Overview
Hip and urban, Iowa City is a prominent college town primarily known as the home of the University of Iowa. Along with its adjacent suburb of Coralville, just to the west. Iowa City sits at the center of a metro area home to 171,000 people (2020) in the I-380 Corridor region of Eastern Iowa.
10 sights · 18 things to do · 8 places to eat · 9 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Iowa City
Old Capitol Museum
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 Ch…
University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art
This museum's collection includes some European paintings, a large collection of African and Mesoamerican art, and some modern art among other objects.
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
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…
University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame
Displays about the history of the Hawkeye teams, including Nile Kinnick's Heisman Trophy.
The Black Angel
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 …
Pedestrian Mall
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, an…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CID The Eastern Iowa Airport, Cedar Rapids — 19 mi away. Directions
- MLI Quad City International Airport, Moline — 55 mi away. Directions
- DSM Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines — 110 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Old Capitol Museum, University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, FilmScene
- Lunch Short's Burger
- Afternoon Pedestrian Mall, Englert Theatre
- Dinner Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe
- Evening The Airliner
Day 2
- Morning University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame, Carver–Hawkeye Arena, Kinnick Stadium
- Lunch Chez Grace
- Afternoon Antique Car Museum of Iowa, Johnson County Historical Society Museum
- Dinner Masala
- Evening Joe's Place
Day 3
- Morning Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, One Book Two Book
- Lunch Pagliai's Pizza
- Afternoon Saturday Night Free Movie Series
- Dinner Oasis
- Evening Dave's Fox Head Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
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.
Climate
Iowa City gets more than its fair share of severe weather. It was hit by the 2006 tornadoes and by the 2008 floods, which resulted in the temporary closure of most of the major bridges in the city.
Get in
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.
Get around
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 was originally $1, but is now free due to a program started in 2023. 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.
See
See Old Capitol Museum
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.
See University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
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.
See The Black Angel
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.
See Pedestrian Mall (Ped Mall)
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.
See Johnson County Historical Society Museum
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.
Do
Parks
Do Hickory Hill Park
A 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
Do FilmScene
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
Sports
The university's athletic teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes, are a major draw, particularly the football and basketball teams, though the wrestling and gymnastics teams have also enjoyed much success, and women's basketball became a national phenomenon in 2023–24, the final season for all-time NCAA Division I career scoring leader Caitlin Clark. The Hawkeyes play in the Big Ten Conference, which gets them a lot of exposure on the national level.
Do Kinnick Stadium
Home to the Hawkeyes football team. If you happen to make it to a Hawkeyes home game, you can take part in perhaps the most heartwarming tradition in American sports. In early 2017, the university opened a new children's hospital across the street, with the top floors having an unobstructed view of the entire playing field. The hospital created a lounge area that's reserved for patients and their families on game days. Since the hospital opened, every home game has featured the "Kinnick Wave" at the end of the first quarter, which involves the entire crowd turning toward it (unless they're already facing that direction) and waving to the children across the street.
Do Carver–Hawkeye Arena
Home to the Hawkeyes basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling teams.
Events and Festivals
Buy
Shop Prairie Lights
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.
Eat
Eat Bread Garden Market
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.
Eat Chez Grace (formerly Cafe Z)
French cuisine.
Eat The Hamburg Inn No. 2
Hamburgers, soups, a large selection of omelets and more. An Iowa City institution, noted for often being a stop for politicians during campaign season.
Eat Masala
East Indian food. This place is leagues above the other Indian restaurant in town.
Eat Oasis
Popular local Mediterranean food. Serving falafel, hummus, babba ganoush, tabbouleh.
Eat Pagliai's Pizza
Pizza from family recipes. Thin-crust style.
Eat Short's Burger
Serving marvelously thick burgers and sandwiches, with only Iowa-made beers and ciders on tap.
Eat Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe
Asian, Greek and Italian noodle dishes.
Drink
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+)
Drink Brothers Bar and Grill
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.
Student crowd (19+)
Drink Studio 13
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
Drink The Airliner
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.
Drink Joe's Place
Located downtown and generally caters to an older crowd. Fairly laid-back atmosphere.
Drink Elray's Live & Dive (formerly The Q, The Industry, and Blue Moose Tap House)
Good place to play pool and get cheap beer. Draws a fairly diverse crowd and has great music with frequent shows upstairs.
Writers' haunts
Drink George's Buffet (everyone just calls it George's)
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.
Drink Dave's Fox Head Tavern (everyone just calls it The Fox Head)
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
Drink Sports Column
Variety of cheap drinks. Great place to watch football and basketball games. It gets pretty chaotic on the weekends.
Drink The Vine
Wings and beer, busier on game day.
Sleep
Go next
- The seven historic villages of the Amana Colonies are 25 miles west on Highway 6.
See Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
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.
Nearby
Kalona
City / town · 5 listings · 15 mi away
Mount Vernon
City / town · 4 listings · 20 mi away
Amana Colonies
City / town · 26 listings · 22 mi away
Cedar Rapids
City / town · 24 listings · 24 mi away
Muscatine
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Anamosa
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Davenport
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Fairfield
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