Summary
Situated at the northernmost edge of the Iowa City metropolitan area, North Liberty is a suburban city characterized by its residential nature and an exceptionally educated population.
In the latest census of 2020, the city witnessed phenomenal growth, soaring to over 20,000 inhabitants since the dawn of the new millennium.
To the east lies the expansive Coralville Lake, engineered in the 1950s for flood control, boasting no less than 11 recreational areas around its picturesque forested borders.
Located just ten minutes south is the University of Iowa, established in 1847, which offers a wealth of historical significance, innovative cultural experiences, and Big Ten sports events.
1. Coralville Lake
North Liberty is located along the western shore of a substantial water body formed by the Coralville Dam’s construction in the 1950s. This lake is an integral component of a vast flood prevention system, with an astonishing capacity of 461,200 acres.
Water has overflowed the spillway on two occasions, in 1993 and 2008, exposing the underlying limestone bedrock, which will be discussed in later sections.
Over the past 70 years, the lakeshore has been transformed into an area for recreational pursuits, including camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and mountain biking.
In proximity to North Liberty are Lake Macbride State Park and the Sugar Bottom Recreation Area, both of which we will explore later in this article.
East of North Liberty is Squire Point, a tranquil hardwood forest offering splendid vistas of the lake.
2. University of Iowa
The campus of Iowa’s oldest and second-largest university is located a brief ten minutes south of North Liberty.
As a visitor destination, the University of Iowa boasts a remarkable variety of attractions, combining prestigious museums with professional-grade sports and performing arts showcased in extraordinary venues such as the recently opened Voxman Music Building.
The Old Capitol Museum is an excellent starting point, housed within the 1842 building that functioned as Iowa’s original state capitol and was the site of the Iowa constitution’s formulation.
After an extensive closure following the 2008 flood, the Stanley Museum of Art is a valuable asset, recognized as one of the foremost university art museums.
The Hawkeyes, with their 22 varsity teams competing at the NCAA Division I level, cannot be overlooked.
3. Hawkeye Wildlife Preserve
In close proximity to North Liberty lies one of Iowa’s premier birdwatching regions. The Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area is situated on the Iowa River floodplain just upstream from Coralville Lake, encompassing a diverse array of marshland, grassland, riparian woodland, and upland forest.
Over 300 bird species have been documented in this 14,000-acre area, with North Liberty serving as the primary access point along Swan Lake Rd NW.
Along the marshy Mallard and Gadwall Ponds Trail, one can observe blue grosbeaks, Henslow’s sparrows, eastern meadowlarks, and field sparrows.
The Sand Point and Swan Lake Trails navigate through woodland, inhabited by gray catbirds, green herons, yellow-billed cuckoos, horned larks, lark sparrows, great horned owls, and barred owls.
4. Iowa Children’s Museum
This expansive 28,000-square-foot facility located in Coralville provides an environment where children can discover, create, imagine, and explore.
Targeted toward children from infancy up to 12 years of age, the Iowa Children’s Museum features intricately designed interactive exhibits facilitating learning through safe play.
Numerous exhibits replicate everyday scenarios such as a restaurant, hospital, grocery store, and bank, all designed to encourage active exploration, problem-solving, and discovery.
Parents and caregivers are actively involved in this educational journey, provided with resources to enhance the experience for young learners.
5. Iowa City
Integrated with the University of Iowa campus, Iowa City is a dynamic urban center situated 15 minutes from North Liberty. The downtown area is notably walkable, a feature greatly influenced by an urban renewal initiative carried out in the 1970s.
This initiative centered around the development of a pedestrian mall, complete with lush, vehicle-free alleys flanked by eateries, shops, and bars.
The area serves as a natural gathering spot for outdoor events, particularly during the summer months, which feature weekly concerts and the Iowa City Jazz Festival.
In recognition of the University of Iowa’s esteemed Non-Fiction Writing Program, Iowa City has been designated a UNESCO City of Literature. Along Iowa Avenue, a literary walk showcases bronze reliefs commemorating various authors and playwrights affiliated with Iowa, from Kurt Vonnegut to Bill Bryson.
6. Lake MacBride State Park
North Liberty offers convenient access to Iowa’s largest state park. A favored swimming locale during the summer, Lake MacBride State Park is situated on the eastern shore of Coralville Lake and is named after Thomas Macbride (1848-1934), the tenth president of the University of Iowa and a pivotal advocate for conservation in Iowa.
During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed much of the enduring infrastructure within the park, which includes the beach house and an impressive stone shelter.
Covering nearly 2,200 acres, the park features over seven miles of trails meandering around the lake, enveloped by splendid oak-hickory forests.
The lake serves as a habitat for prized Kentucky spotted bass and is a haven for boating enthusiasts, with a variety of vessels from motorboats to paddle boards available for rent from the beach.
Additionally, the park is home to a remarkable waterfall/spillway, two campgrounds, and a stunning beach area.
