Guidebook for Iowa City

Sarah
Guidebook for Iowa City

Food Scene

Blackstone is a fine-dining feature on the east side of Iowa City. It can be affordable and has something on the menu for everyone. They have happy hour everyday from 3-6 and nightly drink specials. If you are headed there on a weekend night, consider a reservation or grab a table in the bar area.
12 locals raden deze aan
BlackStone
503 Westbury Dr
12 locals raden deze aan
Blackstone is a fine-dining feature on the east side of Iowa City. It can be affordable and has something on the menu for everyone. They have happy hour everyday from 3-6 and nightly drink specials. If you are headed there on a weekend night, consider a reservation or grab a table in the bar area.
Some say that Short's, known for their burgers, is a must-eat restaurant in town. Head there on a Monday night for $6.99 burger and fries - it's a great deal!
Short's Burgers Eastside
521 Westbury Dr
Some say that Short's, known for their burgers, is a must-eat restaurant in town. Head there on a Monday night for $6.99 burger and fries - it's a great deal!
A hole in the wall, townie bar! It's decent bar food with happy hour M-F from 3-6 and other nightly food/drink specials. The boom boom sauce on the wings is tasty! If you want to watch soccer, this is the place to go.
6 locals raden deze aan
2 Dogs Pub
1705 S 1st Ave
6 locals raden deze aan
A hole in the wall, townie bar! It's decent bar food with happy hour M-F from 3-6 and other nightly food/drink specials. The boom boom sauce on the wings is tasty! If you want to watch soccer, this is the place to go.
New American - very tasty! The restaurant is small so it can be difficult to get a table for a group during meal times.
14 locals raden deze aan
Pullman Bar & Diner
17 S Dubuque St
14 locals raden deze aan
New American - very tasty! The restaurant is small so it can be difficult to get a table for a group during meal times.
The most authentic tacos (and other mexican cuisine) in town. Definitely a worthwhile place to stop!
11 locals raden deze aan
La Regia Taqueria
436 Hwy 1 W
11 locals raden deze aan
The most authentic tacos (and other mexican cuisine) in town. Definitely a worthwhile place to stop!
Delicious barbecue, great patio, and excellent happy hour specials (3-6 p.m.)! Order in bulk if you have a larger group.
Mosley's Barbecue and Provisions
525 S Gilbert St
Delicious barbecue, great patio, and excellent happy hour specials (3-6 p.m.)! Order in bulk if you have a larger group.
The Java House - First Ave
1575 S 1st Ave
Donuts!
Daylight Donuts
1681 South 1st Avenue
Donuts!
Colorful and creative donuts!
7 locals raden deze aan
Hurts Donut Co.
1301 5th St
7 locals raden deze aan
Colorful and creative donuts!
A restaurant and tap room that is perfect for a bigger group. In the summer, take advantage of the sprawling patio. Otherwise, enjoy the expansive inside with a casual atmosphere with shuffleboard and ping pong.
26 locals raden deze aan
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom
1225 S Gilbert St
26 locals raden deze aan
A restaurant and tap room that is perfect for a bigger group. In the summer, take advantage of the sprawling patio. Otherwise, enjoy the expansive inside with a casual atmosphere with shuffleboard and ping pong.
Said to be one of the best coffee shops in the area!
Press Coffee Company
1120 North Dodge Street
Said to be one of the best coffee shops in the area!
Unique little diner! Great for breakfast, but it gets busy so get there early.
26 locals raden deze aan
Bluebird Diner
330 E Market St
26 locals raden deze aan
Unique little diner! Great for breakfast, but it gets busy so get there early.
This is your local greasy spoon. Politicians always swing by Hamburg when they are in town. If you want to traditional diner, you'll find it here.
24 locals raden deze aan
Hamburg Inn No. 2
214 N Linn St
24 locals raden deze aan
This is your local greasy spoon. Politicians always swing by Hamburg when they are in town. If you want to traditional diner, you'll find it here.
Enjoy food trucks, fresh produce, and locally made products! Wednesday market 5-7 p.m. Saturday market 7:30 a.m. - noon
9 locals raden deze aan
Iowa City Farmers Market (May-Oct)
405 E Washington St
9 locals raden deze aan
Enjoy food trucks, fresh produce, and locally made products! Wednesday market 5-7 p.m. Saturday market 7:30 a.m. - noon

Essentials

Not open on Sunday and they close around 9 p.m. every night.
16 locals raden deze aan
Fareway Grocery
2530 Westwinds Dr
16 locals raden deze aan
Not open on Sunday and they close around 9 p.m. every night.
Grab some groceries with a drink in your hand. This place has several beers on tap or wine ready to pour as you stroll through the store. They also prepared food ready to purchase such as pizza by the slice or a whole pie made-to-order, sandwiches, and an extensive salad bar. If you want to lounge, take advantage of the free wifi, shuffleboard, and old school arcade games.
8 locals raden deze aan
Lucky's Market
1668 Sycamore St
8 locals raden deze aan
Grab some groceries with a drink in your hand. This place has several beers on tap or wine ready to pour as you stroll through the store. They also prepared food ready to purchase such as pizza by the slice or a whole pie made-to-order, sandwiches, and an extensive salad bar. If you want to lounge, take advantage of the free wifi, shuffleboard, and old school arcade games.
Open 24/7, Hyvee is the one-stop-shop grocery store, with a pharmacy, dry cleaning, stamps, etc. There's a Starbucks inside as well as a restaurant.
37 locals raden deze aan
Hy-Vee
1125 N Dodge St
37 locals raden deze aan
Open 24/7, Hyvee is the one-stop-shop grocery store, with a pharmacy, dry cleaning, stamps, etc. There's a Starbucks inside as well as a restaurant.
No need to compromise your fitness if you're out of town. The daily drop in fee is about $10.
Planet Fitness
1660 Sycamore St
No need to compromise your fitness if you're out of town. The daily drop in fee is about $10.

Drinks & Nightlife

Live music, country music, bbq, barbecue, etc. Free line dancing lessons on Thursdays.
Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon
4919 Walleye Dr SE
Live music, country music, bbq, barbecue, etc. Free line dancing lessons on Thursdays.
A place to grab a drink and avoid the college crowd!
Joe's Place
115 Iowa Ave
A place to grab a drink and avoid the college crowd!

Parks & Nature

Walk, run, bike, or rollerblade around the two mile track. In the summer, rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or peddle cruisers to enjoy the lake.
14 locals raden deze aan
Terry Trueblood Recreation Area
579 McCollister Blvd
14 locals raden deze aan
Walk, run, bike, or rollerblade around the two mile track. In the summer, rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or peddle cruisers to enjoy the lake.

Entertainment & Activities

Just your typical movie theater. Bonus: $5 movies on Tuesday nights!
The Marcus Sycamore Cinema
1602 Sycamore St
Just your typical movie theater. Bonus: $5 movies on Tuesday nights!
University of Iowa Basketball, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Volleyball, and more!
14 locals raden deze aan
Carver-Hawkeye Arena
1 Elliott Dr
14 locals raden deze aan
University of Iowa Basketball, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Volleyball, and more!
Home of the University of Iowa Hawkeye Football team!
27 locals raden deze aan
Kinnick Stadium
825 Stadium Dr
27 locals raden deze aan
Home of the University of Iowa Hawkeye Football team!

Getting Around

Hertz
1029 Hwy 1 W
6 locals raden deze aan
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
1275 Hwy 1 W
6 locals raden deze aan
Budget Car Rental
265 Stevens Dr
The Cambus is the University of Iowa's bus system, and it's free.
Cambus Transit System
840 Evashevski Dr
The Cambus is the University of Iowa's bus system, and it's free.

Shopping

A snarky store with everything midwest! It's worth taking a look around to get a good laugh.
11 locals raden deze aan
RAYGUN
132 E Washington St
11 locals raden deze aan
A snarky store with everything midwest! It's worth taking a look around to get a good laugh.