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.

Iowa City was the first capitol of the state of Iowa, before the capitol was moved westward to Des Moines. The city is primarily a college town, and the University of Iowa and its associated teaching hospital are among the primary employers in the area. Some manufacturing and a small but growing amount of university/commercial joint ventures also contribute to the economy.

The University of Iowa also plays a large role in the culture of Iowa City. College football and basketball games regularly draw large numbers of fans, resulting in an often festive atmosphere on game days. In terms of the arts, the university both attracts major performing artists and nurtures developing artists. Perhaps because of the university, Iowa City is significantly more liberal, more international and more ethnically diverse than most of the state.

Get in

Iowa City can be reached by Interstate 80 from Chicago to the east and Des Moines to the west. Other highways include Interstate 380, a north-south road. The nearest commercial airport, the Eastern Iowa Airport, is in Cedar Rapids, about 20 miles to the north.

Get around

Iowa City has an extensive bus system.

Attractions

 • University of Iowa Museum of Art . 150 N. Riverside Drive, (319) 335-1727. Open W, Sa-Su 12 noon-5 PM, Th-F 12 noon- 9 PM. Closed M-Tu. Some European paintings, large collection of African art, changing exhibitions. Gift shop, coffee bar. Free admission.
 • University of Iowa Museum of Natural History  inside MacBride Hall at the corner of Jefferson and Clinton Streets. (319) 335-0480. Open Su 1-5 PM, Tu-F 10 AM-3 PM, Sa 10 AM-5 PM. Displays of Iowa's geology and ecology, as well as Native American culture. Features a reconstruction of a giant ground sloth and a large collection of birds. Gift shop. Free admission.

Dining

 • The Hamburg Inn No. 2 , 214 North Linn Street, (319) 337-5512. Hamburgers, soups, a large selection of omelettes and more. Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. An Iowa City institution.
 • Lou Henri', 630 Iowa Avenue, (319) 351-3637. Open only for breakfast and lunch. (The BEST breakfast in town! Great music.)
 • Masala, 9 South Dubuque Street, (319) 338-6199. Indian vegetarian food. Open daily from 11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m. (This place is BAD Indian food. They use VERY little spice and is only in business because there is no competition in Iowa City.)
 • Pagliai's Pizza, 302 East Bloomington Street, (319) 351-5073. Pizza from family recipes. Open 4 pm to 12 midnight Monday-Saturday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. (Best pizza in town. Thin-crust style.
 • Whitey's Ice Cream , 112 East Washington Street, (319) 354-1200. This regional chain has been making ice cream since 1933. Famously thick milk shakes. (The name says it all.)
 • Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe, 19 South Dubuque Street, (319) 338-5500. Asian, Greek and Italian noodle dishes. (This is a local favorite. Must try.)
 • The Motley Cow Cafe, 327 E Market St, (319) 688-9177. Wonderful. Must try.
 • Linn Street Cafe, 121 North Linn Street, (319) 337-7370. Fine Dining.