About Downtown Iowa City
Big-City Amenities. Small-Town Charm.
A tree-lined Pedestrian Mall features locally-owned specialty stores, upscale dining & entertainment options, street vendors and regular entertainment. The University of Iowa campus is intertwined with downtown and offers museums and other attractions as well as the diversity of a robust college environment. Enjoy a variety of art and cultural options throughout the year.
The Ped Mall
The “Ped Mall” is an exciting staging ground for festivals and events sponsored by downtown Iowa City's Summer of the Arts. The Iowa Arts Festival takes place in early June, with live outdoor music, an art fair and children's activities.
On the University of Iowa Pentacrest in July, catch the Iowa City Jazz Festival, presenting well-known jazz acts along side local favorites. From May 'til September, Friday nights are earmarked for the crowd-pleasing Friday Night Concert Series, featuring a wide range of local favorite music groups.
Other events like The Saturday Night Free Movie Series and Sand in the City are other popular events. On other days, you might find local groups and events such as outdoor concerts by the Community Band or the local high school jazz ensembles. Live music & entertainment venues abound in this university town.
Live Theater
Moving inside, check out the Englert Civic Theater with its schedule of national and local acts in music, theater, readings and dance. Riverside Theatre continues its decades-long dramatic tradition in its intimate theater setting on Gilbert Street as well as during its outdoor Shakespeare Festival in City Park.
Unesco City of Literature
Iowa City is a literary town, having been named one of four international Cities of Literature, by UNESCO. The University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop and Summer Writing Festival are renowned. Well-known writers make a point of doing readings at Prairie Lights Books. The Iowa Avenue Literary Walk features street-embedded bronze plaques with quotes by Iowa or Iowa-connected writers.
For families, the Iowa City Public Library is a gem, with its well-appointed children's section and the playground located just outside. The Library is also a hub of year-round meeting and event activity for all ages.
Galleries & Museums
Iowa City became Iowa's first state capitol in 1840; the University of Iowa's Pentacrest is home to the splendid Old Capitol Museum. Also on the Pentacrest, the Museum of Natural History is a delight for families, featuring animal exhibits and Iowa Hall, with its replica of a giant sloth.
For visual art lovers, commercial galleries and arts businesses abound as does the local non-profit Arts Iowa City. The downtown Iowa City Gallery Walk takes place at nineteen downtown venues in March, June and October. The University of Iowa Museum of Art and Hancher Auditorium were devastated by flooding in 2008 but are on the road to recovery.
Live, Work & Play Downtown
Iowa City continues to garner excellent national ratings as a place to live and retire to, and the Senior Center is a hub of classes and activities catering to all levels of interest and need. The Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, also located in the district, is a good resource. Conference and lodging information are available at the Iowa City-Coralville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
There's no excuse not to have fun, so put on those walking shoes and come on by!
