Guidebook for Iowa City
Shopping
White Rabbit
112 S Linn StNew and vintage boutique featuring local artists!
Wonderful iconic Iowa City bookstore with frequent author readings and a great coffee shop upstairs.
18 Einheimische empfehlen
Prairie Lights Cafe
15 S Dubuque StWonderful iconic Iowa City bookstore with frequent author readings and a great coffee shop upstairs.
AKAR
257 Iowa AveReally cute housewares, handmade jewelry, and gifts.
Food Scene
Wonderful made-from-scratch bakery right around the corner with brunch and delicious pastries! I love the almond apricot croissants!
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Deluxe Cakes & Pastries
812 S Summit StWonderful made-from-scratch bakery right around the corner with brunch and delicious pastries! I love the almond apricot croissants!
Eclectic breakfast-through-lunch local-food eatery with tea service a few blocks down the street.
Leaf Kitchen
Kirkwood AvenueEclectic breakfast-through-lunch local-food eatery with tea service a few blocks down the street.
Oysters, comfort foods, cool little lounge, happy hour every day, and 1/2 price seafood platter for two on Fridays!
11 Einheimische empfehlen
St. Burch Tavern
127 Iowa AveOysters, comfort foods, cool little lounge, happy hour every day, and 1/2 price seafood platter for two on Fridays!
Rooftop restaurant and bar above the Hilton, IC with live music every Friday night.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Vue Rooftop
328 South Clinton StreetRooftop restaurant and bar above the Hilton, IC with live music every Friday night.
Trumpet Blossom Cafe
310 E Prentiss StGreat nearby vegan spot with live music on weekends!
Greasy spoon visited by every politician to grace or curse Iowa City with their presence. Home of the bean caucus, elk burger, and pie shop shakes (these are actually great!).
24 Einheimische empfehlen
Hamburg Inn No. 2
214 N Linn StGreasy spoon visited by every politician to grace or curse Iowa City with their presence. Home of the bean caucus, elk burger, and pie shop shakes (these are actually great!).
Drinks & Nightlife
Moody bar with leather armchairs, fireplace, and a great beer selection. They also serve upscale bar food and replace beer nuts with curried cashews.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Sanctuary Pub
405 S Gilbert StMoody bar with leather armchairs, fireplace, and a great beer selection. They also serve upscale bar food and replace beer nuts with curried cashews.
Studio 13
13 S Linn StLGBTQ+ bar featuring weekly drag shows, drink specials, and karaoke!
Dive bar with the best Bloody Marys in town! Meat eaters, ask for a beef plank in your bloody!
Deadwood Tavern
6 S Dubuque StDive bar with the best Bloody Marys in town! Meat eaters, ask for a beef plank in your bloody!
Wine and cheese shop/restaurant--great selection and knowledgeable staff!
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Brix Cheese Shop & Wine Bar
209 N Linn StWine and cheese shop/restaurant--great selection and knowledgeable staff!
Parks & Nature
Kayak and paddleboard rental, Midwest "beach," hiking, and raptor conservatory. This is our favorite summer spot! There are also a couple great restaurants on the way-- Salt Fork Kitchen, Big Grove Brewery, and Frida Kahlo Mexican Restaurant-- all in Solon, IA.
29 Einheimische empfehlen
Lake Macbride State Park
3525 Hwy 382 NEKayak and paddleboard rental, Midwest "beach," hiking, and raptor conservatory. This is our favorite summer spot! There are also a couple great restaurants on the way-- Salt Fork Kitchen, Big Grove Brewery, and Frida Kahlo Mexican Restaurant-- all in Solon, IA.
U-pick pumpkin and apple orchard with a newly opened cidery. They make fabulous apple tarts a la mode!
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Wilson's Orchard
4823 Dingleberry Rd NEU-pick pumpkin and apple orchard with a newly opened cidery. They make fabulous apple tarts a la mode!
Essentials
Otherwise known as "Dirty Johns," this small corner grocery store has inflated prices on groceries, but the best beer, liquor, and wine selection with incredibly knowledgeable folks available to help you out and free tastings next door the 2nd Friday of every month.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
John's Grocery
401 E Market StOtherwise known as "Dirty Johns," this small corner grocery store has inflated prices on groceries, but the best beer, liquor, and wine selection with incredibly knowledgeable folks available to help you out and free tastings next door the 2nd Friday of every month.
THE BEST gym around--amazing trainers and interesting equipment like maces and other oddly-weighted bars.
Alchemy Strength and Conditioning
2345 James StTHE BEST gym around--amazing trainers and interesting equipment like maces and other oddly-weighted bars.
Arts & Culture
Englert Civic Theatre
221 E Washington StBeautiful old live theater
Public Space One
538 N Gilbert StNew local artists featured every few months
This is a neat place to visit if you're interested in giant sloths and whale skeletons!
13 Einheimische empfehlen
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
17 N Clinton StThis is a neat place to visit if you're interested in giant sloths and whale skeletons!
Gorgeous new music building. Worth a trip just to peep at the architecture: https://www.metropolismag.com/architecture/voxman-music-building/pic/31034/
The University of Iowa School of Music
93 E Burlington StGorgeous new music building. Worth a trip just to peep at the architecture: https://www.metropolismag.com/architecture/voxman-music-building/pic/31034/
Sightseeing
The walkable 'Ped Mall,' adjacent to the University of Iowa Campus with cute boutiques, college bars, restaurants, and rotating art fixtures.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Pedestrian Mall
210 S Dubuque StThe walkable 'Ped Mall,' adjacent to the University of Iowa Campus with cute boutiques, college bars, restaurants, and rotating art fixtures.