7. Sugar Bottom Recreation Area
Located on the eastern shore of Coralville Lake, a short distance from downtown North Liberty, Sugar Bottom Recreation Area offers some of the finest mountain biking terrain in Iowa.
This area, nestled in a lush hardwood forest, boasts 12 miles of expertly crafted trails with a cumulative elevation gain of 1,400 feet.
The trails range in difficulty from green to black, catering to both casual riders seeking an easy loop and expert cyclists tackling more challenging loops.
In addition to the mountain biking trails, the recreation area is equipped with a beach, boat ramp, playgrounds, an 18-hole disc golf course, and the largest of the lake’s three campgrounds, featuring over 200 sites.
8. Devonian Fossil Gorge
Two significant floods in 1993 and 2008 resulted in the surging floodwaters of Coralville Lake scouring away silt and sand, uncovering a series of 375 million-year-old limestone bedding planes adorned with prominent fossils.
Visitors can stroll along this ancient ocean floor, where thousands of marine fossils emerge beneath their feet. The journey begins at the entry plaza, designed in a hexagonal pattern and surrounded by six monoliths of Silurian Anamosa dolomite, which date back 425 million years.
These towering stone structures, reaching heights of up to 15 feet, are accompanied by informative interpretive displays about the gorge.
9. North Ridge Trail
The Iowa City metropolitan area is exceptionally amenable for walking and biking, with an extensive network of trails reaching every corner.
This also applies to North Liberty, where a north-south multi-use trail intersects with another in Coralville, totaling nearly five miles in length.
Beginning at the Fox Run subdivision, the North Ridge Trail, paved in 1998, is bordered by pristine parcels of native prairie.
Close to the North Liberty Community Center, which is equipped with recreational facilities for families, the trail also has picnic tables, restrooms, and a drinking fountain available for walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
10. Reds Alehouse
Opened in 2009, Reds Alehouse has rapidly gained recognition in the Iowa City region, blending local craft beer with gourmet culinary offerings.
Beer enthusiasts will be impressed by the extensive selection, boasting 28 taps with no commercially produced beers included.
This diverse range encompasses everything from Pilsners to Stouts, Sours, IPAs, Doubles, and more from the finest craft breweries in the area.
In terms of cuisine, Reds Alehouse presents contemporary options such as flatbreads, burgers, grain bowls, salads, shareable appetizers, and an abundance of vegan choices. A highlight is the spacious patio accompanied by a firepit.
11. Colony Pumpkin Patch
Just east of the North Ridge Trail lies a family-oriented destination showcasing a charming glimpse into rural Iowan life. The farm opens to the public in late August, allowing visitors to pick their own sunflowers and capture delightful late-summer photographs.
From mid-September through October, the pumpkin season transforms the farm into a family-friendly destination. This entails ten acres of pick-your-own pumpkins, gourds, and squash, alongside a nine-acre corn maze, hayrack rides, a bounce house, zip lines, and a farm-themed playground.
12. Penn Meadows Park
A short walk from Reds Alehouse, Penn Meadows Park has been a staple since the mid-1980s, offering a prime location for summer activities.
The park is well maintained, with 37 acres featuring pedestrian trails, tennis courts, nine baseball/softball fields, two soccer fields, a volleyball court, and children’s playground equipment.
Notably, the playground is expansive and includes a splash pad, drawing families from across the city during the summer months.
13. Quail Creek Golf Course
This municipal nine-hole golf course measures just over 3,500 yards from the back tees. Quail Creek traverses the entire course, influencing play on the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 7th holes.
The seventh hole presents a formidable challenge, being a par 3 with a green defended on three sides by water. This course maintains a well-considered balance, accommodating novice players while offering ample challenge for more experienced golfers.
A practice green is situated beside the clubhouse, which includes a well-stocked pro shop.
14. Blues & BBQ
Every July, North Liberty’s Centennial Park hosts a one-day celebration of music and food, attracting visitors from across the state.
Blues & BBQ is a complimentary event that commenced in 2007 and has progressively grown to exceed 17,000 attendees in the most recent iteration.
This event features an eclectic range of performances from genres influenced by blues, exceeding expectations set by its title.
Dining options at the festival include an enticing array of food vendors offering dishes ranging from burnt ends and sausage links to pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and other delights, all complemented by a selection of craft beers.
Children are also engaged, with activities such as crafts, giant Jenga, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and an inflatable obstacle course.
15. Beat the Bitter
Winters in this region are notoriously harsh, prompting North Liberty to initiate a series of festive activities aimed at uplifting the community during the colder months.
A variety of events is hosted across the city, including a 5k run, ice sculptures in Penn Meadows Park, a light display at the North Liberty Community Center, a kickball tournament, and an ice rink in Penn Meadows Park.
One of the more whimsical highlights is the Snuggie Crawl, where approximately 400 participants enjoy a night out clad in snug winter attire.
