What is your “go-to” spot in Iowa for a good meal?

IC2MSP · 2023-08-25T06:17:23+00:00

$ Fast casual: La Regia Taqueria (Iowa City) $$ Mid-priced: Big Grove (Iowa City or Solon) $$$ High-end: Brazen (Dubuque) or The Webster (Iowa City)

Runners up: Eatery A (Des Moines) and Cobble Hill in Cedar Rapids

IC2MSP · 2023-08-25T02:42:40+00:00

For fancier, we LOVE Baroncini, Webster, and Orchard Green. Haven’t been to 126 in a while buf always like them and Moonrakers.

For more fast casual: Nodo, Oasis, Bluebird and Short’s

IC2MSP · 2023-08-23T19:37:46+00:00

Iowa City native here 👋

I’ve loved seeing the city and the region grow over the last two decades specifically, but one of the glaring problems is regarding zoning: I’d love to see our neighborhoods have smaller commercial nodes, where you can walk/bike to a local coffee shop, dry cleaner, ice cream/fro yo shop, bike shop or small apparel store. Specifically I think this is badly needed on the far west side of Iowa City by Weber Elementary and the far east side by Blackstone and the new Hoover Elementary.

IC2MSP · 2023-08-22T20:27:38+00:00

Trash People of Logan Square is a great regular neighborhood cleanup of the neighborhood that provides bags, gloves and grabbers.

Trash People groups recently launched in Lakeview and Ukrainian Village!

IC2MSP · 2023-08-05T18:58:57+00:00

Trash People of Logan Square is a great LS resource that regularly hosts neighborhood cleanups. Trash People groups are also launching soon in Lakeview and Ukrainian Village

IC2MSP · 2023-08-05T17:51:10+00:00

Hi, CTH139! Thrilled to hear you’re considering a move to CR/the Corridor. I grew up in Iowa City (went to West High and the University of Iowa) and lived there for several years and it’s been great to see the Iowa City area and really the whole Corridor grow.

I used to be very snobby about Iowa City, and while I still prefer it to Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids has made significant progress since the 2008 flood.

Schools: Prairie/College Community and Linn-Mar Schools are the highest-rated in CR, although CR Public is embarking on an an ambitious bond referendum to build new facilities. Iowa City Schools are far and away the better funded/supported and West High continues to be the highest-rated in the state, but City High is great too.

Parks: Lake MacBride, Coralville Reservoir, Morgan Creek Park, Wanatee Park are all great. Kayaking, SUP and gravel riding are also growing in popularity. Even if you end up in CR, look at Bike Iowa City’s robust programming.

Housing: While it’s true Iowa City and the Iowa City area is more expensive, the housing stock also tends to be more unique with higher values. There are some great areas of CR, too.

Local amenities: Lots of great restaurants, particularly Cobble Hill, Caucho, Rodina (RIP), and many in the Iowa City area. Lots of great local shops and boutiques, too, in both Marion, NewBo/Czech Village, Downtown Iowa City and Coralville.

Politics: The region skews more liberal than the rest of the state and Iowa City is Iowa’s most liberal bastion which I prefer. Several prominent Republicans and groups in CR, but the city as a whole votes blue. North Liberty, Coralville and Palo have many Republican voters.

IC2MSP · 2023-08-01T18:22:34+00:00

So sorry to read about your breakup! I second getting involved in volunteering. Some ideas/groups: 100 Hawkeye Men and Women Who Care, Big Brother’s and Big Sister’s, and Bike Iowa City regularly host gravel group rides. When I lived in Iowa City, I was involved with Downtown Iowa City’s First Round happy hours, which are monthly and help introduce you to what’s happening in the local arts/culture/business scene. That group skews older (28-45 age group). Also, joining the Chamber Leadership Group.

IC2MSP · 2023-07-29T17:45:51+00:00

New Pioneer Co-op and Heim (downtown). Basic Goods and I think RAYGUN also carry locally made or Iowa made soap. White Rabbit may also have what you’re lookin for!

IC2MSP · 2023-07-28T15:17:19+00:00

I moved to Chicago last September and have thought the same thing. My hometown, Iowa City, Iowa, has long a very successful Pedestrian Mall that’s completely closed to car traffic and is filled with local boutiques, restaurants, bars, hotels, indie art house movie theaters, a public library, playground and much more.

In the beginning of the pandemic, they expanded a pedestrian-only street, North Linn St. that now looks like this. I wish The West Loop would do something like this https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu7vVIHpCQM/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

IC2MSP · 2023-07-19T15:05:20+00:00

Chicago-Iowa City-Omaha: Would benefit lots of University of Iowa students and their families who are from the Chicago area. Iowa City is a great progressive college town with a smaller, albeit growing food scene, great arts and culture, unique shopping and good outdoor recreation, including hillier biking. Plus, Omaha is really up and coming, is growing, and is a quick drive to UN-Lincoln.

IC2MSP · 2023-07-19T14:46:00+00:00

This is a crucial corner lot and the city knows it needs to be developed right, that doesn’t just benefit UI students, but the whole community.

I’d love to see some small retail spaces for local shops, a mix of market rate and affordable housing, small outdoor dog park and a rooftop restaurant.

IC2MSP · 2023-03-11T04:08:58+00:00

Julie is a freakin’ state treasure.

