Iowa City Travel: Top 6 Must-Sees

Presentation by Rudy Trebels

#1.

Go for the green.

Take a stroll to the northeastern edge of town to purposely get lost in the 190 acres of Hickory Hill Park.

A walk through the fields and forest never feels crowded because of all the space to spread out, and you can pack a basket of food for chilling under the tall trees when it’s hot out.

#2.

Brunch like a boss.

Both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have made a put stop at Hamburg Inn No. 2 diner, so you know it’s good.

❖ Its 1950s vibe runs all the way to the bottom of the stainless-steel cups filled with chocolate bourbon pecan pie shakes, and you can’t miss the freshly made home fries and omelettes since breakfast is served all day.

#3.

Get caffeinated.

The low-key Java House specializes in pour-over coffees, and the high-ceilinged downtown location’s wooden tables are rarely empty thanks to fresh pastries and iced coconut lattes. On weekends, listen to local folksy musicians play in the back.

#4.

Hit the ramp, Jack.

Yes, the Chauncey Swan parking ramp is a point of interest — the Iowa City Farmers Market is at the airy space on Wednesdays and Saturdays. About 130 farmers offer handmade clothing, breakfast burritos and more. But no need to rush – vendors linger until 7 pm on Wednesdays.

#5.

Join the literati.

The unassuming three-and-a-half floors of Prairie Lights bookstore have hosted some of the most beloved (and notorious) writers of both past and present.

❖ Robert Frost, Langston Hughes and Carl Sandburg met in the 1930s in what’s now the shop’s sunlit cafe.

❖ Today, local authors like crime writer Tim Johnston stop by for intimate reading series.

❖ Most recently, Author Stephen King released a list of book tour dates and towns to promote his new book “End of Watch.” That list includes a stop at Prairie Lights Books and Cafe in Iowa City on June 13th.

Click to see: Stephen King Tour Dates

#6.

Learn your history.

Once a state-government hub and now a museum, the Old Capitol is a go-to meeting spot.

❖ The building is perched atop a luscious green hill, often populated by Frisbee players and students lounging in hammocks, with the downtown area sprawling out below. Walk up its wooden staircase for the best view of the city.

Sources:

❖ https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities

❖ TimeOut New York magazine, March 9-15, 2016 edition

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