Top 10 Things to do in Iowa City with Kids
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Iowa City, Iowa, home of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes is the perfect day trip or weekend getaway for families.
It is also a fantastic stop if you are traveling on Interstate 80.
There are so many unique and entertaining things to see and do in Iowa City with kids.
Find out my top ten favorite things to do in the Iowa City area with kids.
1. Tour Iowa’s Old Capitol Building
Iowa’s Old Capitol Building is the centerpiece of the University of Iowa’s campus and is hands down my favorite building on campus.
This historic building is so stunning inside and out.
Even more, the views from the exterior backside of the Capitol towards the west side of Iowa City are incredible.
Expert Recommendation
Make sure to take a few minutes to walk around the other side of the Old Capitol to see these views. The kids will love climbing up and down the steps too!
Visitors can enjoy a free self guided tour of Iowa’s Old Capitol Building on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10am-5pm.
Expert Tip
The Old Capitol building is closed Sundays through Tuesdays. If you plan to visit Iowa City and want to be able to explore the inside of the Old Capitol, make sure your visit aligns with the days when the building is open.
My kids loved walking around the Old Capitol Building both inside and outside.
They had so much fun climbing up and down the outside steps.
Additionally, on the summer day that we visited, there were not many visitors at the Old Capitol building so we enjoyed having the inside of the building mostly to ourselves.
One of the historic chamber rooms is set up to be used for other events. It has a podium in the front and then chairs facing the podium.
The kids loved taking advantage of this and had a blast pretending to give election speeches.
Must Know Information
There are elevators to all of the floors for strollers, wheelchairs, and anyone who cannot get up and down the stairs.
2. Visit the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History is located inside MacBride Hall which is just a few steps from the Old Capitol building.
I highly recommend visiting here with kids. They will love it!
It is also free to visit which is a plus!
The museum has fossils, rocks, minerals, taxidermy animals, displays of ancient cultures, and more.
Some of our favorite things about this museum was the giant sloth in the Iowa Hall and seeing all of the taxidermy animals in Mammal Hall.
Expert Tip
The exhibits are spread among multiple floors and are not interconnected. When you arrive be sure to pick up a map at the front desk or near one of the entrances. Navigating the museum can be a bit tricky so having a map is helpful.
This museum is also closed on Sundays-Tuesdays so you will want to plan your visit accordingly.
I highly recommend checking the website for any other announced closures before your visit.
3. Walk around the campus at the University of Iowa
The University of Iowa has such a picturesque campus that is conveniently located adjacent to downtown Iowa City.
My kids always love walking around campus and seeing all of the unique buildings.
They love running beneath the trees on the grassy area located right across the street from downtown.
As mentioned earlier, you do not want to miss out on the gorgeous views from the back steps of the Old Capitol building, offering an incredible panorama of the west side of the campus.
Expert Tip
The steps of the Old Capitol building is also a fantastic spot for some selfies for family pictures.
Additionally, it is always fun to walk through the Iowa Memorial Union which is just down the hill from the Old Capitol and take a right on Madison Street if you are facing towards the river or west side of campus.
4. Play at the downtown playground in the pedestrian mall
Our kids love spending time at the playground adjacent to the public library in the pedestrian mall.
This unique playground features a couple of adorable play structures designed to resemble books.
Additionally, there is a big tower for the kids to go up and slide down the tube slide.
Even more, the playground offers a couple of climbing structures and other obstacles for the climbers in your family.
Another benefit is that it has rubber ground surfacing.
As the kids play, this spot is the ideal location for parents to relax, sip on coffee, and indulge in some people-watching which is one of my favorite things to do!
Expert Tip
The public library is a fantastic spot for a restroom break.
5. Stroll around downtown Iowa City
I might be a bit biased but I adore downtown Iowa City.
It is quaint yet eclectic and has so much to offer visitors.
We love simply walking around and people-watching as well as finding a new yummy spot for lunch or an early dinner.
Be sure to visit Iowa Book to explore a variety of souvenirs and other items to commemorate your visit to Iowa City!
You may also want to stop into Molly’s Cupcakes for a sweet treat or Yotopia to experience Iowa City’s original frozen yogurt.
