestling Championships and again at the 1972 Munich Olympics, accomplishing this feat without conceding a single point throughout the competitions.

A museum dedicated to Gable, part of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is located here. The museum boasts hands-on experiences with electronic kiosks and interactive exhibits, as well as screens displaying NCAA Championship matches spanning the past century. Additionally, it encompasses three distinct halls of fame: The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, The Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa, and the Alan and Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions.