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Iowa City is a city of just over 60,000 people in Eastern Iowa. It is primarily known as the home of the University of Iowa.

[edit] Understand

Iowa City was the first capital of the state of Iowa, before the capital was moved westward to Des Moines. Considered a college town as home of the University of Iowa (along with its associated teaching hospital are among the primary employers).

The university has an enrollment of approximately 30,000 students. When classes are in session, Iowa City is a community of some 90,000 people. As such, the university has a strong impact on the culture of Iowa City and impacts the community from a variety of sources, including the hospital, Writer's Workshop and various university teams and programs.

[edit] Newspapers

• Iowa City Press-Citizen [1] is Iowa City's biggest daily newspaper.
• Daily Iowan [2] is the University of Iowa's daily newspaper.

[edit] Tourist information

• Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau [3]

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Iowa City can be reached by Interstate 80 from Chicago to the east and Des Moines to the west. I-380, brings in traffic from the north near Waterloo. 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.

[edit] By plane

The nearest commercial airport (CID), the Eastern Iowa Airport [4], 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).

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus

Walking is the easiest way to get around downtown Iowa City; the university is right in the middle of downtown. For greater distances, Iowa City has an extensive bus system ($0.75/ride). The University's Cambus system covers most of the campus buildings and is free and open to the public.

[edit][add listing] See

• Old Capitol Museum, ☎ +1 319-335-0548. Tu-F 10AM-3PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Tour Iowa's first capitol building in the center of the Pentacrest. Also visit the Discovery Center and the Humanities Gallery. Gift shop. free.  edit

• University of Iowa Museum of Art, 150 N Riverside Dr., ☎ +1 319-335-1727, [5]. Some European paintings, large collection of African art, changing exhibitions. Gift shop, coffee bar. free.  edit

• University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, (inside MacBride Hall at the corner of Jefferson and Clinton Sts.), ☎ +1 319-335-0480, [6]. Tu-F 10AM-?, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Displays of Iowa's geology and ecology, as well as Native American culture. Features a reconstruction of a giant Ice Age sloth and a large collection of birds. Gift shop. free.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

Spend time walking around the pedestrian mall (ped mall) in downtown Iowa City.

Only minutes to the north, Lake MacBride and Coralville Lake offer camping, hiking, and boating.

[edit] Events & Festivals

• Friday Night Concert Series, [7]. mid May-early Sep on F 6:30PM-9:30PM. Free.  edit

• Saturday Night Free Movie Series, On the wall at the Pentacrest on the corner of Jefferson and Clinton Sts., [8]. mid May-early Sep on Sa 7:30PM-end. Free.  edit

• Jazz Festival, Ped Mall. 1 weekend in Jul.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Coral Ridge Mall 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Coralville, +1 319 625-3112 or 800-283-6592

• Prairie Lights Book Store, 15 S Dubuque St., +1 319 337-2681 [9]. This large bookstore downtown frequently appears on "Top 10 Bookstores in the U.S." lists. It features regular readings by nationally and internationally known authors.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Cafe Z, 1705 S 1st Ave. Ste A, ☎ +1 319-338-1738, [10]. French and Italian Cuisine.  edit

• Confusions Cafe, 2431 Coral Ct. #3, Coralville, ☎ +1 319-545-7386. The place to go to get a taste of anything you've been craving.  edit

• The Hamburg Inn No. 2, 214 N Linn St., ☎ +1 319-337-5512, [11]. Open daily 6AM-11PM. Hamburgers, soups, a large selection of omelets and more. An Iowa City institution.  edit

• Linn Street Cafe, 121 North Linn St., ☎ +1 319-337-7370. Fine dining.  edit

• Lou Henri, ☎ +1 319-351-3637. Open for breakfast and lunch, specializing in the former.  edit

• Masala, 9 S Dubuque St., ☎ +1 319-338-6199. Open daily 11:15AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9:30PM. East Indian vegetarian food. This place is leagues above the other Indian restaurant in town, despite their fully vegetarian menu.  edit

• The Motley Cow Cafe, 327 E Market St., ☎ +1 319-688-9177.  edit

• Pagliai's Pizza, 302 E Bloomington St. (various locations in the state), ☎ +1 319-351-5073. M-Sa 4PM-midnight, Su 4PM-11PM. Pizza from family recipes. Thin-crust style.  edit

• Whitey's Ice Cream, 112 E Washington St., ☎ +1 319-354-1200, [12]. This regional chain has been making ice cream since 1933. Thick milk shakes.  edit

• Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe, 19 S Dubuque St., ☎ +1 319-338-5500. Asian, Greek and Italian noodle dishes.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Because of the university, downtown Iowa City is usually very busy on weekend nights. There is a bar for all types. State law requires alcohol purchases to be made before 2AM.

[edit] Student crowd (21+)

• Brothers Bar and Grill, 125 S. Dubuque St., ☎ +1 319-338-6373. 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.  edit

• Atlas World Grill. Classy place. Great wine and cuisine.  edit

[edit] Student crowd (19+)

• Studio 13, 13 S. Linn St., [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+).  edit

[edit] Relaxed crowd

• The Airliner, 22 S. Clinton St., ☎ +1 319-351-9259. 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.  edit

• Hanrahan's. Good townie bar.  edit

• Joe's Place, 115 Iowa Ave., ☎ +1 319-338-6717. Located downtown and generally caters to an older crowd. Fairly laid-back atmosphere.  edit

• Q Bar. A good place to play pool and get cheap beer. Draws a fairly diverse crowd and has great music with frequent shows upstairs.  edit

[edit] Sports bars

• Sports Column. Variety of cheap drinks. Great place to watch football and basketball games. It gets pretty chaotic on the weekends.  edit

• The Vine, 330 E. Prentiss St., ☎ +1 319-354-8767. Good place to get wings and drink beer on a game day.  edit

[edit] Clubs

• Farras Night Club, 320 E Burlington St.. Newer night spot featuring world music and specializes in Latin American music and dance.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Hotel Vetro, 201 S Linn St., ☎ +1 800-592-0355. Downtown on the pedestrian plaza.  edit

[edit] Stay Healthy

• University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics Has Level 1 Trauma Center as well as urgent care at the Emergency Treatment Center. The Emergency entrance is located right off Grand Ave. +1 319 356-2233. For non Emergencies and Urgent Care, contact the University of Iowa Family Care Center at +1 319 384-8442.

[edit] Get out

Omaha ← Des Moines ←	W  E	→ Davenport → Chicago
Cedar Rapids ←	N  S	→ END