Location: Iowa City
Top Things to do in Iowa City
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What to do and see in Iowa City, Iowa (IA): The Best Sights & Landmarks
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. It is the home of the University of Iowa and county seat of Johnson County, at the center of the Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 74,398 in 2016, making it the state's fifth-largest city. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County. The metropolitan area, which encompasses Johnson and Washington counties, has a population of over 164,000.
Restaurants in Iowa City
1. University of Iowa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 198 reviews
This Big 10 school's 1,900 acres are centered in downtown Iowa City.
Reviewed By cassandramayb
This is a great campus! The streets are always clean and the people are friendly. I moved here from another state without visiting first and was extremely shocked. This campus is set in a nice location with a nice downtown area. The buildings are all very beautiful and historic looking. If it's a football home game weekend, everyone gets into it. The fan base here is awesome and there is so many places to cheer on the Hawkeyes from if your not in the stadium. You should give Iowa City a visit and look into this School.
2. Old Capitol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
This was the seat of government when Iowa City was the state capital.
Reviewed By 773dkc - Rock Island, United States
Beautiful old building that was the State's capitol building back in the day that Iowa City was Iowa's state capitol. Entire building is the museum... every room is as it was back then, old old books in old old bookcases, desks with inkwells and feather quills, gavels, wood stoves for heating each room, really really nice to walk from room to room and see how it was. A tiny little elevator makes the building wheelchair accessible but limited street parking means parking a block away in the parking garage (1st hour free, $1 per hour). Good news is price is right (FREE) plus it's right next door to the Museum of Natural History as well as lots of little shops and restaurants across the street add up to a day of fun!
3. Wilson Orchard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By Jake060 - Iowa City, United States
We visit this orchard every fall to pick apples or just buy at their store. The orchard is beautiful and we enjoy taking a hay rack ride with our grandkids. We always stock up on their delicious frozen pies to use during the winter and their awesome apple turnovers.
4. Carver-Hawkeye arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By TLV007 - Rhinelander, United States
I, of course, being a supporter of a College Wrestling team from another state was a little trepidated going to Squawkeye ground zero. I had a wonderful time.....because in part, this was for an international wrestling meet......the 2018 Worldcup. ON the way in, I saw some Squawkeye fans and mentioned that I was going to feel very strange cheering for the same wrestlers that they were....one correctly pointed out the for this weekend, we all cheering for American Wrestlers. The Arena is magnificent. There is not a bad seat in the house. You can watch the action directly on the mat, and/or watch it on all of the screens set up around the perimeter and on the big screen over the mats. Good food, albeit expensive as in $13 for 2 hotdogs (ok, they were a foot long...but still!! And 13 buck for 2 large bottles of water. Considering why we were there, it was worth it. Good time....good place...and I have to admit, that those Iowa fans really know their wrestling and appreciate great performances from wrestlers other than their own. I know that both the Cuban and Japanese teams enjoyed their reception from the crowd.
5. Oakland Cemetery
6. Plum Grove Historic House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
*Open Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend: Wed-Sun 1:00– 5:00 pm. After Labor Day Weekend to October 31st: Sat-Sun 1:00- 5:00 pm. To arrange a group tour please contact Johnson County Historical Society at least two business days in advance. Plum Grove was the home of Iowa’s first Territorial Governor, Robert Lucas. The seven-room Greek Revival home was constructed in 1844.
Reviewed By Y7934QMrobertr - Springboro, United States
I visited Iowa City for the first time in October 1968. Our family was traveling to Ames from Grand Rapids, Michigan on the way to Iowa State for Dad’s 25th reunion. We visited Plum Grove because my grandmother’s great grandfather was the first territorial governor of Iowa. He also served as the 12th territorial Governor of Ohio. (An Ohio town and a County are named in his honor) I recall that my father pointed out items and a painting (maybe a photo) that hung in his boyhood home during our tour of the PG house. Afterwards, he told us that he was perturbed that the historical group running the site had charged us the full price of admission. I last memory of the weekend is that It rained the entire weekend. ISU lost the homecoming game and we listened to the Olympic Games on the radio as there was no TV coverage in 68. Other stuff: Notes, Robert Lucas was born in Jefferson County, (West) Virginia in 1781. After spending his youth and young adulthood in Virginia involved in agrarian pursuits, he freed his slaves, sold his lands, and moved to Scioto County, Ohio (then the Northwest Territory) in 1800. In 1804 he was appointed county surveyor for Scioto County, and the following year was made Justice of the Peace. Lucas served as a Major General of the Ohio Militia during the War of 1812, sending 1200 soldiers of his brigade on the march to Fort Detroit. He also served the role of scout, mapping the movements of the Indian forces around Greeneville in 1813. Lucas was elected to the Ohio Legislature in 1816, and served in either the House of Representatives or the Upper House for the next 19 years. In 1832 he was Democratic National Chairman, and assisted in the nomination of Andrew Jackson to his second term as President of the United States. He was elected to the governorship of Ohio in 1832 and in 1834 he was reelected to that post. During his term in office, Lucas took part in the controversy surrounding the border with Michigan. The border between the two states was in dispute and Toledo's status lay in the balance. Later in life he was appointed Governor of the Territory of Iowa, and also Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Lucas died in Iowa City, Iowa in 1853.
7. Mormon Handcart Site
8. Iowa Avenue Literary Walk
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Quest10816783188
Take a walk around the block and read the poems and passages embedded in the sidewalk. It's a great idea and more cities should follow this model.
9. St. Mary of the Visitation
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
10. World's Largest Wooden Nickel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By FrugaliciousDiva
Drove to Iowa City, and made a quirky first stop at the World’s Largest Wooden Nickel. It's cool and fun to visit. It's just off I-80. Pull over, snap a pic and go!!