If you are looking for a place to eat, I suggest Airliner for pizza, Bo James for burgers, or the Bread Garden for sandwiches.
Expert Tip
The Bread Garden is located in the pedestrian mall right across from the playground and the Iowa City Public Library. This is a perfect place to grab lunch or a refreshment after playing at the playground!
6. Bike or walk on the trails along the Iowa River
The University of Iowa Campus is unique in that its two sides are divided by the Iowa River.
This creates a charming landscape and distinctive landscape to enjoy.
I highly recommend taking a stroll with your family on the trail that runs alongside the river.
Expert Tip
If you plan to visit the Iowa Memorial Union, you can get on the trail easily right behind it. Another great spot to access the trail is from City Park.
7. Visit the Iowa Children’s Museum
The Iowa Children’s Museum located in the Coral Ridge Mall is the perfect place for imaginative play and interactive learning.
Admission is $10 per person 1-59 and $9 for those 60 and over.
The museum is conveniently located adjacent to the food court and next to the ice rink and movie theater.
We love all of the imaginative play areas in this children’s museum including the pizza shop and the children’s hospital.
The Take Flight exhibit is also one of our favorites.
Here you can pretend to be an astronaut as well as a pilot or flight attendant.
There is also an airplane to sit in and so much more!
The Iowa Children’s Museum also has a great area called ImaginAcres designated for ages 5 and under.
It is farm themed and perfect for the museum’s youngest visitors.
Additionally, the older kids will be sure to love the Science of Skateboarding exhibit.
Time Needed to Visit
You will likely spend about 1-2 hours at the Iowa Children’s Museum.
8. Ride the Carousel at the Coral Ridge Mall
While at the Coral Ridge Mall, don’t miss taking a ride on the carousel.
The carousel is on the other side of the food court from the Children’s Museum.
It’s not every day you see a carousel in a mall so this is a unique experience to share with your kids.
Rides are just $2.
9. Explore City Park
Iowa City’s City Park is an absolute gem.
It is a sprawling city park surrounded on most of its sides by the Iowa River.
During your visit to City Park make sure to take a walk along the trail next to the river, check out the Riverside Festival Stage in Lower City Park, and play at the Adventure Play Playground nestled in the trees and side of a hill.
If you have time and want to do some swimming, Upper City Park has a unique public pool without all of the bells and whistles that other pools often have.
It has a vast swimming area with some diving boards and a small children’s pool which makes it the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day!
10. Check out the Devonian Fossil Gorge
The Devonian Fossil Gorge is an impressive geological site that dates back 200 million years BEFORE the dinosaurs.
How cool is that?!
The fossils and ancient bedrock were exposed after the historic flood of 1993.
If you plan on visiting, download the Devonian Fossil Gorge Brochure which provides detailed information about each of the markers.
You can also pick a brochure up at the entrance to the site or at the Coralville Lake Visitor Center.
Kids and adults will find it so intriguing to walk on this ancient bedrock and search for different fossils.
My kids LOVE doing these kinds of adventures.
Expert Tip
Go to https://usacejrrangeradventure.stqry.app/1 for a kid friendly audio and picture tour of the 12 different markers at the Devonian Fossil Gorge. At the end you can get a digital junior ranger badge as well as directions for how to get a physical badge too!
Even if you aren’t into all of the history and information, the Devonian Fossil Gorge is still a fun and unique place for kids of all ages to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
That concludes my top 10 list of things to do with kids in Iowa City!
This list includes a well-rounded mix of history, nature, interactive play, and outdoor activities so everyone in your family is sure to find something that will interest them.
Most of these experiences are absolutely free as well which makes Iowa City an affordable family friendly getaway.
Expert Tip
The best time to visit Iowa City is definitely in the summer. For one, the majority of the university’s students are not there which makes walking around campus and downtown so much easier especially with kids. Additionally the summer weather is perfect for enjoying the parks and downtown Iowa City.
If you are looking for more family-friendly stops along your road trip on Interstate 80 West, considering exploring Des Moines and Omaha for more exciting experiences.
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May you LOVE your adventure. KW
