Things to Do While You’re in Iowa City

What—you mean watching the corn grow doesn’t count?

Coral Ridge Mall

Coral Ridge Mall features hundreds of stores along with a public ice skating rink, the Iowa Children’s Museum, and a movie theatre.  Yes, Elyria people, it’s much better than Midway.

Theatre

Riverside Theatre is Iowa City’s professional resident theatre company.  Collected Stories, by Pulitzer winner Donald Margulies, is onstage March 23-24.

History

For the history buff, the Old Capital Museum provides a fascinating look at Iowa’s past.  Most of the rooms are restored to the period when Iowa was transitioning from a territory to a state.

Iowa City Pedestrian Mall

If the weather outside isn’t frightful, stroll through downtown Iowa City.  The Pedestrian Mall has lots of locally-owned shops, plus the public library, the Englert Theatre, two luxury hotels, and more.  It’s also the center of the University of Iowa’s night life.  (UI is reputed to be one of the top ten party schools in the nation.  Whoo-hoo.)

MacBride Raptor Center

When the weather is good for outdoor activities, the Raptor Center is a neat spot to visit.  See birds of prey (including a bald eagle) and enjoy great views of Lake MacBride.

Classical Music

No Broadway spectaculars are in town for our wedding weekend.  However, there’s classical music at Hancher Auditorium, the University of Iowa’s premier performance venue.

Art

For the artistically-inclined, visit the UI Art Museum.  It’s small enough to see in a few hours, and interesting enough to make your visit worthwhile.

Please note that Iowa City and the University of Iowa both have parking meters which are painfully well-enforced.  Bring change, or prepare to find a love note from the Po-Po on your windshield

Restaurants

George and Julie recommend the following fine eating establishments:

• Ice Cream: Capanna Coffee and Gelato
  They say it’s a coffee shop, but never mind that.  The homemade gelato (Italian ice cream) is where it’s at!
• Italian Cuisine: Mondo’s
  George swears by the “roastery chicken.”  Julie loves the lasagna.
• Chicago-Style Pizza: The Wig and Pen
  It isn’t quite as good as Gino’s East, but it’s the best Deep Dish west of the Mississippi.   Julie, being a true East Coast girl, prefers the thin crust.  Whatever.
• Fine dining: Iowa River Power Company
  If you aren’t convinced your meal was valuable until the check proves it, eat here.  George and Julie can only afford it when someone else is paying—hint, hint.
• Greasy Spoon: Hamburg Inn No. 2
  This Iowa City original has become nationally known—The West Wing filmed part of an episode there, and numerous presidential candidates have visited.  It’s the best place in town for a greaseburger or a decadent breakfast (served all day).

More Fun Stuff for Visitors in Iowa City

These tongue-in-cheek tourism choices are provided by George.  Julie disavows all knowledge of them, especially the part about the Hawkeyes.

Cow Tipping

Is the nocturnal upending of bovines really possible . . . or just an urban legend?  For the enlightenment of City Slickers, George has uncovered the definitive truth on this fabled Iowa pastime.  Get “The Straight Dope” on Cow-Tipping from the world’s foremost source of useless knowledge, Cecil Adams.

The Children of the Corn

For the record, this film was set in the thriving metropolis of Gatlin, NEBRASKA, not Iowa.  But for those who’ll use any old cornfield to relive the horror, March is a bad time to visit.  You’ll have to settle for reading about the sicko plotline of the movie.  What was Stephen King smoking?

University of Iowa Hawkeyes

My hometown Buckeyes kicked the Hawks up and down the field this year.  So why would you want to visit the losers?  Go see a real football team—the one in Columbus.  (Yes, I know I’ll get hate mail for this one.)