Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Iowa City

The initial aspect to highlight regarding Iowa City is the esteemed university that has been integral to the community since 1847.

The University of Iowa enriches the city with cultural vibrancy, sophistication, and an undeniable sense of enjoyment, clearly visible in the pedestrian-friendly downtown district.

This institution boasts distinguished programs in law, fine arts, and healthcare, offering visitors numerous monuments and attractions that are essential to experience.

The graduate-level Iowa Writers’ Workshop is particularly renowned, producing 17 Pulitzer Prize winners among its alumni. This literary heritage led to Iowa City being designated a UNESCO City of Literature in 2008.

Iowa City served as the state capital until 1857, and the historic capitol building is preserved at the center of the campus.

1. University of Iowa

With over 30,000 students and a sprawling 1,900-acre campus adjacent to downtown, daily life in Iowa City is profoundly influenced by the University of Iowa.

The 75-minute guided tour primarily targets prospective students while providing insight into the history and daily operations of this prestigious institution.

Numerous attractions featured in this article are located on the campus, including the Old Capitol and the newly established Stanley Museum of Art, with Kinnick Stadium on game day offering an unforgettable experience for sports enthusiasts.

The Iowa flood of 2008 significantly impacted the campus, but more than a decade later, many of the affected buildings have been successfully rebuilt or relocated.

This includes the remarkable Hancher Auditorium, which boasts an 1,800-seat proscenium stage, presenting a variety of cultural events including opera, music, dance, and theatrical performances.

2. Old Capitol Museum

Centrally located on the University of Iowa campus is the building that served as the state government seat from 1846 to 1857.

A designated U.S. National Historic Landmark, the Old Capitol features a Greek Revival architecture with a prominent dome that is depicted in the University of Iowa’s emblem.

This landmark has housed a museum since 1976, which was renovated in the early 2000s following a fire in 2001.

The galleries are situated on the ground floor and feature hands-on exhibits covering a wide range of topics related to the humanities, sciences, the history of the building, the university, and the state of Iowa.

During the compilation of this list, exhibits included those on Anne Frank, campaign button history, Iowa’s hydroscience, and the history of suffragism in the United States.

Visitors can also explore the historical Senate and Supreme Court chambers, as well as the reverse spiral staircase beneath the dome.

3. Downtown Iowa City

A significant attribute of Iowa City is its vibrant downtown, which features numerous independent shops, restaurants, and bars, alongside outstanding entertainment venues, hotels, and office spaces.

Establishments such as The Airliner bar and pizzeria have maintained a legacy of over 80 years. The city is recognized across Iowa as a culinary destination, a reputation further fortified by a thriving farmers’ market held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May through October.

A distinctive element of downtown is the Pedestrian Mall, developed during the city’s urban renewal initiative in 1979.

Adorned with public art, this area becomes lively in the summer, hosting free concerts on Friday nights and events such as the Iowa City Jazz Festival in July and the Iowa Arts Festival in August.

4. Stanley Museum of Art

The University of Iowa’s art collection has been significantly enhanced through substantial donations, including contributions from Peggy Guggenheim, making it truly impressive.

Noteworthy artists represented in the collection include Jackson Pollock, Picasso, Braque, Chagall, Kandinsky, Matisse, Mark Rothko, Joan Miró, and Max Beckmann.

The museum, established in 1969, is consistently regarded as one of the premier university art museums in the United States. However, it suffered a major setback during the Iowa flood of 2008.

While evacuation efforts prior to and following the disaster preserved the collection, the museum building became unusable. Consequently, the extensive inventory was placed in storage while a new facility was constructed, and temporarily displayed at the Iowa Memorial Union.

5. Devonian Fossil Gorge

In northern Iowa City, the Iowa River was dammed in the 1950s to create Coralville Lake, an ideal destination for summer recreation, featuring three campgrounds, four swimming beaches, 19 boat ramps, 29 miles of trails, and 11 distinct recreational areas.

The floods of 1993 and 2008 led to significant erosion of the valley, unearthing an ocean floor that dates back approximately 375 million years to the Devonian Period.

Visitors can find thousands of easily identifiable fossils within the limestone beneath their feet. At the entrance, there is a plaza featuring six substantial monoliths, carved from Silurian Anamosa dolomite and equipped with interactive panels detailing this unique environment.

The gorge is a lush ecosystem bustling with wildlife, where it is common to encounter frogs, snakes, and beavers as one traverses the area.

6. Museum of Natural History

Founded in 1858, the Museum of Natural History at the University of Iowa is recognized as the oldest university museum west of the Mississippi River.

Originating as a cabinet exhibit in the Old Capitol, the museum has expanded to more than 140,000 items and boasts extensive collections in ornithology and entomology.

For instance, the William and Eleanor Hageboeck Hall of Birds showcases specimens of nearly every bird species found in or visiting Iowa, alongside the historical Laysan Island Cyclorama that illustrates the avian life of Laysan Island, Hawaii, during the early 20th century.

In addition, the Iowa Hall offers a comprehensive exploration of the state’s natural history through impressive dioramas, while the Biosphere Discovery Hub investigates the human impact on various habitats.

7. Antique Car Museum of Iowa

Located a short distance north of the University of Iowa campus, the Antique Car Museum of Iowa is a must-visit for automobile enthusiasts. The museum features over eighty vehicles manufactured from 1899 to 1965.