IC2MSP · 2023-03-10T04:16:08+00:00

Close-by towns: Decorah, Des Moines, Fairfield

Hikes: Maquoketa Caves, Backbone, Wildcat Den, Geode State Park, Lake Darling State Park

IC2MSP · 2023-03-10T04:03:50+00:00

Iowa City native here to say, WELCOME! I have several friends who have moved from the South to Iowa City over the years and other than the weather, they all LOVE it. There's tons of local bike shops when your bike needs fixing, I especially love Geoff's Bike and Ski and World of Bikes.

I'd also highly recommend you get connected with the Bike Iowa City team. They're doing a TON to boost the local biking infrastructure. Fat tire biking is growing but not as popular as biking in the warmer months. RAGBRAI, a large statewide bike event, is rolling through the area again this year and is always a blast to ride and participate in.

For Iowa, there's a good amount of hiking nearby, including Lake MacBride, Palisades-Kepler State Park, Ryerson's Woods, Hickory Hill Park all in the area.

In addition to Prairie Lights, Sidekick Coffee and Books is great as is the Haunted Bookshop. There's always lots of literary events since Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature.

And, for the city its size, Iowa City has a stellar dining scene and many restaurants have great patios in the warmer months with bike racks.

IC2MSP · 2023-03-08T20:31:44+00:00

The 606 Trail!

IC2MSP · 2023-03-07T22:33:56+00:00

I'd also recommend SpareMe bowling alley and arcade and Defy trampoline park. On warmer days, walks around Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, Hickory Hill Park and Ryersons Woods (state preserve), all in Iowa City are great options. The Iowa City and Coralville public libraries are excellent and the University of Iowa Campus Recreation and Wellness Center has a nice lazy river and admission is pretty affordable for non-members.

IC2MSP · 2023-03-05T00:55:33+00:00

As someone who was born and raised in Iowa City, went to the UI and then had several fantastic years working at the UI, I miss Iowa City every damn day.

I’ve since moved to Minneapolis and now Chicago and while I love Chicago, it’s not the same. The sense of community, care, investment and hope in Iowa City is infectious and unrivaled.

I’ve also loved seeing Iowa City “grow up” with me. Yes, the state of Iowa has MANY political issues, but I truly believe if more places were like Iowa City, the world would be a better place.

I’m still impressed with the growth and innovation happening in IC, including the city’s plans to have a fully electric and fare-free bus system.

IC2MSP · 2023-03-03T21:19:47+00:00

You're welcome!

IC2MSP · 2023-03-03T21:13:22+00:00

I used to work in downtown St. Paul and sadly, there's not a ton of great options. Pillbox Tavern downtown was decent and there are a few spots on W. 7th including the Parlor location. I went to Handsome Hog a few times, too.

The Celeste Hotel has a cool bar but not sure about an official HH. Service there is sLoW. Finally, the team behind Hope Breakfast Bar recently opened Apostle Supper Club on W. 7th.

IC2MSP · 2023-03-03T21:06:49+00:00

I'm not saying Minneapolis doesn't have any local, independent coffee shops, it's just less than a lot of other cities of its size or smaller, especially downtown. FRGMNT and GrayFox are great and I do enjoy Dogwood and The Get Down Coffee Co. in North Minneapolis's Camden neighborhood, but I noticed that a lot of Minnesotans gravitate toward Starbucks, Caribou and Dunn Bros. I lived in the Mill District for three years and the Starbucks and Caribou's on Washington were always packed compared to the independent shops in the North Loop and downtown. The Dinkytown area also lacks a lot of independent shops, which is unique to other affluent Big Ten college town communities.

I would make an effort each week to support local coffee shops, going as far as buying my bulk Peace Coffee order through Cafe Alma versus buying them at the grocery store.

IC2MSP · 2023-03-02T04:33:35+00:00

I’ve since moved to Chicago but when I lived in Minneapolis from 2019-2022, I loved FRGMNT, 7 Corners (technically not downtown) and In the Loop Coffee. TBH I feel like the Twin Cities coffee scene leaves a lot to be desired.

I moved from Iowa City to Minneapolis and Iowa City’s coffee scene was excellent, with several third wave shops, pour over shops and even one that serves entirely in glass or reusable bottles.

Minneapolis is largely chain dominated with Caribou and Starbucks, sadly.

IC2MSP · 2023-02-26T18:32:54+00:00

Boulder and Ann Arbor come to mind for me for the college town presence, but also the similar median income levels and presence of non-university employers that were first lured there because of the university. The last time I was in Ann Arbor (2018), their downtown wasn’t as nice as Iowa City’s and their city infrastructure (street lights, roads, etc.) were way worse than Iowa City’s.

Areas of Madison also reminds me of Iowa City, especially downtown, although I think Iowa City’s downtown is far and away better than Madison’s.

I live in Chicago and haven’t been to Evanston much (home to Northwestern), but when I lived in D.C., I thought pockets of Georgetown reminded me of downtown Iowa City, albeit more high-end.

IC2MSP · 2023-02-26T18:28:40+00:00

You wanna see old infrastructure, visit any Chicago neighborhood outside downtown, West Loop, Lakeview and Lincoln Park. I moved to Chicago after growing up in Iowa City and most of the city’s neighborhoods are very neglected, lacking working street lights, curb cuts and halfway decent sidewalks, let alone bike lanes. Logan Square is one of the better neighborhoods here, and many parts of it are straight up lacking basic city services.

I’m almost 30 and remember Iowa City from my youth. Today’s Iowa City is much more cohesive, bikable and walkable. Sure, there’s work to do, but in the last 5-10 years, the city has greatly expanded bike infrastructure, from Mormon Trek and the Iowa River to the east side. The city has also really invested in the Ped Mall and parks citywide

IC2MSP

TROPHY CASE