Specializing in early 20th-century automobiles, notable models include a 1908 Cadillac, a 1912 Sears Motorbuggy, a 1915 Milburn, a 1916 Haynes Cloverleaf Coupe, and a 1920 Velie Touring Car.

Additional highlights include an original Skelly Oil gas station and a comprehensive collection of antique Iowa license plates.

8. Englert Theatre

Downtown Iowa City houses one of the region’s premier performing arts venues. The Englert Theatre, which dates back to 1912, initially served as a vaudeville stage, hosting renowned performers such as Sarah Bernhardt, Ethel Barrymore, and Lynn Fontanne.

In contemporary times, after restoration, the Englert operates as a non-profit entity, presenting live performances throughout more than 220 nights each year. Events range from comedy and dance to plays, live music, and community gatherings.

In April, the theatre serves as a centerpiece for the Mission Creek Festival, which melds live music with literary performances, while in November, The Witching Hour festival is devoted to contemporary culture and discussions surrounding the creative process.

9. Kinnick Stadium

Currently, Kinnick Stadium serves as the home field for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football team, accommodating 69,250 spectators, ranking it among the top 20 largest university-owned stadiums in the nation.

The Hawkeyes participate in the Big Ten Conference and consistently demonstrate competitive performance, contributing numerous players to the NFL annually and achieving a history of first-round draft picks.

With a history extending back to 1889, the Hawkeyes are steeped in traditions, the most heartwarming of which pertains to a recent custom.

The new UI Children’s Hospital, overlooking the stadium, features a special lounge and viewing area on the top floor. Since 2017, it has become customary for the audience, officials, and players to wave at the hospital after the first quarter to acknowledge the patients and their families.

On game days, the city transforms into a sea of black and gold, complemented by tailgating and food vendors along Melrose Avenue.

10. Plum Grove Historical Site

Situated in a residential area in southern Iowa City is an intriguing piece of state history.

Constructed in the Greek Revival style in 1844, Plum Grove served as the retirement residence of Robert Lucas (1781-1853), who was the first governor of the Iowa Territory from 1838 to 1841. During the mid-19th century, the Plum Grove estate spanned 360 acres.

In 1866, the family divested the property, which subsequently changed hands multiple times before being acquired by the state, restored, and opened to the public in the 1940s.

From July to Labor Day, visitors can tour the estate on weekends to learn more about Governor Lucas and admire the restored interiors, which are furnished with authentic artifacts from the 1840s and 1850s.

11. Iowa Avenue Literary Walk

Discovering Iowa City’s literary legacy can be as simple as taking a leisurely walk along Iowa Avenue.

Since 2001, a series of 49 bronze relief panels embedded in the sidewalk celebrates different authors hailing from Iowa or affiliated with the esteemed Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

Prominent figures include Kurt Vonnegut, Josephine Herbst, Tennessee Williams, Mildred Benson, and Bill Bryson.

The decorative panels stretch from Clinton Street to Gilbert Street, interspersed with a selection of quotations about literature and text imprinted into the sidewalk.

The Iowa City of Literature website provides an interactive map showcasing each panel along with a photo and description of the corresponding author.

12. City Park

The largest park in Iowa City, spanning over 100 acres, is nestled along a bend in the Iowa River. City Park is conveniently adjacent to the University of Iowa campus and easily accessible via the Iowa River Corridor Trails, which extend for 13 miles throughout the city.

City Park is a favored location for outdoor activities, equipped with multiple shelters, and features the impressive Riverside Festival Stage, to be discussed further below.

The park includes a City Park Pool, operational from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, alongside various recreational facilities such as basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball/softball fields, horseshoes, a boat ramp, bocce courts, and abundant play equipment for children.

13. Riverside Festival Stage

Iowa City provides a suitable venue for Shakespearean performances in the park, with a remarkable stage located at Lower City Park specifically designed for this purpose.

Capable of seating 470 patrons, the Riverside Festival Stage is architecturally inspired by London’s Globe Theatre.

Each summer, the esteemed Riverside Theatre company, established in 1981, hosts a series of performances at this venue.

These productions are offered free of charge, complemented by lawn activities and food trucks. The festival’s 2022 plays included The Winter’s Tale and The Comedy of Errors.

14. Terry Trueblood Recreation Area

Located just downstream along the Iowa River, the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area encompasses more than 200 acres of picturesque riverfront land, featuring the expansive Sand Lake.

The lake is encircled by a paved trail, which also extends along the riverbank, making it a popular recreational spot during warmer months.

Visitors can rent kayaks, paddleboards, or paddle boats from the marina. Additionally, a stunning wood and copper lodge, which includes a patio overlooking the lake, is available for event rentals.

Other amenities include a playground with engineered wood-fiber surfacing, multiple picnic shelters, and a concession stand.

15. Hickory Hill Park

Located just northeast of downtown Iowa City, Hickory Hill Park offers a vast natural environment that serves as a tranquil hiking area in close proximity to the urban center.

Covering nearly 200 acres and centered around Ralston Creek, the park has been acquired in phases since the 1960s.

The park features diverse habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, restored prairies, and former agricultural fields adorned with wildflowers during spring and summer.

These varied environments are accessible via an intricate network of trails, which also provide excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing in winter.